Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

I have a 1993 Melex cart. When you press on the acelerator it starts to move then stops. If you are very slow and easy on it it will begin to move slowly. On a flat paved surface you can eventually get it going fast but it kicks out at any incline. If you jack up the rear tires so they are off the ground it seems to work fine. All batteries are about 3 years old all show 6.5+volts. It does the same thing in forward or reverse. Any ideas?

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

I'm thinking and hoping its the potentiometor in the potbox assy. Will look up specs and post tommarrow. You will need a voltmeter. Dave

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Thanks, I have a multimeter so I can check out whatever you tell me to. I will wait to here.

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Man, I'm sorry, I forgot. Will try to look up and post tommorow. Dave

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Potentiometer 5K - 0, no?:?

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Acually it's 0-5k ohms on melex. You must be thinking of a club car..it's 5k-0. Hope this helps. Later dave

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Thanks.

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

So I sould read 0 and 5k when I press down on the accelerator?

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Yes. 0 to start and slowly progress up to 5 k ohms at full throttle. Later dave

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

I have been doing some more checking. Not sure how to get a reading on the Pot Box you talk about but I will keep looking. It looks and feels like it cuts out as you accelerate. It goes fine on the low speed (seems like it has low and high) also no problems on flat pavement. If I hold the cart back I can get it to not engauge at all when you press all the way down. Another question. Is the Controller box servicable? I have everything to check and service electronics at my shop but I don't want to pull the box if it is a block or something. Last but not least where is a good place to buy a replacement and how much do they run, thanks again.

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Controllers are not serviceable....So hopefully you have a bad pot. Controllers come in a variety of sizes ranging from 275amp to 750amp. $300 to rediculously expensive.
If you don't shop ebay try one of our sponsers, they make this forum possible.
They are voltage sensative, 36v or 48v also, so "hopefully you have a bad pot"

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

sounds to me that your solenoid is dropping out try changing it out

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Sorry I wasn't more specific on the test. There will be 2 wires that come form the "pot box" to the controller. They are "slide on" "spade" wire ends. There will actually be 3 wires at the controller, but the "black" (I beleive) is ground. Take the 2 wires off, put your probes (from volt meter ) in them and (set for ohms) push on the accelrator pedal and check the readings. Once again sorry, My brain knows what to do but, my fingers "forget" to type it. I guess that's what happens when you turn "50" in a couple of days. Good luck, cross your fingers thats the problem. Later dave

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Have you tested the batteries under a load, or just idle? Your symptoms really scream low voltage. This may be from batteries.. other possibilities are loose wires, weak solenoid, bad controller, and possibly worn brushes in your motor.

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Any luck on this problem yet. I have a Melex 412 that has the exact same issue!

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

Hi I have the same problem with my 36 vote Melex What did you do to fix it? Thanks

Re: Melex 36 Volt Cart only goes at slow speed
 

There are many issues that can cause low speed. A bad battery, weak connection, or worn out pot box are some of the first checks. I ran into my first Melex today and figured I would share for my first post ever.

My diagnosis......burned down commutator on the motor. Over time the gaps between the comutator get filled with bits of carbon, copper, and trash.

The cart I was working on today would move very slowly. Put the wheels up and it would move just fine. Everything else checked out....all batteries good, all cables good, pot box fine..... I pulled the access band from the motor to find the picture below.

Take a pick and scrape out all the trash between the gaps in the comutator and see how she does.

I was excited to see that my sweat today might be able to help someone.

-Cheers

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...ps826a5e13.jpg