Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

Newbie here, brand new to golf carts in general. Thanks for any help, in advance. Warning, may have some (really) stupid questions!

So I just bought a Melex cart that I have determined is a model 666, six seater, with a cargo platform added to the rear so only four passenger now. Serial # is 600536. There were no batteries in the cart when I bought it, so I don't know if it's going to run right away or not. The motor is a GE 48 volt motor, picture attached.

The guy that sold it to me included what he said was the battery charger for the cart. It is a Lester Electric Lestronic II, 36 volt automatic battery charger. The plug on the cord from the charger matches the port on the cart, although that port looks like it may have been changed/added some time in the past.

So some questions: Will the 48 volt cart motor run with only 36 volts worth of batteries? Will damage occur, or will it just run slower?
Does the charger and the battery bank need to match? If I get the correct charger, and 8 six volt batteries, does all the electrical components need to be matched to 48 volts? I think the existing wiring, including the controller, is the original wiring, so probably already compatible with 48 volts.

How much trouble have I stirred up with this project?

Overall, the cart seems to be really solid, except this battery/motor issue.

Any help is appreciated.

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

That charger will not charge a 48 volt battery pack.

ASSUMING that is the motor that is supposed to be in the cart, AND all the electronics (controller, solenoid etc.) are 48 volt components, you will have to install 6 eight volt batteries and a charger to match to find out anything about this cart.

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

Sorry, read again.

Are you saying it has a place for 8 batteries?

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

Looks to me like it does, please see attached pictures. Under the center seat three long trays in the middle and one each side in front of the wheelwell. So I'm thinking 3x2 +1+1 equals 8 spots for batteries. Also shown is the wiring box up under the front seat, I'm guessing that the long black box is the controller?

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

Yep that is the controller, it should have a label on it somewhere that will tell you if it is 36v or 48v.

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

So I finally got a look at the controller (the cart is not at my house, so explains the delay.)

It is a Curtis PMC model 1205-017. The data plate shows voltage at 275 and current at 24-36. So I think they are reversed, i.e., voltage is 24-36.

So now I'm still confused; would this be set up to drive the GE motor, labelled 48 volts? Can that be done? Or is it more probable that some previous owner switched components? It doesn't really look like the motor has been replaced.

Help?!?

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

You have a 48 volt series motor. You say it looks as if there were 8 batteries in it.

Seems to me someone has put the wrong (36 volt) controller in it.

A few observations: Just because it may have had 8 six volt batteries in it, you only need 6 eight volts (that is what I would do, cheaper and less weight.)

The cart probably has EZ GO components in it. I would check into it before purchasing but I'm pretty sure an EZ GO controller will work with that cart/motor. See what throttle it has/needs for the controller you purchase.

First things first. Look in the "stickies" here for "testing a series motor." Does not matter which brand motor,they test the same. Soak the motor studs down with PB Blaster or similar product. You must use 2 wrenches when removing the cables or you will break an insulator requiring removal and disassembly of motor. Make sure motor is good before buying anything.

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

It is very possible that cart was made in 2 configurations, a 36 or 48. Tray would be common but only used 6 holes if 36 and would use the same motor for both. You might be able to program the controller to run on 48 but not sure.

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

And, you say the cart is not at your house. In order to save you some aggravation, you will probably need a thinner wrench for the bottom nuts. So, either have a thin wrench to fit the bottom nuts, or have access to a grinder to grind one down to work.

Can you post a photo of the whole cart?

Re: Just bought a Melex 666, question about voltage
 

Without confusing things for this fellow, let's just say if it came from the factory running 36v it had a 36v motor in it. If it came from the factory running at 48v, it had a 48v motor in it. I am quite sure they did not run a 48v motor at 36v.