How to Test a Golf Cart Voltage Regulator

Most electric golf carts use 12-volt batteries for their operation. As the name indicates, a voltage regulator is capable of controlling the voltage flow that returns from the magneto. As a result, the batteries experience a backflow of a constant voltage of 14 volts.

There are also instances when the batteries tend to get overcharged. Overcharged batteries eventually get damaged.

To avoid the above problems, it’s recommended that you check the voltage regulator of your golf cart regularly. This is not a time-consuming process and takes just about 10 minutes to get done. You might consider checking your battery before the voltage regulator.

The following steps offer guidance on how to check a battery followed by checking the voltage regulator.

1. Park the golf cart on a level, hard surface and activate the parking brake. You might want to additionally keep wheel chocks before the front tires so that the cart does not roll forward.
2. Keep a jack below the frame at the back of the golf cart. Position the jack stands below the frame behind the back tires and elevate the cart.
3. Lift the golf cart seat upwards until the batteries are exposed.
4. Turn on the voltmeter and set the reading to 20 volts. Connect the red lead of the voltmeter to one of the positive posts of a battery. Similarly, connect the black lead of the voltmeter to the negative post of this battery.
5. Check the voltage reading on the voltmeter. If the reading is 12volts, it’s a clear sign that the battery is in good condition.
6. Release the forward control pedal keeping the voltmeter connected at the same time.
7. Check if the voltmeter reading is between 14 volts and 16 volts. If it continues to be 12 volts, it indicates that the voltage regulator is faulty.

Testing the voltage regulator on a gas Club Car

You can follow the steps given below to test the voltage regulator of your gas club car.

1. Connect the voltmeter to the battery and get the golf cart running. You can consider applying the hand brake to prevent rolling.
2. Check if the voltage rating is between 14 volts and 16 volts. If it’s less than this range, remove the wire above the starter generator after stopping the cart.
3. Use a jumper and connect it from the ground of the cart to the stud of the starter generator. If the voltage is 15VDC or more, then the voltage regulator is faulty.

Testing the voltage regulator on a gas Yamaha golf cart

1. Remove the drive belt from the golf cart. You can also consider turning off the engine of the cart so that there is no movement.
2. As mentioned above, connect the voltmeter to the battery and check the voltage reading. If it’s above 15 volts, it’s a sign of overcharging.
3. Release the pedal and check if the reading is 12.5 volts or just above this value. If it’s not so, the voltage regulator may be at fault.
4. Alternatively, if the above battery voltage in Step 2 is less than 13.5 volts, ground the yellow wire present on the starter generator to the chassis.
5. If the voltage reading increases to 17 volts or 18 volts, it indicates a faulty voltage regulator.

How to Install Voltage Regulator on a Golf Cart

Installing a voltage regulator in your golf cart often becomes necessary when you experience any problem with the motor of your golf cart. In most cases, a motor problem is likely to be due to a faulty voltage regulator.

Having a faulty voltage regulator can lead to other problems as well, such as overcharge causing electrical components to burn out or inability of the golf cart battery to retain a charge. From my own experience, you should replace your voltage regulator as soon as possible!

For your safety, you should wear a pair of work gloves and safety glasses when you make the replacement. You will have to keep a few simple tools handy to help with the replacement. The process may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your golf cart.

The steps mentioned below will guide you on how to replace a faulty voltage regulator.

1. Open the battery hatch cover that is usually located below the front hood or under the golf cart seat.
2. Loosen and remove the negative cable of the battery that is connected to the battery charger directly. Use a wrench for disconnecting the cables.
3. Remove the negative cables of all other batteries as well, in the same way.
4. Now remove all the positive cables from the batteries.
5. Disconnect the voltage regulator from the battery so that it can be removed. In some cases, the regulator may be bolted or latched on to the golf cart. Use the appropriate tool and disconnect it.
6. Put the new voltage regulator in place and fix the bolts or latches in place.
7. Connect a voltmeter to the poles of the battery and start the engine of the golf cart. Make sure that there is no spin. The voltage should typically be 12.6 volts.
8. Raise the speed of the golf cart engine. The voltage will also increase accordingly until the speed is nearly 1,000RPM. After this, the voltage remains steady at 13 volts with a +/-0.5 volts difference.
9. Check the electrolyte levels in each battery and top up to the required level using distilled water if needed.

“Keyword”
“throttle potentiometer circuit”
“throttle potentiometer symptoms”
“golf cart potentiometer”
“yamaha golf cart potentiometer”