SPEEDING UP THE EZ-GO MARATHON (1994)

The easiest solution is to upgrade from the stock 36 Volt battery pack to 48 volts, either by adding two batteries (which I did) or by switching to expensive 8-volt batteries. I took the cheap route, obviously.
But what to do with the extra voltage? The easiest solution is to buy a new 48-volt controller and a new 48-volt higher torque motor. Easy, but pricey. The cheapest controllers are about $500 or so, and the motors about $800 apiece (!!!) or a total of $1300 to spend on a $299 golf cart. In my mind, not worth it.
I found a fellow on the "Buggies gone wild!" discussion group who found a cheaper solution. Just add a "booster pack" of batteries and wire them around the controller via a relay so the motor sees direct 48V from all of the batteries combined. This requires you buy a 48V relay ($55) and a huge-ass power diode ($48) to prevent the current from feeding back into the sold-state controller. The 36V stock motor will take the excess voltage (I am told) although it may shorten the service life somewhat. This raised the top speed from 12 mph to 15 mph, which is not a bad jump. Total cost, with batteries, battery boxes, relay and diode, about $325 - more than we paid for the cart!
See my blog posting for links at:
livingstingy.blogspot.com/2016...
Wiring diagram at:
www.buggiesgonewild.com/extrem...

[@jimparrish4331]

Thank you so much for putting this video together, I just bought a Golf & Country by Western golf cart and was trying to determine the year and model. Your video help me confirm that it is a Marathon chassis. Great video as to how to boost the cart.

[@SILVEROD07]

I got a 91 and I just added one 6v battery to make it 42v. Mine does 17mph with 20” tires. But the booster is pretty cool.

[@RandomlyAwkward1]

I just got a basket case EZ GO marathon. I had to do quite a bit of work but now I’ve got my 12 miles an hour! Has no one noticed that your sticker that you added about the power boost has two misspelled words? 😀

[@kennycybertron1]

I enjoyed your video but when you mentioned Jekyll Island, my ears perked up. My family has been visiting Jekyll Island every November for our vacation since 1993 (with the old drawbridge I saw in your ending credits). I just picked up a 2009 ex-go and I am researching switching to cheaper 12volt batteries. Have a good day

[@robertgreen3494]

Hello so is it possible to have a 48 volt charger in place of the 36v charger the you have it wire now?

[@robertbyrd27]

Where can I get diode from?

[@RobertPlattBell]

I got it online. Sorry I didn't save it - I would have given it to you! Ended up buying a 48 volt Curtis controller on eBay for about $200 and that works a lot better. Goes about 17 mph with the larger tires and new batteries. Been a few years, and the 36V motor hasn't melted - yet. I recommend just buying a new controller. Works better than the diode approach.