EzGo TXT Runs Fast Then VERY Slow. Dies

[michaelrowell]

Hey all, having a issue with my early 2000's EzGo TXT. One day, after driving it for 30-60 seconds in my neighborhood, after coming to a stop, it no longer had much power at take off and dies shortly thereafter (like within half a mile). What's odd is that the day before, I could run it all the way to my marina and back (6-8 miles with no issue). I say this because I don't think it's battery related. From being able to run 6-8 miles to all of a sudden drastically slowing after 200 yards is whats so confusing. I have put a multimeter to all the batteries, the 4 on the left are reading 6.2, the 2 on the passenger side are reading 6.0. It lurches strong on take off, but after I slow down at the end of my street, it no longer wants to run at the same speed, dramatically reduced speed, but it limps back home. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bama Brad]

If those batteries are 6 volts...they are dead. need charging.

[michaelrowell]

They are 6 volt, what should they be reading with a multimeter?

[JohnnieB]

If they are Trojan brand batteries, 12 hours after the charger shuts off, the pack should read 38.2V and each battery should read 6.37V and each battery voltage should be within 0.1V of the others.

To load test your batteries, connect your voltmeter with clip leads and check the battery pack voltage while going uphill.

[Bama Brad]

How old are the batteries? I printed the chart from JohnnieB and taped it on my dash by my digital voltmeter so I could keep up with when I needed to head back to the house and put on charge. AND I always charge after using...no matter what the meter read.

[michaelrowell]

Batteries are probably 5-6 years old

[JohnnieB]

Batteries are likely beyond their normal lifespan.

Here's a map showing typical battery life expectancy by region.

[michaelrowell]

Thanks JohnnieB. So you’re saying it’s possible that one day I would be able to run long distances, then the next day they can be almost dead batteries?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by michaelrowell

Thanks JohnnieB. So you’re saying it’s possible that one day I would be able to run long distances, then the next day they can be almost dead batteries?

Batteries can fail at any time and occasionally they fail suddenly. Oddly enough, one failure mode is failing under load and only one of the eighteen 2V cells in a 36V pack has to fail to drastically reduce performance and range.

The probability of battery failure is low when new, but get progressively higher as the batteries age. The typical lifespan of cart batteries in in the 3 to 4 year range and the longest life expectancy on the map I posted is 56 months, or 4.67 years.

Of course, we don't know if your batteries are failing yet. Not until you load test them by measuring the pack voltage while driving, preferably up an incline.

[michaelrowell]

Solid gold JonnieB. I will test them under load and report back. Thank you so much again!