98 CC DS 12v power outlet

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I've got a 98 Club Car DS that I would like to add an outlet for 12v accessories. (think GPS) It's a 48v with 6-8v Batteries. Is there a place to tap off 12v someplace or do I have to use a dropping resistor at a point across two of the batteries? Also wondering if there is any easy way to tighten up the steering, like an adjustment? Little too much play in the steering to feel comfortable taking the bridge on Morse to Lake Sumter landing. Appreciate any help.

[ajbrown]

I would go the route of installing a voltage reducer. I installed a 48-12 V reducer on mine for all 12 V accessories, e.g., lights, etc. From my reading on the subject it is best to install a 48-12V reducer instead of a 16-12V reducer so you draw equally from all batteries in the pack. Drawing from just two batteries could impact the life of those two batteries.

It is not clear what you mean by too much play in steering.
The cart pulls?
The cart is hard to keep on a straight line, i.e., it pulls one way or another, most noticeable over bumps?
You have to turn the steering wheel a long way to get the wheels to turn?

If it were me I would first check the alignment:


Tires, are they worn in a manner than would affect steering?
Toe, front tires should be toed in slightly (1/4 inch)
Camber, front tires camber should be same on both sides.

If the play in the steering wheel is excessive, I would have someone turn wheel slowly while I was under cart watching for loose components.

Have fun.

/* No expert here, so caveat user */

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Thanks AJ, where did you get your reducer and What was approx cost? I thought maybe they had a 12v point already for the lights I could tap for the GPS. Just want to keep it charged. What I mean by too much play is, on the straight, consant correction, both directions. doesn't pull one way or another, just will drift left or right following last correction. Just delivered yesterday, used as-is. No dealer responsibility. Haven't had time to really dig into it yet. Someone thought tie-rods need to be snugged up or ends replaced. Need to jack it up and check for play on front end.

[Rag Bagger]

I wonder how your lights are being powered, you may already have a transformer on board. In my case the previous owner tapped two of the 8 volt batteries and drove the light at 16 volts. The good thing is they were really bright. The bad thing was they kept burning out.

So I decided to buy a 16 to 12 volt reducer/transformer. But be certain you get one heavy enough to handle all your amperage requirements. My first transformer wasn't heavy enough so i had to add a second in Parallel to handle the load.

If I were to do it over again I would get the 48 to 12 volt transformer. More expensive but it would draw power from the entire bank as stated earlier.

I got my 16 to 12 volt transformers at Steve's cart shop on 441 just south of 466. Each transformer was about $30.00. Like I said I wouldn't do it that way. Get the larger 48 to 12 volt transformer.

[mokey]

The steering has a ujoint in the shaft coming down and it could be worn. Tie rods are also possible.

[jaringg]

What your looking for is a dc to dc convertor.
Cost will vary dependind how much amperage.
how it works:
it is wired thru your ignition switch for control.
It is hooked to whatever your total available voltage is.
fused.
The whole job should run you about $ 145.00 for 15 amps.
Your lights should also be hooked up thru this device, it will provide greater range and longer battery life.

transformers do not work in DC circuits.
Resistors just suck up more juice.
contact me if you need more help!
Gerry B

[ajbrown]

Thanks AJ, where did you get your reducer and What was approx cost? I thought maybe they had a 12v point already for the lights I could tap for the GPS. Just want to keep it charged. What I mean by too much play is, on the straight, consant correction, both directions. doesn't pull one way or another, just will drift left or right following last correction. Just delivered yesterday, used as-is. No dealer responsibility. Haven't had time to really dig into it yet. Someone thought tie-rods need to be snugged up or ends replaced. Need to jack it up and check for play on front end.

You may already have a voltage reducer or someone has picked up two batteries for 16V to run the lights (was like this on my cart). If you already have a 16-12V reducer you can tap that for the GPS. I do not know enough to say you can put the GPS on 16V without causing harm to the GPS. I know lights will work at 16V, but will run hot.

Here is the reducer I got http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/product.asp?sku=9020 . I believe it was around $150 when I bought it. I picked it up from Ken Spano, his price was about the same as I could find it online at the time.

As far as steering I still would look at toe and camber on the front tires. That should be done peridically. If the tires are not toed in slightly it will not stay on line.

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You may already have a voltage reducer or someone has picked up two batteries for 16V to run the lights (was like this on my cart). If you already have a 16-12V reducer you can tap that for the GPS. I do not know enough to say you can put the GPS on 16V without causing harm to the GPS. I know lights will work at 16V, but will run hot.

Here is the reducer I got http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/product.asp?sku=9020 . I believe it was around $150 when I bought it. I picked it up from Ken Spano, his price was about the same as I could find it online at the time.

As far as steering I still would look at toe and camber on the front tires. That should be done peridically. If the tires are not toed in slightly it will not stay on line.

Thanks for the info again AJ, got a chance to poke around a little on it today and found there is about 10-15 degree 'slop' in the steering wheel. Looks like it is all in the gear to rack connection and no way to snug it up. I was hoping it had an adjustment screw to tighten that up. I also have to replace the protective boot over the rack where it extends on a right turn. Can't find my meters yet to check what voltage lights are running at yet. May have to pick up a cheapie meter so I can do a little diagnosing on the voltages. Trying to get in touch with Ken about a battery price. Had a devil of a time finding his Phone #. Had to go all the way up 441/27 to get it off the billboard. Doesn't seem to advertise much. Probably doesn't need to.