Golf Carts ?

[gm280]

I was just wondering if anyone on these topic sites have any golf carts. And if so, are they electric. And if electric are they 48 volt types. I ask because we bought a used one (Club Cart 2000 DS model) some months ago and was wondering if the latest swap over from lead/acid to Lithium battery was worth it and offer a little more top end speed? I ask because the batteries we presently have are getting old and I suspect will start having problems soon. So before we buy any new batteries or all new ones (6 total), I was wondering if Lithium swap (one battery) was a better idea...

 

[topgun3690]

I will be following this thread....got a 36 volt (6 battery) cart and need new batteries. The going price around here is $140 x 6 = $840 plus tax. And they only last 4 or 5 years....

 

[dingbat]

I have two (EZ-GO) carts but opted for gas powered to avoid messing with batteries

 

[Scott Danforth]

Unless you swap the motor and controller you won't get more top speed by changing batteries

All Lithium Ion batteries get you is a longer run time between charges

 

[topgun3690]

I have two (EZ-GO) carts but opted for gas powered to avoid messing with batteries

Smart move, dingbat.....a new set of batteries costs more than what my old cart is worth. And without batteries, it is pretty much worthless.

 

[dingbat]

Long story, but was a freebie. Literally pulled it from the weeds behind a barn after sitting for 2 years.

1990 EZ-GO Marathon with a dump bed. Single cylinder 2 stroke….125:1. Got it running the next day then drove it a year before rebuilding it for $225.

Used by Mrs. Dingbat as a (horse) farm utility vehicle on a regular basis. Hard enough keeping gas in it let alone keep batteries charged…lol

 

[gm280]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their responses. I as well though about gas when we first started looking. But I thought that gas has it's advantages and problems. You still have to keep a battery charged and healthy with a gas engine and also the oil, and quality of the fuel. And if it sits for a long time, those issues come into play. But I am certain gas has a ton more energy for climbing hills and such and the range totally depends on how much fuel you have on board. However, I have been watching a lot of electric carts with upgrades and seeing where electric can have both range and speed. It all depends on what you want to spend. The reason we bought electric is because this cart came available and it was a slit second decision to buy or let go. And since it was in such great condition, we bought. It presently works pretty well as is, and we are looking to customize it. So that was my idea to post. Thanks again all. We will post after we get other issues settled in our lives...and the boat has to be finished before the cart gets started customizing...

 

[1960 Starflite]

I will be following this thread....got a 36 volt (6 battery) cart and need new batteries. The going price around here is $140 x 6 = $840 plus tax. And they only last 4 or 5 years....

Mine is 36 volt also. I don't use it to play 18 holes of golf. Just back and forth to boat dock and riding around neighborhood.

I went to Rural King and bought 3 large 12v deep cycle batteries. Still equals 36.

 

[topgun3690]

Mine is 36 volt also. I don't use it to play 18 holes of golf. Just back and forth to boat dock and riding around neighborhood.

I went to Rural King and bought 3 large 12v deep cycle batteries. Still equals 36.

Don't use mine for golf either, just putting around the neighborhood. Not a bad idea about using 3 12 volt batteries.....could cut the cost in half maybe. I have no idea, but is there a reason they used 6 6 volt batteries to begin with? Does it give more amps for powering the weight of the cart with several people in it...as opposed to using 3 12 volt batteries? I know there are 36 volt trolling motors, but all it has to do is turn the prop. So....am wondering if the 6 volt x 6=36 is really equal to 12 volt x 3=36 as far as power goes.....

 

[dingbat]

Don't use mine for golf either, just putting around the neighborhood. Not a bad idea about using 3 12 volt batteries.....could cut the cost in half maybe. I have no idea, but is there a reason they used 6 6 volt batteries to begin with? Does it give more amps for powering the weight of the cart with several people in it...as opposed to using 3 12 volt batteries? I know there are 36 volt trolling motors, but all it has to do is turn the prop. So....am wondering if the 6 volt x 6=36 is really equal to 12 volt x 3=36 as far as power goes.....

https://www.usbattery.com/6-volt-8-volt-or-12-volt-which-battery-pack-configuration-makes-the-most-sense/

 

[gm280]

Well ours is a 48 volt version. However the previous owner must have had one go bad and instead of buying an 8 volt replacement, he put a 6 volt battery in. So I actually have a 46 volt cart now. And it does pretty good on flat roads, but really, really slows down on hills...a lot. And they are older batteries now. So sooner or later, they will have to be replaced...

 

[dingbat]

Well ours is a 48 volt version. However the previous owner must have had one go bad and instead of buying an 8 volt replacement, he put a 6 volt battery in. So I actually have a 46 volt cart now. And it does pretty good on flat roads, but really, really slows down on hills...a lot. And they are older batteries now. So sooner or later, they will have to be replaced...

