Are All Golf Car Batteries Created Equally?
Golf Car batteries are one of the largest expenses golf car owners invest into their vehicle. When properly maintained, your golf car battery pack can provide several years of outdoor enjoyment. When batteries are well maintained, they can yield up to 750 cycles before they begin to fade.
With seemingly limitless options for golf car batteries, how do you know which ones to purchase? All golf car batteries are not created equally, so it is important to do your research and consider which batteries will best meet your performance and budget needs.
Battery Capacity is Important
Battery capacity refers to how much run time you will have with a single charge. The formula is simple. The more lead, the longer the run time. When the Club Car Precedent golf cars were released with four 12V batteries rather than six 8V batteries, golf car capacity become a hot topic. A standard 48V golf car with an 8V battery configuration will yield approximately 20 hours of run time. The same golf car with 12V batteries will only yield about 17 hours of run time. Why? Because, although both configurations are 48 volts, six batteries have a longer minute capacity than four batteries. Similarly, when shopping different brands of golf car batteries, cheaper is not always better. Consider the capacity of each battery and whether it will provide an adequate run time for your use.
Brand is Important, Too
Each battery brand makes claims about having better technology and being the best choice for your golf car. In reality, once you have decided on voltage and run time, a few brands will emerge as the leaders.
- Trojan
Known to be one of the best brands of battery in the golf car world, Trojan batteries typically come at a premium price. The greatest value in purchasing Trojan golf car batteries is that they offer a two-year full replacement warranty.
- US Battery
Offering similar battery specifications as Trojan, US Battery also has a strong reputation and warranty. Founded in 1926, US Battery is a well trusted brand for both deep cycle and AGM batteries.
- Deka Batteries
A private, family owned battery company, EastPenn is the manufacturer of Deka Batteries. Although they don’t market heavily to golf car owners, Deka Batteries are known to be one of the best brands of batteries on the market.
Whether you choose one of these top brands or another brand like Crown or VMax, stay away from Costco or Sam’s Club golf car batteries. It is easy to be enticed by a low-priced battery; however, warehouse clubs are notorious for selling generic brands with older date stamps. The fresher the battery, the better it will perform over time.
Maintenance is Key
Even the perfect battery requires routine battery maintenance in order to continue performing up to par. Regular charging and filling help batteries perform at their peak. When replacing your golf car batteries, ensure that your charger is programmed for your new batteries. Battery chargers have algorithms that may not be compatible with every brand.
The spring is quickly approaching and now is the time to test your golf car batteries. Should you need to replace, use this quick guide to purchase the perfect batteries for your golf car.
About the Author: The Owner of WHEELZ Custom Carts & Accessories, Julie Starr was one of the industry’s first online retailers of golf car products. Her eCommerce store, www.WHEELZLLC.com, has been serving golf car owners since 2008 and the store remains a popular online shopping experience for golf car owners who want to take their golf cars to the next level.
