connecting 36v battery cables

[john fox]

results in a big spark.
can I connect cables first then turn on battery to avoid the sparkies.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by john fox

results in a big spark.
can I connect cables first then turn on battery to avoid the sparkies.

Something is drawing power...often the culprit is a DC (12v) reducer. If no reducer it may just be the controller capacitors, precharge them by using a precharge resistor just hand held between the battery post and the final cable for about 1 minute. Then connect.

[john fox]

thanks scotty, but I found something else much worse.
not wanting to destroy anything I took the ohm meter and started checking everything.
no 12v system connected. no lights connected.
charging port disconnected.
battery disconnected.
run/test switch off in fact the cover removed.
I get a dead short across the seloniod every post on it?
how I did that removing the lead batteries ?????
man sometime I should admit I'm getting to old and just have it done for me....phooey......

[john fox]

well,
I put the lead batteries back into the cart and it works. thankfully I didn't destroy anything as I had thought.
I guess I panic early and panic often, mostly because I know what damage I am capable of!
I have a trip to town planed for today and will try to find a big 25w-30ohm resistor to pre-charge as Scotty suggested.
it may take a few days before I make another attempt at the conversion.
this time of year I use my cart very much because it's a tool, a farm implement if you will.
saves much diesel using the cart to carry tools, seed, fertilizer etc.
but try again I will.
BTW strawberries starting to ripen YUMMY!

[augiedoggy]

I could be wrong but if you have the resistor on your solenoid you will get continuity across it as you already found. and also across the coil to power it.

[scottyb]

Testing across the resistor will give a continuity reading . The same goes for the activation coil ( small terminals) Lots of people email with 'I have x voltage between the motor x terminal and the left side of the which-a-majigger when the F&R is in x and the key is off or on...., is this normal? '
IDK I've never tried that measurement. Also note. the one time spark connecting the battery can simply be endured if no resistor is available...

[john fox]

thanks guy's for the help and information.
and thanks for taking it easy on me when I hit panic mode!
I hate sparkies and will use a resistor I have some life left in my 6+ yr. old battery bank so as of now no real rush to complete battery swap.