Once again, a golf cart battery thread

[havasujeeper]

Get a refractometer, check the acid in each cell of each battery. That'll let you know if you have a weak cell or two in an individual battery. Plus, it kind of makes you look like a scientist or such, while you're checking them!

I thought just using a hydrometer made one look like said mad scientist?

 

[havasujeeper]

Honestly, I'd just rather buy a used Mule or similar. I just don't think it will fit in my garage with the boat, quad and small workshop.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I used to think gas was the only way to go on a golf cart.

My mind has now changed since I converted to lithium. I can go 70 miles on a charge and there is NO gas golf cart that can even come close to me in a race. I actually cannot just stab the motor from a holeshot……… I will just spin the tires. I might only go 43mph…….. but the excelleration to that speed is incredible.

Quiet and fast are not the two words that go together when modifying a gas cart to go fast. The faster you make it go…… the louder it gets.

Just my .02 cents

I can attest to this! but can your golf cart rid anywhere you go of mosquitos??



duracells from batt+bulb are top notch. thats whatbI install in all my customers boats, and not because theyre convenient

 

[Outdrive1]

How much is the lithium setup?

 

[mesquito_creek]

How much is the lithium setup?

If you DIY I would say 2500-4000 depending on how you go about it.

 

[mesquito_creek]

The OP has six 6v batteries wired in series (I assume)for 36v and 225 ah or 4050 useable watt hours. He quotes $184 each for $1104 dollars. A pair of lifepo4 36v in parallel will be about 4800 watts hours useable. And I see some online for about $2240. So in my opinion the lifepo4 will last 4-5 time longer. So I think lifepo4 is cheaper in the long run…

 

[Taboma]

The OP has six 6v batteries wired in series (I assume)for 36v and 225 ah or 4050 useable watt hours. He quotes $184 each for $1104 dollars. A pair of lifepo4 36v in parallel will be about 4800 watts hours useable. And I see some online for about $2240. So in my opinion the lifepo4 will last 4-5 time longer. So I think lifepo4 is cheaper in the long run…

So 16 to 20 years or more ?? Another $ 150 for a decent 18A charger ?

 

[mesquito_creek]

So 16 to 20 years or more ?? Another $ 150 for a decent 18A charger ?

In terms of cycles? Sure … and lead acid is dead at end of cycles, lifepo4 is still totally usable at ~80% capacity.

I got no skin in his game , but you don’t see the bi monthly “my lifepo4 golf cart needs new batteries”…

 

[Taboma]

In terms of cycles? Sure … and lead acid is dead at end of cycles, lifepo4 is still totally usable at ~80% capacity.

I got no skin in his game , but you don’t see the bi monthly “my lifepo4 golf cart needs new batteries”…

Ours doesn't get heavy usage where the batts get run down that much, at least not anymore like they used to, so we're over 6 years right now with our last set. I treat ours fairly well, I tend to only charge at night when the temps have dropped and cycle the charger to help mitigate off-gassing and internal battery temps.
I'm not familiar with them (Lipo4) in the least and how they'd cope with Havasu conditions. I think I read a self discharge rate of 3% vs 5% with lead acid, with rises along with heat. Twice as much initial cost to get that much more longevity in real world conditions, certainly pencils out.

 

[havasujeeper]

And to think I sold my gas powered golf cart for $1200. Then again, this was when gas was $1.50 a gallon and av-gas was $3.25 a gallon. Those were the days!

 

[mesquito_creek]

Ours doesn't get heavy usage where the batts get run down that much, at least not anymore like they used to, so we're over 6 years right now with our last set. I treat ours fairly well, I tend to only charge at night when the temps have dropped and cycle the charger to help mitigate off-gassing and internal battery temps.
I'm not familiar with them (Lipo4) in the least and how they'd cope with Havasu conditions. I think I read a self discharge rate of 3% vs 5% with lead acid, with rises along with heat. Twice as much initial cost to get that much more longevity in real world conditions, certainly pencils out.

If your lead/agm is sized correctly and you charge it properly…. It’s incredibly economical.

 

[Taboma]

If your lead/agm is sized correctly and you charge it properly…. It’s incredibly economical.

two of the Lipo4 would shave about 160 pounds off, not that I'm racing the damned thing.

 

[paradise]

If your lead/agm is sized correctly and you charge it properly…. It’s incredibly economical.

Yeah hard to beat lead acid for cheap AH but lithium has so many upsides (which I know you know). Not the least of which is no more water to maintain and no more corroded cables.

My cart I did an old school lithium kit on 6+ years ago is still running perfect. Better life, better power, no maintenance. Yes please.

