Talk of The Villages Florida - Disappointed in Trojan

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My thought patterns would never take me there but then I purchased many batteries but never, not once in my life the other product. Same applies to coke, mine is served in a glass with ice

Again I had two sets of Trojan batteries that failed

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwann (Post 1330849)

What is "specific gravity" and how do I check it?

you're asking this on a computer. Why not just google "testing specific gravity of batteries"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by photo1902 (Post 1330851)

VT, you should go test drive the 2017 Yamaha. They're extremely quiet and smooth riding. If our 2014 ever gives out, that'll be our replacement.

I got Mom and Dad a 2017 Yamaha. It really takes the bumps nice, BUT everyday when they go for a ride Mom says the gas fumes come in the cart and Dad agrees. It is worse with the sides curtains down. No exhaust pipe. So the fumes are to stay in the engine compartment?

When we were looking for a golf cart about 3 years ago, I asked several dealers about the lifespan of a set of batteries, for an electric cart, in terms of miles. I received some vague answers. One dealer did say 8K miles. Based on our anticipated usage (4k miles per year), this would equate to 2 years. I accepted that this estimate could be either low or high.

A gas cart would cost about $160 per year for fuel for 4k miles and I estimated the engine would be good for about 4k hours or about 60k miles (that is 15 years). By the way, the electricity for electric carts would be about $80 per year for the same number of miles. We bought a gas cart.

While I anticipated lower cost of ownership for a gas cart, that was only part of the equation; I expected the gas cart to be less overall effort and worries to own. The maintenance for a gas cart is minimal and I do it myself - about 1 hour per year for gas cart specific maintenance - oil changes and air filter and spark plug replacement. The battery (for starting the engine) is essentially a no-maintenance "car class" battery and should last about as long as car batteries last in hot climates; 4-5 years. The gas carts do have 2 belts but they are easy to replace and low cost and should last several years.

When factoring in the price of fuel (gasoline for gas carts and electricity for electric cart), maintenance costs, and battery replacement costs, I estimated the cost per mile for a gas cart at approximately 6 cents per mile and the cost per mile for an electric cart at approximately 14 cents per mile. Most of the cost per mile for an electric cart is the battery replacement. Batteries that are reputed to last longer won't necessarily change the numbers as they will also cost more. The assumption is the engine of the gas cart will never be replaced/rebuilt because we would likely get a new cart after 15 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1330823)

Less than two years ago I had six Ranger batteries in stall in my Club Car at the cost of about $1,200.
I was told at the time that I would be able to go 50-60 miles on a charge and that under normal use the batteries would last four to five years.
The batteries came with an 18 month warranty.
About four months ago I noticed that I was not getting the mileage I should so I checked the specific gravity of the batteries. I found that one battery had one dead cell. I called Battery Boys who installed the batteries and they told me that the warranty had expired a month before.
I was not happy, but I figured these things happen. I had them install a new battery for $200. When the tech installed them he suggested that if I have any more problems I get in touch with Trojan. He gave me the impression that this was not uncommon and to expect more trouble.
I contacted Trojan about the one battery not asking for anything and got a run around. They told me that along with properly watering the batteries, which I do religiously, I should also check the specific gravity once a month.
I'm not sure how this is going to prevent anything, but the next month I checked and found two dead cells one in each of two batteries.
I've been e-mailing back and forth with Trojan and all they'll say is they can't do anything because they are past warranty. What I asked for was a partial credit on the new batteries that I'm going to have to buy.The company suggested that I contact their Master Distributor to see if they can do anything.
I realize the warranty has expired, but it seems to be pretty unreasonable that three batteries all die within one or two months of the warranty expiring. It also seems strange to me that when I contact the company they suggest that I contact a distributor.
Anyroad, I'm just venting here, but I would suggest that anyone who is considering Ranger batteries, or any Trojan product for that matter consider this and think carefully about it.
Like I said, I got the impression for the tech that installed the battery that this is a fairly common occurrence with Ranger batteries.

