Golf Cart charging outlets in TV

[Arctic Fox]

The batteries on my cart are several years old and I want to make a longer-than-usual trip - way down south to Brownwood.

The cart has a built-in charger - are there any standard outlets anywhere in Brownwood where I can plug in to give it an hour's charge and ensure I get home?

Outback had one in Spanish Springs but I don't know what Brownwood offers.

Thank you

[dewilson58]

The batteries on my cart are several years old and I want to make a longer-than-usual trip - way down south to Brownwood.

The cart has a built-in charger - are there any standard outlets anywhere in Brownwood where I can plug in to give it an hour's charge and ensure I get home?

Outback had one in Spanish Springs but I don't know what Brownwood offers.

Thank you

Depends who you listen to.

There were posters who swore there are outlets at Rec Centers, until The Villages came out and stated they are not for public use.

Are there outlets in Brownwood, yes.
Are there public outlets in Brownwood, no.

:gc:

[justjim]

Actually often wondered why there wasn’t a place to charge my first cart (electric cart) - then switched to gas and the story ends.

[Bill14564]

Actually often wondered why there wasn’t a place to charge my first cart (electric cart) - then switched to gas and the story ends.

My guess: Available space, cost of infrastructure, metering and return on investment, and lack of interest.

Available space - Imagine the problems if even five spaces at each square were reserved for electric carts. Imagine the further problems if someone parks there at 2PM and leaves the cart there for the next seven hours while they have dinner and listen to the band.

Cost of infrastructure - Someone has to pay for the wiring, the outlets, the repair of the outlets, and the electricity

Metering and return on investments - Unless this is paid for through our amenity fees (and what an argument that would cause) then some form of metering would need to be put in place so that users can pay for the benefit and the electricity. Will the metering accept cash? Will it accept cards? Who will pay to collect the cash and maintain the equipment. How much will need to be charged to pay for both the initial equipment, the electricity, the maintenance, and the unproductive time when a charged cart is just taking up space?

Lack of interest - It won't take long for users to realize that it costs twice as much to pay for electricity at the newly installed charging stations than it does to charge at home. Users aren't going to want to pay for all that so most of the chargers will sit idle.

Installing chargers on highways so drivers can continue their road trip makes sense. It doesn't make as much sense to install chargers in a community that can easily wait until they return home.

[Arctic Fox]

My guess: Available space, cost of infrastructure, metering and return on investment, and lack of interest.

Available space - Imagine the problems if even five spaces at each square were reserved for electric carts. Imagine the further problems if someone parks there at 2PM and leaves the cart there for the next seven hours while they have dinner and listen to the band.

Cost of infrastructure - Someone has to pay for the wiring, the outlets, the repair of the outlets, and the electricity

Metering and return on investments - Unless this is paid for through our amenity fees (and what an argument that would cause) then some form of metering would need to be put in place so that users can pay for the benefit and the electricity. Will the metering accept cash? Will it accept cards? Who will pay to collect the cash and maintain the equipment. How much will need to be charged to pay for both the initial equipment, the electricity, the maintenance, and the unproductive time when a charged cart is just taking up space?

Lack of interest - It won't take long for users to realize that it costs twice as much to pay for electricity at the newly installed charging stations than it does to charge at home. Users aren't going to want to pay for all that so most of the chargers will sit idle.

Installing chargers on highways so drivers can continue their road trip makes sense. It doesn't make as much sense to install chargers in a community that can easily wait until they return home.

I'm not expecting chargers to be provided (since each cart maker seems to use a different system) just if there are any sockets (like you have in your house) that I can plug a cable in to. That was what was provided by Outback Steakhouse.

[dewilson58]

I'm not expecting chargers to be provided (since each cart maker seems to use a different system) just if there are any sockets (like you have in your house) that I can plug a cable in to. That was what was provided by Outback Steakhouse.

Like Bill said:
Cost of infrastructure - Someone has to pay for the wiring, the outlets, the repair of the outlets, and the electricity

Metering and return on investments - Unless this is paid for through our amenity fees (and what an argument that would cause) then some form of metering would need to be put in place so that users can pay for the benefit and the electricity. Will the metering accept cash? Will it accept cards? Who will pay to collect the cash and maintain the equipment. How much will need to be charged to pay for both the initial equipment, the electricity, the maintenance, and the unproductive time when a charged cart is just taking up space?

