Hello all!
I have an EZ-Go electric Golf Cart which I would like to "start" using an Arduino.
The golf cart has 6 batteries of 6v which is 36v total.
It has a key switch with starts the motor.
I would like to trigger the motor ON or OFF using an Arduino's output. for now it's going to be a button but later it's going to be some remote control so I won't have to put the key inside the key switch and can start it by triggering remotely.
I want to connect the circuit in parallel to the existing key switch so I can still start it with the key.
I DON'T need to control the speed or drive the motor from the Arduino for it's been done using the "gas" pedal.
I just want to trigger it - ON or OFF.
I'm not sure whether all the load of the DC motor is running thorough the wires going to the key switch, but considering it does, I need to find the right circuit.
I have TIP142 mosfets at home which are 100v and 10A.
If all the load is running through that key switch I guess that on full load the current will be more than 10A.
Considering that, I could also order irf540 or irfz44 from ebay...
I would like it to be opto-isolated so it won't risk my Arduino board and be maximum safe both for my Arduino and my golf cart.
I found this PCB but first of all it's 4 circuits which is kind of an overkill for that and second of all the circuit is a little blurry to me:
what are the X1-1 and X1-2?
What is Vpp?
are the Grounds of the circuits connected?
I also have 4n25 at home. Is it good enough instead of the 4n35?
http://arduino-direct.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=60
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Brick-4ChannelPowerFetSwitch
There's also this circuit (which is different):
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,20358.0.html
On the other end, there's this guy who connected it directly from the Arduino's output.
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,70150.30.html
So as you can see I'm a bit confused.
I would like your advice people about which circuit should I use to do that.
Could you please provide schematics for the circuit because I'm not very good with electronics...
Does someone knows if the full load of the golf cart is running through the key switch (I think the battery's charge display is serially connected with the key switch but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure if that means anything).
Could I use power supply from the golf cart's battery to power the Arduino and the mosfet circuit?
If someone did build this kind of circuit and can advice it will be great!!!
Thank you all in advance!
Golan