resistor coils caught on fire

[justjk]

I was pulling out of my garage and smelled burning wires. I lifted the seat and saw flames coming from the coils. it is an 89 ezgo marathon 36v. What caused it and what is the damage? i had to disconnect the batteries to extinguish the flames help please

[scottyb]

The function of the resistor coils is to regulate speed which it does by converting amperage to heat. It's a waste system. By burning off X amount of amperage your motor runs less than full speed... the graduated size coils result in variable speeds. State of the art electronics in 1950 and still utilized in most irons & toasters today.
The steel coils should not burst into flames but they will burn anything that comes in contact with them. They are burning the most amperage off at the lowest speed. Maybe a mouse was building a nest on top of the coils last night?

[justjk]

I will hook my batteries up tonight and give it a try. Hope that is all. I just painted it, recovered seats and put on some chrome. thanks

[rib33024]

Originally Posted by justjk

I will hook my batteries up tonight and give it a try. Hope that is all. I just painted it, recovered seats and put on some chrome. thanks

did you get any paint on the coils?? that will cause a fire

[simple man]

The coils normally will get very hot! They can easily set long grass on fire if you park on it! They are supposed to have a heat shield over them, but a lot of times those get damaged and thrown away. Like was said before, something got on the coil to burn.