Quote:
Originally Posted by triflex
When I go on YouTube looking for a rave review of anyone's lithium golf cart I have yet to find one. I have found negative reviews of the range. For instance, one said when he drives two mile to the golf course and then plays 36 holes in the day and then wants to go have dinner before heading home, the cart battery will not last the trip.
I find it highly suspicious that a huge platform like YouTube would be devoid of people letting everyone know that lithium golf carts are the bee's knees.
I'd love to buy a lithium cart but I also don't see unqualified value without limits. By example, Nissan Leafs were everywhere for a while. Then people realized that the "BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" caused the batteries to diminish in range dramatically. Now I seldom see a Leaf.
I also have not met a salesman yet who can explain what the battery warranty actually means. Does it mean we won't replace it if the cart continues to move 5 feet before stopping?
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I'm not sure what you are asking. Nothing is perfect. A typical battery warranty is prorated. People are more familiar with tire warranties that are prorated. Say you have a 5 year prorated tire warranty and their is an issue. Assuming that tire has a replacement for the first year and it fails in the third year. They will measure the remaining tread and give you a credit toward THE LIST PRICE of a new tire. The GOTCHA is that no one pays the inflated list price for a tire. Thus, the real warranty on that tire is far less than the stated five years.
Prices on lithium batteries have dropped significantly from what they used to be. Compared to lead acid they when charged hold far more power with far less weight, they are still more expensive. Lithium batteries have a flat voltage curve compared to lead acid.
A golf cart powered by lead acid batteries will slow down as the batteries drain. Due to the flat voltage curve that does not happen with Lithium batteries but when they reach the end of the charge, the cart should shut off, preventing over draining and damaging the expensive batteries. Perhaps, similar to running a gas golf cart out of gas.
Lithium batteries are commonly used in portable tools. No one reads instructions. They too have or should have a shutoff that prevents fully draining and damaging the expensive batteries. The user will get many more recharge cycles if they do not fully drain the batteries. If you put the tool away without charging it, it can and does deplete itself, just sitting. If, it discharges too far, it will not recharge and you need to buy a new battery.