Want to take part in a golf tournament this weekend? Have you already gotten your golf cart all well-prepared? What about the pivotal driving batteries employed in your golf cart?
This article would like to guide you to dig out more about golf cart batteries with great details and recommend the best lithium golf cart batteries for manufacturers all around the world based on in-depth research into this area.
Part 1: What Are Golf Cart Batteries?
Golf cart batteries are the critical driving power for golf carts to get started, such as Flooded lead-acid batteries, Gel lead-acid batteries, AGM lead-acid batteries, and lithium-ion batteries which are strongly recommended and acclaimed. Before deciding to replace your golf cart batteries, you’d better go check your golf cart and see if it belongs to a gas one or an electric one first.
For gas-powered golf carts, a single gas golf cart normally runs on a 12-volt starting point, similar to the one in your car. But for electric golf carts, an electric golf cart traditionally requires multiple deep cycle batteries to start up. This article will focus more on the latter one.
Part 2: What Types of Golf Cart Batteries Are there?
In the current market, especially in the solar industry, there are two main kinds of batteries that serve for us, lead-acid and lithium, the latter one being preferred. Lead-acid batteries can be divided into flooded lead-acid batteries and sealed lead-acid ones that refer to gel lead-acid batteries and AGM lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries are now the premium option for their numerous shining points like much longer lifespan and little maintenance. More details are shown as follows.
Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
A few years ago, flooded lead-acid batteries were popular and marketable and even regarded as the standard ones in the solar industry. This type of battery was often used in golf carts and forklifts when they had some advantages like cost-effective, long-lasting features, etc.
However, this kind of flooded lead-acid battery could only reach the expected lifespan if it is carefully and properly maintained in that the status of it must be checked monthly and topped off with distilled water to ensure the longest possible lifespan. What is worse, flooded lead-acid batteries would release toxic hydrogen gas, which is totally against current wishes when an increasing number of companies strive to protect the environment.
Gel Lead-Acid Batteries
Sealed lead-acid batteries function in a way that is quite similar to the flooded versions operate. But the difference is that no access is allowed for the inside compartment, which indicates that you do not have to add distilled water. And these kinds of batteries often are called VRLA (valve regulated lead-acid) batteries when they have a small vale to allow the gases out when charging. Gel lead-acid batteries belong to VRLA batteries, utilizing a thick paste to bring a magical effect instead of the fiberglass mat.
Nonetheless, Gel lead-acid batteries are the most costly ones among all the VRLA batteries and only last within quite limited time in hot temperatures, not suitable or ideal for specific solar applications outside. In addition, Gel batteries should not be used for fast charging/discharging, or high amperage charging/discharging situations.
AGM Lead-Acid Batteries
Absorbed Glass Matte or “AGM” batteries are the latest and greatest in lead-acid batteries, using a separator consisting of fiberglass between the plate and wrappers to hold the electrolyte in its place with capillary action. The main difference between Gel and AGM batteries lies in the charge rates. AGM batteries can handle higher charge and discharge rates than gel batteries.
Unfortunately, there are very few golf carts employing AGM or Gel batteries due to its drawbacks. For instance, they just tend to cost more without providing any additional power output or charge-time benefits.
Lithium-ion Batteries (Recommended)
Quite different from lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries do have countless edges that show outstanding performance. Much longer lifespan, light weight, secure safety, fast charging speed, lower self-discharge rate, constant power throughout the discharge of the battery, and other benign features help lithium-ion batteries to be used in a range of situations, lithium golf cart batteries being one of the most typical ones.
Although there are some manufacturers still insisting on offering carts with traditional deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, current trends clearly tell us that lead-acid batteries are phasing out these years while lithium batteries rise to prominence in the market.
Part 3: How To Select The Best Lithium Golf Cart Batteries?
Capacity
Simply to say, a battery’s capacity measured in Ah demonstrates how long the battery will last before it needs recharging and significantly influences the choice of selecting lithium ion golf cart batteries. Most lithium batteries will easily cover you for 18 holes of golf. Some batteries, with an AH of around 100, can run for as long as 36 holes.
Voltage
Voltage is the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit, usually expressed in volts. 24V is a typical standard amount of voltage for lithium golf cart batteries.
Lifespan
The lifespan of lithium golf cart batteries means the period during which the golf cart lithium batteries are functional from birth to death. For a lithium battery, normally the lifespan of it ought to be no less than 1500 cycles. If you are to play one round of golf every single day, these batteries will last for 4-5 years. Some lithium batteries have a cycle lifespan of up to 8000 cycles and can last as long as 10 years.
Safety
As we all know, most of lithium batteries utilize Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), a chemistry that is quite safe due to its inner structure. Additionally, Battery Management Systems (BMS) have been developed in order to regulate heat, eliminating the risk of overcharging and overheating.
Efficiency
Because of the lithium batteries themselves, the efficiency of charging and discharging will be greatly boosted, which will also improve the overall experience when you are playing golf on the golf course.
Size
The size of your lithium golf battery also counts a great deal when selecting the best lithium golf cart batteries when there are sometimes annoying troubles because of the incompatible sizes.
Cost
Expenditure or cost certainly is an influencing factor when buying a set of batteries for your golf cart when the amount of it normally is large to some extent.
Maintenance
When choosing a terrific type of golf cart battery, maintenance is another consideration when lead-acid batteries require regular and frequent maintenance while there is no water needed, and no cleaning of acid residue for lithium acid batteries for golf carts.
Experience
Nowadays, experience plays an important role in closing a deal in the whole transaction process between two parties. Bad and cold buying experience finds it nearly impossible to attract cooperate partners, not to mention any other deals.
