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-   -   Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago (https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=141998)

orangeman6 05-19-2018 04:00 PM

Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
1 Attachment(s)
I’ve really needed batteries since I rebuilt my cart a year and a half ago. It wasn’t getting a lot of use, so it wasn’t a priority. Then I started looking into lithium, but by the time I began getting even halfway comfortable with that, Nick at EV had his unfortunate health issues. The cart is now starting to get used regularly again, so I got to searching again and even looked into the Chevy volt option that some members here have used with success. While learning about that, I happened to reach out to another member who has done quite a few conversions using EV’s products. He suggested I reach out to them and see what they have going.

Fortunately, I caught them at a good time. I went back and forth for a bit deciding whether to build it myself, but ultimately went with the already assembled leaf battery pack since it was only about $100 more. I still had to make a box, build a few cables, and re-wire some stuff, but the pack was already assembled with the bms wired up. All in all, thanks to the help I had, it was pretty simple to do.

As far as the performance goes, it’s awesome. The first test drive was a blast. I was coming from 36v, so between the increase in voltage, and the reduced weight, it’s a completely different cart. I haven’t had the time to figure out my range yet, but I’m hoping it will be enough. Another good thing is that you can charge it anywhere you have an outlet. My cart stays in the neighborhood, so I’ll throw a cord under the seat in case I need it. If I need to, I can always double the pack. Speed wise, I hit 31 yesterday and it cruises uphill. Other than testing it, I don’t usually have the pedal down much more than halfway.

If you’re on the fence about it, just do it. It wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it. Like I said, I got some great advice from a member here (I’m not going to throw out his name. I’ll let him decide if he wants to field a bunch of questions) that helped me figure out what I needed, and how to go about it, but it’s pretty straightforward with the bms and pack already assembled.

I’ll be more than happy to pass along what I learned

E36Racer 05-19-2018 04:41 PM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Nice looking install. Having the big Anderson plug to isolate the pack easily is a nice addition too. Any time I mess with wiring I just disconnect the pack and have no worries.


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Jmzvet 05-19-2018 07:08 PM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
That is super clean. Can't justify the conversion cost at this point but def in my future plans:thumbup::thumbup:

scottyb 05-19-2018 07:31 PM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Looking good, you big spenders are making everybody jealous.

orangeman6 05-19-2018 09:12 PM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Well, if I get the life of two lead acid packs out of it, I’ll be ahead. 🙏

cgtech 05-20-2018 01:12 AM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeman6 (Post 1503771)
Well, if I get the life of two lead acid packs out of it, I’ll be ahead. 🙏

My opinion (and only opinion, as none of my conversions are 7.5 years old yet) is "will be about 1.5x the life of well cared for lead batteries". I feel some of the investment must also be considered to include things like increased performance, and near-zero maintenance, no smell while charging, no acid/corrosion mess ever. I feel these conversion jobs can't be considered only on lifespan, or it would not make $ sense.

orangeman6 05-20-2018 11:09 AM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by E36Racer (Post 1503710)
Nice looking install. Having the big Anderson plug to isolate the pack easily is a nice addition too. Any time I mess with wiring I just disconnect the pack and have no worries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I’ve seen your stuff, so appreciate the compliment coming from you. Now that I’ve freed up some space, may have to take a page from your book and throw a sub in there.

Being able to cut all power just by dc’ing the Anderson is very convenient. Note for anyone like me who didn’t know: the color of the Anderson connector matters. All colors of the same model have the same ratings, specs, size, etc, but each has a slightly different housing that will only mate with the same color. I was anxious to get installing, so I bought everything I needed from Amazon prime. The pack already had a red sb175 installed, but I could find only the gray on prime. When I realized gray and red don’t mate, I had to spend half a day driving around town finding one or the other.

orangeman6 05-20-2018 11:18 AM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cgtech (Post 1503840)
My opinion (and only opinion, as none of my conversions are 7.5 years old yet) is "will be about 1.5x the life of well cared for lead batteries". I feel some of the investment must also be considered to include things like increased performance, and near-zero maintenance, no smell while charging, no acid/corrosion mess ever. I feel these conversion jobs can't be considered only on lifespan, or it would not make $ sense.

Appreciate the info. I like to tell myself, and especially the wife, that it was an economical decision, but in reality all the stuff you mentioned was a factor. Plus, it’s just cool. 👍

Riso 05-20-2018 11:35 AM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
:thumbup:Very nice!

John Long 05-20-2018 01:16 PM

Re: Lithium-shoulda done it a long time ago
 
Very nice. Thank you for sharing. Wish I could get a step by step guide.


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