This controller is actually from my shave ice machine, but it's originally made for a golf cart. One terminal decided to get really hot, and it leaked a bit of oil. I realize this is something I could theoretically fix myself, with advice from you all :-). But I have way too many projects this year.So I'm wondering if any of you folks know a good person/company that does this sort of thing? Or if anyone here wants to do it? I could pay something for parts and labor. I found an old blog post that says: You will need to replace all the FET's, gate resistors and some times the PNP FET driver on the logic board.I do have a spare controller, that I picked up used once upon a time and I don't know the history on. So the shave ice machine is ok for now, but I really should get the controller rebuilt. I googled, and I see various rebuilding shops online. But I don't know who is good!Thanks anybody who has any suggestions :-).

Naio,What you are asking about is way above most folks pay grade. Mex and a very few others could help. My solution would be to send it away for repair. There is a member from Montana who repairs high wattage inverters--he might have the necessary skill set. His avatar is KJINTF I think....

If you're in or near LA / SoCal look for electric vehicle clubs, they will have people that know high power DC circuits. Or they might share where to get such circuits made / repaired.

Thanks, guys! In a way, I'm glad to hear that it's harder than it sounded. Now I don't have to feel bad about not doing it myself :-). And vehicle clubs is a great idea of where to look. I'm not in SoCal right now, but I can look locally. I will also try golf cart repair places.

Wow I just looked up the insides for one, and they're quite complicated, more than I expected.Pricey too, even the ones from ebay ... good luck on your search. if you don't need the super high amperage a smaller "brushed dc motor controller" might work. i've seen them up to 50-60A for under $100

I need the amperage. I occasionally blow a 100-amp breaker. And continuously blew the 60 amp one I tried!

Rebuilding an electronic controller from a golf cart?

pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 03, 2019
High amperage devices do get hot. It is in our best interests to keep them cool. Add a fan to extend the life of the unit you are using now?
Naio
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2019
Thanks, guys. I'm kind of afraid to open it because of of the leaking oil. Like is it full of pcbs or something?

It only got hot when running. But very hot, very quickly.
mchero
Explorer
Apr 02, 2019
keep us posted on your progress.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 02, 2019
did it do this connected but not turned on
or only when running the shave ice motor ?

can you open the cover and look to see what is leaking, burnt etc..

filter caps, just require removing and replacing, some soldering ?

FET's etc.. are much the same but more 'touchy' in getting it right

i think you could handle the filter capacitors

hot cables and smoke , seem to indicate some shorted parts, in the power output section

but you don't know until you look
Naio
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2019
Thank you, mr wizard. It's been a few months, but I think it did technically work, although it made the attached cable so hot that insulation melted and there was smoke.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 02, 2019
This controller is actually from my shave ice machine, but it's originally made for a golf cart. One terminal decided to get really hot, and it leaked a bit of oil.

oil filled terminals ?

anything leaks, its usually an overheated 'capacitor' or maybe a 'transformer'
with no voltage step up, i would assume one or more filter capacitors need to be replaced, especially if it still works
Naio
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2019
I need the amperage. I occasionally blow a 100-amp breaker. And continuously blew the 60 amp one I tried!
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 31, 2019
Wow I just looked up the insides for one, and they're quite complicated, more than I expected.

Pricey too, even the ones from ebay ... good luck on your search. if you don't need the super high amperage a smaller "brushed dc motor controller" might work. i've seen them up to 50-60A for under $100
Naio
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2019
Thanks, guys!

In a way, I'm glad to hear that it's harder than it sounded. Now I don't have to feel bad about not doing it myself :-).

And vehicle clubs is a great idea of where to look. I'm not in SoCal right now, but I can look locally. I will also try golf cart repair places.
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 31, 2019
If you're in or near LA / SoCal look for electric vehicle clubs, they will have people that know high power DC circuits. Or they might share where to get such circuits made / repaired.

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Rebuilding an electronic controller from a golf cart?

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