The short answer is yes. Standard car batteries are 12-volts, and you could connect three or four of them in series to provide the required 36 or 48 volts to your golf cart motor. However, the design of car batteries provides a huge surge of current for short periods.
Can you put a car battery in a golf cart?
Did you know, while golf cart batteries work similarly to a car’s battery, their maintenance, requirements, and standards are different. Research indicates it is not a wise choice to manipulate car batteries to fit into a golf cart.
How to make your golf cart batteries last longer?
Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge itself as the vehicle runs like batteries in cars do (cars have alternators). Therefore, regular use will drain the battery which, in turn, may shorten its life. That being said… Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer. 1. Always Use Distilled Water
How do I know if my golf cart battery needs replacing?
Check the battery after it has charged for several hours or the next day. If the battery still hasn’t taken a full charge, they cannot be saved and it is time for some new golf cart batteries . If the battery has taken a charge, replace the cell caps and use your golf cart for a long ride and see how long the charge lasts.
How do you extend golf cart batteries?
Step 1: Tip the battery on its edge: Allow approximately half the battery acid to run out of each cell and into a plastic container. ... Step 2: Mix 8 ounces of Epsom salts into 2 quarts of warm distilled water: Stir thoroughly. ... Step 3: Put the battery or batteries on a charger.
Can you mix new golf cart batteries with old ones?
Generally, mixing old and new batteries is not recommended due to possible issues with performance and safety. No matter what type of battery you use and the brand manufacturer, all batteries will eventually lose their electrical capacity as they age.
Can you use 4 12v batteries in a golf cart?
With many golf cars requiring 48-volt battery packs, one of the most common money-saving assumptions is that purchasing fewer batteries with higher voltages will be a less expensive alternative. For example, a typical 48-volt golf car may use eight 6-volt batteries, six 8-volt batteries, or four 12-volt batteries.
Are lithium batteries worth the extra cost in a golf cart?
No Maintenance One of the major benefits of lithium batteries is that they require no golf cart battery maintenance whatsoever, whereas lead-acid batteries regularly need to be checked and maintained. This ultimately results in saved man-hours and the extra costs of maintenance tools and products.
Should you charge your golf cart every time you use it?
Yes. New golf cart batteries should be charged every time they are used as this will extend their lifespan, help them retain their capacity for longer, and prevent discharge. It is vitally important to charge new golf cart batteries, even after their first use. Basically, new batteries love to be charged.
What is the lifespan of golf cart batteries?
about 6-10 yearsThat all being said, properly maintained battery packs in fleet carts tend to last about 4-6 years while private owners tend to get about 6-10 years out of their battery packs. Other major factors include the type of options on the cart that may increase the draw from the battery pack.
How far will a 48V golf cart go?
A 48 volt golf cart, depending on its amperage can go from 12 miles to 35 miles. Below are the approximate distances that golf carts can travel according to the battery system it utilizes using a capacity rate of 20 Amp-Hour.
What is the difference between a deep cycle battery and a golf cart battery?
So, while you can technically use standard car batteries in your golf cart, they likely wouldn't last very long. Alternatively, deep-cycle batteries are explicitly optimized to provide steady current output over long periods of time and repeatedly be deeply discharged.
How do you make a golf cart go faster?
How to Make Your Gas-Powdered Golf Cart Faster [Updated, 2022]1 Use A Better Golf Cart Battery.2 Increase Torque.3 Upgrade the Golf Cart Motor.4 Install a Torque Converter.5 Install a Higher-Performance Clutch.6 Tweak The Governor.7 Install A Cold Air Intake.8 Get Bigger Golf Cart Tires.More items...•
How much does it cost to convert a golf cart to a lithium battery?
“The average retail price of one 100 Ahr (amp-hour) cell is $155, putting the pack cost around $2480 for an average golf car. A compatible BMS and charger cost $290 and $1075 respectively.
Can I upgrade my golf cart to lithium batteries?
Depending on how you use your golf cart, and how hilly your golf course is, you can choose to replace the six eight-volt batteries (48-volt system) with either two, three or four 48-volt lithium batteries. A major difference between the lead-acid batteries in a golf cart and lithium, is that lithium is scalable.
Will golf cart go faster with lithium batteries?
More Power to GO A golf cart with lithium batteries feels lighter, faster, and smoother when driving. Golf carts are speed limited, but the higher voltage of a lithium battery provides more power, which increases golf cart acceleration. Your cart will reach tops speeds faster and maintain power for far longer.
Can you mix old and new deep cycle batteries?
Never mix and match batteries from different manufacturers or batteries with different model numbers, amp-hour capacities, or voltages in the same bank. Make sure you've got a reliable battery balancer or BMS you feel good about, because managing batteries of different ages will make its job harder.
Do you have to change all golf cart batteries at the same time?
