What Do You Need To Know To Choose The Right Golf Cart Battery?
Posted on: 2 November 2021
Whether you're using your golf carts for commercial purposes, days at the course, or getting around the neighborhood, you'll inevitably need to replace the batteries. Electric golf carts rely on their batteries for both their power and range, so maintaining these components is critical to keeping your golf cart running at peak performance.
As your battery ages, you may notice issues with charging, find your golf cart low on power, or simply not get the range you once did. Replacing your batteries can restore your cart to like-new performance, but you'll need to know a little about your golf cart's power requirements to pick the best battery for your application.
Learn About Your Cart's Voltage Requirements
Before you can make an informed battery purchasing decision, you'll need to learn a bit about the batteries in your cart. Golf cart batteries typically use 2-volt cells, with each battery providing 6, 8, or 12 volts in total. If you aren't sure which type your cart uses, take a look at a single battery in your golf cart, count the caps, and multiply by two. For instance, three cell caps mean your cart uses 6-volt batteries.
Note that while you can technically wire your cart to use different batteries, this is rarely a good idea, and it's not something to attempt if you aren't confident in your DIY abilities. Additionally, swapping to a higher voltage battery system means you're trading range for power, potentially making your cart less useful for its intended purpose. In most cases, it's best to stick with your factory configuration.
Determine Your Group Size
Group sizes or categories indicate the physical dimensions of a battery. Cart manufacturers wire multiple batteries together to achieve the desired power output (typically 36, 48, or 72-volt), but the battery array must physically fit into the battery compartment. For example, a 36-volt golf cart with 6-volt batteries needs to pack six batteries under the seats.
As with voltage, you can technically select batteries of any size and expect them to work, but you'll need to be mindful of physical constraints. Your batteries must comfortably and securely fit into your battery compartment. If you want a direct plug & play replacement, stick with the group size your manufacturer used from the factory.
Select Your Batteries
Once you know your voltage and group size requirements, you can choose the batteries that will work best for your cart. Remember that not all batteries are the same, so choosing the cheapest options that will work isn't always the best choice. Instead, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced dealer to select a battery with the right combination of reliability, longevity, and cost.
For more information on golf cart batteries, contact a company like Crown Battery.
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