Golfcart Lithium Upgrade

Needed to put some new batteris in my 22 year old 72v EZGO Medalist. So, per usual, instead of just going and getting the 9 8v batteries I need to hook it up the way it has been for the last 7 years, I decided we might as well give lithium batteries a shot :). We are also putting in some new...

www.riverdavesplace.com

We did drop in Lithium’s on our two other carts a few years back and they’ve been awesome so far too.

 

[mesquito_creek]

two of the Lipo4 would shave about 160 pounds off, not that I'm racing the damned thing.

The only reason you go lifepo4 is because lead isn’t working. No two cart have the same use… but if you are killing lead every other year you are most like undersized or your charging isn’t right.

 

[badgas]

With all the EV hate around here i'm surprised yall are rocking electric carts

 

[kaandemir]

Only weekend use, I keep them topped off with water and my charger will shut off when charged. I would charge overnight on the weekends that I used it and when it got put back in the garage it would not be plugged in.

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[C-Ya]

My Lithium conversion………

I dropped 300lb’s when converting to lithium. It truly has been maintenance free.

 

[Singleton]

Well shit.
My March 2018 (date code C 8) Trojan T-1275Plus batteries in my 48v Club Car Precedent DS finally said no more.
100% my fault. I forgot my battery maintenance schedule and before I knew it, I was 60+ days between charges.
Usually try to add water and charge monthly. Took volt readings today from the 4 batteries and got 12.1, 1.1, 5.4 and 4.8.
With those readings, no bringing them back and need 4 new ones.

So what alternatives do I have.
357 Carts in Carlsbad quoted me almost 2k for the Trojans and then 1300 for their in-stock 12v batteries.
Looking for options before I move the cart back to Havasu for the summer

 

[Rbcconst]

Well shit.
My March 2018 (date code C 8) Trojan T-1275Plus batteries in my 48v Club Car Precedent DS finally said no more.
100% my fault. I forgot my battery maintenance schedule and before I knew it, I was 60+ days between charges.
Usually try to add water and charge monthly. Took volt readings today from the 4 batteries and got 12.1, 1.1, 5.4 and 4.8.
With those readings, no bringing them back and need 4 new ones.

So what alternatives do I have.
357 Carts in Carlsbad quoted me almost 2k for the Trojans and then 1300 for their in-stock 12v batteries.
Looking for options before I move the cart back to Havasu for the summer

I have heard good things about crown batteries. I would get crown or Trojan. Id skip the rest. Ive had us batteries, very messy. Had costco, didnt last.

 

[havasujeeper]

To follow up as the original OP of this thread. I went to Walmart, picked up 3 deep cycle, high CCA, maintenance free batteries. They were about $95 a piece. I installed them and ran the golf cart for 3 miles. It seemed faster and never experienced any drop in power. I also added a 36 volt trickle charger/maintainer, and will not be using that big box charger anymore, since it seems to cook the batteries. We were out there the day before the big storm last week, so it was cold and windy, and didn't feel like figuring out the wiring for the lights, and they don't work right now, but the horn and taillights do.

 

[boatnam2]

To follow up as the original OP of this thread. I went to Walmart, picked up 3 deep cycle, high CCA, maintenance free batteries. They were about $95 a piece. I installed them and ran the golf cart for 3 miles. It seemed faster and never experienced any drop in power. I also added a 36 volt trickle charger/maintainer, and will not be using that big box charger anymore, since it seems to cook the batteries. We were out there the day before the big storm last week, so it was cold and windy, and didn't feel like figuring out the wiring for the lights, and they don't work right now, but the horn and taillights do.

Only way I have rolled for awhile.

 

[havasujeeper]

Please explain where the 10 gauge green ground wire is attached which I extended to be a black wire?

 

[mesquito_creek]

Please explain where the 10 gauge green ground wire is attached which I extended to be a black wire? View attachment 1206147 View attachment 1206148

If it’s a ground it can be either connected to the negative or the chassis. If the chassis is the choice just make sure the wire/strap from the negative on the battery to the chassis is at least a #10

 

[TPC]

My COSTCO/Walmart 6V battery days are over.
Less range/less power and just don’t last.

Ya get what ya pay for with batteries

 

[mesquito_creek]

These 48v direct drop in replacements might be what some of the more timid have been looking for. Remove 6v lead acid form factor and drop in lifePo4 upgrades

 

[havasujeeper]

I was told the lithium batteries in Havasu heat will kill them quick unless you install fans under the seat.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I was told the lithium batteries in Havasu heat will kill them quick unless you install fans under the seat.

The epoch gc2 in that video are good up to 131 degrees and have high temp cut off protection if you happen to overheat them. But a couple 12v fans with a 48v/12v transformer would be a good additional feature, probably wouldn’t hurt having fans on your lead acid batteries since most lead acid loose capacity at 122 degress and do not have high temp protection