The Most Reliable Golf Cart Batteries

Power - by Bryan Veldboom - updated on 5/25/2022

Now that the weather's finally turning warm, it's time to take your golf cart out of storage and get to work on your game. Before you hit the green though, let's take a moment to talk about your battery. After the long winter, it may be necessary to replace the battery. This article will help you determine the type and number of batteries you need, along with valuable information on battery maintenance.

Do Gas Golf Carts Have Batteries?

When replacing your battery the first thing you need to do is determine whether you have a gas or electric powered golf cart.

• Gas powered golf carts run on a single 12 volt starting battery, similar to the one found in your car.
• Electric golf carts require multiple deep cycle batteries.

How Do I Know What Voltage My Golf Cart Battery is?

Since electric golf carts run on multiple batteries, you'll need to determine the total operating voltage of your specific model. You can get this information from the owner's manual or manufacturer's website. You can also calculate the total voltage yourself by counting the number of acid holes on one of your current batteries (the number will be 3, 4 or 6), then multiplying that number by 2 to determine the battery's voltage. Multiply that value by the number of batteries in your cart to determine its total operating voltage. Most carts will require 36 or 48 volts of power in order to run. Golf cart batteries are available in 6, 8 or 12 volts, which means that you'll need between four and six batteries in order to power an electric golf cart.

What are Amp Hours On Golf Cart Batteries?

Voltage is important in helping you 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 on the course.

Another valuable tool often used in measuring battery performance is amp hours (abbreviated Ah). An amp hour is the rating used to tell you how much amperage a battery can produce for exactly one hour.

Golf Cart Battery Life and Maintenance

The average life cycle for a sealed lead acid battery is 5 years. In order to get the most out of your battery, it's important to keep up on regular maintenance. Here are a few basic maintenance tips:

1. Add Water to Flooded Batteries - Flooded batteries require you to top off the electrolyte inside with distilled or deionized water. Depending on how often you use your golf cart, you should check the electrolyte levels anywhere from once a month to once a week. When adding water, the liquid level should reach to a quarter inch above the battery's plates. If you're using AGM or lithium batteries in your cart, it's not necessary to add water.
2. Use the Right Battery Charger - When selecting a 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 (see our Golf Cart Battery Buying Guide for more info).
3. Charge Your Battery Regularly - If your battery discharges too low, the plates inside will begin to sulfate, impeding the flow of electrical current. Electric golf carts do not have their own charging system, meaning they require an external charger in order to maintain the battery. Be sure to recharge your batteries every time they drop to 50% capacity.
4. Avoid Overcharging - Overcharging your battery will hurt its performance. Be sure to monitor the charging process, or pick up a charger with a float setting that will shut off automatically when the battery reaches its ideal state of charge.
5. Keep the Battery Terminals Clean - If you notice a build up of corrosion on the battery's terminals, you should clean it off using a mixture of baking soda and water and a wire brush. Afterward, you can apply an anti-corrosion spray to prevent the corrosion from returning.

Shop Replacement Golf Cart Batteries at Batteries Plus

We realize that finding the correct battery for your golf cart can sometimes get a bit confusing. If you have further questions, the associates at your neighborhood Batteries Plus will be happy to help you find the best battery for your Club Car, E-Z-Go, Yamaha or other brand golf cart. Or, browse our selection of golf cart batteries online. While you're there, be sure to check out our assortment of golf cart chargers to help keep your new batteries going strong for years to come.