By comparison, a 72-volt system is much more powerful than a 36-volt system. This power is modulated and delivered by a “controller” within your cart that dictates the amount of amperage that is delivered. In this regard, a higher voltage (although more powerful) often comes at a cost.
Full Answer
How do I know what voltage my golf cart is?
It is important to know what voltage your golf cart is to understand its speed and power potential. 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 are in a golf cart battery?
Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car. With this knowledge in place, we can determine a 72 volt system can be more powerful than a 48 volt system, and a 48 volt system can be more powerful than a 36 volt system.
What is a golf cart voltage reducer?
A golf cart reducer is a tool that regulates the output of voltage from the golf cart batteries. For instance, if you use a 12V voltage reducer, it would only relay 12 volts of power irrespective of how much voltage is fed to it.
Are 36 volt or 48 volt golf carts more expensive?
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 that you understand the difference so that you have realistic expectations of your new golf cart.
What voltage should a golf cart battery be?
Healthy batteries will indicate about 50 to 52 volts on the voltmeter. Most battery packs hold around 48 volts. Keep in mind that the high number doesn't mean that the batteries are instantly good. This measured value doesn't take the load or cart's power consumption into consideration.
Can you over volt a golf cart?
You increase voltage, increase speed, you'll increase load. Result is more motor loss and more motor heat. Add more batteries, it can run longer.
How many volts should a 48V golf cart have when fully charged?
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.
What is max voltage of a 36 volt golf cart?
For example: a 36v battery pack will read 38.2v fully charged. Maximum drop under load should not be more than 6v below 38.2v equal to 32 volts or less.
What happens if you put 48V to a 36V motor?
Your 36V controller might not work with a 48V battery. It might be programmed to fault out and quit when voltage exceeds a preset level. Low voltage cutoff will be set for a 36V battery, not 48V, so it will not protect your 48V battery.
What is a golf cart voltage reducer?
A Club Car voltage reducer is exactly as it sounds. It takes the total voltage of your golf carts batteries and reduces it down to 12 volts for installation of popular accessories. Also in this category is a Club Car voltage regulator which does exactly that.
What would cause a golf cart to overcharge?
Damaged Power Cable: Power supply plays a significant role in charging any device. This is why the power cable needs to be perfect to charge your cart correctly. Low Battery Water Levels: If your batteries' water level is lower than it needs to be, things like this can happen.
Can a golf cart battery be overcharged?
Overcharging your golf cart batteries may damage them. It is best to use an automatic charger that turns itself off when a battery is fully charged. Some older models lack this important feature. If you must use a manual charger, don't forget to turn it off.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries are bad?
1:186:18How to Test Golf Cart Batteries - Troubleshooting Batteries - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis battery has the amperage also so the battery is testing lighted in these two situations you'llMoreThis battery has the amperage also so the battery is testing lighted in these two situations you'll notice that this box will get hot and the terminals will be getting a little bit hot too.
How many amps should my 48V golf cart charger show?
The amps may drop down very quickly if the batteries are fully charged but the ammeter should show at least 15 amps to start off. If you know that the batteries need charging and the ammeter will NOT go above 15 amps, then you probably have a faulty charger and it must be repaired.
What should a 36 volt golf cart read at full charge?
The peak charging voltage for Gel batteries is 2.3 to 2.36 volts per cell, and for a 36 volt charger this works out to 41.4 to 42.5 volts, which is lower than a wet or AGM type battery needs for a full charge.
What should a golf cart battery charger read?
If you have a 48 volt system with 8 volt batteries, you'll want to see readings of around 8.2 to 8.3 volts per battery (49.2 to 49.8 total volts). If you are showing something like a 6 volt charge on an 8 volt battery, you have a bad battery and will want to replace it.
How Many Batteries Are In a Golf Cart?
An electric golf cart will have either 4, 6 or 8 golf cart batteries and will have either a 36 volt or 48 volt electrical drive system.
48 Volt Golf Cart Voltage Example (12V Batteries)
If you have additional questions about your batteries or charger, check out our Battery Charger Frequently Asked Questions page or learn about how amperage works in a golf cart.
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 ...
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:
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.
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 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.
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.
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).