Before you check the motor itself, first test the source of the power: the wall socket where you charge it. Take a 120-volt tester and use the probes to confirm that there is power reaching the socket. If there is no voltage reading, first reset the circuit breaker by flipping the switch that provides electricity to that socket.
How do you test the motor on a golf cart?
How to Test a Golf Cart Motor. 1 Step 1 - Test the Source of Power. Before you check the motor itself, first test the source of the power: the wall socket where you charge it. Take a ... 2 Step 2 - Check the Batteries. 3 Step 3 - Uncover the Motor. 4 Step 4 - Detach the Wires. 5 Step 5 - Check the Terminals.
How to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad?
Here’s how to tell if your electric golf cart motor is bad or if the problem has another source. When your golf car doesn’t start, it’s tempting to jump straight to the perceived problem area: the motor. But the issue could be a simpler one concerning another part of the car.
How to test golf cart batteries?
How To Test Golf Cart Batteries With Load Testing. A load tester will give you more insight as to the health of your battery. By putting a dummy load on the battery, you can see how the battery performs when actually being used. The load tester hooks to the terminals of the battery and displays the voltage.
How to test a club car motor?
How to Test a Club Car Motor 1 Park the club car on a level surface and turn the key to the "off" position. 2 Jack the rear of the club car up and place jack stands at the proper rear jacking points. ... 3 Jack the front of the car up and place the jack stands under the proper front jacking points. ... More items...
Where is the motor located on a golf cart?
Finally, its time to check the motor itself. This will be located under a panel, usually at the back of the cart. This panel will be held on with four screws, so just make quick work of them with your screwdriver, and set everything aside in a safe place on a towel.
How to check if a battery is working?
Insert the screwdriver into the slot on a clamp and turn counterclockwise to remove it. Repeat this step with the other clamp. Then, test the voltage of the battery by touching each side of the wires to your 12-volt tester. This needs to be done to check all the batteries, as even one not working can cause your motor to malfunction. Don’t forget to remove the clamps before testing the other batteries as well. If at any time the tester shows less than 12 volts, the batteries need to be replaced.
Do golf carts need to be tested?
Owning a golf cart requires a lot of care, including constantly testing the motor. Early detection and troubleshooting motor problems can save you from spending a lot on repairs. So, if you come across problems, confirm that the motor is functioning properly by following the steps below.
How many turns does a regen cart have?
Usually, the wire is rectanular in shape (cross-section). These coils have a much lower number of turns (usually 5 to 15 turns) per field coil. Note: A Regen cart will normally automatically slow down when you hit approximately 15 MPH going down a hill. This is for safety reasons (as not to over-spin the armature).
What is the difference between a series and a shunt motor?
There’s nothing visually different between the two that I know of but a shunt motor has the field windings connected in parallel with the armature .. and a series motor has the field windings connected in series with the armature.
How many volts does a golf cart have?
There is a major difference between 36 volt up to 48 volt systems, impacting both performance and potential upkeep and maintenance costs. Hint: some batteries are much more expensive ...
What is the amperage of a golf cart?
Golf Cart Battery Amps. Amperage can be considered akin to the fuel in a gas-powered engine. Similar to a tank of gas, the amount of amperage will dictate how far you can drive your cart on a single electric charge.
What does the owner manual on a golf cart tell you?
If uncertain, referring to your golf cart’s owner manual will provide guidance as to the type of battery your make and model was made to handle. As always, if you have questions or need further assistance, our talented and highly trained staff is standing by to assist and make sure you get just what you need to enjoy the trails or links worry-free.
What does voltage mean in a battery pack?
Voltage represents how much power your system will be delivered, resulting in increased ability to tow, carry more weight, and accelerate faster.
Does a golf cart battery need to be recharged?
In this regard, a higher voltage (although more powerful) often comes at a cost. That cost is that it can burn through more amps faster, draining the golf cart battery quicker, and requiring you to recharge more frequently.
How to tell if your golf cart is low voltage?
You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage.