Jim, these rangers R having issues, my set had a bad cell in one also but under warranty.

They do extend drive time 35%

My next set will be Lithium, 15 year life span no water if one goes bad not a big deal there are are 15 small ones, with solar the cost drops dramatically.

Without solar they charge in 2 hours plugged in.

Just came out with a lower priced 72 amp pack with solar I expect 110 mile range.

.

Quote:

Did you use distilled water to fill the batteries? Did you always keep the batteries charged? Did you notice a difference in the amount of water used between batteries or cell within batteries? Does the cart sit for extended periods with out being used? Do you use a trickle or battery minder type of charger if no using the cart for an extend period? Did you see any corrosion on the batteries?

Yes, yes, no, no, N/A, no.

I maintain batteries properly.

And for the rest of you, please do not suggest that I go tot a gas cart. We all have our preferences. Mine is not the same as yours.

Gas cart stink............

They pollute the air we breath

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1330948)

OP, when I purchased my 2006 club cart new it came with trojan batteries. they went kaput in 1.5 years and neither club cart nor the dealer would honor the warranty. I then had a repair guy fit my cart for 6 trojan batteries they also went kaput in about two years. the repairman then replace them with powertrons that held up for 5 years
i then purchased a gas cart.

Trojan has been having problems for quite some time

The problem is that, as far as I know, Powertron doesn't make a battery that is the equivalent of the Ranger. My only option with them would be to go to eight sixes which would require modifications to the cart. I got the Rangers to avoid that.

I've had Trojans that lasted four years. I honestly think that there is a problem with the Ranger battery and Trojan won't admit it.

The tech that installed my batteries and also installed the new one after it went daed, didn't say as much but hinted that that was the case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1331156)

What is the cost of lithium? I was thinking of going there next, but I didn't expect it to be this soon. What is the AH rating? I really don't need 110 miles. When I got the Rangers I was told fifty to sixty miles and that was fine with me. Is there a lithium pack that will 60 miles on a charge?

Hey Doc, I also had a problem with my Trojans. I don't have the rangers, but two of mine went bad about a month out of warranty. I have never had battery issues before, and Like you, take very good care of my batteries.

Rollie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1331220)

Yes the 60AH unit hands down should go 60, with solar 80, then adding solar saves 30% on the Lithium as well.

Jim, give me a call if you want to get more details

566.2649

Currently they make 60, 72 & 100 AH systems

Doc, first off the situation you describe s*cks. I have not experienced that, but can imagine the frustration.

Do you feel you pushed the cart that far, like more than 35 miles/use? No fault as people tell us they will go 50 miles. I recall charts that showed always discharging a cart to 40% would yield about 600 cycles.

If yes, did you ever measure voltage when arriving home, possibly they were being discharged a bit too much on each cycle?

This post is not to put fault on anyone, I enjoy my electric carts and am honestly curious...

PS. IMO, the folks selling rangers (and Par Cars) claiming they go 60 miles should come with a caveat, do not do that very often :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Kid (Post 1331135)

this is EXACTLY what the salesman at the villages golf cart told me,,, he said going a long ride with it your going to have carbon monoxide problems in the cabin,, and NO they are not that much improvement in the noise, you can not have a radio on to be able to hear it.,, just salesmanship

I know two people who have had a solar system installed and both of them said they "think" they get a little better mileage...but it wasn't enough to tell a big difference.

They both said that for the expense, if they knew then what they know now...they would have never done it.

Although I'm not in the market now for new batteries, when it's time I will definitely take a look at lithium, talk to others that have them...then crunch the numbers before I pull the trigger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1331211)

Gas cart stink............
They pollute the air we breath

Quote:

Originally Posted by dietpepsi (Post 1335162)

We were recently looking at new gas golf carts at Villages Golfcarts.
I expressed a concern about the noise and about the stinky gas fumes.
The salesman told me it's impossible to avoid gas fumes no matter how new the golf cart is.