Best battery configuration

[LittleDog]

Yesterday I had my annual servicing by Carts and Clubs. I talked to the service guy about the best battery configuration for electric carts. He said that the best configuration was 4 12 volt batteries not 8 6volt batteries which from posts on this board people think that's the best setup.

Comments?

John

[JeffAVEWS]

I disagree because there are more square inches of plate area with the 8 -6V configuration. The voltage is the same, but the battery's have an easier time to maintain the charge.

[2BNTV]

I disagree also. Frank at Sta-Rite Golf carts, just modified my cart to 8-6 volt batteries, as I had 4-12v batteries. It increase my driving range, to 60 miles or so.

[JeffAVEWS]

I just checked the Trojan Battery web site, their typical 12V battery is rated at 1.99 Kwh, for a total of 7.96Kwh, their 6V batteries are rated at 1.5 Kwh for a total of 12Kwh....a big difference!

[ajbrown]

My first reaction when I read the question is best at what? The term "best" could be interpreted in various ways, weight, cost, ease of maintenance, etc...

If indeed he meant best for range (hours per charge), then I would find another person to work on my electric cart...

That said, even the question of range needs context. 4-12 volt batteries may indeed be the most cost effective configuration for a person who needs to drive few miles per day....

For me personally, living in Mallory, I could not drive to Lopez, play 18 holes, drive back to Mallory, drive to Brownwood and then back to Mallory on a 4-12v pack. I mean I could, but I would be getting new batteries in 18 months....

[Jim 9922]

"----. He said that the best configuration was 4 12 volt batteries not 8 6volt batteries ---"
Comments?

John
Did he say why he thought it best? Was it for your situation or for everyone in general? In what context?

[jimbo2012]

Range = amp hours, 6 8V simply has more I have two carts one of each, the 8x6 goes more miles.

I think you just got an opinion from a service tech that doesn't fully understand.

Having said that an argument can be made that less batteries & cables mean less weight.

Less weight = more range......to a point.

But I vote for 6x8, with my solar addition I can approach 80 miles +-

[LittleDog]

Did he say why he thought it best? Was it for your situation or for everyone in general? In what context?

He was talking about range. I have a gas cart but was just curious.

John

[billethkid]

what does it cost to switch one's configuration from 4 X 12 to 6 X 8?
I know it involves a new controller, but there has to be some racking config change as well.

[ajbrown]

what does it cost to switch one's configuration from 4 X 12 to 6 X 8?
I know it involves a new controller, but there has to be some racking config change as well.

Prices may have changed, but looks like a nice summary by Frank here:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/460963-post5.html

[rosebudandbuddy]

:gc: Hi: Don't know if I am in the right place but if anyone can help me with my problem, I would be very grateful.

I have a Street Legal Gem e-2 cart and when my Gel batteries started going bad. I decided to get AGM glass mat. batteries from NorthStar. My friend recommended them as he runs them in his boat all day long, and recharges them for the next day.

I have not had good results as it seems there has to be a new configeration of the battery charger and that meant buying a new charger (ride for fun) . So far I can't get the batteries to get a full charge and the reps from the charger and from NorthStar have been unable to help. It has been more than five months since I have been able to go farther than 15 miles on a charge. The batteries go great guns when I start out and then at the halfway point, they just go down to the danger zone and I had better be close to home. Many times I have limped home at 10 mph.:cus:

[TheVillageChicken]

I prefer one 12V.

[rosebudandbuddy]

[QUOTE=rosebudandbuddy;831542]:gc: Hi: Don't know if I am in the right place but if anyone can help me with my problem, I would be very grateful.

I have a Street Legal Gem e-2 cart and when my Gel batteries started going bad. I decided to get AGM glass mat. batteries from NorthStar. My friend recommended them as he runs them in his boat all day long, and recharges them for the next day.

I have not had good results as it seems there has to be a new configeration of the battery charger and that meant buying a new charger (ride for fun) . So far I can't get the batteries to get a full charge and the reps from the charger and from NorthStar have been unable to help. It has been more than five months since I have been able to go farther than 15 miles on a charge. The batteries go great guns when I start out and then at the halfway point, they just go down to the danger zone and I had better be close to home. Many times I have limped home at 10 mph.:cus

[NoMoSno]

[QUOTE=rosebudandbuddy;831542]:gc: Hi: Don't know if I am in the right place but if anyone can help me with my problem, I would be very grateful.

I have a Street Legal Gem e-2 cart and when my Gel batteries started going bad. I decided to get AGM glass mat. batteries from NorthStar. My friend recommended them as he runs them in his boat all day long, and recharges them for the next day.

I have not had good results as it seems there has to be a new configeration of the battery charger and that meant buying a new charger (ride for fun) . So far I can't get the batteries to get a full charge and the reps from the charger and from NorthStar have been unable to help. It has been more than five months since I have been able to go farther than 15 miles on a charge. The batteries go great guns when I start out and then at the halfway point, they just go down to the danger zone and I had better be close to home. Many times I have limped home at 10 mph.:cus

If you don't get help here, try posting your question in the expert forum:

Ask The Expert A Golf Cart Question - Talk of The Villages (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/ask-expert-golf-cart-question-230/)

[Hemvillager]

I disagree also. Frank at Sta-Rite Golf carts, just modified my cart to 8-6 volt batteries, as I had 4-12v batteries. It increase my driving range, to 60 miles or so.
Where you happy with your conversion? Also, how much did it cost?

[DAN48]

Yesterday I had my annual servicing by Carts and Clubs. I talked to the service guy about the best battery configuration for electric carts. He said that the best configuration was 4 12 volt batteries not 8 6volt batteries which from posts on this board people think that's the best setup.

Comments?

John
You did not receive good advice! I let them talk me into 6 8 volt batteries rather than 8 6 volt batteries. I was immediately unhappy with the range and had to replace the standard 8 volts with 6 Trojan Rangers. My range is now excellent and I couldn't be happier. It was a $1,000 mistake that I won't repeat!
As others have noted, it's the total amp hours of your system that matters.

[mrdills]

Just remember, the more led you have in your cart the more range you will get. Example 8- 6volt battery's will give you more range that 4- 12's, or 6- 8 volt battery's in a 48 volt pack.

[JoMar]

Range = amp hours, 6 8V simply has more I have two carts one of each, the 8x6 goes more miles.

I think you just got an opinion from a service tech that doesn't fully understand.

Having said that an argument can be made that less batteries & cables mean less weight.

Less weight = more range......to a point.

But I vote for 6x8, with my solar addition I can approach 80 miles +-

Not sure where one would drive in TV that would add up to 80 miles.....I supposedly get 60 miles on my Par Car but not sure I would ever want to drive that far......my northern limit is Glenview from Hillsborough. I plug it in at the end of the day and so far.....no range issues.