Most golf carts run on 36-volt systems, which means that they require six 6-volt batteries to operate. This is because each battery can only provide a certain amount of power, and six batteries are needed to provide the required amount of power to keep a golf cart running.
Full Answer
Can You Put 3 12V batteries in a 6V golf cart?
You can undoubtedly connect three 12V batteries instead of six 6V batteries in your cart, provided you maintain the AH rating and equivalent voltage to match the golf cart’s specifications.
How do I know if my golf cart battery is 6 volt?
A 6 volt golf cart battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 3 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. Generally speaking, a single 6 volt battery will have the highest amperage capacity and will allow for the greatest range in an 8-6 volt battery system.
What is the difference between lithium and regular golf cart batteries?
Lithium batteries have about 10 times the charge cycle and 50% more life than the normal golf cart batteries. This means that you will not have to replace them as often as a standard cart battery. Lithium batteries are much lighter than lead-acid batteries.
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.
Can you use 12-volt batteries in a 36 volt golf cart?
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.
Can I use 3 12 volt marine batteries in my golf cart?
The Technical Answer: Yes It's possible to use a marine battery in place of electric golf cart batteries. They're both technically gel lead acid batteries designed for deep-cycle purposes, reports It Still Runs. However, this similarity doesn't mean that they should be used interchangeably.
Why do golf carts use 6-volt batteries instead of 12 volt?
Runtime at 56 Amps One of the advantages of 6-volt batteries is their run time. In a study conducted by US Battery. They found that a 6-volt battery was able to run for 154 minutes at 56 amps. As a result, these batteries offer a longer range at this rate than the 8 and 12-volts provide.
Can I charge my 36 volt golf cart with a regular battery charger?
These batteries are designed to be discharged almost completely and repeatedly with low loss in performance. Golf carts usually come with their own charger, however a car charger can also be used to charge a golf cart. The trick is matching the voltage of the charger to the voltage of the batteries.
Can a 36 volt golf cart be converted to 48 volts?
It all depends on your battery bank used with this 36V to 48V conversion. can only be accomplished through installing a 48V motor capable of higher torque, or installing a 48V controller with a higher current limit (amperage).
Are gel batteries good for golf carts?
That being said, gel batteries are excellent when used for slow discharge applications. Gel batteries are perfect for things like battery-powered wheelchairs, golf carts, and other applications that need consistent power and not a burst of power.
How many batteries does a 36 volt golf cart take?
6 voltA typical 36 Volt golf cart will have a battery configuration of (6) 6 volt batteries.
Will any 6-volt battery work in a golf cart?
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. Of course, as any golf cart owner familiar with using a 6-volt battery knows, there are reasons why people want to find another option.
Why are 6V batteries better?
6-Volt Pros: 6V batteries have thicker plates, meaning they can be charged and discharged more frequently. They have a longer lifespan. Because they have half the number of plates in their cells, 6V batteries weigh less.
How do you charge a 36v golf cart with a 12 volt charger?
2:246:30How to Charge your Golf Cart Batteries Manually if ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your first positive. Right there and connect the 12 volt charger lead to the first positive.MoreTake your first positive. Right there and connect the 12 volt charger lead to the first positive.
Can you mix old and new golf cart batteries?
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.
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?
Manufacturers suggest leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time while using an auto battery charger, as it will keep the batteries fully charged and always available. If batteries are not charged for prolonged storage, they may damage over time and deliver less capacity.
How to tell if golf cart has 36V or 48V?
By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart.
How long does a golf cart battery last?
With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years.
What voltage do golf carts use?
Outside of specialty carts, most carts operate on a 36V or 48V standard and need a series of cells to supply enough power.
What is amps in a car?
Amperage is akin to a gas tank in a car. Amps will determine how far the cart travels, and for how long, on a single charge. The more amps a battery generates, the further you’ll be able to drive. If you take your cart out for extended periods, this may be problematic.
What happens if you charge a battery with an underpowered charger?
An underpowered charger will cause a buildup of sulfation on the negative plate, affecting its performance. An overpowered charger causes an accumulation of corrosion on the positive plate. Ideally, you do not want your batteries to die, as charging a dead lead-acid battery can cause strain.
How to keep batteries clean?
Looking to keep your batteries clean? Use a bristle brush and a mild solution to clean the top of each battery. You can also use anti-corrosive solutions and sprays to prevent corrosion, which can be a problem with lead-acid batteries. Alternatively, you can use battery covers.
What are the two main electrical quantities to consider when replacing batteries?
Two main electrical quantities you will want to focus on when replacing batteries are voltage and current. Voltage is measured in volts, or “ V ,” and Current is measured in amps, or “ A .”
How to tell if a golf cart battery is 6 volts?
A 6 volt golf cart battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 3 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. Generally speaking, a single 6 volt battery will have the highest amperage capacity and will allow for the greatest range in an 8-6 volt battery system.
How powerful is a golf cart battery?
Let’s take a close look at Voltage in a battery pack. For comparison, we like to take a look at cars since we are familiar with horsepower and miles per gallon (MPG). Therefore, voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric golf cart 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. 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. If you took notice, we said that it “can” be more powerful. The reason for this is due large in part to the controller inside the vehicle. A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller.
How much does it cost to replace a golf cart battery?
Pricing varies from pack to pack. The general consensus for golf cart battery replacement ranges from $600 on the low end to $1600 on the high end. If you are buying batteries in the lower end of the price range, then they are most likely cheap golf cart batteries that will not last as long (you really do get what you pay for when it comes to batteries). Some packs cost as much as $2500 when you start dealing with 72 Volt systems and sealed for lithium batteries. But, for the typical lead acid battery pack, $900 to $1500 is about the norm. This price range is assuming you are working with a local golf cart dealer.
