Everything You Need To Know About Golf Cart Batteries

Author: Christian Attlesey

Read Time: 3-5 Minutes

 

 

 

At Golf Cart Stuff, we are a certified Trojan® golf cart battery and were one of the first online retailers to sell the UNO® Lithium golf cart battery.

We take batteries seriously and pride ourselves in providing our customers with top-notch service.

Golf Cart Battery Frequently Asked Questions

This article will discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about golf cart batteries.

We will cover topics such as when you need to replace your golf cart's batteries as well as some of the benefits of Lithium batteries. If you want to skip to a specific section, use the list below as a guide. With that out of the way, let's jump right in!

Article Structure

1. How do you know if you need new golf cart batteries?
2. Should I put lithium batteries in my golf cart?
3. How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
4. Is it OK to replace just one golf cart battery?
5. What is the life expectancy of golf cart batteries?
6. Should you charge golf cart batteries every day?
7. How many amp-hour batteries do I need for a golf cart?
8. How cold is too cold for golf cart batteries?
9. How hot is too hot for golf cart batteries?
10. How often do you add water to golf cart batteries?

 

How do you know if you need new golf cart batteries?

• Diminished Output: One of the first things to indicate needing new batteries is diminished power output. If your golf cart can't go nearly as far as it used to on a single charge, that's a sign that your golf cart's batteries need replacement.
• Decreased Acceleration: Another indication of failing golf cart batteries is a decrease in your golf cart's acceleration. Golf carts are low-speed vehicles, so they aren't doing 0-60 anytime soon, but you should still be able to feel a bit of a punch as soon as you hit the accelerator.
• Longer Charge Time: If you used to be able to charge your batteries overnight without issue, but now your batteries won't top off, that is a sign of battery wear. Old and worn batteries have a more challenging time accepting and keeping a charge, which indicates that they will need to be replaced soon.
• Rusty and Corroded: Lastly, if your golf cart batteries are severely corroded and have a lot of build-up, it's time to replace them!

Should I put lithium batteries in my golf cart?

When it comes to golf cart batteries, lithium-ion is the new king. From increased range, less maintenance, and faster battery recharging, there are few downsides to upgrading to lithium.

The one thing to consider with Lithium batteries is the higher upfront costs. Lithium batteries are often more expensive than standard lead-acid batteries, but when you look at the total lifetime cost, lithium batteries are still cheaper in the long run.

Are lithium golf cart batteries worth the money?

The short answer: Lithium golf cart batteries are worth the money as they provide significantly more benefits than lead-acid. 

• Faster charge time: Lithium batteries can be fully charged in as little as 2.5 hours compared to lead-acid batteries, which can take up to 10 hours to reach full charge.
• Extended range: For example, our UNO® lithium battery can provide up to 60 miles of drive range compared to Trojan lead-acid batteries, which will get you approximately 15-25 miles.
• No maintenance: You don't have to worry about maintenance or upkeep with lithium batteries. Get them installed on your cart and be on your way. Lead-acid batteries, by comparison, will require regular maintenance to keep them in shape.
• Reduced cart weight: An often overlooked benefit of lithium batteries is reducing the overall weight of your golf cart. A single lithium battery can weigh as little as 48 lbs and fully power your cart, while a complete set of lead-acid batteries can weigh anywhere between 350-450 lbs! 

How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?

• Lead Acid: Replacing flooded deep-cycle lead acid batteries will cost approximately $200-$500 for a single battery and $1200-$1600 for a complete set (4-6 batteries). 
• Lithium: To replace lithium golf cart batteries, you can spend anywhere from $2000 to $6000.

Is it OK to replace just one golf cart battery?

While technically, it's OK to change just one of your golf cart batteries, that is not the best practice. Having one functioning battery while the rest are working poorly can damage your new battery and set you back to square one. We recommend switching out all of your batteries at the same time.

What is the life expectancy of golf cart batteries?

Standard lead acid golf cart batteries that are properly maintained will last 3-4 years. Lithium golf cart batteries have a life expectancy of over ten years.

Should you charge golf cart batteries every day?

Yes, to help keep your batteries in tip-top shape, you should fully charge your batteries after each use. This is for lead-acid batteries; for lithium batteries, you do not need to charge them daily (one more reason to switch to lithium!)

(Indent) How often should you charge golf cart batteries when not in use?

If you don't use your golf cart all the time and are curious about how often you should charge them when you are not using them (think storage or other extended periods of not being used), a general rule of thumb is to keep them as close to fully charged as possible.

You don't want to keep your batteries hooked up to a charger at all times (if you have a smart charger that can read the battery levels, you have more flexibility in this area).

Still, you want to start their period of disuse on a full charge, and it is best practice to check on them periodically.

How many amp-hour batteries do I need for a golf cart?

The main thing you need to know about golf cart batteries is the voltage, not the amp hours. That being said, here is some information you can use in determining a golf cart battery's amp-hours; we will use Trojan 6V and 8V batteries and the UNO® in this comparison:

• Trojan® T-875 (8V) batteries: 170ah @ 20-hr
• Trojan® T-105 (6V) batteries: 225ah @ 20-hr
• UNO® Lithium 48-volt battery: 90-ah

It is important to note that although lithium may have smaller amp-hours, they have much better peak capacity.

A good analogy would be your cell phone. Your cell phone works just as well when the battery is 100% and when the battery is at 2%.

This ability to function at all charge levels is exactly how lithium batteries work. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries have a much smaller peak capacity window. As their charge level goes down, so does their performance.

How cold is too cold for golf cart batteries?

Lead-acid golf cart batteries can freeze if the temperature drops below 32 degrees. 

This is especially true if the batteries are not fully charged, so if you plan on storing your batteries in cold temperatures, the batteries must be fully charged and checked on regularly. 

Generally, for every 15-20° that the temperature drops below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a battery will lose 10% of its capacity.

Lithium batteries, on the other hand, can easily handle extreme temperatures. Don't believe us? Check out the video below by UNO® Battery, where they freeze their battery overnight and hook it into their golf cart with no problems!

How hot is too hot for golf cart batteries?

Not only are low temperatures a problem for golf cart batteries, but so are excessively high temperatures.

The reason that high heat is a problem is because as the temperature of a battery increases, so does it's chemical activity (for lead-acid batteries). This increased chemical activity can damage the batteries and reduce their lifespan.

In general, every 18°F increase above 77°F will reduce a battery's service life at a rate of 50%.

For example, if a battery is designed for 8 years of use at 77 degrees but is regularly used at a temperature of 95 degrees, its service life will only be approximately four years.

How often do you add water to golf cart batteries?

Regarding the water levels on golf cart batteries, a typical schedule is to fill the water levels about once every 30 days if you regularly use your cart. If you use your golf cart infrequently, check your water levels periodically or at least before each round of heavy cart use.

If you have more questions about Golf Cart batteries, check out our Ultimate battery guide! Or as always, you can drop your questions in the comments below or reach out to us directly and we would be glad to help! See you next time!

...You probably know him as the humorous & relatable host of our YouTube channel!

Prior to taking on marketing, however, Christian honed his industry knowledge as our Customer Service Manager. Fast-forward to present day: it’s his mission to deliver the best and most current products, resources, and overall expertise to Golf Cart owners everywhere.