Gas Club Car starting and charging current

[Pompie8]

Does anyone know what the typical starting and charging current is on the pre 2000 Club Car?
Can't find anything on the forums.

[Fairtax4me]

Key on, press pedal, the solenoid engages and the starter generator spins and turns the engine. Once the engine is running and over a certain RPM the starter then starts generating DC power that gets sent back to the battery via the solenoid.
The voltage regulator allows for a change in current through the generator field winding to control voltage output from the starter generator.

Minor variations for a key start cart vs a pedal start, but the concept is the same across the entire 35 years or so of Club Car gasoline engine carts.

[Pompie8]

Not quite what I was asking, I would like to know what the typical starting current and charging current values are. (amperes).

[meimk]

I understand the stock generator is only designed for about 17 amps of output. I've never seen a figure quoted for starting amps, but my guess is probably under 75 amps.

[Pompie8]

I know the initial current on start will be very high then drop off as the S/G picks up speed until the engine starts. I'm going to do some tests if I can get the required equipment. I suspect charging current would be somewhere under 10 amps with a healthy battery etc.
I'm thinking this info could be useful when diagnosing start / charge problems.

[Fairtax4me]

Depends which unit you have.
The older starters were something like 0.9hp, newer ones are around 1.4hp. 60 to 100 amps I would guess.
The charge amperage varies somewhat as well, but 15-17 amps is probably normal as meimk said.

[Pompie8]

Ok done some tests but obviously the results will differ somewhat from engine to engine depending on the compression etc:-
NO LOAD START CURRENT (BELT REMOVED) - 30/35 AMPS
NO LOAD RUN CURRENT (BELT REMOVED) - 12 AMPS
FULL LOAD START CURRENT - 50/60 AMPS
FULL LOAD RUN CURRENT - 20/25 AMPS
CHARGING CURRENT <5 AMPS (but again totally dependent on battery specs and state of charge).
I must admit I was a little surprised at the full load results being so low, I was expecting up to 100 amps. I was influenced though by the massive starting currents required by car starter motors, but thinking about it the S/G is nothing like a car starter motor which is a virtual short circuit on initial start.

[liquidh8]

Good info thank you, I was wondering this myself.