Golf-FAQ.com

what does changing the gauge wire on a golf cart batteries

by Layne Monahan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Add a jumper from the ignition switch to the tab on the battery gauge’s bottom. This signal wire will ensure that your meter starts working only when you turn on your golf cart. Note: Certain golf cart models will need wires running from the positive and negative terminals on the battery bank to detect the battery bank voltage.

Full Answer

How do you hook up a battery gauge to a golf cart?

Now connect the signal terminal wire on the meter to the ignition. Add a jumper from the ignition switch to the tab on the battery gauge’s bottom. This signal wire will ensure that your meter starts working only when you turn on your golf cart.

Why is my battery gauge red on my electric golf cart?

The leftmost red zone indicates that your battery needs to be charged. If your batteries are fully charged and yet your meter shows that they are uncharged, there is a possibility that you’ve wired your batteries wrongly. The batteries should be wired in a series connection. Disconnect the meter from your golf cart.

How does the key switch work on a golf cart gauge?

The “switched” side of the key switch has power only when the golf cart is running. This will ensure that the gauge is off when the golf cart is not in use. The digital meters have three terminals in place of two, labelled 1,2 and 4.

Should I upgrade my golf cart cables to 4 gauge?

For carts which have a controller within the 400A-500A level, we always recommend upgrading your golf cart cables to 4 gauge. Our custom American made 4 gauge golf cart cables feature 392 strands of 30 gauge 100% copper wire. Many of the cheaper foreign made varieties have a much lower strand count and use less than 100% copper.

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What is the best gauge wire for golf cart batteries?

Most cart manufacturers use 6 AWG cables. The finest cables we have found so far are made by MaxiLink.com, which are super flexible and made for extreme duty electric vehicle use.

What is the gauge wires used on battery connection?

Ideally, a 6 gauge cable is the best option for a 12-volt power supply. This automotive wire can sustain a maximum of 60 volts and is ideal for 12-volt electrical systems.

How do you determine the battery cable gauge size required for the installation?

In summary, when selecting the correct size of battery cable, you need to take into account the total maximum amperage your electrical system requires, the voltage of your system (usually 12 volts), the total length that your cables need to be, and the amount of voltage drop you are willing to accept versus the amount ...

What gauge wire should be used with 12 volt battery?

The correct wire size for a 150W 12V circuit is the 16 AWG with 17A ampacity.

Are bigger battery cables better?

There is science behind this, and the simple thought is that a larger cable equals easier current flow. Six-volt systems have half the electrical potential (think of this as the “push”) of 12-volt systems, so the easier you can make the journey from one connector to another, the better the system will function.

Can I mix 10 and 12 gauge wire?

You haven't said how you will manage the transition from 10 gauge to 12 gauge. If you are thinking of wire nuts in a junction box, then the answer is that you cannot do this safely. The 20A breaker's job is to protect the load wire connected to it. A 12 gauge wire needs a 20A breaker to protect it.

How do you determine wire size?

How do I calculate wire size for motors?Multiply the resistivity (Ω•m) of the conductor material by the peak motor current (A), the number 1.25, and the total length of the cable (m).Divide the result by the voltage drop from the power source to the motor.Multiply by 1,000,000 to get the result in mm2.

What is the difference between 2 gauge and 2 0 gauge wire?

2 AWG will handle around 94 Amps, while 2/0 AWG will handle around 190 Amps. The length of the wire must be considered as well as the % voltage drop in order for this to be true.

How do you determine wire gauge?

Multiply the wire's diameter by itself. To calculate the gauge of stranded wire, you'll need to double the diameter. So, if you've measured a wire's diameter to be 0.005 inches (0.127 mm), multiply this value by itself. The result will be 0.000025 in (0.000635 mm).

What to do if your golf cart connectors are cracked?

If you notice your original golf cart cables are cracked or showing exposed wire during your usual inspections they should be replaced immediately. If your connectors are showing signs of corrosion they should be cleaned and protected immediately with a product like BatteryPete’s Corrosion Block or Preventative.

What does resistance mean in golf carts?

Resistance means heat. This is because where ever there is resistance it will generate heat but also severely limit the performance of your golf carts electric system. Picture a beautiful natural fresh water mountain stream. Come Spring time it is flowing well as the snow in the mountains above starts to melt.

What causes a battery connector to melt?

A loose wire under a load (such as you holding the gas pedal to the floor for a few minutes) will cause a battery connector to melt straight through to the plastic battery case, which will require a battery replacement or repair. Both can be expensive!

What is the difference between 2 AWG and 4 AWG?

For example, a 2 AWG cable is larger than a 4 AWG which is larger than a 6 AWG. Most cart manufacturers use 6 AWG cables.

Can cable diameter be increased?

Of course, the cable diameter can only be increased within reasonable mechanical size limitations, but that is what is required to reap the full benefits of a high power aftermarket motor. Our example used the locked rotor current to explain the worst case effects.

Can you use battery powered carts?

For those of us who have the more plentiful, battery powered carts, the answer is somewhat more complicated. The short answer for us is, yes and no, depending upon what we expect from the cart or if modifications to the motor or controller have been made. If the cart is absolutely bone stock ...

Do gas cart starter cables need to be installed?

So that answer is no, the originally installed cables are plenty sufficient in size.

Do you need bigger cables for drag racing?

They are less drastic at partial throttle, where the current draw is significantly less. If you want to do the drag racing, burnouts, wheelies and such with your cart though, you will need the bigger cables to supply the required massive inrush of current to the motor.

Series vs. Parallel

Two simple statements govern the rules for series versus parallel battery bank wiring. In a series circuit, the current through each of the batteries is the same. Also, the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same.

36V Battery Bank

If connected properly in a series circuit as shown, you should be able to test across the battery bank main positive and main negative terminals with a voltmeter and get a reading equal to the sum of each battery. In this example, your reading should equal 36 volts (6×6 = 36).

48V Battery Bank

A 48 volt golf cart battery bank wired in a series circuit is also very common in this industry. However, there are several combinations of individual battery voltages which can provide 48 volts. These combinations include the following:

What does a golf cart battery meter tell you?

Golf cart battery meters tell you when to recharge your batteries, so you do not end up draining them completely. There are two types of golf cart battery meters – Analog and Digital (usually LED). The analog meter uses voltage to move its needle to indicate the level of charge.

How to read a golf cart battery meter?

To best way to read your battery meter, is to drive your golf cart up a hill. Push the pedal down as far as you can to observe how far down the needle goes . A needle in the red zone indicates that you need to recharge your batteries.

How many volts does a golf cart battery need?

If your golf cart battery won’t hold a charge at all, and you see the meter flashing, this is cause for concern. EzyGo golf carts generally need at least 24 volts in the battery bank; otherwise the charger won’t even start. If you’re using a 12 volt charger, you’ll need to charge 2 batteries at a time to get the 24 volts of power.

Why is my Ezygo charger flashing red?

This could be due to a defective battery charger.#N#First make sure the connections are clean and attached tightly to the battery. You’ll then want to isolate each battery and check the voltage of each.

What does the red zone on a battery mean?

The white area labeled CHG indicates that your battery is charged. The red zone to the right of CHG indicates that your battery is overcharged. Green zone indicates that your battery is sufficiently charged and is good to go.

Is the Ping G25 adjustable?

Is the Ping G25 driver adjustable? The Ping G25 driver is adjustable. It’s possible to do four adjustments using the hosel adapter of the driver apart from the stated loft setting and...

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