
How to Determine Golf Cart Voltage (36V or 48V)
- Lift up your golf cart seat to locate the battery compartment.
- Count the number of holes on a battery Usually 3, 4 or 6 holes
- Multiply the number of holes by 2 to determine the golf cart battery voltage Each hole/cell is equal to 2 volts
- Multiply the golf cart battery voltage by the total number of golf cart batteries
What battery goes in a 48 volt golf cart?
Standard golf carts generally utilize a “Six Eight Volt Battery System”. You can easily identify this system by visually counting six batteries, each with 4 2v cells per battery. For reference, most golf cart battery cells represent 2 volts. The Five Most Common Golf Cart Battery Packs Impact of Other Factors on Travel Distance
What is the average horsepower of a golf cart?
17 Responses to “How to Determine If Your Golf Cart is Operating On a 36 Volt Or 48 Volt Battery System” 1. Get the year , make and model number off a serial plate on cart. 2. Look for the motor controller in the cart usually under the seat on a Ezgo or just behind the seat on a …
What is a good battery for a golf cart?
Jan 30, 2017 · For standard golf carts, we will typically see a Six Eight Volt Battery System. This can be visually determined by locating six batteries with 8 cells per battery. A cell is distinguished by a battery cap that is used for watering the batteries. With batteries used in Golf Carts, each cell will represent 2 Volts.
How to determine your golf cart battery voltage FAQ?
May 24, 2019 · Barry at DIY Golf Cart shows us how to easily identify the voltage on most 36 and 48 volt golf carts. Having trouble with your golf cart batteries? You may n...

How do I know how many volts My golf cart is?
Determining how many volts your golf cart uses is as easy as counting the water fill caps on all of your batteries. If you have six 6 volt batteries your golf cart is a 36 volt cart, if you have six 8 volt batteries or four 12 volt batteries your golf cart is a 48 volt cart.
What is the difference between a 36 volt and a 48 volt golf cart?
Basically, a 48V system gives you more “pep in your step” and picks up/speeds up a bit faster than a 36V system. Energy Needed/Amps Drawn- A 48V system draws less amps and provides a little more range with all things being equal (cart/passenger payload weight, motor horsepower, etc).
Are golf carts 6 volt or 12 volt?
The majority of golf carts driven today use a 6-volt golf cart battery, which is why most online searches for golf cart batteries tend to take you straight to 6v options.Feb 22, 2022
What voltage are electric golf carts?
Golf car batteries come in three different voltages, 6, 8 and 12. Six 6 volt batteries will give you a 36 Volt operating system. Six 8 volt batteries will get you a 48 volt operating system and four 12 Volt batteries will give you a 48 Volt operating system.
Can I put 48 volts in a 36 volt golf cart?
Yes, but effective and simple. However, although it is possible to upgrade these vehicles to electronic speed control at either the 36V or 48V level, I would not recommend it due to the cost associated with the conversion. You can buy a modern 48V cart for far less money than the 36v to 48v conversion.Nov 30, 2011
Can I run 48V on a 36V golf cart?
Putting 48V behind a motor that is designed to run 3500rpm (or whatever it may be) at 36V will, in fact, make her run faster. Swap the motor with the battery bank and controller and you will see no speed increase until you reprogram the controller for higher speeds.Nov 3, 2016
Can I put 4 12-volt batteries in my 48 volt golf cart?
For example, a typical 48-volt golf car may use eight 6-volt batteries, six 8-volt batteries, or four 12-volt batteries. Purchasing fewer batteries with a higher voltage is appealing because it reduces your upfront cost.Apr 8, 2015
Can you use 3 12v batteries in a 36v golf cart?
If you have a 36-volt golf cart that runs on six 6-volt batteries, you can replace them with three 12-volt batteries, which often are easier to find.
Why do golf carts use 8-volt batteries?
8-volt batteries have a higher depth of discharge percentage than 6-volt units, which means they will require more charges during their lifespan. Resulting in a shorter lifespan than a 6-volt unit. On average, an 8-volt pack will discharge by 44% if running for 80 minutes.Sep 6, 2021
How many volts should a 48v golf cart have?
The target voltage for a 48 volt charger for AGM or some flooded batteries is 2.4 to 2.45 volts per cell, which is 57.6 to 58.8 volts.
How many volts should a 48 volt golf cart have when fully charged?
The voltmeter is a good place to start. If your fully charged batteries indicate anything less than 48 or 50 volts, it's time to replace them.
How many volts should a 36 volt golf cart have?
For example: a 36v battery pack will read 38.2v fully charged.
How many volts does a golf cart have?
