Propane powered golf carts?

[B&BTexas]

Has anyone had any experience with a golf cart being converted to run propane? A friend, here in Texas, told me that there is a conversion process that will allow propane to power your golf cart via a propane cylinder (like you use for your BBQ). He said that was cleaner and running cleaner, would make the carts engine last longer. Being a rookie at all of this, I am seeking greater knowledge from all of you that have much more experience me. Also, any TV restrictions on this type of cart? We will be moving into Tamarind Grove towards the end of the year. If this is something worthwhile, I might consider doing before we move, unless there is a reputable installer/converter close to TV. Any info that ya'll have would greatly appreciated.
B&BTexas

[CarGuys]

Hi Neighbor! We will be there next July just purschased our lot yesterday.

I have had experience with propane commercial grade lawn mowers. Saw them at EPA clean cities events and feedback from many state parks who have used them.

They work well, however look like rocket ships!

Propane can be safely used however! for our driving range of " Fun" in the villages your cart would have to be all tank on the back.

Propane is clean, no smell , few emissions,great engine life however has poor btu's and poor mileage. So the huge tanks! Performance suffers some unless the engine has been upgraded to a high compression pistion and different timing changes.

So for the time it is either the knocka knocknaa clunk clunk rattle polluting 90% of sales gas cart or like me going against the masses and picking electric. Been testing then em all week!

Right now today, my first choice is the Tomerlin. Stock! No pimp daddie huge tires. However better seating and enhanced batteries for range. I love the street legal construction but still cart path legal.

Herv

[tkret]

Check to see if there is any legal liability to taken a propane-powered vehicle through the tunnels of The Villages. Although the tunnels are not that long, in some locals the use of "open" propane tanks through any tunnel is prohibited. Better check it out for this area before investing in a propane-powered golf car.:read:

[getdul981]

However better seating and enhanced batteries for range. I love the street legal construction but still cart path legal.

Herv

Just my personal opinion, but I think any vehicle that has a registration and license plate should not be on the multi-modal paths. If you are street legal, drive in the street! (I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack about this)

[ajbrown]

There are already enough safety issues driving carts around TV, now we will have people grilling as the drive? I wonder what effect grilling has on range per tank....:throwtomatoes:

As I think about it, there are times where a hot dog on the golf course would be great!

[tkret]

There are already enough safety issues driving carts around TV, now we will have people grilling as the drive? I wonder what effect grilling has on range per tank....:throwtomatoes:

As I think about it, there are times where a hot dog on the golf course would be great!

:BigApplause: Now, that's a good one. Thanks for the chuckle AJ

[CarGuys]

Oh I agree with you about street legal on the road not on the paths. The Tomberin is same size speed as anyone else's cart ( not modified! )

I was just as a newbie and new property owner amazed at the miles a Villager can put on their carts. After 35 years of Automotive Teaching and training technicians I have been eye balling your carts for suspension wear tire wear and watching handleing ( before happy hour)

Unlike most I buy from the bottom up construction not the top down.

Semi Retiring next July, We lost our shirt gave away our home in this dismal market so we could get our lot this visit. We are in Tamerind Grove, Our home is being built this December. Scarred to death to move here. Will be loosing all my old freinds and automotive networks.

Regards Herv

[EdV]

Just my personal opinion, but I think any vehicle that has a registration and license plate should not be on the multi-modal paths. If you are street legal, drive in the street! (I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack about this)

Hey, why stop there. Why not ban all gasoline powered vehicles from the multi-modal paths.

[Jim Straz]

Hey Herv,
Check out this cart as well, and I too, an Up-stater, Auburn, am in The "Grove", lot 153'
http://www.starelectricvehicles.com/ The Tomberlin is built very well and for me it's a coin toss between these two.

[red tail]

Just my personal opinion, but I think any vehicle that has a registration and license plate should not be on the multi-modal paths. If you are street legal, drive in the street! (I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack about this)

spoken like a true 'wannabe'

[DDoug]

I think all golf carts that used the way we use them here should have an odometer on them .Then at the end of the year we could get a credit on our taxes for using electric instead of gas. Street legal or not.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Just my personal opinion, but I think any vehicle that has a registration and license plate should not be on the multi-modal paths. If you are street legal, drive in the street! (I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack about this)

spoken like a true 'wannabe'

red tail - What leads you to believe getdul981 is a 'wannabe'?? Just curious.........

Bill :)

[CarGuys]

I agree. Governments and local Fleets are all getting tax credits and incentatives to go green. We as Villagers have the ablity to start a very cool movement. We should get the same incentatives as those that buy a new alt fuel car. 7500 tax credit and tax incentatives to buy home charging stations. I believe this because of the huge miles Villagers put on their vehicles. Also the numbers of carts here is very impressive.

One lawn single cylinder mower pollutes more than a several multi cylinder fuel injected cat equipped cars. So do the math on # of carts in the villages times no emission controlls.

If fast charging stations were installed at pools, town squares etc no one would ever have range anxiety. I'm not a wanna be I have driven alt fuel vehicle not even released yet. There is some very cool stuff out there. And some pretty impressive performance.

