Lithium battery golf cart

[leftyf]

We played golf at Harbor Hills yesterday and they have new lithium battery powered Club Car golf carts. We all were very impressed with the power and smoothness these carts have. If you can, play a round over there just to try the new carts.:bigbow:

[UpNorth]

Played there several weeks ago with the new carts. I like the idea of Lithium Ion batteries, but the only cart they had available had problems. Could barely make it up a hill without bucking. These carts have a/c motors instead of d/c, and is a good idea. More expensive to buy, and, I've been told by a cart mechanic, much more expensive to fix.

[Biker Dog]

Check out the EzGo Elite. We bought one and Love it.

[DAIII]

I also have an EZGO Elite! bought from VGC's love it!

expensive but the battery does have a 8/10 year warranty

it's like a TESLA but for the golf course.

[MorTech]

Brushless A/C motors do not break.
The EZGO Elite acceleration is too slow for me.
How was the acceleration on the Club Car?

[Homer49]

The EZGO Elite acceleration is too slow for me.


I'm surprised at that comment as we found the Elite to be quicker in acceleration than the gas Yamahas we test drove. Maybe something was off on the one you tried. We ended up buying the Elite and are very happy (but just 3-months in). YMMV

[MorTech]

Gas carts are far too slow.

[JoMar]

I also have an EZGO Elite! bought from VGC's love it!

expensive but the battery does have a 8/10 year warranty

it's like a TESLA but for the golf course.

What is the pro-rated schedule for the warranty? Also, do you expect to keep the cart 8-10 years? I have two electrics and we change batteries every 3.5 years which is about 2K over 7 years, last check the ION batteries cost more than that. Maybe it changed. Unfortunately we seem to change carts every 5 - 6 years.

[leftyf]

If maintenance free batteries would work in a regular golf cart, that would be the best option. If they lasted 3-4 years with no maintenance, it would be just as good as lithium.

[Homer49]

Gas carts are far too slow.

For the fun of it I just timed 0 to 20mph - 7.1 seconds. Two seat E-Z-GO ELiTE, stock plus Villages Golf Cars std. pkg., 1-person, no clubs. Max speed reads ~22.

[JoMar]

If maintenance free batteries would work in a regular golf cart, that would be the best option. If they lasted 3-4 years with no maintenance, it would be just as good as lithium.

I have maintenance free batteries in my new cart so they are available.

[MorTech]

I dont like the slow ramp up in speed with the EZGO electrics. I need 0-20 in under 5 seconds and linear/immediate throttle response or I get aggravated :)

The new Yamaha PowerTech AC comes with maintenance free AGM batteries (Trojan T875-AGM). They have adequate acceleration but top out at 19.5 MPH which means you will be the slowest cart in The Villages...and everyone will pass you...and some of them have really poor judgement :)

[tophcfa]

Gas carts are far too slow.

??? Our gas carts go plenty fast enough. And that is with the governor set at the legal speed limit. They are golf carts, not race cars.

[JoMar]

I dont like the slow ramp up in speed with the EZGO electrics. I need 0-20 in under 5 seconds and linear/immediate throttle response or I get aggravated :)

The new Yamaha PowerTech AC comes with maintenance free AGM batteries (Trojan T875-AGM). They have adequate acceleration but top out at 19.5 MPH which means you will be the slowest cart in The Villages...and everyone will pass you...and some of them have really poor judgement :)

You know you can have the speed adjusted right?

[leftyf]

I didn't know new carts are now offered with maintenance free batteries. Gotta look at some new carts.

[LoisR]

You know you can have the speed adjusted right?
Sure. Raise the speed above 20 mph and loose your life savings in your first accident. Great idea.

[JoMar]

Sure. Raise the speed above 20 mph and loose your life savings in your first accident. Great idea.

Was only mentioned to correct misinformation, not a recommendation. I suspect most carts go faster than 20, gas adjusted by the dealers and the owners. Electric by dealers.

[MorTech]

??? Our gas carts go plenty fast enough. And that is with the governor set at the legal speed limit. They are golf carts, not race cars.

Acceleration to 20 mph...not top speed.

[MorTech]

You know you can have the speed adjusted right?

Not on the Yamaha AC, right?

[MorTech]

Does The Villages Golf Car still set top speed to 21.5 MPH?

[JoMar]

Not on the Yamaha AC, right?

Don't know why not. It's up to the dealer, if it's like the other cart manufacturers it is a software adjustment. If you bought the cart and wanted it street legal they would adjust the speed so we know it can be done. If it's The Villages Golf carts might be refusing because they still want to sell gas.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What is the pro-rated schedule for the warranty? Also, do you expect to keep the cart 8-10 years? I have two electrics and we change batteries every 3.5 years which is about 2K over 7 years, last check the ION batteries cost more than that. Maybe it changed. Unfortunately we seem to change carts every 5 - 6 years.

Yes, the cost more but they are also maintenance free. You pay for the convenience of not having to water your batteries every month. So if you want to save money, buy a cart with lithium ion batteries use it in place of your car as much as possible and keep it for ten years.

From what I understand they have a much greater range. One company was touting 100 miles on a charge.

So if those two things are of interest to you then they are worth it.

Also there is no need to trade in an electric golf cart every 5-6 years. Electric carts will basically run forever.