During the first time you run the vehicle after you install the three batteries, the newer batteries will release more power, because there's a lot less resistance on them. The older ones, meanwhile, do not release as much power, because they are dealing with a lot more resistance due to their age and general wear.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries are bad?
8 Signs You Need to Replace Your Golf Cart BatteriesCharge Times Are Out of Hand. Just like any rechargeable battery, the repeated cycles of draining and charging your battery can take a toll on it. ... No “Get Up and Go” ... You See Visual Signs. ... Driving Until They Die. ... People Are Always Running The Radio.
When should you replace golf cart batteries?
If you notice that the best golf cart batteries are taking even longer to charge, it's time to replace them. Battery cells will eventually break down over time. The charging power moving through the battery won't be as effective as before. Some batteries may never fully charge at some point.
Where Can I Buy Golf Cart Batteries?
The best place to buy golf cart batteries is from the dealership you purchased your golf cart from. If you purchased used or from someone not at a dealership, you can look into online shopping. Here are some of the most reputable online shops to buy a golf cart battery:
How many categories of golf cart batteries are there?
There are two categories of golf cart batteries, each with some subsets.
What voltage do you need for a golf cart?
It is important to know that golf cart batteries come in three voltages: 6V, 8V, and 12V (V stands for Volts). Often, you will need to use multiple 6V batteries to meet the golf cart’s 36V power requirement. For example, if your golf cart requires 48V of power, you can use 6 8 volt batteries or 4 12 volt batteries.
How long does a golf cart battery last?
A lead-acid battery should last somewhere between 500 and 1,000 charging cycles. That’s quite the range. The reason for the wide range is because there are different factors that will affect your golf cart battery lifespan. The amount of daily or weekly use will determine how quickly your battery wears out.
Why is weight important in golf carts?
Weight is important because it determines the stability, power and duration capabilities of your golf cart.
How much does a golf cart weigh?
A golf cart will typically weigh between 650 and 1100 lbs total, including the battery. A gas-powered golf cart will typically weigh more than an average electric golf cart.
What are the different types of golf carts?
There are two types of golf carts: gas and electric. If you own an electric golf cart, you have probably wondered about the battery. Electric golf carts run on a rechargeable battery. Recharging the battery might be more convenient than refilling a gas tank every week, but it also will eventually need to be replaced.
How to charge a golf cart battery?
Attach the battery to a 3-phase charger, ensuring that the charger’s positive lead is attached to the battery’s red or positive pole and negative lead is joined with the negative pole. It’s also prudent to charge the battery after every time the golf cart is used.
What type of battery does a golf cart use?
Most golf carts run on lead-acid batteries ( although this is changing ), much like other normal vehicles do. However, the difference is that a battery for a golf cart is usually of 6, 8, or 12 volt deep-cycle lead acid battery, whereas a normal vehicle uses a 12-volt starter or ignition battery. Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge ...
What is the best way to protect a golf cart battery?
In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant. A thin layer of pure Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the battery’s terminals also provides extra protection. Finally, sealing any exposed wires at the terminal lugs with submersible rubber tape also extends the battery life. These products can typically be found at your local auto parts store.
How to keep a battery charged while stored?
If you’re going to store your battery for a long time, use a trickle charger to keep charging it while it’s being stored. Using a solar charger also works and prolongs the battery’s life. For a good trickle charger , we recommend a Battery MINDer produced by VDC Electronics.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
Cheaper batteries have much shorter life spans compared to quality golf cart batteries that cost more. The latter may last up to 10 years if maintained properly. So, you end up gaining in the long run even if your initial investment is high. Also, be on the lookout for tax cuts from time to time.
Why is it important to keep a battery charged for longer than its rated reserve?
That’s why you need to ensure that the battery is never discharged for more than seventy percent of its rated reserve capacity. This is because the longer it takes to recharge, the more it creates heat and destroys itself gradually by eroding its plates.
How to maintain a battery?
1. Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. After removing the battery cells’ plastic caps, top off each cell’s reservoirs with distilled water. Never use plain or tap water. Also, never allow the cell’s fluid level to dip below its plates.
How to keep a golf cart battery charged?
Should use a Perfect Charger: To keep good the cart battery they must use a high quality charger for charging. They should use an automatic battery charger to charge the golf cart battery so that it will stop automatically when it is fully charged. Using this automatic charger they can avoid overcharging easily. So try to use an automatic charger while charging a golf cart battery. Otherwise, they should aware to check the battery while charging with a normal charger. If it is charged fully then they should disconnect the charger line as soon as possible.
What are the Disadvantages of Overcharging a Golf Cart Battery?
There are so many more disadvantages of overcharging a golf cart battery. We put some short list of demerits about overcharging a golf cart battery.
Why is a golf cart important?
