Recently, my Club Car charger has been acting up, and I’m completely stumped. I’ve tried different electrical outlets, inspected the fuse, and even borrowed a charger from a friend, but nothing seems to work. Anyone else faced this issue and found a solution?
Response
I feel your pain! I had the same issue with my Club Car charger not working. After some digging and trial and error, I found a few solutions that not only worked for me but also for others. From bypassing the OBC to checking the 30 Amp fuse near the solenoid, let’s get you sorted and back on the green.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bypass OBC | 2 | Bypassed OBC and charger started | $0 | 10-15 |
| Test Charger LEDs | 1 | Tested LEDs and found charger bad | $0 | 5-10 |
| Bypass Relay in Charger | 1 | Bypassed relay but charger kicked off | $0 | 10-15 |
| Check 30 Amp Fuse Near Solenoid | 0 | Checked fuse but it was fine | $0 | 5-10 |
Symptoms
- Charger not turning on
- Charger turning on but not charging the cart
- Charger making strange noises or humming
Possible Causes
- Faulty OBC (On-Board Computer)
- Damaged or malfunctioning charger
- Bad fuse or solenoid
- Electrical issues in the cart, such as corroded wires or terminals
Solutions that Worked
1. Bypass OBC
What I Did:
Bypassed the On-Board Computer (OBC) by rerouting the black wire from the OBC to the negative terminal of the battery bank.
Outcome:
The charger started working immediately.
Personal Experience:
After bypassing the OBC, my charger miraculously started working. However, I had to manually stop it once the pack voltage reached 60v to avoid overcharging.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
10-15 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off the cart and disconnect it from any power source.
- Locate the OBC, usually found under the seat or behind the batteries.
- Disconnect the black wire from the OBC.
- Use a jumper wire to connect this black wire directly to the negative terminal of the battery bank.
- Turn on the cart and plug in the charger to test.
Expert Tip:
While bypassing the OBC can be a quick fix, it’s not a long-term solution. You’ll need to monitor the charging manually to prevent overcharging. Consider replacing the OBC for a permanent fix.
2. Test Charger LEDs
What I Did:
Plugged the charger into a wall AC outlet but not into the cart. Checked if the LEDs on the front of the charger lit up.
Outcome:
Realized the charger was faulty as the LEDs did not light up.
Personal Experience:
I initially thought my charger was fine, but after testing the LEDs, I realized it was faulty.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Unplug the charger from the cart.
- Plug the charger into a wall AC outlet.
- Observe the LEDs on the front of the charger.
- If the LEDs do not light up, the charger is likely faulty.
Expert Tip:
Always test your charger’s LEDs before assuming the issue lies elsewhere. It’s a quick way to rule out a faulty charger. Also, try plugging the charger into different outlets to rule out an issue with the electrical supply.
3. Bypass Relay in Charger
What I Did:
Opened the charger casing and bypassed the internal relay.
Outcome:
The charger started but was unstable, kicking off and back on every 15 to 20 seconds.
Personal Experience:
After bypassing the relay, my charger started working but wasn’t stable, indicating that the relay might be faulty.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
10-15 minutes
Steps:
- Unplug the charger from both the cart and the wall outlet.
- Open the charger casing using a screwdriver.
- Locate the relay inside the charger.
- Use a jumper wire to bypass the relay by connecting the wires directly.
- Plug the charger back in to test its functionality.
Expert Tip:
Bypassing the relay is a temporary fix and may cause instability. If this method works but the charger is unstable, consider replacing the relay for a more permanent solution.
Cart Models where this worked
- 2014 Club Car Precedent with ERIC charging system
- 2002 DS 48 volts series motor with Lester power drive charger
- 2001 Club Car with Power Drive 1 charger
- 1998 Club Car DS with PowerDrive DS golf cart and a DPI charger
Safety info
- Always use a multimeter to check the voltage of your battery pack before attempting any fixes. This can help you rule out a dead battery as the cause.
- If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, consider seeking professional help. Incorrectly bypassing components can lead to further damage.