Electricity is cheap, difficult to get a ROI from $3 charges.

[MorTech]

Electricity cost for a golf cart is about 10 cents per hour.

[Papa_lecki]

Impossible, there are thousands of posts on TOTV that an electric cart has plenty of capacity to get all around the Villages.

[BrianL99]

I'm not expecting chargers to be provided (since each cart maker seems to use a different system) just if there are any sockets (like you have in your house) that I can plug a cable in to. That was what was provided by Outback Steakhouse.

Every consumer electric golf cart I've ever seen, plugs into a standard, 110-120 V American style electrical outlet.

[EastCoastDawg]

My guess: Available space, cost of infrastructure, metering and return on investment, and lack of interest.

I assume that someone at the head office of Outback Steakhouse thought it was a good idea to try to attract more custom. I can't imagine the local manager doing it himself. Whether or not it achieved that aim...

[Bill14564]

I assume that someone at the head office of Outback Steakhouse thought it was a good idea to try to attract more custom. I can't imagine the local manager doing it himself. Whether or not it achieved that aim...

Sure, if it attracts people to my business, great. But what if I am a business in LSL? Do you suppose CityFire can rope off a few parking places along the road and cut through the sidewalk to install outlets near the carts? What about Gators, which spots would they reserve for charging?

Outback either owns or leases the parking spots, either owns or can work with the owner of the sidewalk, can choose to pay for the installation of the outlets, and can pay for the electric. A business expense that may or may not draw in more customers. The businesses at the squares do not have those options.

[CarlR33]

The batteries on my cart are several years old and I want to make a longer-than-usual trip - way down south to Brownwood.

The cart has a built-in charger - are there any standard outlets anywhere in Brownwood where I can plug in to give it an hour's charge and ensure I get home?

Outback had one in Spanish Springs but I don't know what Brownwood offers.

Thank youIf you have a portable generator around just put in the back of the cart and charge as you go, LOL.

[Papa_lecki]

I assume that someone at the head office of Outback Steakhouse thought it was a good idea to try to attract more custom. I can't imagine the local manager doing it himself. Whether or not it achieved that aim...

Don’t kid yourself, Outlback (Bloomin Brands) do it to boost their ESG score.

[Paulz]

If you bought it from The Villages, they have outlets at the stores you can use is case on an emergency.

On an ongoing basis, I doubt it, as there are many carts available with real world 60+ range on a charge, that fit The Villages lifestyle.

[Berwin]

You can get a solar charging kit with the solar panel mounted on top of the roof. I just googled 'golf cart solar charger' and lots of options. And for the EV haters, I'm not recommending anyone buy one of these - just pointing out options.

[Southwest737]

Even though I love my Tesla, I'm definitely going the gas route when choosing a Golf Cart!
Why? I have 80-90 mile range in my EZGO. More than adequate. Love my Tesla and my EZGO with lithium. You couldn’t give me one of those antiquated piston pumping, belts a whirring, gasoline sucking, noxious fume blasting , noise making, low torque turds.

[Ignatz]

As nice of a gesture this would be by a business, I can’t see many businesses (lawyers) allowing people to stretch cords from their carts to the electrical outlets and creating tripping hazards that you just know people will find.

[Johnnybgood]

Why? I have 80-90 mile range in my EZGO. More than adequate. Love my Tesla and my EZGO with lithium. You couldn’t give me one of those antiquated piston pumping, belts a whirring, gasoline sucking, noxious fume blasting , noise making, low torque turds.
I have 2 gas Golfcarts one is 12 years old and looks great and runs like a top. It’s never been back for service. I change the oil and plug every year for a cost of 22 bucks. It has 15 thousand miles on it. My neighbor had to replace his battery at a cost of 5 grand. Don’t understand what’s to love

[Ducatigator]

Legitimate question. Electric golf cart sales are on the rise. Big thing is the consumer as well as the stores need to make sure they buy a large capacity lithium battery. The Village Golf Cart stores know it, but when people buy outside they don't. I have a 210 lithium, live deep south in Dabney and run to Spanish Springs, the Polo Club, Nancy Lopez and back with plenty of charge left. Anyone with a 105 lithium can not do that run. I usually tell people depending on your golf cart driving habits, you may get away with a160/180 lithium battery but you are skirting a bit on range limitations.

