Golf Cart CLUTCH
All golf cart (much like cars) have a clutch, which
is a part of the drivetrain that helps the put
the power of the motor through to the wheels/
ground. Golf cart clutches are also known as
Continuously Variable Transmission (or CVT). This
transmission is comprised of two different clutch-
es connected together by a golf cart drive belt.
The two clutches are the:
• Golf Cart Drive Clutch (Primary)
• Golf Cart Driven Clutch (Secondary)
The drive (primary) clutch connects to the engine
crankshaft while the driven (secondary) clutch is
bolted onto the cart’s input shaft.
The Drive Clutch & Driven Clutch work in tandem
to smoothly propel your golf cart forward when
power is applied via the accelerator pedal. Con-
versely, these same clutches help with smooth
deceleration when the cart is in motion and the
accelerator is released (even if the brake is not
yet depressed).
Three things can indicate that your golf cart
clutch is going bad:
• Your cart’s initial acceleration is jerky
• It feels as if power is slipping while your cart is
climbing incline terrain/hills
• Your cart has varying top-end speed (alternating
between fast and slow)
Golf Cart CONTROLLER
Golf Cart Controllers are an extremely popular
part to either replace (due to age or malfunction)
or upgrade for your golf carts power. The golf
cart controller / golf cart speed controller does
exactly what its name implies: controls the speed
and power of your golf cart.
If you are looking to either replace or upgrade
your golf cart controller, the most important thing
you can do is think about how your cart gets used
most, which will tell you how much power you
need out of your controller (and motor):
• 200-300 Amp Controller: Perfect for your cart
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if it will be
used for
normal rounds or
golf or trips around the
neighborhood with up to two
passengers
• A controller this size is normally
paired with a small 2hp to 5hp motor
• This is the typical controller size on 36-Volt
golf carts
• 300-600 Amp Controller (upgraded): Great for
carts with a rear seat or cargo bed, or carts
that will need to climb steep hills. When carrying
4 or more passengers/heavy loads, or climbing
steep grade, an upgraded controller (and motor)
are recommended.
• A Controller this size is normally paired with a
larger 5hp to 10 hp motor
• Typical controller size of 36-48 Volt golf carts
Golf Cart SOLENOID
Solenoids act as a relay/switch between your golf
cart batteries and your golf cart starter/generator
or traction motor. Think of a solenoid as the gate-
keeper of battery current. It allows (or disallows)
current to flow through to your cart’s starter/
generator to start your engine (on gas carts). On
electric carts, it functions the same way, except
the solenoid allows or disallows current to the
traction motor (instead of the starter).
Solenoids in golf carts are designed to work the
entire time you press the pedal down when accel-
erating/driving. This means solenoids work hard
all the time; so they tend to go bad. It’s just a fact
of life! Luckily, they aren’t too expensive and we
carry golf cart solenoid replacements for all golf
carts.