How to Remove the Speed Limiter on an Electric Golf Cart

Ever felt like giving your electric golf cart a little more “oomph”? Maybe get from Hole 1 to Hole 18 a tad faster? Well, you’re not alone. A lot of folks have been looking to bypass that pesky speed limiter on their electric golf carts. If you’re scratching your head, wondering how to do it, I got you covered. Let’s dive into it!

1. First Things First, Access the Speed Controller:

Ever heard of the brain of the golf cart? Yep, that’s the speed controller!

Whip out your pliers or a dinky screwdriver. This is where you’ll find the speed limiter.
Tackle those screws or any other thingamajigs keeping the speed limiter locked in.
Once you’ve got access, say “sayonara” to that speed limiter.
Button everything back up, plug back any cables you might have unplugged and you’re golden.

2. Gather Your Trusty Tools:

Before we get to the fun part, you’ve gotta be prepared:

You’re gonna need some wrenches of different sizes. No, not the monkey wrench your uncle used to threaten the old TV with. Actual wrenches.
Don’t forget a set of screwdrivers.
And hey, grab some resealable plastic bags or little boxes. Trust me, they’re super handy for holding onto screws so they don’t vanish into the abyss.

3. Swap the Speed Controller or Fiddle with the Governor:

Now, here’s the deal. You can completely change out the speed controller, but I gotta warn ya—it ain’t cheap. And you might need to have a bit of techy know-how.

An easier route? Tinker with the governor on your golf cart. Find that governor (might need to play a bit of hide and seek) and make the adjustments.

4. Safety First: Disconnect that Battery:

Look, no one wants a shock. Literally. Before you poke around:

Locate your battery (hint: probably under the seat or hood).
Separate the cables using your spanner set. And now, you’re safe from any unexpected zaps.

5. Peek Under the Hood…Err, Seat!:

Your engine’s under the back seats:

Lift off the cushions, then get rid of the black plastic cover.
Spot the speed limiter cable? Disconnect it from the carburetor and gas pedal.
Grab your wrench and remove the gas pedal shaft bolt, hold onto the metal rod, then pop the cover and seating back on.

Now, buddy, before you get all giddy and start zooming around, remember there’s a reason that speed limiter was there in the first place. By removing or tinkering with it, you might be saying bye-bye to your warranty, or worse, breaking some local laws. Plus, safety first, right? Always, always get some advice from a pro or your golf cart’s manufacturer.

A Lil’ Extra Knowledge: How Does the Speed Controller Tick?

If you’re curious about what’s happening under the hood, here’s a quick crash course:

Throttle Input: Step on the gas, and the throttle tells the speed controller just how much juice you want.
Signal Processing: The speed controller’s all ears. It listens to the throttle and figures out how much power to send to the motor.
Power Modulation: The speed controller’s the DJ of your golf cart. It turns up or down the power from the batteries to the electric motor, controlling how fast you go.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): Sounds fancy, but it’s just a way the speed controller uses to deliver power smoothly to the motor.
Direction Control: Want to go backward? The speed controller’s got your back. It flips the power’s direction when you switch.
Regenerative Braking: Some golf carts can save energy when slowing down or going downhill, kinda like charging your phone while you’re using it.
Safety Features: The speed controller also acts like a bodyguard, ensuring nothing goes haywire, like preventing overheating or the battery from draining.
Monitoring and Feedback: Some even tell you what’s up, displaying speed, battery life, and other cool stats.

So, there you have it. The lowdown on freeing your electric golf cart from that speed limiter. Just remember to be safe, savvy, and always check local rules before zooming off into the sunset. Happy carting!