It is the most essential type of equipment for golf. It helps to take away the golfers with their all playing instruments from one place to another in the green side of the golf courses. So this golf cart should be kept well charging while driving in the golf courses. Otherwise, the golfer can face trouble riding with this golf cart.
What is the most important part of a golf cart?
A battery is the most important part of any golf cart. If the battery will not fit well or will not charge up properly a golfer cannot ride this golf cart comfortably. So people should take proper care of this golf cart battery. All of the new golf cart batteries are good enough to drive for a long time. But day by day the battery of the golf cart ...
Should a golf cart be charged until it dies?
Should Charge until It Dies: Some people or owners of any golf cart think that the battery would be charged when it has become low. Then they may drive their cart with a low battery. But this is totally wrong thinking. They should not drive their golf cart with a low battery. They must keep charged up their golf cart before driving it on any golf courses. They should charge every day their golf cart before starting it.
Can you charge a golf cart with an automatic charger?
Using this automatic charger they can avoid overcharging easily. So try to use an automatic charger while charging a golf cart battery. Otherwise, they should aware to check the battery while charging with a normal charger. If it is charged fully then they should disconnect the charger line as soon as possible.
Can a golf cart battery be damaged?
So the battery can fully damage. It also increases the cost of the battery will be damaged fully. Overcharging the golf cart battery also affects the golf cart too. People also need more electricity while overcharging the golf battery. So we see that many problems will happen while overcharging the golf cart battery.
How to Install a Marine Battery in a Golf Cart?
If you have your heart set on installing a marine battery in your golf cart, then you might want to save some money and do the installation yourself. Here’s a step-by-step process of how to install a marine battery in your golf cart. But before you start, here’s a list of tools and items that you’ll need.
Are Marine Batteries Different Than Golf Cart Batteries?
While marine and golf cart batteries share some similarities, there are also a few major differences.
How to keep golf cart batteries charged?
Another good thing to have for your golf cart batteries is a watering system. Make sure you check the water level in your golf cart batteries monthly to make sure they are still saturated. ( always do this after your batteries are fully charged because if you check them and fill them before you charge them 100% you could over fill them and acid will leak out the top of the batteries while they charge and get all over your cart and in the garage or where ever you store the golf cart. Which is not good because battery acid will eat away at your concrete floor in the garage. Checkout Pete’s great deals on a new One point golf cart watering system to avoid over filling them and making a mess or getting battery acid on your cart, clothes or garage floor and do it with ease. ( In minutes – not an hour or more… weekends are meant to be spent with the family or watching the game not in the garage filling batteries… so get yours today!)
What to do if your golf cart battery hasn't taken a full charge?
If the battery has taken a charge, replace the cell caps and use your golf cart for a long ride and see how long the charge lasts.
How to clean a battery with acid?
Step 1: Tip the battery on its edge: Allow approximately half the battery acid to run out of each cell and into a plastic container. Clean the battery with your paintbrush dipped in a baking soda solution. Rinse your battery with plain water, making certain none of the water gets into any of the cells.
Can you replace a golf cart battery?
If the ride and power is short lived it is still likely you will need to replace your golf cart battery. It is also quite possible that your golf cart battery charger is not charging properly. You will need a volt meter to check the power output of your battery charger.
What type of water should I add to my golf cart battery?
Every major battery manufacturer recommends that distilled water be added to flooded lead acid batteries. There are a couple of acceptable alternatives, such as de-ionized (demineralized) water, or reverse osmosis water. But the recommendation is distilled water.
What happens when golf cart batteries are low on water?
Trojan will periodically request that dealers or golf car distributors send them batteries that are being processed for warranty due to failure so they can perform a “battery autopsy” to determine the cause of failure. Sometimes a battery failure is due to a manufacturing defect, but many times they discover the failure is due to poor maintenance.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries need water?
When you are checking the water level in the cells of your battery, you want to make sure that the plates in the battery are covered with water, and that the water level is at the correct level when the battery is fully charged.
How much distilled water do you put in a golf cart battery?
The actual amount of water you may have to add will vary based upon the current level of water in your golf car batteries, but the end result is that you should add as much as necessary to achieve a water level approximately 1/8 – 1/4th of an inch below the bottom of the vent well when fully charged. See diagram above.
Can you use bottled water instead of distilled water in a battery?
Most bottled water has minerals added for taste. You should not use bottled water to fill your golf cart battery. Minerals will be attracted to and accumulate on the plates inside the battery and significantly reduce their capacity and life.
Should I charge golf cart batteries after adding water?
Your golf car should be fully charged before adding water to your batteries, but if you want to charge the golf cart batteries after adding water you can. Your charger may initiate an equalization charge which may cause your batteries to bubble and gas, so you may want to prevent or stop the equalization after charging for an hour or so.
