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-   -   Better charger than oem, and which one? (https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=157562)

Jseal 09-27-2019 12:00 PM

Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Hello, new to golf carts,, inherited a 2006 Club Car precedent, with 4-12 volt batteries. Batteries are toast, so replacing with T-1275s. Looking for longevity relative to my investment😜... are there better chargers than the original, ( definitely), and more economic, etc, than others? Thankyou in advance.

Fairtax4me 09-27-2019 03:28 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
What kind of longevity?
12V batteries tend to last only 4-5 years even if properly taken care of.
Do a swap to 8V batteries and you'll get closer to 8-9 years if properly taken care of, possibly longer.

As far as chargers go, it's hard to kill a Powerdrive charger. There are a few parts that can fail, but they are relatively easy to service and any part can be replaced and the charger will continue to work. The PD3 charger will charge your pack just fine for years.

There are several smart charger options on the market, but what to get determines how much you want to spend. Possibly the best right now is the Lester Summit II 650W that can usually be had for around $350 for the 48V version.
As far as longevity goes, it comes with a 4 year warranty, and it's made by Lester Electrical, One of the top battery charger manufacturers in the world. But those have not been on the market long enough to say if they will last as long as the old style transformer chargers. Some other companies are starting to have some issues with smart chargers after only 4-5 years.

Others like DPI have made a good reputation of reliability for themselves with a transformer charger, but with a "semi-smart" computer in it that offers different settings for different battery brands/types.

NoleFan4Ever 09-27-2019 03:51 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Agree with the Lester Summit II. If you buy anything, buy it.

Jseal 09-27-2019 06:19 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Thankyou for the information👍👍installed batteries today.... problem! In ‘run’, key on, when put in reverse , the buzzer sounds, hear click from the solenoid, but nothing else happens. Doesn’t run in forward either....
Speed controller?, or maybe solenoid is bad? Cannot find method for testing solenoid😪

meimk 09-27-2019 06:28 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Testing the solenoid can be simple. First, for the sake of safety put the rear axle up in the air on stands. It may not be moving right now, but since we don't know what's causing that yet, we don't know what might cause it to start moving again. With the ignition switch on and pushing the pedal to make it "click", test across the big terminals on the solenoid. Should be full continuity - no voltage drop across those terminals while the solenoid is engaged.

Jseal 09-27-2019 06:36 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Thankyou, meimk! Does “ no voltage drop” mean 0 volts showing on my digital DC voltmeter? I am from NZ, so just checking terminology. I know just enough to be excessively cautious... never done DC before, only household AC....

NoleFan4Ever 09-27-2019 08:34 PM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Yes, if it is closed in your meter should show 0vdc across the large posts.

LabRat 09-28-2019 08:06 AM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by meimk (Post 1656976)
Testing the solenoid can be simple. First, for the sake of safety put the rear axle up in the air on stands. It may not be moving right now, but since we don't know what's causing that yet, we don't know what might cause it to start moving again. With the ignition switch on and pushing the pedal to make it "click", test across the big terminals on the solenoid. Should be full continuity - no voltage drop across those terminals while the solenoid is engaged.

Yes sir seen several shade tree mechanic crash right into a wall. The 3 minutes it takes to put the cart on jack stands can save a life.

yawood 09-29-2019 01:12 AM

Re: Better charger than oem, and which one?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jseal (Post 1656975)
Thankyou for the information����installed batteries today.... problem! In ‘run’, key on, when put in reverse , the buzzer sounds, hear click from the solenoid, but nothing else happens. Doesn’t run in forward either....
Speed controller?, or maybe solenoid is bad? Cannot find method for testing solenoid��

Did you pump the pedal a couple of times? The cart goes to sleep when it has been left for a while and nothing happens the first time you put your foot down (either forwards or backwards - and the reverse buzzer sounds if it is in reverse). Let your foot off and put it down again, a couple of times if necessary. If it is alive then it will move. If it still doesn't move then you have another problem.

Also, make sure you have turned the run/tow switch back to run (which you said you did - just make sure).

Good to see someone else from "down under" on the forum. :thumbup:


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