Golf Cart Amps & Voltage Guide | Golf Cart Garage

Learn about amperage and voltage of golf carts in this GCG Guide. You'll find things that can increase distance capabilities and more.

www.golfcartgarage.com

 

[aspeck]

We have both gas and 48v carts. We use ours to move food from inside kitchen to pavilion, carry ones that need assistance to the park area, and yard maintenance. Prefer the electric one. Thought we needed new batteries last year, but it ended up being a loose connection. Batteries are about 7 years old now and still going strong. (Knock on wood)

 

[1960 Starflite]

Don't use mine for golf either, just putting around the neighborhood. Not a bad idea about using 3 12 volt batteries.....could cut the cost in half maybe. I have no idea, but is there a reason they used 6 6 volt batteries to begin with? Does it give more amps for powering the weight of the cart with several people in it...as opposed to using 3 12 volt batteries? I know there are 36 volt trolling motors, but all it has to do is turn the prop. So....am wondering if the 6 volt x 6=36 is really equal to 12 volt x 3=36 as far as power goes.....

IMHO it's like have a 10 gallon fuel tank vs a 20 gallon fuel tank. I do plug it into my battery charger/maintainer often and leave it on maintainer over winter here in Ohio

 

[gm280]

We have both gas and 48v carts. We use ours to move food from inside kitchen to pavilion, carry ones that need assistance to the park area, and yard maintenance. Prefer the electric one. Thought we needed new batteries last year, but it ended up being a loose connection. Batteries are about 7 years old now and still going strong. (Knock on wood)

I have plans to totally replace every wire and connector and already bought the connectors and a hydraulic crimper. I still need to buy the capable wire. Like typical, some people have no idea about wiring. To just look how bad the wires and connections are, seems some think if it works at all, everything is great. Power (current) requirements mean nothing to some. If the wire (and connections) can't handle the current needed, it will still work, but not great. So that will change regardless what type battery power I go with. So much to actually check out once I get the body off of it when customizing it later on... Until than, we will mosey along as it is, all 46 volts and such.

 

[topgun3690]

IMHO it's like have a 10 gallon fuel tank vs a 20 gallon fuel tank. I do plug it into my battery charger/maintainer often and leave it on maintainer over winter here in Ohio

You said you used 3 large 12 volt batteries.....do you remember the size, like 27M or 31M? Also, when charging...can your charger handle charging all 3 batteries at the same time?
According to that link dingbat gave....the original 6 or 8 volt packs are better in the long run for hard use and DOD. But I don't use mine like that. Might give the 3-12 volt thing a try.

 

[topgun3690]

https://www.usbattery.com/6-volt-8-volt-or-12-volt-which-battery-pack-configuration-makes-the-most-sense/

Thanks for that link......good info.

 

[gm280]

You said you used 3 large 12 volt batteries.....do you remember the size, like 27M or 31M? Also, when charging...can your charger handle charging all 3 batteries at the same time?
According to that link dingbat gave....the original 6 or 8 volt packs are better in the long run for hard use and DOD. But I don't use mine like that. Might give the 3-12 volt thing a try.

I have heard of some users doing the three (for 36 volt) or even four 12 volt deep cycle battery (for 48 volt) setups for their carts. But unless the batteries selected are high current abilities, they still can only pass the max current they are stated to have. As an example; You could daisy chain four 12 volt car batteries and have 48 volts. But if those batteries are merely small capacity types, the cart is only going to run so fast and for so long. Same as if you daisy changed a LOT of "D" cell flashlight batteries to achieve 48 volts. The cart will probably not be able to get out of its own way but had 48 volts... So both voltage AND amperage capacity matters! The more capable the amperage is, the long you will go and higher speed as well.
I do see a LOT of people on the net buying Lithium 48 volt battery as a replacement for all their (6) 8 volt types and liking it very well. And that is because the Lithium batteries can output huge amounts of current to the motor. That was my initial premise for this thread. I was wondering if anyone has gone that route on these forums to see if there truly was a huge difference. Either way, battery costs are a huge pocket emptier for sure.

 

[1960 Starflite]

Charger has 3 sets of cables.

 

[jmok1978]

I was just wondering if anyone on these topic sites have any golf carts. And if so, are they electric. And if electric are they 48 volt types. I ask because we bought a used one (Club Cart 2000 DS model) some months ago and was wondering if the latest swap over from lead/acid to Lithium battery was worth it and offer a little more top end speed? I ask because the batteries we presently have are getting old and I suspect will start having problems soon. So before we buy any new batteries or all new ones (6 total), I was wondering if Lithium swap (one battery) was a better idea...

AllTrax controller and upgraded solenoid will gain you a bit more top speed.