The Power Circuit - Club Car 1995 Golf Car Maintenance Service Supplement

The Control Circuit Continued:
The key switch is an "on-off" type, the function of which is to disable, or open, the control circuit when the
vehicle is not in use. With the key switch in the "off" position, the vehicle will not run.
The function of the F&R anti-arcing limit switch is to prevent arcing on the F&R contacts. When the vehicle is
in neutral, the limit switch is open. The F&R anti-arcing limit switch closes only after full contact has been
made on the F&R switch. As the F&R switch is being disengaged, the F&R anti-arcing limit switch opens the
power circuit by opening the solenoid before the F&R contacts are separated. By using the F&R anti-arcing
limit switch to control power through the F&R switch, arcing is prevented on the F&R contacts.
When the accelerator is depressed (which closes the potentiometer limit switch), and the F&R switch is in
forward or reverse (which closes the anti-arcing limit switch), and the key is in the "on" position, the control
circuit is complete. The solenoid coil (enclosed in solenoid) will then be activated, closing the solenoid power
contacts and activating the controller.
The reverse buzzer is a warning device that is activated when the F&R switch is placed in reverse. The
reverse buzzer will sound continuously until the vehicle is shifted to neutral or forward.

THE POWER CIRCUIT

The power circuit consists of the solid state speed controller, solenoid contacts, forward and reverse (F&R)
switch, motor, batteries, and all power wiring. The motor and batteries will be discussed in separate sections
in this manual (Motor - Section 20, and Batteries - Section 18).
The solid state speed controller provides smooth and efficient vehicle acceleration and deceleration by pre-
cisely controlling voltage input (corresponding to accelerator position) to the motor.
The F&R switch changes the direction of vehicle movement by changing the direction of electrical current
through the motor, and thus the direction that the motor turns.
THE SPEED CONTROL CIRCUIT
Multi-step Potentiometer (Wiper Switch) Models:
The speed control circuit consists of the multi-step potentiometer with discrete resistors. With the car in for-
ward, the potentiometer resistance varies from 0 ohms with the accelerator pedal up (at rest position) to
approximately 4940 ohms with pedal fully depressed (for full-speed operation, resistance must be above
4600 ohms and below 7000 ohms). When the vehicle is put into reverse, a limit switch is engaged that brings
an additional resistor into the circuit at the F&R limit switch No. 3. This reduces vehicle top speed in reverse
to approximately half of forward top speed.
Continuously Variable Potentiometer Models:
The speed control circuit consists of a solid state three-wire potentiometer. With the car in forward, the poten-
tiometer resistance varies from approximately 0 to 300 ohms with the accelerator pedal up (at rest position)
to approximately 5500 ohms with pedal fully depressed (for full-speed operation, resistance must be above
4600 ohms and below 7000 ohms). When the vehicle is put into reverse, a limit switch is engaged that brings
an additional resistor into the circuit at the F&R limit switch No. 3. This reduces vehicle top speed in reverse
to half of forward top speed.
THE CHARGE CIRCUIT
The charge circuit consists of the on-board computer, battery charger, DC charger plug, charger receptacle,
receptacle fuse link, and the 8-volt batteries. The batteries and the battery charger will be discussed in sep-
arate sections in this manual (Batteries - Section 18, and Battery Charger - Section 19).
The charger plug and receptacle connection is the most critical between the charger and the vehicle's bat-
tery circuit. The contacts in the receptacle must grip the plug pins well enough to create enough pressure or
drag for an adequate electrical connection. If little or no drag is felt, the receptacle or plug must be replaced.
If the plug or receptacle is damaged, or feels hot when charging, one or both must be replaced (See Plug
and Receptacle, Section 19).
The on-board fuse link provides additional protection to the vehicle charging circuit. The fuse is rated for use
only with a Club Car PowerDrive charger. If it is blown, the cause should be determined before it is replaced.
A vehicle with a blown fuse will not charge (See Receptacle Fuse Link, Section 19).
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