Service
Service, both before-sale service and after-sale service will greatly impact the possibility of successfully reaching an agreement with the other party in today’s business world. Particularly, premium after-sale might greatly improve satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Warranty
A long-term warranty is able to raise confidence and relieve the worry for each buyer when such a set of batteries is bought. Some companies even offer ten-year-long warranty, which is indeed an attractive point.
Certifications
Certification is also an important factor when deciding to buy which type of lithium golf cart batteries. Numerous professional international certifications count a great deal when they can show expert knowledge and reliability.
Part 4: Top 5 Suggested Lithium Golf Cart Batteries
Etekware Lithium Golf Cart Batteries (Recommended)
ETEKWARE is a company integrating product R&D, manufacturing, solution design, sales and consulting service in clean and sustainable energy generation and storage business. Our company started as an OEM/ODM manufacturer for alternative energy solution companies. Taking all the influencing factors into consideration when choosing the best lithium golf cart batteries, ETEKWARE’s best lithium golf cart battery is strongly recommended. Reasons are as follows.
ETEWKARE offers reliable and well-compatible 48-volt lithium-ion batteries for golf carts. Different from traditional lead-acid batteries, our lithium golf cart batteries select the superior LiFePO4 battery cells to offer better performance for our customers. Huge capacity, good cycle lifespan, low self-discharge rate, lightweight, and overcharge protection are the most charming perspectives of our motive power batteries. Also, it is entirely safe for our customers to use and install, which is a perfect choice for all golf lovers.
In addition, ETEKWARE’s 6V/36V/48V/72V LiFePO4 Golf Cart Battery is a well-reputed product that acquired numerous professional product certifications, such as ISO9001 En, KC, PSE, and UN38.3 certifications. Also, we have famous partners like BYD, CATL, etc. around the globe. Assisted by its apparent shining points and extraordinary functions mentioned above, our lithium golf cart batteries may be the exact excellent golf cart lithium batteries that can well operate with your golf cart when you are enjoying playing golf on the golf course. As for the technical parameters, you may kindly contact the ETEKWARE support team through our official website.
Trojan Lithium Golf Cart Batteries
Founded in 1925, Trojan Battery Company is an important manufacturer, especially in deep-cycle solar and motive batteries. With a broad range of energy storage solutions that include deep-cycle flooded, AGM, Gel, and lithium batteries. Trojan has shaped the world of deep-cycle battery technology with close to 100 years of battery manufacturing experience.
However, after searching the official website, you will find that most of the products owned by this company are still old lead-acid batteries.
Roypow Lithium Golf Cart Batteries
RoyPow (USA) Technology Co., Ltd. is a technology leader in lithium battery R&D and manufacturing, offering you professional battery system solutions for LSV (low speed vehicle) including Golf Carts, AGV (automated guided vehicle), Forklift, Energy Storage etc.
RoyPow’s S series products are lithium-ion battery packs with an integrated golf cart battery system. However, the nominal voltage is just from 38V to 76V and the nominal capacity from 105 Ah to 160Ah.
Allied Lithium Golf Cart Batteries
Allied Battery announces that their Allied Lithium Batteries are the only true “Drop-In-Ready” lithium batteries for golf carts. But lithium golf cart batteries provided by Allied Battery are mainly only two types “Drop-in-Ready” and “Commercial” batteries.
Samsung Lithium Golf Cart Batteries
According to the Samsung SDI official website, we can know that in 2017 PGA Merchandise Show, Samsung SDI uses the lithium-ion battery, whose launch was the first move by a major golf cart company.
Nonetheless, despite certain advantages, Samsung offers comparatively fewer options and varieties for manufacturers to select all over the world, which is actually not beneficial and considerate enough for global buyers.
Part 5: FAQs about golf cart batteries
How long do lithium golf cart batteries last?
Almost every lithium battery should charge for more than 1000 cycles, but you’re more likely to encounter batteries that have a minimum lifespan of over 3000 charges. A lithium battery for a golf cart will normally last around four to six years under proper maintenance.
How often should you charge lithium golf cart batteries?
You should charge a lithium battery every time it gets below 50% of its maximum charge or every 6 months. Too long hours of charging time are not suggested.
How to maintain lithium golf cart batteries?
There are several effective ways. First of all, charge your golf cart batteries regularly, which is one of the best maintaining ways when the batteries run so low that their lives are badly threatened. Secondly, keep your lithium golf cart batteries operating within a suitable and safe environment, not too high or low temperature or wet conditions. Thirdly, pay special attention to the mix of other metal objects in case the metal objects influence the anodes and cathodes of the batteries, resulting in some severe damage. Lastly, please do take care of your battery terminals when the possible corrosion might do some harm to its performance and even damage the battery itself.
Can you use regular car batteries in a golf cart?
No, you can’t. You absolutely cannot use car batteries in your golf cart. Because car batteries are designed to run at a much lower discharge rate than deep cycle batteries, you cannot use them as the primary power source for your golf cart.
Does golf cart battery repair liquid work?
Yes, it indeed works in most cases. For more detailed information, you may kindly refer to the product website for more help.
How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
For manufacturers choosing lead-acid cart batteries, it normally costs them around $1,500. For manufacturers who decide to choose lithium-ion golf cart batteries, they will enjoy employing a set of new-age lithium-ion golf cart batteries by only adding $500 while acquiring numerous extra benefits.
Conclusion
After an in-depth analysis of lithium golf cart batteries, compared with other suppliers, ETEKWARE does sincerely hope it can serve you with the best lithium golf cart batteries when it can offer not only premium batteries with countless shining points such as enormous capacity, various voltages, long lifespan, secure safety, high efficiency, compatible sizes, efficient cost, no other worrisome maintenance, but also warmhearted experience, kind service, reliable warranty and professional certifications.
