golf cart

The power source or battery is the most vital part of an electric golf cart and, as such, having deeper insight regarding the different kinds of batteries makes it equally important as well. For novice users and owners out there, the golf cart battery is like the fuel tank of a conventional automobile. This means that if buying electric golf carts for sale is on top of the priority list, knowing about the different types of batteries is tantamount to buying the best electric golf cart in the market.

Regardless whether the vehicle to be purchased is a brand new cheap electric golf cart or used electric golf carts, the first thing that any buyer should know about is that these types of batteries come in three different voltages: 6, 8 and 12. But they do not operate simply as they are. For instance, a 36-Volt operating system is powered by six pieces of 6-volt batteries while 48-volt operating systems are run by either six 8-volt or four 12-volt batteries. Now that the basics of voltages and operating systems are out of the way, here is a quick guide to the types of batteries for golf carts.

Deep Cycle Lead Acid Battery

These types of batteries are relatively large and are composed of two cells with lead and lead oxide and are maintained by a sulfuric acid and water solution. Unlike most known renewable power sources, the capacity of the Deep Cycle Lead Acid Battery is virtually variable and is dependent on the electrolyte levels in each cell. The aforementioned electrolyte levels, if an when properly maintained, poses the ability to supply high currents while maintaining power proportionate to its size and weight.            

Since they first rolled in the golf course, deep cycle lead acid batteries are the most economic power sources for electric golf carts and modern low-speed electric vehicles. Lead Acid Batteries remain a popular choice for golf cart owners because of their economic maintenance and their time-tested tolerance for extreme usage. Since their invention in 1859, certain modifications and advancements have made this a pragmatic choice, especially for the Do-It-Yourself types who refuse to avail of professional maintenance services as much as possible. Beyond their very cheap and attractive costs in purchase and maintenance, they are generally accessible, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Since discovering the near limitless benefits of this compound, Lithium Ion has been the most preferred choice for batteries and power storage applications. Like their first generation counterparts, lithium-ion batteries are made up of power-generating, conductive surfaces called cells. During the charging cycle, lithium ions move back and forth between its positive and negative electrodes before taking the energy in for storage. The ions, then, move back to the positive electrode when used to produce energy which, in turn, provides power.

The charge and discharge process, while appearing simplistic and convenient, gives lithium-ion batteries cycle times of 5,000 thereby extending battery life and allowing prolonged use in between charges. Likewise, since lithium-ion batteries have no liquid electrolytes, they are free from any fluids that consequently require a constant need for fluid refilling and fluid level monitoring is unnecessary.  

Being significantly smaller than their lead-acid counterparts, the Lithium-Ion battery has a more compact storage than the traditional deep cycle variants.