How to tell 12 volt golf cart battery?
A 12 volt battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 6 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. A single 12 volt golf cart battery will have the least amperage capacity and is commonly used in 72 volt battery systems which are not terribly common among golf carts. EZGO golf cart batteries are known to be use 4-12 volt battery systems in some of their golf cart models.
Why are golf cart batteries so expensive?
Simply put, Golf Cart Batteries are expensive because you aren’t visiting the gas station every week. When you purchase them, you are essentially pre-paying for fuel. Yes, you still have to charge the vehicle, however the electricity cost usually breaks down to pennies per mile. In some studies, it was shown a golf cart costs less than $.02 per mile to operate in terms of electricity cost. Buying higher quality batteries versus cheaper ones will be better in the long run and will actually cost you less since you are replacing them less frequently.
How many miles can a golf cart go in a day?
However, if you have determined your Golf Cart use will be driven less than 5 miles per day, than you can have your pick of battery packs. Keep in mind though that a standard 18 holes of golf ranges between 5-7 miles per round depending on your handicap ;).
What to do when buying an electric golf cart?
If you are in the market to purchase an electric golf cart, then the simplest thing to do first and foremost is considering the age of your golf cart batteries. This is important due to many consumers being misled as to the age of the batteries in the cart they are purchasing. At times, a consumer will be told by a private party or dealer ...
How big is a 6 volt golf cart battery?
A 6 volts golf cart battery is almost as big as a 12 volts marine deep cycle battery. However, it is designed with a purpose, in a different style, with bigger lead plates and so on. This prevents the golf cart battery from decaying fast, like a marine deep cycle battery.
How many batteries does a golf cart need?
How many batteries are in the average golf cart? The average golf cart needs 4 to 6 batteries to operate correctly. In rare cases, you’ll find 8 batteries in a golf cart. Golf carts are powered by a total of either 36 volts or 48 volt. A typical golf round requires the golf cart to run for about 40 minutes.
What are the advantages of lithium batteries?
Advantages of Lithium Batteries. Lithium batteries have about 10 times the charge cycle and 50% more life than the normal golf cart batteries. This means that you will not have to replace them as often as a standard cart battery. Lithium batteries are much lighter than lead-acid batteries.
How long does a golf cart run?
A typical golf round requires the golf cart to run for about 40 minutes. While buying a lesser number of batteries, each with a higher voltage can lessen upfront costs, the depth of discharge must also be taken into consideration. Most golf carts use six x 8-volt batteries instead of four x 12 volts.
How to put 3 12V batteries in a row?
Place the three new 12 volts batteries in a row inside the compartment such that the jumper cable covers the distance between the positive terminal of one battery and the negative terminal of the adjacent battery.
Why do lithium batteries overheat?
Lithium batteries tend to overheat due to overcharge and changes in the outdoor temperature. This makes them prone to the risk of exploding.
Where are battery electrolytes housed?
As the name indicates, these batteries come completely sealed in an enclosure. The battery electrolytes are housed in between the battery plates. There is a liquid that helps to keep the mat and the electrolytes wet. The liquid will not ooze out even if there is a crack or a break in the battery.
What type of batteries are used in golf carts?
There are four battery types available for golf carts: AGM Lead Acid Batteries. Gel-Cell Batteries.
How to connect a golf cart battery to a battery?
Connect the positive lead from the golf cart to the positive post on battery number one, and place the negative lead to the negative terminal on battery 3.
How long do 6 volt batteries last?
6-volt batteries are built with heavier lead plates in each cell and usually have longer lifespans than 12-volt batteries. They can last from four to eight years, depending on maintenance, type, and use of the battery. 6-volt batteries also weigh less than 12-volt batteries, which makes them better for lowering the burden on your golf cart.
Why is a 6 volt battery bigger than a 12 volt battery?
They have a larger discharge and recharge capacity – 6-volt batteries can discharge and recharge more often than 12-volt batteries, owing to the larger lead plates. The bigger the Amp-Hour on a 12-volt, the larger it gets – Going for a larger Amp-Hour rating on a 12-volt to compensate for the difference with the 6-volt means ...
What is the difference between a 12 volt and a 6 volt battery?
What Are The Differences Between 12-Volt And 6-Volt Batteries? Other than the obvious difference in voltage, 6-volt flooded lead-acid batteries have an advantage over the 12-volt flooded lead-acid batteries. 6-volt batteries are built with heavier lead plates in each cell and usually have longer lifespans than 12-volt batteries.
How to keep batteries close to the frame?
Taking care to keep the batteries close enough so that the jumper cables between them can reach, place the batteries in the battery boxes. Arrange the batteries to the best fit and secure them to the frame.
What is a 12 volt battery?
The 12-volt starting battery you have in your car is a shallow discharge type. It is designed to deliver a high amperage burst of power to start a car and not as a long, steady electric source. You will also need to confirm that your speed control and battery charger are compatible with this change.
Why do lighter carts use 6V batteries?
The other reason that 8V and 6V batteries are used besides run time and lower discharge is that the plates are THICKER for longevity.
Can you use a 36 volt solenoid on a 48 volt cart?
You need to get the right voltage for each cart. I've seen people use a 36 volt solenoid on a 48 volt cart but I would recommend using the correct voltage solenoid. It wouldn't be a bad decision to use a heavy duty solenoid on a lifted cart.
Do golf cart solenoids have to be continuous duty?
The solenoid needs to be a golf cart solenoid. The golf cart solenoids are continuous duty and automotive solenoids aren't.
Can you use 3 12 volt batteries on a 36 volt hunting cart?
There's no way I would use three 12 volt batteries on a 36 volt hunting cart.