How many amps does a golf cart battery take to recharge?
To recharge, the batteries will require 90 ampere-hours + 20% to make up for any charge deficiency.
How to tell if battery life is nearing?
Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to allow the thermometer to adjust to the temperature of electrolyte and note the reading. Observe also the electrolyte color. A gray or brown coloration shows that the end of your battery life is nearing.
How to tell if your golf cart battery is bad?
Symptoms of a failing battery or batteries could include the following: 1 You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. 2 A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage. If this is experienced, your cart may be low on charge, the charger may not be functioning properly or you may have a battery issue. 3 On electric golf carts, the cart refusing to move at all on a charged set of batteries could be the controller not engaging when the voltage falls below a preset value. 4 It takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had them installed. As the batteries age, they will not hold a charge as well as they used to. The charger has no way to know this and will continue to charge the batteries trying to get to a full charge – meaning it will take longer to charge the batteries than normal.
When do golf cart batteries discharge?
The state of charge or discharge golf batteries are in at the end of the day depends upon the type of play and the number of holes the golf cart was used for. The battery charger is designed to bring a normally discharged battery back to full or nearly full charge in a given time. When charging, allow enough time for a complete charge cycle.
What to wear when driving a golf cart?
Long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and protective eyewear are a must. I would even have a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. There are different types of batteries used in newer style golf carts (Absorbed Glass Mat, Lithium, Gel) that require different testing procedures.
Is a golf cart battery a storage device?
It sounds like a dumb question, but many incorrectly assume that a golf cart battery is a storage device. In fact, a battery produces electricity through a chemical reaction. A brief description of a lead-acid battery is a container with two dissimilar metals immersed in acid to produce a chemical reaction.
How to reset a golf car?
To reset your golf car’s motor, open the hood to expose your motor and look for the red reset button. Push this button and test out your golf car again. If this hasn’t solved the issue, your motor may be burnt out and will need to be replaced.
Why won't my golf car start?
If your batteries are charged and in working condition, but your car still won’t start, check its solenoid. A solenoid is an electromagnetic coil of wire that transmits energy from your car’s battery to its motor to help it start. Every time you start your golf car, you should hear the click of the solenoid. If you don’t hear it, you probably have an issue with your solenoid. If you suspect an issue with the solenoid, take your car to a repair shop to have it repaired or replaced.
What to do if your car won't start?
If your car still won’t start or you notice any issues with acceleration, it’s time to check the potentiometer. The potentiometer sends an electric signal from the accelerator pedal to the speed controller, allowing the car to accelerate properly. Inspect the potentiometer and then test it out—if you discover any issues, have it repaired or replaced.
How to connect a club car battery to a 12 volt battery?
Connect the positive jumper cable to the positive battery terminal on the 12-volt battery. Touch the other end of the positive battery cable to the A2 terminal on the electric motor. Once the positive battery cable touches the A2 terminal, the motor should start turning and the rear wheels should start turning as well. Once the motor has been tested, remove the jumper cables and reconnect the club car battery cables to the electric motor.
How does an electric club car work?
Electric-powered club cars come equipped with a series-wound electric motor that turns the wheels forward or in reverse. The current from the battery pack flows through the wiring inside of the motor to produce the electricity needed to operate the car.
How many wires are in an electric motor?
The electric motor will have four wires connected to the top front. Each of the four battery wire posts are marked A1, A2, S1, S2. Mark each wire with the proper post number with a piece of chalk before removing the wires from the motor.
How to jack a car?
Jack the front of the car up and place the jack stands under the proper front jacking points. Lower the front of the car onto the stands. Once the front of the car is completely lowered onto the jack stands, leave the jack in place.
What to wear when connecting battery to motor?
Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves when connecting a battery to a motor.
How to turn off the club car?
Park the club car on a level surface and turn the key to the "off" position.
What is a club car?
by Kevin Mclain. A club car is an electric-powered utility vehicle that is mainly used as a golf cart. Club cars can also used to move people more efficiently around places where regular vehicles will not fit.