Now, charging. Hmmm. You would think that every Village golf Cart store would be the place to Start. Install a couple of stations, charge like everyone does for the lithium cars and have a limited timer and owner gets charged if they go over and don't pick up their cart. I do not own a Tesla but this is what my friends that do tell me the charging stations are like now. It really is for emergency purposes only. If you buy the right battery it isn't an issue. But i do agree, TV will need to address the issue in some manner relatively soon, next couple of years maybe???? Down South, electric seems to be really outshining gas in terms of choice.

As for the amenity fee, I do not think it's appropriate to increase fees for everyone just because of charging stations. It should be on a charge for use basis only.

I think businesses that have parking lots will start accommodations for electric carts sooner than later. But it does take a voice and suggestions.

Eastport would be a great place to start the trend.

Who knows, change takes time.

Regardless, enjoy the ride . Gas or electric, the lifestyle is amazing.We all live in paradise.

Have a blessed day.

Thanks
Serge

[Maker]

You can get a solar charging kit with the solar panel mounted on top of the roof. I just googled 'golf cart solar charger' and lots of options. And for the EV haters, I'm not recommending anyone buy one of these - just pointing out options.

How much power a solar panel will provide in a few hours of direct sunlight can be measured in adding only feet of range.

Useful if your cart is parked all day in sunlight and is not used much. Otherwise buyer beware.

[Dlbonivich]

My cart goes 60 miles I. A charge. Plugs into a regular plug they could add emergency plugs at the gas station at Brownwood near the gas pumps.

[PoolBrews]

You can get a solar charging kit with the solar panel mounted on top of the roof. I just googled 'golf cart solar charger' and lots of options. And for the EV haters, I'm not recommending anyone buy one of these - just pointing out options.

These are worthless. As an engineer, it's very easy to do the math.

1) A solar panel of that size would take many days in full sunlight to charge a battery. The amount of time a cart is outside in the sun during any drive is not enough to extend range by even a mile. Even a round of golf will not provide any appreciable charge.
2) The panel is only charging when it's outside in the sun. Most drives around The Villages are on paths with quite a bit of shade. Again, resulting in no appreciable charge.
3) With the added height to the roof, more tunnels will be an issue.
4) You will have tie it into your cart's system and this will invalidate the warranty.

The only good solution for an electric cart is to get one with a large lithium battery (200ah or bigger) that provides a range of 70+ miles. I have a 205ah battery and can go a bit over 70 miles with 10% remaining on the battery. I can go from the far north end of The Villages (near Lopez), to Shallow Creek, play 18, and return home with 20% battery.

[biker1]

If you figure a solar panel with a nominal output of 300 watts then you might get a mile or two of range per hour in the middle of the day. Of course, a mile only cost about 2 cents when charging at home is I don't really see the point.

How much power a solar panel will provide in a few hours of direct sunlight can be measured in adding only feet of range.

Useful if your cart is parked all day in sunlight and is not used much. Otherwise buyer beware.

[Arctic Fox]

Regardless, enjoy the ride . Gas or electric, the lifestyle is amazing.We all live in paradise.

Going everywhere in the golf carts is a high point of life in the Villages.

When we have guests, some insist on renting a car and never using the carts. Possibly fear of the unknown, but they are certainly missing out.

[mrf6969]

These are worthless. As an engineer, it's very easy to do the math.

1) A solar panel of that size would take many days in full sunlight to charge a battery. The amount of time a cart is outside in the sun during any drive is not enough to extend range by even a mile. Even a round of golf will not provide any appreciable charge.
2) The panel is only charging when it's outside in the sun. Most drives around The Villages are on paths with quite a bit of shade. Again, resulting in no appreciable charge.
3) With the added height to the roof, more tunnels will be an issue.
4) You will have tie it into your cart's system and this will invalidate the warranty.

The only good solution for an electric cart is to get one with a large lithium battery (200ah or bigger) that provides a range of 70+ miles. I have a 205ah battery and can go a bit over 70 miles with 10% remaining on the battery. I can go from the far north end of The Villages (near Lopez), to Shallow Creek, play 18, and return home with 20% battery.

So, there you have it. Charge at home or the alternative is a Yamaha quiet cart with 250 miles in the tank and stations everywhere. That is all that needs to be said.

[rsmurano]

Why would we pay for charging golf carts? We shouldn’t subsidize this sort of thing. If we subsidize this, then the residents should subsidize our gas for golf carts.
Electric carts will have a hard time doing a day loop around the villages, unlike a gas cart could make the loop a couple of times on a tank of gas.
Get a cart that will meet your needs.

[n8xwb]

Golf carts don't "fast charge" like EVs. The added range after an hour's charge would be minimal.

[Elixir34]

The batteries on my cart are several years old and I want to make a longer-than-usual trip - way down south to Brownwood.

The cart has a built-in charger - are there any standard outlets anywhere in Brownwood where I can plug in to give it an hour's charge and ensure I get home?

Outback had one in Spanish Springs but I don't know what Brownwood offers.

Thank you

Yes.
There is one on the side of the building in the walkway east of the Genesis workout building. Have to pull your cart from the parking lot up into the walkway.

[LeRoySmith]

I have a 205ah battery and can go a bit over 70 miles with 10% remaining on the battery.

We get similar results from our 205ah battery. If you knew in advance you were going to really stretch your range if you're extra careful on the throttle you could probably get another 5 or 6 miles range (but I've never gone long distance and had the discipline to be easy the entire time).

[dewilson58]

Yes.
There is one on the side of the building in the walkway east of the Genesis workout building. Have to pull your cart from the parking lot up into the walkway.

This is a public plug??? Or are you just stealing electricity???

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

why? I have 80-90 mile range in my ezgo. More than adequate. Love my tesla and my ezgo with lithium. You couldn’t give me one of those antiquated piston pumping, belts a whirring, gasoline sucking, noxious fume blasting , noise making, low torque turds.
truth

[Bill14564]

Yes.
There is one on the side of the building in the walkway east of the Genesis workout building. Have to pull your cart from the parking lot up into the walkway.

This is a public plug??? Or are you just stealing electricity???

and apparently parking on the sidewalk to do it.

[Arctic Fox]

You'll be delighted to hear that I made it to Brownwood and back with plenty of charge left - so if anyone needs a lift to MCO...

Sadly, the trip was pointless because, although I had taken the trouble to check with Village Cycles if they had my size tire in stock, and they confirmed that they did, when I got there they did NOT have any, and seemed surprised that I would have been told that they did (although not concerned enough to apologize to me for my wasted trip down from Spanish Springs).

[CarlR33]

I have 2 gas Golfcarts one is 12 years old and looks great and runs like a top. It’s never been back for service. I change the oil and plug every year for a cost of 22 bucks. It has 15 thousand miles on it. My neighbor had to replace his battery at a cost of 5 grand. Don’t understand what’s to love Yes, and you have a 12 year old cart that has depreciated by probably the same amount as his batteries and he has a new cart (with batteries) and you still have a 12 year old cart?

[dewilson58]

Yes, and you have a 12 year old cart that has depreciated by probably the same amount as his batteries and he has a new cart (with batteries) and you still have a 12 year old cart?

:what:...........Neighbor has the same old cart.

[Bill14564]

I have 2 gas Golfcarts one is 12 years old and looks great and runs like a top. It’s never been back for service. I change the oil and plug every year for a cost of 22 bucks. It has 15 thousand miles on it. My neighbor had to replace his battery at a cost of 5 grand. Don’t understand what’s to love

Would you happen to have any details on that battery replacement?

Newer lithium carts come with eight year warranties. I didn't think there were any lithium carts that old yet (sold before 2015). Did his lithium cart not have a battery warranty? Was there a reason the warranty was not honored?

It looks like replacement lithium batteries sell for about $2K today. OK, a few years ago they would be higher, installation would add cost, and the repair shop may add a premium. $5K might be realistic for lithium. It looks like lead-acid should have been more in the $2K range.

[Windguy]

I don’t know what the rules are, but I’ve seen outlets at starter shacks.

[dewilson58]

I don’t know what the rules are, but I’ve seen outlets at starter shacks.

Rules???.................really???

Free electricity??..........really??