There is a major difference between 36 volt up to 48 volt systems, impacting both performance and potential upkeep and maintenance costs. Hint: some batteries are much more expensive ...
What is the amperage of a golf cart?
Golf Cart Battery Amps. Amperage can be considered akin to the fuel in a gas-powered engine. Similar to a tank of gas, the amount of amperage will dictate how far you can drive your cart on a single electric charge.
What does voltage mean in a battery pack?
Voltage represents how much power your system will be delivered, resulting in increased ability to tow, carry more weight, and accelerate faster.
Does a golf cart battery need to be recharged?
In this regard, a higher voltage (although more powerful) often comes at a cost. That cost is that it can burn through more amps faster, draining the golf cart battery quicker, and requiring you to recharge more frequently.
Where is the battery bank?
You will find the battery bank for your golf cart directly under the drivers seat. In some cases the battery system is quite large and will most likely be continued under the front nose cone area of popular carts like Gem cars or other 4 or more passenger golf carts.
What do you see there?
Ok, so you pull the seat back and what do you see? Here is an example of a popular golf cart. This picture is of a older style club car with a 36 volt battery system. Which is easily determined because you will count (6) six batteries.
Another example
Here is another example to make sure you got it. How many volts are found in this battery system found in a late model motor coach waiting for new batteries to be installed? Again 1,2,3 = 6 volts (2 volts x 3) 1,2,3,4,5,6 = 6 volts batteries = 36 volts total (6 volts x 6 batteries) Hey, You are getting good at this! Here is one more for you.
Our shop cart test
Our shop cart has 4 batteries under the seat but each battery has (6) six filler holes or cells on each battery. Would this be a 48 volt system? Yes, It is a 48 volt system because you have 6 cells per battery and you have 4 batteries. (6 cells x 2 volts = 12 volts) (4 x 12 volt batteries = 48 volts).
How many volts are in a golf cart battery?
Now that we understand the differences between Amperage and Voltage, we can begin to break this down so we can locate the differences between various battery packs. For standard golf carts, we will typically see a Six Eight Volt Battery System. This can be visually determined by locating six batteries with 8 cells per battery. A cell is distinguished by a battery cap that is used for watering the batteries. With batteries used in Golf Carts, each cell will represent 2 Volts. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common battery packs we see in the market:
How does amperage affect golf carts?
It determines how far you can travel before having to fill up the tank. Well, Amperage in a golf cart is like the gas tank in your car. It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric Golf Car. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge. Click here to learn how ...
What is the relationship between horsepower and MPG?
To get a better idea of what amperage is like in a car, let us discuss the relationship between Horsepower and MPG. Horsepower within a car determines the acceleration and power of your car . If there is no fuel in the car though, then the vehicle is not going to go anywhere. That is the importance of MPG and also how big your gas tank is in your ...
Why is it important to know the difference between golf cart batteries?
The reason understanding their differences is so important is due to the large expense of replacement batteries. By knowing their differences ahead of time, you will be able to decipher which battery pack is suitable for you when making your golf cart purchase.
Is voltage in a golf cart battery similar to horsepower?
Therefore, Voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric vehicle has to do with power. It does not have to do with fuel. Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car.
How many volts does a golf cart use?
The actual voltage reduction will be determined by the golf carts battery bank and current operating voltage. Gem cars, Polaris or Tomberlins use a 72 volt system. Club Car, Evgo and Yamaha run either 48 volt or 36 volt systems.
What is the operating voltage of a device?
The operating voltage for a device or accessory is exactly that – “The Operating Voltage”. Otherwise the performance of your device or accessories will be intermittent as is your voltage. You ever experience listening to a song that is having problems streaming due to a bad signal? The voltage a 12 volt accessory will need to perform optimally is no different. You just cannot see it sometimes as with the example of listening to the song will allow you to notice quite quickly.
How many amps should I use for a phone charger?
All other accessories like 12 volt plugs for a phone/USB charger will be minimal at best and should be able to use either 10 Amp, 18 Amp, 20 Amp or 30 Amp voltage reducers.
Do you need a 12 volt voltage reducer?
Clean voltage is required to operate any 12 volt accessory optimally and this is where a voltage reducer comes into play. Your needs, or installed accessories on your golf cart, will determine the 12 volt accessory systems operating amperage and ultimately determine the correct golf cart voltage reducer for your application.
How to determine golf cart battery voltage?
Count the number of holes on each battery. You may need to remove the battery cap to see the holes. Multiply the number of holes by 2 to determine the golf cart battery voltage. Multiply the golf cart battery voltage by the total number of batteries.
What is voltage in golf carts?
Technically speaking, voltage is the potential difference in charge between two points in an electrical field. The greater the voltage is, the greater the current.
