Full Answer
Do I need a voltage reducer for my golf cart lights?
If you have to have all the golf cart lights and a CD or tape player to boot then you must consider the third option, a voltage reducer. Use a voltage reducer to prolong the life of your batteries when adding golf cart lights or other electrical accessories.
Are LED lights better for golf carts?
LED lights also are not made of glass so they are more durable and do not require any warm-up time so they perform better in cold weather. How do I figure out which light kit to buy for my golf cart? Please see our guide on How to Buy A Golf Cart Light Kit. What is a golf cart voltage reducer and why do I need one?
What does a battery reducer do for a golf cart battery?
Voltage reducers can prolong the battery’s life, especially when adding golf cart lights or other accessories. When the battery charges, it helps to regulate and control the power sent to the battery. If the battery sends out a high power output, the reducer limits the output.
What should the voltage be when accelerating the club car golf cart?
The voltage should not increase more than 14.5V when accelerating the Club Car golf cart since this is important for maintaining a long life for the battery. The voltage reducer ensures the same.
Do I need voltage reducer for golf cart headlights?
It is essential that you have and properly hook up a voltage reducer if you plan on using lights or electrical accessories on your golf cart. Even the most basic voltage reducer will do the job, taking 16,18, 36 or 48 volts down to 12.
How many amps are golf cart headlights?
Most lighting systems (headlights-tail lights/brake lights) for your golf cart these days are LED light kits and require far less amperage to operate 5-6 amps at best. Whereas older-style halogen bulbs pulled a lot more (15-18 amps).
What is a voltage reducer used for on a golf cart?
Unless you have a direct 12V battery connection (gas cart or electric cart with 12V batteries), then you need a way to reduce the carts' overall voltage to 12V (in order to prevent damage to these electrical components). To accomplish this, you can use a voltage converter or a voltage reducer.
What voltage are golf cart lights?
36-volt or 48-volt Voltage Reducer Brake lights, tail lights, turn signals, horns, headlights, radios, GPS and similar accessories on your golf cart use 12-volts. But, most golf carts have either four 12-volt batteries, six 8-volt batteries or eight 6-volt batteries which are considered 48 volt system golf carts.
How many watts are golf cart headlights?
Golf Cart Deluxe Headlight Bulb - 35 Watts.
How many amps does a LED headlight use?
New LED low beam 0.89 amps or 11.125 watts. New LED on high beam 1.60 amps or 20 watts. And to take it one step further, I added a 2000 lumen LED light bar to the high beam (both on full) 2.02 amps or 25.25. So that's a gain of 31.75 watts.
Why are my lights dim on my golf cart?
In most cases, lights dimming when you accelerate your cart is likely down to wiring issues that make your cart struggle to run properly. For example, if your battery is not properly charging due to disconnected wires on your battery, accelerating may cause a drain that can dim your lights.
How do you hook up a voltage reducer on a golf cart?
0:553:33LEDGlow | How To Install A Voltage Reducer On An Electric Golf CartYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse double-sided adhesive to mount the reducer to the location you just clean. The voltage reducerMoreUse double-sided adhesive to mount the reducer to the location you just clean. The voltage reducer has two sets of wires. The input wires will be connected to the golf cart battery.
Is there a voltage regulator on a electric golf cart?
The voltage regulator of your golf cart is usually located under the cart seat along with the batteries. It's fitted in place using latches or bolts.
How do you hook up electric golf cart lights?
How to Wire Lights to a Golf Cart: Step-by-Step InstructionsMount the Lights. Disconnect the chassis black wire from the negative battery terminal on your golf cart. ... Mount the Toggle Switch. Mount the toggle switch for the lights on the driver's side of the dash. ... Wire the Lights. ... Secure the Wiring. ... Set the Toggle Switch.
What is a 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.
How do you wire 12 volt lights on a 48 volt golf cart?
0:061:09How to install golf cart 48 volt converter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNegative goes to your negative side and these your black and yellow will be your positive andMoreNegative goes to your negative side and these your black and yellow will be your positive and negative going out to your lights. Or. Whatever else you're trying to power at 12 volts.
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.
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.
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.
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 does the owner manual on a golf cart tell you?
If uncertain, referring to your golf cart’s owner manual will provide guidance as to the type of battery your make and model was made to handle. As always, if you have questions or need further assistance, our talented and highly trained staff is standing by to assist and make sure you get just what you need to enjoy the trails or links worry-free.
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.
Types of Golf Cart Electrical Accessories
Golf cart electrical accessories may include, but certainly are not limited to, gauges (gas, hour meters, speedometers, volt meters, and charge indicators), lights (head, tail, brake, strobe, spot, security, fog, decorative holiday, marker and turn signal lights), cigarette lighters, power outlets, fans, horns, various switches (light, horn, turn signal, and key), and voltage reducers..
