Battery voltage question

[jchcart]

Hey Guys,
My batteries have bit the dust and surprisingly the charger did shortly afterward also. I installed a new 400 amp Alltrax DCX400 controller and a 200amp solenoid HD peak 800 amp a few years ago so my question is, can I and should I go with a 48 volt set up when buying new batteries? Is that possible with this set up? Or do I just need to get another 36 volt set up? Cart is an Ezgo DCS 98 model. Thanks

[JohnnieB]

The DCX400 will operate at 48V, the solenoid probably won't.

There is a danger of over-revving the motor, but if you don't go downhill with your foot on the floor to see how fast it will go, you'll probably be okay. (Don't ask how I know )

[jchcart]

So I’ll have to replace the solenoid, you which one I will need to get by chance? Can you use 12v instead of 8v or will that hurt it?

[JohnnieB]

As for the solenoid, something similar to what you have now except with a 48V coil instead of 36V. I use a MZJ400 which is the only one I know of that will work at 36V and 48V.

As for the batteries, you can use four 12V batteries (Deep cycle ones, not automotive), but you'll be very disappointed with how far the cart will travel on a single charge, unless all you use it for is driving to the mailbox and back.

A stock 36V battery pack is made up from 6V-225AH batteries and has roughly 8100kWh of energy stored.
A typical 48V battery pack made from 8V-170AH batteries has about 8160kWh of energy stored, so it has roughly the same range as the stock 36V pack.

On the other hand, 12V deep cycle batteries are typically 150AH, so using 12V deep cycle batteries you'll only have 7200kWh stored and significantly less range than you had with the 36V pack.

[rockfordpi]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

As for the solenoid, something similar to what you have now except with a 48V coil instead of 36V. I use a MZJ400 which is the only one I know of that will work at 36V and 48V.

As for the batteries, you can use four 12V batteries (Deep cycle ones, not automotive), but you'll be very disappointed with how far the cart will travel on a single charge, unless all you use it for is driving to the mailbox and back.

A stock 36V battery pack is made up from 6V-225AH batteries and has roughly 8100kWh of energy stored.
A typical 48V battery pack made from 8V-170AH batteries has about 8160kWh of energy stored, so it has roughly the same range as the stock 36V pack.

On the other hand, 12V deep cycle batteries are typically 150AH, so using 12V deep cycle batteries you'll only have 7200kWh stored and significantly less range than you had with the 36V pack.

JB,

What does the lower case 'k' in your numbers above mean? I am not familiar with that representation.

[rockfordpi]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

As for the solenoid, something similar to what you have now except with a 48V coil instead of 36V. I use a MZJ400 which is the only one I know of that will work at 36V and 48V.

As for the batteries, you can use four 12V batteries (Deep cycle ones, not automotive), but you'll be very disappointed with how far the cart will travel on a single charge, unless all you use it for is driving to the mailbox and back.

A stock 36V battery pack is made up from 6V-225AH batteries and has roughly 8100kWh of energy stored.
A typical 48V battery pack made from 8V-170AH batteries has about 8160kWh of energy stored, so it has roughly the same range as the stock 36V pack.

On the other hand, 12V deep cycle batteries are typically 150AH, so using 12V deep cycle batteries you'll only have 7200kWh stored and significantly less range than you had with the 36V pack.

JB,

What does the lower case 'k' in your numbers above mean? I am not familiar with that representation.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by rockfordpi

JB,

What does the lower case 'k' in your numbers above mean? I am not familiar with that representation.

kilo kWh = kilowatt hours.

SI abbreviation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilowatt-hour

[rockfordpi]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

kilo kWh = kilowatt hours.

SI abbreviation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilowatt-hour

I am familiar with that KWH. Sorry, it just seemed liked 7200KWH was a lot of energy and maybe that lower case 'k' had a different meaning than with which I am familiar.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by rockfordpi

I am familiar with that KWH. it just seemed liked 7200KWH was a lot of energy...

Oops!

All of those should have been Watt hours.

Thanks for the catch.

[rockfordpi]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

Oops!

All of those should have been Watt hours.

Thanks for the catch.

Actually I started to order me a set of those batteries and then I got to thinking about the charger, LOL.