I have a friend who has an electric cart with 4 dead 12Volt batteries. Since golf cart batteries are so expensive (why is this?) why can't car batteries be used?

[DougB]

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[tuccillo]

Lots of google hits, here is one:

HowStuffWorks "What's the difference between a normal car battery and a deep-cycle battery?"

Originally Posted by KittyKat

I have a friend who has an electric cart with 4 dead 12Volt batteries. Since golf cart batteries are so expensive (why is this?) why can't car batteries be used?

[TheVillageChicken]

Car batteries won't last long with constant deep discharges and recharges. Nor will they give your cart the range that golf cart batteries will.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

Car batteries won't last long with constant deep discharges and recharges. Nor will they give your cart the range that golf cart batteries will.

Exactly. Golf car batteries are designed to be completely discharged and recharged on a constant basis. They are also designed to provide power for several hours once fully charged. Car batteries are designed to stay as fully charged as possible and are only used for a very short time to start the car. Once the car is running most equipment runs off the alternator which also continually charges the battery.

The other point is that I don't see where there is a big difference price wise between golf cart and car batteries. With car batteries there are several different levels of quality and power, but better ones costs about $110-$130 each. A set of six 8 volt batteries for your golf cart will run you between $700 and $800.

Thanks, all. Makes sense.