Golf carts and the FAA question.

We use Club Car golf carts to fetch sailplanes to and from the runway, run errands etc. The FBO (FAA guys) require that we have a blinking yellow light on top of the carts for visibility.

The LED type lights interfere with the ignition system, who knew? The rotating beacon type work fine but nothing in the world is idiot proof. I put an on/off switch to the light, it has no power when the key is off. People hop in, do the chore and hop out; sometimes leaving the key on. Light is rotating .....

Imagine this scenario on a Sunday, light is on, no one around for 5 days.

I installed solar panels on the roof to trickle charge the batteries during the week, but these are not enough to overcome stupidity.

Is there a way to install one of these lights to the output side of the Generator/alternator? The only thing I recognize is a car type starter that propels the cart until the 350cc Kawasaki engine kicks in.

I don't speak electricity so please use small words.

Thanks, Dan

\/ Similar to ours.

do they allow the white-orange checkered flag instead of a light?

I know of a way to do it, but it may be easier to train the people to make sure the light isn't on as they walk away from the cart.

Stick a diode between the battery and whatever charges the battery, put the light on the charging system side. Now the light will only run when the charging system is working. (May not work if it has a generator, not an alternator)

Lighted on/ off switch or add light on dash to indicate beacon on?

Be kinda difficult to miss that. But that still might not be idiot proof.

put a big sign on it tell them to turn the key off when they are done or they lose their golf cart privileges for a year.

Run power to the light through a relay that is switched by the generator charging circuit?

No. Required also.

bikerbenz wrote: do they allow the white-orange checkered flag instead of a light?

Bwahahhahhhaahhahhahahaahahahahahahaaaaa .....

Knurled wrote: I know of a way to do it, but it may be easier to train the people .......

How about a dead man switch on the seat, like a lawn mower.

In reply to 914Driver:

I did say "may"...

In reply to eastpark:

That's what I was thinking but I'm not sure that would work with the rules.
For example if they were going to get a sailplane and got out to hook up however they tow, the light would stop.
Ditto for grabbing debris off a runway, get out = lights off

This for under $17 and done.

http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-FF60MC-60-Minute-Spring-Brushed/dp/B00004W4WZ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414971004&sr=8-3&keywords=wind+up+timer+switch

I take it that these are gas golf carts that have the engine that only runs when you are moving?

What exactly is causing the ignition system interference, what is it messing up?

Battery saver Keeps the battery from draining all the way so you can start the motor and charge the battery.

Or put the light on a second smaller motorcycle battery that will charge when the motor is on but won't effect anything if the thing dies. Hook up a battery charger that charges to a switched circuit.

Control the keys, assign somebody to check all are accounted for at the end of the day.

ProDarwin wrote: Run power to the light through a relay that is switched by the generator charging circuit?

^^^ The easy answer.

ProDarwin wrote: Run power to the light through a relay that is switched by the generator charging circuit?

This would work, but only if its fitted with a generator, and then you will only have the light when its moving(these have start-stop tech), and I have a feeling they want it on whenever it's on/around the runway.

Most gas golf carts will shut off when you take your foot off the throttle. Running a relay from the charging circuit to the light wont really help if the driver stops the cart and the engine shuts off.

A flashing light on the dashboard is probably the simplest solution.

Or

MCM offers a USB programmable alarm that can play a 30 second WAV or MP3. Program it to say "flasher is on" in an annoying voice every 30 seconds and i'll bet the light gets turned off when it should.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/50-2992?scode=GS401&catargetid=530004080000291119&cadevice=c&gclid=CPiM9f-y3cECFZM1aQodwyoAVA

How is the gear selector wired in? Maybe something like the switch that turns on the backup lights when a car is put in reverse. Only put on both fwd & rev. Or something like a neutral bypass switch that turns the light off when out of neutral or park.

I like fujioko's idea of a BRIGHT flashing light on the dash that won't go off til the switch is turned off. That and a couple of beatings should fix things right up.

How about a big flashing light on top of the cart? That should let them know if they walk away with the light left on.

My advice is take the berkeleyers out back with a rubber hose for a little while. That'll teach em

How about a second rotating light mounted upside down on the inside of the roof, hard to ignore that.

Hook a beeper up to it?

Lets work shock collars into this conversation somehow.