Hunters Farmers and Construction workers are impressed at a new generation of four wheel drive electic ATV's and how they can pull stumps sneak up quite on game and not noise pollute.

And before I get called a wannbe or whatever ? I'll have to go sit on my modified CVO Screaming Eagle Harley and enjoy what a real gas engine can do.

Wanna watch a fast electric

plasmaboy racing -White Zombie Google it. enjoy.

[CarGuys]

Jim,

Thanks for the site. Almost thought the same parent company at first?
Vehicles look well built also. Would have to drive one. Have you had a chance to compare the two on a cart trail.
Herv

[Jim Straz]

Herv,

Have not had a chance to compare the rides as yet. I did visit the dealer, Allstar Golf Cars over on 441 near Five Guys Burgers. He's the new owner and the two people I've met that have bought new carts from him rave about the service. Soup to nuts on the SS is about $8500 and that's with the new better seats that are easier when you golf most of the time.
His address is 570 North hwy 441 at the Village Crossroads center, 352-750-3246 You won't be sorry you went and looked at it.

[getdul981]

spoken like a true 'wannabe'

Wannabe what? When we purchased our golf cart, I would have preferred to have an electric, but after much searching on this site and contemplating the eventual size of TV, we decided on a gas. I asked our agent when we were looking for a home if there were charging stations anywhere around TV and was told that they are not needed. I realize that when the batteries are new, you get plenty of mileage, but each charge is just a little bet less than the previous. I prefer to just check my tank and make sure I have at least 1/4 tank of gas.

[CarGuys]

Good Advise,

Thanks

[aljetmet]

Herv,

Have not had a chance to compare the rides as yet. I did visit the dealer, Allstar Golf Cars over on 441 near Five Guys Burgers. He's the new owner and the two people I've met that have bought new carts from him rave about the service. Soup to nuts on the SS is about $8500 and that's with the new better seats that are easier when you golf most of the time.
His address is 570 North hwy 441 at the Village Crossroads center, 352-750-3246 You won't be sorry you went and looked at it.

Are you talking about the STARev?

[Jim Straz]

Are you talking about the STARev?
Yes, the Star ev

[aljetmet]

Good to compare to the Tomberlin. :thumbup: Seems the STARev not big yet in TV.

Maybe by the time we arrive.

[gongoozler]

1. Certainly would not want to store propane in the garage or any enclosed area for that matter. Don't even think it would be legal as it is against the law to bring a propane tank into a store in Marion and Lake Counties - not sure about Sumter but Ace Hardware will not let you bring a tank inside.

2. Street legal is the way to go . . . even though they are all electric. Most people who get hurt in golf cart accidents are hurt because they fall out the carts . . . street legals have safty belts and they are well worth using in a golf cart when you are not on the course.

3. Tomberlin is the best built of the street legals . . . 4 wheel disk brakes, hydralic breaks, ect. If you push against a Tomberlin from the side and then compare to other street legals you will see how heavy and stable they are.

4. Use eight-six volt batteries in the Tomberlin and you get better torque and about 50+ miles on a full charge (Par Car will be a better range but at the expense of other things breaking down). . . good enough for any place in TV . . . you could run from RT 42 to RT. 44, play 18 holes and return with no problems. When playing golf you could set the cart to slow speed and even do better with the range.

5. Besides the range, you get there faster going 25 instead of 20 and even those with illegal gas carts that have them going over 20 have to go slower because of tunnels and crossing of streets at the gates.

6. Tomberlin's have an on-board charger so all you have to bring with you is an extension cord and you can charge-up in many places if you look around - such as Outback on Rt. 27/441.

7. If you do a lot of driving with a cart then consider putting a solar cell unit on the roof and charge on the go . . . after all it pretty sunny most of the time here in The Villages.

8. I'd rather follow a street legal on the cart paths than a stinking gas powered cart that is illegally enchanced . . . they stink up the tunnels and breathing those fumes cannot be good for you!

9. California has made the purchase of gas carts illegal in the future . . . something that Florida will consider somewhere down the line.

[CarGuys]

It's only a matter of time before Gas carts will be banned or will have to upfitted with emission controls.

All I had to do is look at a Tomberlin while up on a service lift! I'm sold.

So hold on all. When Lith - Ion batteries come down in price this will be another positive for performance, charging times rates and enhanced mileage.

The technology from EV cars will trickel down to LSV and Carts.

Hey can you all imagine the Works GT commercial with them holding a lead acid car battery to run the trimmer- LOL No its a lith-ion doing the work.

Of course we can all give up on electrics and still have a fuel engine. We just switch em over to pure ethanol other wise know as moon shine!

Then you can have your own bar for happy hour! LOL

Propane carts to grill with and Jack Daniels Carts to drink with.

Gotta Laugh!

[Jim 9922]

EZ -Go is way ahead of all of you with their just announced 150 mile range "electric" cart. They are strapping on a small gas generator to partially charge the batteries while underway. Of course there is no room for golf clubs and I assume it will stink and make noise like gas carts.
Talk about pounding in a screw with a sledge hammer! :22yikes:
Don't believe me? Go to the EZ-Go website.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

..........Don't believe me? Go to the EZ-Go website.

http://www.ezgo.com/Exceed.html

Bill :)