81 DS Resistor Coils Speed Steps

[jdunmyer]

Sergio,
I have to disagree with you: it is always a Bad Idea to discharge your batteries at different rates, you will ruin the pack. Think about it, you run 3 of your batteries down much more than the others, then place the cart on charge. Three batteries will be fully charged, while the other 3 are still coming up. Stop the charge now, and 3 are left partially charged, or let it run and overcharge the other 3.

This is why people use 12-volt converters rather than simply run their lights from a tap on the battery pack.

It doesn't hurt those resistors to run hot, they're designed to do so. About the only way I see harming them is if you load the cart heavily, then cruise around at slow speed for long periods. If you have only one passenger and aren't slogging through mud, you should have no trouble. Naturally, all connections must be tight so the heating takes place on the coils, not at the connections.

[Sergio]

Sorry, I meant to say "Safer" not "Better".... just concerned about the hot resistors and kids...

[jdunmyer]

The kids shouldn't get into the resistors, they're always under the seat. If you're worried about that, install some sort of lock on the seat so it can't be hinged up or otherwise removed.

Of course, like anything else: once burned, twice shy. They'll only burn themselves once.

[Sergio]

I was not worried about burning hands, just search the site for resistor coil fire... and that is from folks inadvertently running it too long at low speed. This thread was about intentionally disabling some of the solenoids forcing the resistors to heat up until they catch on fire.