In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on why your golf cart might have recently slowed down well below its typical speed levels. No one wants to deal with a golf cart that’s operating at barely half its normal speed or even less, as it won’t be able to move you around the course quickly enough and may also signal other concerns taking place with the vehicle.
At Cricket Carts Direct, not only do we offer a wide range of quality golf carts and mini golf carts, we also provide cart parts and other services to help our clients keep their carts running at optimal quality. What are some of the other most common culprits in a golf cart that’s running too slowly, and what can be done about them? Here are several.
Issues With Ampacity Controller
On a golf cart, the ampacity controller refers to the component that manages the amperage of the battery, keeping it charged and ready for use. The controller does this by either charging or cutting off power to the battery as necessary. If you suspect that your golf cart’s speed has been reduced because of an issue with its ampacity controller, you’ll want to consider first whether it’s receiving any power at all.
If there is power getting to the battery, check the fuse. If it’s blown, replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage rating. If there is no power getting to the battery, you’ll need to troubleshoot further by checking wiring, connectors, and grounds. There may be cases where the entire controller itself needs to be replaced, which our team can help with.
Bearing Encoder Problems
The bearing encoder is a vital component that provides electrical charge distribution throughout the entire cart, encoding various elements and keeping everything in working order. One of the bearing encoder’s main functions is to make sure that the wheels are turning at the right speeds, which includes keeping an eye on their speedometer ability and other components.
If your golf cart has slowed down because of a bad bearing encoder, it could be difficult to drive because its response time will slow down. In this case, you’ll likely need to replace the encoder itself in order to get your golf cart running at full speed once again. This particular job is one we generally recommend leaving to professionals unless you have specific training in this area, as it may be unsafe for amateurs — and it’s unlikely you have the skills to perform this replacement without potentially risking the quality of the part and the cart itself.
For more on how to troubleshoot a golf cart that’s running too slowly, or to learn about any of our electric golf carts and related services, speak to the staff at Cricket Carts Direct today.
