How Electric Golf Carts Work
Electric golf carts are great for anyone looking for a way to get around a golf course without having to carry around a heavy bag. They have several benefits, but it’s important to understand how they work before you decide to buy one.
There are many factors to consider, including price, size, passenger capacity and battery type. Read on to learn more about what makes an electric golf cart tick.
Battery Pack
The battery pack provides the power for your cart and determines how much range you can get. This is the equivalent of a Electric Golf Cart car’s gas tank size, it determines how far you can go before having to stop and refill.
Batteries come in different voltages and are often labeled as 6, 8, 12 or 48 Volts. Knowing your cart’s voltage is easy – you simply count the number of caps that are present on each deep-cycle battery and then multiply by two. If you’re replacing the batteries on your cart, it is best to buy a battery pack from an actual golf cart dealer, as they can work with you to make sure you are getting the correct type of battery for your cart and pattern of use.
The batteries must be properly maintained to extend their lifespan and function optimally. We recommend removing the caps and peering into each cell to check for water levels every other month or so. The water level should be about a quarter inch above the metal plates inside each cell.
Motor
The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy that propels your cart. It consists of two parts: the stator and the rotor. The stator is the stationary part of the motor, while the rotor is the spinning component that drives the cart forward.
The rotor spins, transferring its rotational energy to the axle through a clutch and differential. This system allows your cart to move over rough terrain and up steep hills.
Most golf carts use DC motor systems, but AC systems are gaining popularity. They are slightly more expensive but they greatly increase battery power and speed. They also don’t require brushes to operate.
If your electric cart’s motor doesn’t turn on when you push the throttle, there may be a problem with the throttle potentiometer. You can test the potentiometer by connecting your multimeter to it and setting it to ohms. With the key in the “off” position and the cart direction in neutral, you should see 5,000 ohms on each terminal when you floor the accelerator. If you don’t, then the potentiometer is bad and needs to be replaced.
Solenoid
This little device is a critical component to the operation of your electric golf cart. The solenoid is basically a switch that turns your cart on and off and helps it move. Essentially when the throttle pedal is pushed down the inductive throttle sensor sends a signal to the solenoid and it “clicks.”
To test your cart’s solenoid, disconnect the large wires that connect to each of its smaller terminals and cover them with electrical tape to prevent a short circuit. Then, connect your voltmeter to its ohms setting and touch the probes to each of the larger terminals. You should read a zero reading if the solenoid is functioning correctly.
If you do not read a zero reading, the internal primary coil has failed and needs replacement. This can be caused by a burned contact or the contacts have become dislodged. If you hear the click but the cart does not start or accelerate, the solenoid’s low side voltage is not working and it also needs to be replaced. If you read system voltage but do not hear the solenoid click, the issue is elsewhere in the cart’s forward and reverse switch or in the motor.
Speed Controller
The controller meters current on the battery based on user input. This can be anything from pushing down on a gas pedal to turning the throttle. The controller also sends the reversing AC signals that generate the motor’s rotor’s rotation.
Depending on your cart’s configuration, there may be more than one speed controller. A faulty speed controller can cause hesitation and stuttering driving, so it’s important to check all of the connections to it. The first step is to make sure the throttle pedal microswitch and solenoid are working properly. You should hear a solenoid click when you press the pedal.
If you’re unsure of how to adjust your cart’s settings, refer to the manual for specific instructions. It’s important to make small changes at a time and test the performance of the cart after each adjustment. This will help you identify which settings are optimal for your needs. Additionally, it will prevent your cart from overworking its components. This can lead to increased motor wear and tear and shorten the life of your cart.
Throttle
Unlike gasoline engines, electric carts don’t use a throttle to regulate air flow or fuel into the engine. Instead, the accelerator in your golf cart does the job. The golf cart’s “gas pedal” (the accelerator) actually pushes a rod through an inductive sensor coil to communicate with the speed controller, telling it how much voltage it should consume to create the desired level of acceleration.
The speed controller then uses the varying electrical signals to control the motor’s current and power, turning on or off and raising or lowering the cart’s speed Electric Utility Vehicle as needed. If any of these components fail or stop working correctly, you’ll experience slowness or a lack of acceleration that is frustrating.
Performing these tasks can help fix problems with your golf cart’s acceleration, but you may also need to address issues with your batteries or the wires connecting the battery and speed controller. Using a voltmeter to check the voltage of your batteries and ensuring that all connections are secure will keep your golf cart moving as it should! And, if your batteries aren’t providing enough energy, they should be replaced right away.
