The Club Car V-Glide is a discrete multi-step potentiometer. There are several configurations of thses and here I try to coalesce the varied information I have found from Buggiesgonewild and other sources.
Resistor Wattages:
- 1/2 watt or higher. To date, I have not found a definitive source on the resistor wattages, but I would reckon 1/2 watt resistors are the minimum for these. If you know the proper wattages let me know.
2 wire config (model years 1994-) / 36v:
- 910Ω
- 620Ω
- 620Ω
- 750Ω
- 820Ω
- 1100Ω
2 wire config ( model yeas 1995+) / 48v:
- 300Ω
- 390Ω
- 300Ω
- 750Ω
- 1000Ω
- 2200Ω
3 wire Multi-Step Resistor Values: (all model years) 36v
- 910Ω
- 750Ω
- 910Ω
- 1000Ω
- 1000Ω
- 1000Ω
This diagram shows the resistor locations for the 2-wire 36v variant. You can derive the resistor locations for the others from this diagram.
Note that these resistor values are not normally found in standard resistor variety packs. You can get these from Mouser. Eg:
620 Ω – https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/KOA-Speer/MF1-2LCT52R621J/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsPqMdJzcrNwuBnmYaxrx0HsKwO%252bDhHkMo%3D (need 2 of these!)
Don’t forget to get some non-insulated ring terminals too. A variety box like these should cover it & leave you with lots of extras for later projects.
Would you know the resistor values and the order they are fitted on a DS 48 volt power drive 1997 model club car
I have a ‘93 Club Car DS (48v) with a 2-wire V-Glide. I’d shudders and bucks when I try to accelerate at the lowest throttle setting (just when you hear the micro switch in the V-Glide click). I opened it up, and when I checked the resistors inside, it has a different configuration from anything you’ve posted here. Now, being an electrician, I checked the resistance from bar to bar, against the resistor color codes – they are all within the tolerance range. If I could, I’d post some pictures here showing the actual resistors, and the little chart I made up, but it don’t give me that option. Instead, I’ll just post what I found (mind you, mine seems to be having issues so it may not be correct):
6 total resistors, so going in order of 1-6, starting from the lowest bar (with the FS-1 micro switch in a NO state, and the throttle at a 0% position):
1- 300ohm
2- 390ohm
3- 910ohm
4- 750ohm
5- 820ohm
6- 2200ohm
I will do more research to see if this is the correct resistance values, and in the proper locations.
Once I have a clear answer, I’ll update it here as well.
Ok, after some more research, I was unable to find the exact resistance ratings for each resistor, however, I was able to further evaluate my system. These are a 0-ohm to 5K-ohm system, and the higher the resistance, the more current the controller sends to the motor. My system was not offering enough resistance for the initial take-off, which is theoretically causing my cart to shudder at the lowest possible throttle setting. Also, full throttle would occasionally cause my controller too kick out, due to the resistance value being too high.
To attempt to solve both issues, I am going to re-map my V-Glide, with the use of six 2-watt resistors, in a progressive formation, with a high initial resistance (to reduce shudder, at take off).
For this, I will use the following resistors, in the following “stepped” locations:
1- 500ohm
2- 270ohm
3- 470ohm
4- 750ohm
5- 1200ohm
6- 1800ohm
The first resistor is higher than the original, which should theoretically give me a minor increase in initial motor current. This is the baseline from which my cart will start to take off, and should (in theory) overcome its tendency to shudder. From there, each step adds a slightly progressive increase in resistance, which should provide a much smoother throttle curve.
I can’t wait to get everything assembled, and try it out!
Also, for anyone else attempting to do this: you don’t have to get specific values, but please remember to keep the total resistance value of the entire resistor set, as close to 5000-ohms as possible (+/- 50 ohms) also try to keep each step (beyond the first resistor) at an incrementally higher difference. In my experiment, 500ohms is the baseline. The first step is 270ohms higher, the second step is 200 higher, third is 300 higher, fourth is 450 higher, and the last step is 600 higher. My total resistance is 4,990 ohms. If I plot the throttle curve on a scale, it’s a 10% jump, followed by a smooth upward-curving arch.
I know all of this might be over the top, and out of the box… but when you cannot find exact parts and exact values (or sometimes when you’re just too cheap to pay $300 for the complete replacement part, especially if you can spend just $30 to rebuild it), sometimes you just have to make due with what you got, and what you have access to.
I’ll report back with my results, in a day or two. 🙂
It’s been a few weeks since the last comment, and all I can say, is that my club car ds has been running flawlessly since I modified the V-glide resistors. The high initial resistance does cause a slight jump, when the accelerator micro switch closes, but the shuddering sensation on take-off is gone, and the acceleration is smooth, with almost no notable jump between the resistor “steps”. I’m happy with the changes I’ve made, and I would undoubtedly recommend the same size, ratings, and formation to anyone who is having trouble with their unit.
I hope this info gets approved and posted by a moderator soon, so that this information will be more readily available, to those with similar issues.
Thank you, and good luck! 🙂