Storing an EZGo RXV Electric Golf Cart

[REDCART]

One of my neighbors was adamant that all electric golf carts should be stored in "tow" mode. I had remembered reading in the owner's manual not to do so but the manual did not say why. According to Kyle at Town and Country Golf Carts, the EZGo RXV electrics with the AC motor do not use a standard parking brake. At rest the motor armature is magnetically gripped to prevent the cart from moving. In tow mode, the motor armature is released and held open which requires continuous battery power. Therefore if you left the EZGo RXV cart in tow mode you would eventually deplete the battery.

[Tweety Bird]

One of my neighbors was adamant that all electric golf carts should be stored in "tow" mode. I had remembered reading in the owner's manual not to do so but the manual did not say why. According to Kyle at Town and Country Golf Carts, the EZGo RXV electrics with the AC motor do not use a standard parking brake. At rest the motor armature is magnetically gripped to prevent the cart from moving. In tow mode, the motor armature is released and held open which requires continuous battery power. Therefore if you left the EZGo RXV cart in tow mode you would eventually deplete the battery.

Thanks! Good to know to not put in tow!

[Golfer in Sanibel]

I'm sure that is true. However, my 2008 RXV sat from September to February and the battery was still 80% full. So, how long would it take it to go dead? This may be an example of false alarm.

[ajbrown]

I do not own an RXV, maybe someday when RXV folks buy new ones I can get an older one to work on :).

It is interesting about the brake, never thought of that. Makes me wonder how they push them around the factory before batteries are put in....

My Dad owns a IQ Club Car with tow mode. We did not just leave it in tow mode, we disconnected the pack completly from any components to remove any parasite drain.

I assume the same could be done to the RXV (assume being the operative word).

That said, the more we read, the more we know that batteries begin to sulfate when left uncharged. If you want to extend the life of the pack it is highly recommend getting a Battery Minder or some other product for the times you are away.

Just one article about battery care, see #8. There are many many more...

BatteryStuff Articles | Guide to Understanding Flooded, AGM, and Gel Batteries (http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html)

[Harleyman]

The Easy Go service manager told me that by putting the car in tow, you are setting the parking brake and the batteries will be dead before I get out of Florida. He also told me that the worse thing you can do is either not have someone drive the car at least 10 miles per month and then charge it, or buy a battery minder. I bought a battery minder at battery boys and am hopefull that it will do the job for me.

[REDCART]

I'm sure that is true. However, my 2008 RXV sat from September to February and the battery was still 80% full. So, how long would it take it to go dead? This may be an example of false alarm.

Golfer, You may have missed the point of my original post. It was not about the batteries going dead during periods of non-use but specifically about storing the EZGo RXV in "tow" mode during periods of non-use. Town & Country's advice was consistent with the user manual except it went one step further and explained what happens if you did use "tow" mode. Please re-read it.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Golfer, You may have missed the point of my original post. It was not about the batteries going dead during periods of non-use but specifically about storing the EZGo RXV in "tow" mode during periods of non-use. Town & Country's advice was consistent with the user manual except it went one step further and explained what happens if you did use "tow" mode. Please re-read it.

Thanks. I missed it. Old age. :grumpy: