I need some help here please. My Powerwise charger for my EZGO cart refuses to shut off. I’ve tried unplugging it, waiting, and plugging it back in, but it’s still running. Has anyone else had this problem with a charger?
Response
Yeah. I did have the same issue with my Powerwise charger not shutting off. I found that replacing the capacitor in the Powerwise 2 Charger did the trick for me and a couple of other people I know.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace the Capacitor in Powerwise 2 Charger | 2 | Replaced the capacitor and it worked | $20-$30 | 30-45 |
| Let the Charger Run Longer | 2 | Let the charger run for 24 hours | $0 | 1440 |
| Replace the Timer Board in the Charger | 1 | Replaced the timer board | $50-$100 | 60-90 |
| Replace the Gray Wire on Receptacle | 1 | Replaced the gray wire on the receptacle | $10-$20 | 20-30 |
| Clean Batteries and Connections | 1 | Cleaned all batteries and wire connections | $0 | 15-30 |
Symptoms
- Charger stays on indefinitely
- Charger doesn’t switch to maintenance mode
- Charger doesn’t indicate full charge
Possible Causes
- Faulty timer board
- Damaged wires
- Dirty or corroded battery connections
- Bad capacitor
Solutions that Worked
1. Replace the Capacitor in Powerwise 2 Charger
What I Did:
Replaced the capacitor in my Powerwise 2 Charger.
Outcome:
The charger started to function correctly and shut off after the batteries were fully charged.
Personal Experience:
After replacing the capacitor, the charger worked like a charm.
Estimated Cost:
$20-$30
Time Needed:
30-45 minutes
Steps:
- Safety First: Unplug the charger from the power source.
- Open Up: Use a screwdriver to open the charger casing.
- Locate the Culprit: Identify the capacitor inside the charger.
- Removal: Carefully remove the old capacitor by unscrewing it and disconnecting the wires.
- Installation: Install the new capacitor, making sure to connect the wires correctly.
- Test: Before sealing everything up, plug the charger in to test if it’s working.
- Seal It: Close the casing and secure it with screws.
- Final Test: Plug the charger back in and monitor its performance.
Expert Tip:
Always disconnect the charger from the power source before attempting any repairs to avoid electrical shocks. Also, make sure to purchase a capacitor with the same specifications as the original one.
Handy Tip:
Label the wires before disconnecting them from the old capacitor to make reassembly easier.
2. Let the Charger Run Longer
What I Did:
Allowed the charger to run for an extended period.
Outcome:
The charger eventually shut off.
Personal Experience:
I was skeptical, but letting the charger run longer actually worked.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
1440 minutes (24 hours)
Steps:
- Plug It In: Plug in the charger to the cart and the power source.
- Monitor: Keep an eye on the charger and battery levels throughout the day.
- Check Water Levels: Periodically check the water levels in the batteries.
- Voltage Check: Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage after 12 hours.
- Final Check: After 24 hours, check if the charger has shut off.
Expert Tip:
Always monitor the water level in the batteries when letting the charger run for extended periods to avoid damaging the batteries.
Handy Tip:
Set a timer to remind yourself to check the charger and battery levels at regular intervals.
3. Replace the Timer Board in the Charger
What I Did:
Replaced the timer board in the charger.
Outcome:
The charger started to function correctly.
Personal Experience:
After replacing the timer board, the charger started to shut off as expected.
Estimated Cost:
$50-$100
Time Needed:
60-90 minutes
Steps:
- Safety First: Unplug the charger from the power source.
- Open the Casing: Use a screwdriver to open the charger casing.
- Identify the Board: Locate the timer board inside the charger.
- Removal: Carefully remove the old timer board by unscrewing it and disconnecting the wires.
- Installation: Install the new timer board, making sure to connect the wires correctly.
- Test: Before sealing everything up, plug the charger in to test if it’s working.
- Seal It: Close the casing and secure it with screws.
- Final Test: Plug the charger back in and monitor its performance.
Expert Tip:
When replacing the timer board, make sure to disconnect the charger from the power source for safety. Also, it’s advisable to purchase the board from a reputable golf cart parts website or authorized dealers.
Handy Tip:
Take photos of the wiring before disconnecting the old timer board to make reassembly easier.
4. Replace the Gray Wire on Receptacle
What I Did:
Replaced the gray wire on the receptacle.
Outcome:
The charger started to function correctly.
Personal Experience:
After replacing the gray wire, the charger started to shut off as expected.
Estimated Cost:
$10-$20
Time Needed:
20-30 minutes
Steps:
- Safety First: Unplug the charger from the power source.
- Locate the Wire: Identify the gray wire connected to the receptacle.
- Removal: Carefully remove the old gray wire by unscrewing it and disconnecting it from the receptacle.
- Installation: Install the new gray wire, making sure to connect it correctly to the receptacle.
- Test: Plug the charger back in and monitor its performance.
Expert Tip:
Always disconnect the charger from the power source before attempting any repairs to avoid electrical shocks.
Handy Tip:
Label the wires before disconnecting them from the old gray wire to make reassembly easier.
5. Clean Batteries and Connections
What I Did:
Cleaned all batteries and wire connections.
Outcome:
The charger started to function correctly.
Personal Experience:
After cleaning the batteries and connections, the charger started to shut off as expected.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
15-30 minutes
Steps:
- Safety First: Unplug the charger from the power source.
- Locate the Batteries: Identify the batteries in your cart.
- Cleaning: Use a wire brush to clean the battery terminals and connections.
- Reconnect: Reconnect the wires to the batteries.
- Test: Plug the charger back in and monitor its performance.
Expert Tip:
Always wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning battery terminals to avoid contact with corrosive materials.
Handy Tip:
Use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the battery terminals for better results.
Cart Models where this worked
- 1995 EZGO cart, Charger model: Power Wise, industrial model 28115G04
- 2009 RXV with 4 12V Crown batteries