Powerdrive 3 Battery Charger Features; Battery Warning Light - Club Car 2008-2011 Maintenance And Service Manual

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POWERDRIVE 3 – MODEL 26560

POWERDRIVE 3 BATTERY CHARGER FEATURES

• Charge Interlock: PowerDrive 3 battery charger DC plugs have three pins rather than two blades
common on most standard charger plugs. Two of these pins are the positive and negative leads as on
standard chargers; the third pin is a sensing lead that is the communication link between the charger
and the onboard computer. When the charger plug is plugged into the vehicle receptacle, the onboard
computer locks out the vehicle drive system. This prevents the possibility of driving the vehicle while
the charger is plugged in and potentially damaging the vehicle and charger. See following WARNING.
• Long-Term Storage Charge: Vehicles with PowerDrive 3 chargers are designed to be left connected
with AC power to the charger during off-season or long-term storage. The onboard computer will auto-
matically activate the charger every 15 days. To return the vehicle to service, unplug the charger DC
cord, wait 15 seconds for the computer to reset, and plug the charger back in. See following WARN-
ING and CAUTION. This will ensure the batteries are at their optimum charge prior to returning the
vehicle to service.
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WARNING
• The charger plug must be pulled slowly from the receptacle (Figure 6-7, Page 6-9). Jerking or
pulling the DC cord out quickly could cause arcing and burning that could damage the plug
and receptacle and could cause batteries to explode (Figure 6-8, Page 6-9).
CAUT ION
• Be sure to check the batteries and charger monthly to maintain correct battery water level and
ensure the charger is operating correctly during storage.

BATTERY WARNING LIGHT

IQ System and Excel System vehicles feature a dash mounted battery warning light (above the steering col-
umn) that, when the vehicle is in operation, indicates low battery voltage or, when the vehicle is being
charged, indicates a charging problem. The battery warning light is controlled by the onboard computer.
When the batteries receive an incomplete charge because 1) the DC power cord is disconnected, 2) AC
power to charger is interrupted, 3) automatic charger shut-off occurs after 16 hours of operation, or 4) charger
malfunctions, the warning light will indicate as follows:
• The battery warning light will not illuminate if the charge is 90% or more complete. The onboard com-
puter will retain in memory the amount of charge needed to replenish the batteries and will complete
the charge during the next charge cycle.
• When the charger DC cord is unplugged during a charge cycle, the battery warning light will illuminate
and remain illuminated for 10 seconds if the charge is less than 90% complete but the vehicle has
enough power for 60 minutes of operation. This will alert the fleet operator that the vehicle may be
used, but that it must be charged to completion as soon as possible.
• The battery warning light will repeatedly illuminate for 10 seconds, at 4 second intervals, if the charger
times out at 16 hours and the batteries are not sufficiently charged. This indicates an abnormal charge
cycle. The charger and batteries should be checked by your Club Car distributor/dealer.
• The battery warning light will repeatedly illuminate for 10 seconds, at 4 second intervals, during a
charge cycle (with the DC plug still connected) if AC power to the charger is interrupted. The light will
go out when AC power is restored.
• The battery warning light will flash quickly, after inserting the DC plug, indicating the charger's voltage
suppressor has failed closed.
Page 6-2 2008-2011 Domestic Battery Charger Maintenance and Service Manual
General Information