Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean
Our 2016 Yamaha electric cart has a "tow" mode switch. We were told that is we ever run out of juice, we are to put the cart in "tow" mode and wait 15 minutes. Put the cart back in "run" mode and at that point, the batteries will somehow have enough juice to drive the cart about a mile or two. We were assured by the salesman the cart will respond for that distance as if the batteries were completely charged. That process can be repeated as many times as needed to get the cart to a power source (which in most cases will be home). I have never had to rely on this method to get the cart home but it's nice to know that is an option.
We also have emergency road side assistance coverage (very inexpensive) if we ever run out of juice or break down in our electric cart. I would not drive the cart without that reassurance. It is like having AAA for the car. I have not been without AAA coverage for our car for the past 40 years and will never be without roadside assistance coverage for the golf cart.
|
Huh...That's a cool trick. The Yamaha motor controller will shut down when it determines the battery capacity is at approx 20%. Another problem with lead-acid batteries is that the battery voltage is dragged down when discharging which is what's called "working" voltage. The working voltage is much lower than the "Rest" voltage...The Rest voltage is what is used to determine battery State of Charge. When you flip the switch to tow, It will cutoff the power to the motor controller and if you let it sit for 15 minutes, the battery pack voltage will raise toward it's Rest voltage (it takes 30 minutes to raise nearly to true Rest voltage but 15 minutes will due). Then when you flip the switch back to run, the controller re-reads the battery voltage and determines you are good to go. I suspect you have maybe 3-4 miles before the controller cuts off again. This is fine in a pinch...You should try to avoid it though.
I am going to have to test this out and see if this really works. I will let you know.