Typical Installation of Golf Cart Electrical Accessories
Most electrical accessories in the golf car industry are powered via a 12VDC source. There are some exceptions with headlights as we offer some 36VDC and 48VDC versions. Providing a suitable 12VDC source for your golf cart electrical accessories will depend on several things.
Gas Golf Cart Electrical Accessories Installation
First, let’s address providing a suitable 12VDC source for golf cart electrical accessories in a gasoline powered golf cart. All gas golf cars draw power from a 12 volt battery for the ignition system to start the car. With this type of system, you wire directly to the battery for the 12VDC source.
36 Volt Golf Cart Electrical Accessories Installation
Installing electrical accessories into a 36 volt golf car provides a bit more of a challenge. Mostly, since the battery bank does not provide 12V already as in the gas installation above. Luckily, 36V systems generally use six 6 volt batteries and six is a divisor of twelve.
48 Volt Golf Cart Electrical Accessories Installation
Installation of 12 volt accessories into a 48 volt system presents its own unique problem. These 48 volt systems typically use six 8 volt deep cycle batteries in series to provide the 48 volts.
How many volts does a golf cart take?
Even the most basic voltage reducer will do the job, taking 16,18, 36 or 48 volts down to 12. Check out Golf Cart Voltage Reducers for more information.
When installing electrical accessories, should a golf cart be in the TOW position?
Your golf cart should always be in the TOW position when installing electrical accessories such as lights.
What is a voltage reducer?
A voltage reducer is an electricity regulation device designed to automatically convert a higher voltage into a lower voltage (i.e. take 16 volts down to 12 volts, or 48 volts down to 12 volts). Why is this so important you might ask? Because ALL electrical golf cart accessories run on ONLY 12V’s. If you own a 48V or 36V golf cart, and if you do not install or properly hook up a voltage reducer, you will put too much voltage through your lights, resulting in blown lights (and generally voiding all warranties - see blown board image below). It is essential that you have and properly hook up a voltage reducer if you plan on using lights or electrical accessories on your golf cart. Even the most basic voltage reducer will do the job, taking 16,18, 36 or 48 volts down to 12. Check out Golf Cart Voltage Reducers for more information.
What to do before taking a golf cart out on the street?
The cardinal rule before taking your golf cart out on the street, EVEN WITH the proper lighting/indicators is: CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS. Laws and rules are constantly changing, so before taking your golf cart out on the roads, ALWAYS check with your local municipality.
Why are LED lights better than halogen lights?
In fact, they use LESS energy than halogen bulbs, giving you the ability to use them for up to 50,000 hours and drive farther on a single charge. LED lights also are not made of glass so they are more durable and do not require any warm-up time so they perform better in cold weather.
Do you have to engage the parking brake on a gas golf cart?
Yes. If you have a gas golf cart, you will need to engage the parking brake prior to installation. This ensures that your golf cart stays put while you’re working on it. I’ve hooked up the light kit and voltage reducer, but some of the lights are not coming on or came on for a minute and went off.
Is it legal to drive a golf cart on the street?
In short, the laws on this topic vary not only from state to state, but also by municipality/city. The cardinal rule before taking your golf cart out on the street, EVEN WITH the proper lighting/indicators is: CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS. Laws and rules are constantly changing, so before taking your golf cart out on the roads, ALWAYS check with your local municipality.
What to do if your golf cart voltage reducer is below 14 volts?
If the above reading is below 14 volts, stop the golf cart and remove the wire connection above the starter generator.
Why use voltage reducer on golf cart?
When the battery charges, it helps to regulate and control the power sent to the battery. If the battery sends out a high power output, the reducer limits the output.
How to check a Yamaha golf cart voltage reducer?
To test the voltage reducer on a Yamaha golf cart, check the reading on the voltmeter without accelerating the golf cart. If the reading is more than 15V, it means that the battery is overcharged.
How to test a gas Ezgo golf cart?
To test the voltage reducer on a gas EZGO golf cart, put the golf cart in neutral and activate the hand brake. If the voltmeter reading is between 14 to 16 volts, this means the voltage reducer is working.
What cylinder is a 1992 EZGO golf cart?
The steps mentioned below highlight how the voltage reducer of a 1992 model gas EZGO golf cart with a 350 CC 2 cylinder can be tested.
Why is my golf cart battery burning out?
A faulty voltage reducer causes problems with the motor of your cart. Furthermore, it can lead to other problems such as overcharging of electrical components, which results in them burning out. Moreover, a faulty voltage reducer prevents a golf cart battery from retaining its charge.
What does 12V mean on a golf cart?
If this reading is 12V, then it means that the battery is in good condition. Accelerate the golf cart and recheck the voltmeter reading. Ideally, it should show a reading between 14 to 16V. But if it still shows 12V, then there is a problem with the battery, and the reducer isn’t functioning correctly.
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:
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.