'12 Precedent i2L Regen Braking and Speed Controller

[SoonerChris]

I have a '12 i2L w/ a 48v system and have a couple of questions regarding regen braking, speed control, and batteries.

This is use solely for playing golf and back and forth to county club.

I had it programmed to speed setting of 4 and regen to lowest setting.

1. Am I correct that regenerative braking cannot be totally turned off? Therefore coasting down a hill can't happen? Even when programmed to lowest setting.

2. With speed setting of 4, 19mph is as fast as it will go without modification, correct? Are any aftermarket add-ons suggested?

3. Quite often lately, the battery light will come on and go off during an 18 hole round. Is this normal?

4. It seems my batteries aren't getting fully charged, however, our superintendent says they are good.

The best way to test them is checking specific gravity with a hydrometer and checking voltage via a multimeter, correct?

[SoonerChris]

Some additional information on the batteries. At lunch I checked with a multimeter and here are the voltages.

Pack: 49.3v
1 batt @ 8.3v
2 batts @ 8.1v
3 batts @ 8.2v

Put it back on charge and will check again 24 hours after charge cycle is complete. As well, will check the specific gravity of each. Me thinking it may be time for new batteries as these are the originals.

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by SoonerChris

I have a '12 i2L w/ a 48v system and have a couple of questions regarding regen braking, speed control, and batteries.

This is use solely for playing golf and back and forth to county club.

I had it programmed to speed setting of 4 and regen to lowest setting.

1. Am I correct that regenerative braking cannot be totally turned off? Therefore coasting down a hill can't happen? Even when programmed to lowest setting.

Yes, you are correct. Speed setting 4 limits your speed to 19-20 mph.

2. With speed setting of 4, 19mph is as fast as it will go without modification, correct? Are any aftermarket add-ons suggested?

Correct, The Alltrax XCT controllers will plug right in and work with your vehicle. The XCT 300 amp version would not require any further modification. The 400 require a cable and solenoid upgrade. The same can be said for the 500, plus a motor swap as it is not recommended to run the factory motor on 500 amps. All three options would give you what you're looking for as far as speeds over 20.

3. Quite often lately, the battery light will come on and go off during an 18 hole round. Is this normal?

No, this indicates weak batteries. Get a full battery pack voltage reading on your batteries once the light begins to flash and report back to us.

4. It seems my batteries aren't getting fully charged, however, our superintendent says they are good.

They may be getting fully charged, but can't retain the voltage as long as they once could because they're beginning to fail. In new condition, this vehicle should easily play 3 rounds of golf before battery voltage is an issue.

The best way to test them is checking specific gravity with a hydrometer and checking voltage via a multimeter, correct?

Yes, but a hydrometer reading is useless unless you're testing them while they're fully charged. A voltage reading will tell you the state of charge, but a hydrometer will tell you the condition of the battery pack.

[SoonerChris]

Originally Posted by TahoeDawgZ71

Yes, but a hydrometer reading is useless unless you're testing them while they're fully charged. A voltage reading will tell you the state of charge, but a hydrometer will tell you the condition of the battery pack.

Thanks David. I just checked after around 17 hours of rest after charging. The pack is sitting at 49.3v.

Think I should test with a hydrometer or are these batts most likely gone?

[TahoeDawgZ71]

49.3 isn't real good considering the vehicle hasn't been used since it charged. You can check them with a hydrometer to see if you can narrow it down to one or two batteries, but most likely, they're all very similar in condition and would need to be replaced at the same time. I'd like to add that I just sold 198 batteries to a local golf course because their 2013 PD batteries (Probably the same as yours) would only charge up to 49.3 - 49.7 volts and would only play one round of golf. New batteries fixed their issues.

[SoonerChris]

Originally Posted by TahoeDawgZ71

I'd like to add that I just sold 198 batteries to a local golf course because their 2013 PD batteries (Probably the same as yours) would only charge up to 49.3 - 49.7 volts and would only play one round of golf. New batteries fixed their issues.

That's the exact same issue I'm seeing, can barely get one round of 18 on it. I'm going to PM you for battery suggestions.