Battary Testing

[Retired Jim]

As a newbie, I still am unsure when after overnight charging, I will get the most accurate voltage reading from my battery. How long must one wait to test (hours) and/or should I put a load on the battary (turning on the lights)? I know I am looking for 6.37 voltage, open circuit. I am not sure I know what the "open circuit" part means.

[dougmcp]

The absolute best time to check is the next morning after charging the night before.
You don't need to put a load on the batteries first, just measure the voltage.
Open circuit means not connected to a circuit drawing power or with capacitors. Don't worry about that if the key is off, they will measure just fine and you don't need to disconnect anything.

[Michael Eddie]

Jim, nice cart!

[Retired Jim]

Thanks for the compliment. The cart was 2005 stock. I added a new blue fiberglass body, rear seat with seat belts (7 year old grandson), 6 new Crown batteries, battery useage guage, and a cool rear view mirror. My first regret so far is maybe not adding heavy duty springs with the rear seat. I guess I was a little scare of making the ride too harsh. Now I can feel some light front steering looseness with any weigh on the rear. Maybe I will need a further modification when extra dollars show up.

[Michael Eddie]

My first regret so far is maybe not adding heavy duty springs with the rear seat. I guess I was a little scare of making the ride too harsh. Now I can feel some light front steering looseness with any weigh on the rear. Maybe I will need a further modification when extra dollars show up.

You're welcome. My opinion, I have a cart with HD springs and I'm going to switch back, but I usually ride alone or with 1 passenger and it just gives a terrible ride.

[Retired Jim]

Thanks Matti for the opinion that gives me food for thought. I know that my existing springs give me a comfortable (smooth enough ride). I guess before leaping to those heavy duty springs I must decide if the small amount of light steering with one person on the rear seat worth the loss of comfort. I do not have a lift and must pay someone to perform the work if I choose to modify the springs. Is this a very expensive change with parts and labor?

[dougmcp]

I don't think that HD springs will affect your steering.
Without a rear seat I would hazard a guess to say an electric cart has a weight distribution of 25% front and 75% rear and the steering is light to start with.
You have no weight on the front axle to offset any weight that you hang off the back of the cart.

Carts are originally designed for 2 people and batteries between the front and rear axles, when you add a rear seat you are extending the weight way beyond the rear axle and any weight on it will take weight off the front axle leaving you with a much lighter feel.

Here's a cart picture I mocked up to show you what I mean:
Click to Enlarge

[Retired Jim]

Ok. so my main concern or decision to upgrade suspension should rest on "the hardness" of ride? When I put a rider on the rear seat, my existing suspension squats serveral (maybe two or three) inches. I have no wheel clearance issues, but my existing springs (6 years old) may be getting tired. Someone has told me that electric carts from stock come with heavier springs to begin with and therefore I should not need or waste money on heavier springs. Is a two inch drop reasonable or something that might "wear out" my cart down the road?

[dougmcp]

IMO you won't wear out your cart if the springs sag a little and if you have no rubbing issues i would just leave it. If you are feeling like the springs have sagged over 6 years, my first thought would be to replace the springs with new stock and not HD.

[Retired Jim]

Much appreciated responses. This is what makes a forum like this so valuable in that all sides of the issue get considered, and people with knowledge and experience can share with us newbie's. Again, thanks.

[Michael Eddie]

Nice information Doug, I copied the posts and moved them to a informational thread here http://www.golfcartsforum.com/genera...r-springs.html

[dougmcp]

Much appreciated responses. This is what makes a forum like this so valuable in that all sides of the issue get considered, and people with knowledge and experience can share with us newbie's. Again, thanks.

Hey Jim, I found another photo that illustrates light steering on the front with weight on the back:

[Michael Eddie]

Nice

[Retired Jim]

And I thought I had light front steering!!!! After seeing and laughing at your picture, I will never complain about my steering again. I see he is not wearing a seat belt while riding on the rear seat.

[millerchadj]

Nice pic... Thanks for the info... the weight balance make since