Where is this voltage /ground coming from???

Russ/TN · 12-22-2009, 07:13 PM

2004 PDS.
36 volt to 12 volt converter.
Alltrax DCX400 PDS
with EVERYTHING removed from the pack negative post I get 37.6 volts
between the pack positive and the heat sink.
What the heck!
Just cleaned the batteries.
Any ideas???
Thanks in advance.

scottyb · 12-22-2009, 07:32 PM

Still wet? Connect the Vmeter between the posts and the battery top. Anything?

Russ/TN · 12-22-2009, 07:49 PM

Yep...still a little wet.
Between the pack pos. post and various areas on the batt tops I get
a little, about 0.2 - 0.3 volt.
When I put the lead under the label of the pack neg batt. I get 36.4 volt.
What do I need to do to remedy this?
Pull all batts out and wash and dry the sides and bottoms of them?
Guess you were right the other night when you bet it would be stray grounds,
and Gornoman bet it was cables. Just on a different buggy.
I also get 37. volts at the disconnected B- cable coming through the controller.
Thanks for the help

Russ/TN · 12-22-2009, 08:14 PM

O.K. thoroughly dried battery tops and highest voltage I find is 0.85 volts.
Scared myself!
Not the first time...surely not the last!
Do I need to worry about this while crossing creeks etc.?

scottyb · 12-22-2009, 08:18 PM

Yes! Dry your batteries with a leaf blower after you neutralize the tops with baking soda and water ..... No creek crossings

Russ/TN · 12-22-2009, 08:50 PM

But!!...I got 1700 acres to cruise around on and it's full of creeks.
They ain't real deep (well, not the crossings) but they are wet.
I commute in my buggy rain or shine so even staying on the paved roads in the rain they are gonna get wet.
Any bets on the first component I fry?
Anything I can do to minimize my risk?
How about if I took them all out and gave them a good coat or 2 of wax?
I actually found the stray voltage while trying to figure how to keep
my headlights from going out while climbing hills. I suspect the controller/motor is causing an undervolt in the 36/12 volt converter and I might just have to live with it.
Ah well!

scottyb · 12-22-2009, 09:00 PM

You just have to be aware of what a great conductor of electricity water is... Lookinside a battery.... what do you see?

golfcarfixer · 12-22-2009, 09:09 PM

The voltage reducer should not be in a lot of water constanly and if you put baking soda on your batteries you are taking a chance. If you get baking soda in your batteries it will kill them asap. I was told this by a trojan batteries rep.

Russ/TN · 12-22-2009, 09:27 PM

ScottyB: Wait a minute...if they are full of water on the inside...why can't I get the outside wet!

I will just try my best to minimize all splashing and keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks for the help.
Russ

Golfcartfixer: I have the convertor mounted under driver's side seat.
It is raised up on 1" rubber isolators. It does get wet, but it doesn't sit in a puddle.
So...how do you clean them?
I have always used the baking soda-water, but I make sure all caps are tight and secure and carefully avoid them with the solution.
Not trying to be smart, just always looking for better ways to do stuff.
Thanks!

golfcarfixer · 12-22-2009, 09:34 PM

No problem, all you need is water from the hose to clean batteries that baking soda is a waste of money. I have used straight water for years. have you got something grounded to the frame?

12-22-2009, 07:13 PM	#1
Russ/TN Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central Tennessee Posts: 150	Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? 2004 PDS. 36 volt to 12 volt converter. Alltrax DCX400 PDS with EVERYTHING removed from the pack negative post I get 37.6 volts between the pack positive and the heat sink. What the heck! Just cleaned the batteries. Any ideas??? Thanks in advance.

12-22-2009, 07:32 PM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? Still wet? Connect the Vmeter between the posts and the battery top. Anything?

12-22-2009, 07:49 PM	#3
Russ/TN Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central Tennessee Posts: 150	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? Yep...still a little wet. Between the pack pos. post and various areas on the batt tops I get a little, about 0.2 - 0.3 volt. When I put the lead under the label of the pack neg batt. I get 36.4 volt. What do I need to do to remedy this? Pull all batts out and wash and dry the sides and bottoms of them? Guess you were right the other night when you bet it would be stray grounds, and Gornoman bet it was cables. Just on a different buggy. I also get 37. volts at the disconnected B- cable coming through the controller. Thanks for the help

12-22-2009, 08:14 PM	#4
Russ/TN Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central Tennessee Posts: 150	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? O.K. thoroughly dried battery tops and highest voltage I find is 0.85 volts. Scared myself! Not the first time...surely not the last! Do I need to worry about this while crossing creeks etc.?

12-22-2009, 08:18 PM	#5
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? Yes! Dry your batteries with a leaf blower after you neutralize the tops with baking soda and water ..... No creek crossings

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12-22-2009, 08:50 PM	#6
Russ/TN Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central Tennessee Posts: 150	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? But!!...I got 1700 acres to cruise around on and it's full of creeks. They ain't real deep (well, not the crossings) but they are wet. I commute in my buggy rain or shine so even staying on the paved roads in the rain they are gonna get wet. Any bets on the first component I fry? Anything I can do to minimize my risk? How about if I took them all out and gave them a good coat or 2 of wax? I actually found the stray voltage while trying to figure how to keep my headlights from going out while climbing hills. I suspect the controller/motor is causing an undervolt in the 36/12 volt converter and I might just have to live with it. Ah well!

12-22-2009, 09:00 PM	#7
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? You just have to be aware of what a great conductor of electricity water is... Lookinside a battery.... what do you see?

12-22-2009, 09:09 PM	#8
golfcarfixer Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Forest City N.C. Posts: 2,660	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? The voltage reducer should not be in a lot of water constanly and if you put baking soda on your batteries you are taking a chance. If you get baking soda in your batteries it will kill them asap. I was told this by a trojan batteries rep.

12-22-2009, 09:27 PM	#9
Russ/TN Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central Tennessee Posts: 150	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? ScottyB: Wait a minute...if they are full of water on the inside...why can't I get the outside wet! I will just try my best to minimize all splashing and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the help. Russ Golfcartfixer: I have the convertor mounted under driver's side seat. It is raised up on 1" rubber isolators. It does get wet, but it doesn't sit in a puddle. So...how do you clean them? I have always used the baking soda-water, but I make sure all caps are tight and secure and carefully avoid them with the solution. Not trying to be smart, just always looking for better ways to do stuff. Thanks!

12-22-2009, 09:34 PM	#10
golfcarfixer Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Forest City N.C. Posts: 2,660	Re: Where is this voltage /ground coming from??? No problem, all you need is water from the hose to clean batteries that baking soda is a waste of money. I have used straight water for years. have you got something grounded to the frame?

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