How to tell if a golf cart is 36V or 48V?
To determine whether your golf cart is 36V or 48V, follow these steps: Lift up the seat to view the battery compartment. Count the number of holes on each battery. You may need to remove the battery cap to see the holes.
How many volts does a golf cart use?
Golf carts that are powered by 48 Volts consist of either (6) 8 Volt batteries or, in the case of some Club Car Precedent golf carts, (4) 12 Volt batteries.
Is it more expensive to replace a 12 volt battery?
Batteries are more expensive to replace. If the system uses 12 Volt batteries, run time will be less due to a lower battery lead volume. Replacement motors and controllers are typically more expensive. 48 Volt cart are more expensive to purchase. Whether you decide to go with a 36 Volt or a 48 Volt, the important thing is ...
Can a 36V golf cart be used off road?
They produce less power than 48 Volt systems. They are less efficient and therefore, yield fewer hours on a charge. It is not recommended that a 36V golf cart be used offroad, since it has less power.
How to check if electric golf cart is running?
It sounds absurd, but if your electric golf cart is not running, the very first thing I would check is the reset button on the side of the motor, if your cart is so equipped. Check around the outside of the motor and see if you can find a small button to press. This is usually a safeguard against overheating.
What is wrong with my electric golf cart?
Electric golf carts are usually trouble-free and do their job efficiently and with no fuss, but sometimes you suspect your golf cart is experiencing a problem. If the speed seems to be off, or your cart gives off a burning wire smell, your golf cart motor might have a problem. Using a multimeter, a jumper wire, and a 12-24 volt power source, ...
What is a series motor?
A series motor has field and armature windings that have the power fed to them from the same source, either in series or parallel. A SePex motor, as the name indicates, is a motor that has a separately excited field and armature windings. These two motor functions are sent to the PDS or DCS giving greater control over the motor.
Why is it important to test a motor before replacing a controller?
This is an important test to do on your motor before replacing the controller because a short could damage the new controller irreparably. Please note that this test will not find a short in the armature. Note that continuity testing is not directional, so it doesn’t matter if the red and black are reversed.
When did golf carts start having separate excited motors?
In 1999, some golf cart manufacturers started offering Separately Excited Motors. Sepex (Regenerative) Motor carts have a toggle switch F&R device as opposed to the lever-action. In addition to this identifier, they have a tow/run or tow/maintenance switch which cuts power to the controller. Most of the modern-day carts are equipped ...
What to do if battery is too low?
If your batteries are too low for the charger to detect and it will not switch on, you’ll need to individually charge the batteries with a standard 12-volt battery charger. Once the batteries are at the minimum that the charger needs to see, there should be no problem charging them normally.
What is a golf cart?
Golf carts are also known as golf cars. The term "cart", in its purest sense, refers to a vehicle that does not travel under its own power. Golf cars, however, are most commonly referred to as golf... link to Club Car DS Wiring Diagrams 1981 To 2002.
What is voltage in golf cart?
Voltage is the production house of your golf cart battery. This is very common that after long years of use, the voltage system may not work properly. As a result, the battery fails to produce enough voltage.
What determines the capacity of a golf cart battery?
The better the voltage of your cart, the stronger your golf cart batteries are. Amperage determines the capacity of your golf cart battery. if the amperage is higher, it will reach a great distance, and if it is lower, it will not reach that much distance.
How long does it take for a golf cart battery to charge?
This is another sign that shows that your golf cart batteries are not in good condition. A well-balanced golf cart battery should not take more than 5 hours to fully charge. If your golf cart battery is taking more than 8 hours to fully charged, then, for sure, you are using your golf cart battery for a long time, ...
What happens if your golf cart battery is not producing enough amperage?
If your golf cart battery is not producing enough amperage, then it is the time to probe or test your golf cart, or to make a replacement. BEST GOLF PUSH CART WITH ELECTRIC CART REVIEWS.
How to tell if golf cart battery is bad?
Before talking about probing or testing, lets, at first, find out the signs and symptoms of a bad battery…. 1. Charge evaporate too fast. This is the first indication that most of the golf cart batteries provide. With the full charge, a 36Volt battery should pass more than 30 miles.
What are golf cart batteries?
Golf cart batteries are the lifeline of your cart that produces the fuel to move. In general, golf cart batteries come in two types. The first type is 36 volts, and the constituents are six 6V batteries. On the other hand, the 48V battery is the second kind, and the constituents are six 8V batteries. But, for many reasons, golf cart batteries may ...
What is the electrolyte of a golf cart?
if the cables are not well proportionate and balanced, you will fail to get the exact service. At last, the electrolyte is the solvent of water and sulfuric acid.
