Getting More Speed - Electric Golf Carts
Feel the NEED for SPEED? Our guide below will explain different methods for increasing the speed of your golf cart. Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions!
Speed Controllers
Batteries, Gearings, Tires & Motors
There are three other ways to increase the speed on your golf cart:
- Increase the battery voltage
- Change gearing or tire size
- Install a high speed motor
Motor RPM is a function of voltage. Increasing the voltage increases the RPM of the motor. How much it increases all depends on the motor design. An increase of about 1 to 3 MPH is not unreasonable with a 6v change in the battery pack.
Changing the gearing of the vehicle is another simple way to get more speed. Gearing can be changed in two ways. First is changing the gears in the differential.
The other is to change the size of the tires. Changing from 18” tires to 22” tires can add as much as 3MPH!
Putting in a high speed motor can dramatically increase the speed of a vehicle. Check with the motor manufacturer for specifics on any speed increase.
Getting More Torque
This is where most of the confusion with upgrading controllers comes from. Upgrading from say a stock 275A controller may not increase the speed, but it will increase torque. Torque is basically the pulling power of the motor and is a function of current, the higher the current the more torque. Going from the stock 275A controller to a 400A controller will nearly double the stall torque.
The current rating of the controller really depends on the application of the vehicle.
- Light Loads: Everyday flat-land driving, carrying one or two people or just for a couple rounds of golf, use a 300A controller.
- Medium Loads: Hauling, hill climbing, moving equipment or carrying more then 2 people, use a 400A controller.
- Heavy Loads: Towing large or heavy vehicles or steep hill climbing, use a 500A or 600A controller.
Things to watch out for when upgrading
After upgrading to a high performance controller there are still some common pitfalls that may limit performance.
- Make sure the controller is rated for the battery voltage
- If changing the battery voltage, make sure the charger and solenoid are rated for that voltage.
- With controllers 400A and above, the car wiring needs to be changed from #6 to #4 AWG.
- The mechanical brakes on a golf car aren’t designed to handle braking speeds in excess of 15-18mph.
- When using a high current controller, be aware a stock motor may not be able to handle the heat generated. Going from a stock 275A controller to a 600A, the amount of heat generated in the motor will go up about 5 times compared to a stock controller.
Conclusion
Increasing the electric vehicles performance depends on properly choosing the system components to improve performance and meet the vehicles expectations. Some “simple changes” may end up a disappointment if other areas of improvement are not considered.
Consider the three basic areas of an electric vehicle:
- Energy Storage (Batteries)
- Energy Transfer (Controller, Wire)
- Energy Electrical to Mechanical Conversion (Motor, Gears, Tires)
To Increase Performance:
- Install an ALLTRAX High performance controller
- Install properly rated battery bus fuses
- Change to a motor rated for the application (towing or speed?)
- Increase battery capacity or voltage (Remember that cheap = low performance)
- Use correct or increased wire size
- Change in tire size (depending on application)
- Upgrade differential gear set to match motor torque and speed to the axle
- A close look at safety features of the vehicle such as brakes, seat belts, roll bars, fuses, etc.
There is not one “catch-all solution” to increasing performance. Explore your objectives and how the pieces or changes interact in the vehicle. This planned and structured approach typically results in satisfied customers with a reliable and high performance vehicle.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions regarding increasing the performance of your golf cart.