There are outlets at Walmart, at Circle K, at my house...........None are for free use.

[Arctic Fox]

Golf carts certainly are an emotional topic. I never would have guessed.

Yes, it is a shame how most threads on TOTV deteriorate so quickly

All I was asking was if any businesses in Brownwood have an electricity outlet for their customers so I can make a one-off trip there with old batteries (that are more than adequate for my day-to-day use) and I get accused of wanting all of my charging to be paid for by everyone else via the monthly VCDD billing...

...then in comes the usual crowd saying that gas beats electric / electric beats gas

Would be nice if people stuck to the subject of a thread. If you don't know the answer the politest thing is to not post, whereas the rudest thing is to hijack the thread for your own purposes.

Maybe these people don't know how easy it is to start their own thread?

[dewilson58]

All I was asking was if any businesses in Brownwood have an electricity outlet for their customers so I can make a one-off trip there with old batteries (that are more than adequate for my day-to-day use) and I get accused of wanting all of my charging to be paid for by everyone else via the monthly VCDD billing...


The highlighted above would have helped significantly if included in your original post.

We had a poster a year ago saying all outside outlets at Everglades Rec Center was available for charging carts. Not.

Congrats on your successful round trip.

:ho:

[Topspinmo]

Maybe villages will get hundred charging point for the 60 billion plus infrastructure bill by 2034? Let’s see? they done 8 so far? By then electric charging will include road tax. Or maybe by then all the gas stations will be charging points? Makes no difference to me I’ll be in nursing home by then or entered pearly gates driving my 56 bel air 4 speed.:beer3:

[Dusty_Star]

Yes.
There is one on the side of the building in the walkway east of the Genesis workout building. Have to pull your cart from the parking lot up into the walkway.


I'm pretty sure driving the cart on the walkway is illegal, & if pedestrians happen to be around & want to use the walkway then it would be immoral too.

Stealing has of course, always been illegal & immoral.

[Bogie Shooter]

This is a public plug??? Or are you just stealing electricity???

And driving on a …..walkway…..!

[Maker]

If you figure a solar panel with a nominal output of 300 watts then you might get a mile or two of range per hour in the middle of the day. Of course, a mile only cost about 2 cents when charging at home is I don't really see the point.

Panel rated at 300 watts will deliver 300 watts
- - ONLY IF - -
Panel is perpendicular to the direction of the sunlight because efficiency falls of quickly at off angles. That won't happen on a moving cart.
Panel is in direct, unshaded sunlight. Efficiency falls of dramatically when not getting full sun at mid day. Haze, clouds, rain, all render panels ineffective.
Many MMP are in shade and that will severely reduce output, even of every other condition is perfect.
Panel is spotless clean. Dirt reduces output.

I would also be concerned with overall mechanical integrity. Carts bounce around, sometimes get whacked by tree limbs, and can scrape tunnels. A damaged panel does not work.
Comparing actual average performance to best case performance is like selling snake oil.

[biker1]

If you had read my post carefully you would have noticed that I used "might" and "I don't really see the point". It sounds like you are agreeing with me.

Panel rated at 300 watts will deliver 300 watts
- - ONLY IF - -
Panel is perpendicular to the direction of the sunlight because efficiency falls of quickly at off angles. That won't happen on a moving cart.
Panel is in direct, unshaded sunlight. Efficiency falls of dramatically when not getting full sun at mid day. Haze, clouds, rain, all render panels ineffective.
Many MMP are in shade and that will severely reduce output, even of every other condition is perfect.
Panel is spotless clean. Dirt reduces output.

I would also be concerned with overall mechanical integrity. Carts bounce around, sometimes get whacked by tree limbs, and can scrape tunnels. A damaged panel does not work.
Comparing actual average performance to best case performance is like selling snake oil.

[Maker]

If you had read my post carefully you would have noticed that I used "might" and "I don't really see the point". It sounds like you are agreeing with me.

I would agree if "might" means one day in a year, someone "might" get that performance.
The words I would agree with are "extremely rarely"

I do agree that they are a waste of money for a cart.

[Nana2Teddy]

Impossible, there are thousands of posts on TOTV that an electric cart has plenty of capacity to get all around the Villages.
Unless the battery is several years old as stated clearly by the OP. And likely not lithium.