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