[JoMar]

Yes, the cost more but they are also maintenance free. You pay for the convenience of not having to water your batteries every month. So if you want to save money, buy a cart with lithium ion batteries use it in place of your car as much as possible and keep it for ten years.

From what I understand they have a much greater range. One company was touting 100 miles on a charge.

So if those two things are of interest to you then they are worth it.

Also there is no need to trade in an electric golf cart every 5-6 years. Electric carts will basically run forever.

I have maintenance free batteries and they are not lithium so not watering. I don't know anyone that will sit in a golf cart for 100 miles. I get 50 miles easily and if I do that distance my butt hurts, even with the good seats I have. Hillsborough to Hacienda Hills, 18 holes of golf and back was 24.5 miles. Not a bit effort to put a plug in the socket....I can do that :). Didn't say I need to trade carts every 5 - 6 years, just that I do. It's a new toy thing.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I have maintenance free batteries and they are not lithium so not watering. I don't know anyone that will sit in a golf cart for 100 miles. I get 50 miles easily and if I do that distance my butt hurts, even with the good seats I have. Hillsborough to Hacienda Hills, 18 holes of golf and back was 24.5 miles. Not a bit effort to put a plug in the socket....I can do that :). Didn't say I need to trade carts every 5 - 6 years, just that I do. It's a new toy thing.

What kind of batteries do you have that are maintenance free and what is their cost compared to lithium ion?

[leftyf]

I have maintenance free batteries and they are not lithium so not watering. I don't know anyone that will sit in a golf cart for 100 miles. I get 50 miles easily and if I do that distance my butt hurts, even with the good seats I have. Hillsborough to Hacienda Hills, 18 holes of golf and back was 24.5 miles. Not a bit effort to put a plug in the socket....I can do that :). Didn't say I need to trade carts every 5 - 6 years, just that I do. It's a new toy thing.

How old are your batteries? Is this the first set of MF batteries you have had? Did you buy your cart with them?

I am getting ready to buy an electric cart and trying to decide which one.

[C. C. Rider]

I'm also interested in info on maintenance free golf cart batteries. I hate doing the maintenance on golf cart batteries. Acid bubbling out of the batteries, acid on top of the batteries, corrosion of terminals, the stink when charging the batteries, filling batteries to the proper level without overfilling, and all that stuff has just become a PITA to me. After doing that stuff for 3 different carts, I'm ready for something maintenance free while still being an electric cart. Not interested in gas carts.

[JoMar]

I have Trojan T105-AGM. The Star Dealer provided them when I bought the new cart last November. The cost was around 1,000.00 as I remember, more than the standard batteries but way less than lithium Ion. The only upside to the maintenance free is there is no watering or acid reflux :). There is no range advantage nor any longer life. Since I change carts every 5 - 6 years I assumed two battery change outs. One thing to consider if you go lithium ion is the warranty period and proration of cost. While they say they will last 10 years the full replacement warranty is significantly shorter after which the cost to replace is prorated on your usage. That might vary by manufacturer. I didn't see the value based on my buying schedule.

[Biker Dog]

The EzGo Elite are warranty 100% for 8 years. Own one and love it. Not cheap though.:coolsmiley:

[MorTech]

Don't know why not. It's up to the dealer, if it's like the other cart manufacturers it is a software adjustment. If you bought the cart and wanted it street legal they would adjust the speed so we know it can be done. If it's The Villages Golf carts might be refusing because they still want to sell gas.

The Yamaha AC (Toyota) controller can only be adjusted via proprietary equipment that Yamaha or Toyota wont release...as far as I know. I was hoping you knew something different :) Navitas makes a bluetooth/smartphone app adjustable 440A controller that is a direct replacement for the Yamaha AC but it costs $800.

I suppose one could get the Yamaha factory 2 inch lift kit and put larger diameter tires on it.

The new Club Car Onward HP electric might be a better idea.

[MorTech]

For maintenance free electric without expense of Lithium...Check out the new Yamaha AC carts with Trojan T875-AGM battery option from the factory. The AGM batteries will last longer (more charge cycles) and can be discharged more deeply than Flooded. No watering...No charging stink...No corrosion.

Always choose an electric cart with an AC motor...They are more powerful and efficient and will never break.

[JoMar]

The Yamaha AC (Toyota) controller can only be adjusted via proprietary equipment that Yamaha or Toyota wont release...as far as I know. I was hoping you knew something different :) Navitas makes a bluetooth/smartphone app adjustable 440A controller that is a direct replacement for the Yamaha AC but it costs $800.

I suppose one could get the Yamaha factory 2 inch lift kit and put larger diameter tires on it.

The new Club Car Onward HP electric might be a better idea.

I have had both vendors for my two electrics make a speed adjustment although I'm not sure the manufacturers would agree. There is always the conflict of what is legal and what is reality. Our 2015 cart is a DC and higher speeds can provide more wear, the other is a 2020 with an AC motor. I know 2 people that have been stopped by the police and charged with speeding, reckless driving and having an illegal vehicle. Both gas carts. They paid several hundred dollars in fines and had to show the vehicles were changed to a legal vehicle. That's over 6 years so the odds are slim of getting stopped I guess. Both did what they were supposed to do then reset them to a faster speed, maybe not what they were before but they keep up with traffic. :)