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Battery Buying Guide
How to Choose Your Golf Cart Batteries
1. Determine if Your Golf Cart is Gas or Electric
- Gas will require one starting battery like a car.
- Electric will usually require numerous batteries depending on overall voltage (36V or 48V).
2. Validate the Combined Voltage of Your Golf Cart Make/Model (Typically 36 or 48)
- Lead acid batteries available in 6, 8 or 12 volts.
- The average golf cart requires four to six batteries, sometimes 8.
- Check owner’s manual if you do not know voltage. Or, calculate by counting the number of cells or caps on one of your current batteries (3, 4 or 6).
- Multiply that number by 2 to determine your battery voltage. Then, multiply that by the number of batteries found in your cart to determine the voltage.
3. Determine the Desired Amperage Based on Use and Distance Between Charges.
- The higher a battery’s amperage, the longer your battery will last on the course.
4. Validate Dimensions
- Most golf cars take a standard sized GC2 group size, but some may have spacers or need a taller/unique footprint.
The Difference Between Amps & Volts
Voltage helps determine the number and type of batteries you need for your cart. But when gauging the battery's overall performance, you'll want to pay attention to the battery's amperage. Amperage measures a battery's power capacity, which tells you how much power your battery will put out while it is in use. The higher a battery's amperage, the longer your battery will last.
Calculate Voltage by Physical Inspection
Number of Caps x 2 = Battery Voltage
Voltage Options for Golf Cart Batteries
Golf car batteries are available in 6, 8 or 12 volts, which means that you'll need between three and twelve batteries in order to power an electric golf cart.
| Single Batteries | 36 Volts | 48 Volts | 72 Volts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Volts | 6 Batteries | 8 Batteries | 12 Batteries |
| 8 Volts | - | 6 Batteries | 9 Batteries |
| 12 Volts | 2 Batteries | 4 Batteries | 6 Batteries |
Top 4 Golf Cart Batteries
Batteries Plus stands behind Duracell Ultra golf cart batteries. Each one is equipped with multi-fit terminals which enable quick and easy installation. Duracell Ultra golf cart batteries are also built to withstand the frequent discharging and recharging that comes with use in a golf cart. Each one comes with a 12-month replacement warranty. Plus, they’re made in the USA.
Need to get your golf cart battery tested?
Batteries Plus Tests Golf Cart Batteries Free!
Flooded (Wet)
- More affordable.
- Require regular maintenance in order to keep them functioning properly.
- Have lead plates inside them along with an electrolyte liquid made of a mixture of water and sulfuric acid - the electrolyte solution inside them needs regular topping off with distilled water.
- Numerous capacities/RC (for run times).
AGM
- 100% sealed and completely spill-proof.
- Maintenance free - No need to add distilled water to the batteries.
- Higher reserve capacity.
- Last longer through more recharges (Cycles).
- Charges faster and holds a charge better than flooded.
- Perform better extreme temperatures.
Lithium-Ion
- Easy installation with no maintenance.
- Up to 25% more range with at least 2 batteries in parallel.
- Full power throughout discharge.
- Lighter weight than standard lead-acid alternatives.
- 4-6x faster charge time.
- Lower cost over product lifetime.
Golf Cart Battery Care & Maintenance
Make sure that it’s regularly charged. Allowing the charge to drop too low may shorten its lifespan significantly. A good rule of thumb is to charge your battery every time it drops to 50% of its total capacity.
Avoid overcharging. A standard charger requires that you monitor your battery’s charging process and disconnect once your battery reaches ideal charge. Another option is to use an automatic charger that will switch itself off to prevent overcharging.
If your golf cart uses flooded batteries, maintain the electrolyte solution inside it by topping it off with distilled or deionized water. Make it a habit to check your battery’s levels about once a month.
A little bit of cleanup goes a long way. Harmful corrosion can build up on your battery’s terminals, and that can damage the battery, sometimes irreparably. If you notice a buildup of white, green or blue material, you can clean it off using a mixture of baking soda and water and a wire battery terminal brush. Maintain clean battery terminals with anti-corrosion spray or by covering them with terminal protectors.
4 Ways to Tell if Your Golf Cart Battery is Bad
1. The Batteries take a long time to charge.
2. Your golf cart loses power quicker than it used to
3. Your golf cart doesn't accelerate as quickly as it used to
4. Take a look - leaking or bulging batteries should be replaced immediately.
Choosing a Charger
When choosing a golf cart battery charger, it's crucial that you select one that is compatible with both the voltage and chemistry of your batteries.
That means if you have six 8 volt batteries in your cart, you'll need a 48 volt charger.
Likewise, the charger you select must be compatible with the chemistry of the batteries that you're using, which will be either flooded, AGM or lithium-ion.
Read More About It
The Most Reliable Golf Cart Batteries
Looking for a new battery for your golf cart? This article will help you find a battery with the correct voltage and amp hours rating. Plus, learn how to maximize your battery’s lifespan with helpful maintenance tips.
Understanding Golf Cart Battery Basics
Golf cart batteries aren't cheap. Make sure you're getting the best performance possible out of yours by taking care of it properly. Get our top maintenance tips, plus recommendations on our best replacement batteries and chargers.
How Do You Maintain a Golf Cart?
Golf carts require regular maintenance just like any other vehicle. Find out how Batteries Plus can help you maintain your battery, headlights, tires and electrical system.
Golf Cart Battery FAQs
Each golf cart battery we sell comes with a 12-month replacement warranty.
The length of time a golf cart battery lasts depends on a number of factors: How often do you drive? How long is each trip? What's the terrain like? How often are the batteries charged? What kind of weight is the cart carrying? All that said, an average, well-maintained golf cart battery should last about five years.
Technically, yes. But we don't recommend replacing only one battery in your golf cart as you'll likely encounter issues with both performance and safety. As they age, batteries lose electrical capacity. Combining old and new batteries creates an imbalance in maximum capacity, which means your cart won't receive as much power. That leads to decreased performance and possible failure of your cart's accessories. Over time, this discrepancy can also cause excess heat, which leads to battery damage and ultimately failure.