2010 Precedent Motor Issue

[golfbag1999]

I have a PH1035-122xxx cart, the batteries went dead on the course yesterday and I had a friend two it home (approx 1/2 mile) with his pickup...he towed it a little fast and there was a load pop, sounded like the tire blew out, then the right rear tire sounded like it was locked up, but broke free after a several feet of being dragged on the pavement. The motor smells burnt, cart won't move, so I'm set to replace the motor, which is:
Question 1, will I have any issue with a high speed (AMD 48 volt motor for CC IQ carts 24mph) motor, current motor is EJ8-4001A?
Question 2: based upon the above info does it sound like the trans axle has been damaged as well?
Question 3: will the high speed motor cause a signifantly higher battery drain?

Thanks for the input.

[golfcartg]

In carts with a regen system, like many Club Car models with the IQ drive system, the controller remains connected to the motor even when the cart is off. The purpose of Tow mode is to disconnect the controller from the motor and the battery pack, preventing any electricity from being generated while the cart is being moved.

When a cart is towed without being switched into Tow mode, the wheels turn the motor, which generates electricity. Since the controller is still connected, this can cause an overcharging situation where excessive voltage is sent to the system. The results can be catastrophic. The controller can be blown out, the motor can be damaged or burnt, and even the solenoid can be fried. In your case, the loud pop you heard followed by the burning smell and the motor locking up are classic symptoms of this kind of damage. The motor has likely been severely damaged, possibly along with the controller, due to the overcharging.

Regarding your questions, if you’re considering replacing the damaged motor with a high speed AMD motor designed for Club Car IQ carts, you need to be aware of a few things. First, you’re correct to be concerned about potential battery drain. High speed motors generally draw more current than standard motors, especially under load, which can lead to faster battery depletion. However, the exact impact on battery life will depend on your driving habits. If you often drive at high speeds or on hilly terrain, you’ll notice a more significant drain on your batteries. To gauge how much more drain you might experience, you can compare the motor's specifications, specifically the current draw at peak performance, against your current motor.

As for the transaxle, it’s less likely that it’s been damaged. The noise and the locked up wheel were probably due to the motor seizing temporarily after the internal components were compromised. Since the motor is directly connected to the wheels, any internal failure can cause the wheels to lock up as you experienced. However, the transaxle itself, which is designed to handle the mechanical stresses of driving, likely hasn’t been damaged by this incident.

In terms of upgrades, while a high speed motor will give you more speed, consider upgrading your controller. Upgrading the controller will allow for better management of higher current and improved overall performance and it could also provide programmable settings to optimize both speed and battery life.