How bad did I mess up...................

[Rainman4820]

I have a 1991 Marathon 36 volt. I installed new batteries 6 months ago and went through the break-in period, never letting him go below 75% for 10 consecutive charges. (I have a digital readout meter mounted and never let the cart go below 75% charge using 37.3v as a 75% guide). Until last week. Friends used the cart and when they finished riding the reading was somewhere near 50% voltage. I tried to run the cart and it would barely move. I fully charged the batteries ad the meter was showing 46.2 during charge and 38.2 after removing the charger. The solenoid clicks but the cart barely moves.

So my question is where to start diagnosing? Does running to 50% charge (or below) have the potential to affect the controller, batteries, or ?

Thanks for your input to help me get Roadie up and running again.
Rain

[Volt_Ampere]

No. The cart should run just fine at 50% charge. Batteries would also be fine if you recharged after getting to 50% charge. If the cart barely moves, something else is wrong. You could monitor battery voltage when it barely moves and if it doesn't drop much, then the controller isn't giving you much current.

[Rainman4820]

Ok thanks, I don't recall the voltage dropping at all when I depressed the pedal but will verify.

[smokey tennis shoe]

also, if you haven't already, check the water in the batteries.

[Golf cart guy]

Friends? and I let them borrow my cart, my favorite. Check the motor-see if its smoked

[Rainman4820]

Ok so I charged the batteries and when charging stopped the voltage was at 38.4. When I press the pedal the cart moves like it normally does but voltage immediately dropped to 37.4 or about 75% charge. Water level is good. Any other thoughts before I put it on the charger again?

[Golf cart guy]

its not a battery issue

[Rainman4820]

Ok great thank you, I am going to run him hard and see what happens.

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by Rainman4820

Ok so I charged the batteries and when charging stopped the voltage was at 38.4. When I press the pedal the cart moves like it normally does but voltage immediately dropped to 37.4 or about 75% charge. Water level is good. Any other thoughts before I put it on the charger again?

It sounds like you need to check the resistance of the motor windings. Someone else here should be able to give you what the normal readings should be for the motor that you have. Current draw by the motor will drop the voltage. How much depends upon the motor windings. Your friends could have damaged your motor.

Bob

[Rainman4820]

I have ran the cart for a day now and charged a couple of times. All seems normal except........the cart now just barely moves from a standing start then gains full speed in a couple of seconds. This occurs even on flat surfaces. All battery voltages are good.

Thoughts on what components I can start testing?