Best battery terminals to get 12V & 36V

[Coldcan]

where are the best 2 places on a 36V system to get a good steady 12V for my accessories AND which 2 terminals should I use for my battery gauge (the one that lets you know how much charge is left on them)

[golfcartg]

Your battery pack consists of six 6 volt batteries wired in series, you’ll need to tap into two specific batteries. Each 6 volt battery adds up to the total 36 volts, and you can access 12 volts by connecting to the positive terminal of one battery and the negative terminal of another, but you’ll need to be careful about which ones you choose.

To do this, use a multimeter to confirm you're getting 12V. Start by setting your multimeter to the DC voltage setting. Then, identify the two batteries you’ll use. Connect the positive lead of your multimeter to the positive terminal of the second battery in the series, and the negative lead to the negative terminal of the first battery. You should see a reading close to 12 volts. Make sure the multimeter reads a steady 12V before connecting any accessories.

To get a good, steady 12V for your accessories, you would tap into the first two batteries in the series. The positive terminal on the second battery in the string and the negative terminal of the first battery will give you the 12V you’re looking for. However, this method is not ideal long term because it can create an imbalance in your battery pack by draining those two batteries faster than the others, potentially shortening their lifespan.

For your battery gauge, you’ll want to connect it across the entire 36V pack. This means connecting the positive wire of your gauge to the positive terminal of the last battery in the series (the one connected to the cart’s main positive cable) and the negative wire to the negative terminal of the first battery (connected to the cart’s main ground). This way, the gauge will accurately reflect the charge level across all six batteries.

That said, there are better solutions for running accessories off a 36V system. One option is to use a 36V to 12V voltage reducer. This device connects to the full 36V pack and steps the voltage down to a stable 12V for your accessories, preventing the uneven drain on individual batteries. The benefit of using a reducer is that it draws power evenly across all six batteries.

Alternatively, you could consider adding a dedicated 12V accessory battery. This would be a separate battery specifically for your accessories, which you would charge independently. This solution keeps your main battery pack entirely focused on powering the cart reducing wear and tear on your primary batteries.

Both the reducer and dedicated accessory battery help extend the lifespan of your 36V battery pack and provide a more reliable 12V source for your accessories without risking battery imbalance. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask!