Best Electric Cart to buy

[cordenny]

I would like to know what type of electric cart people have in TV and if they are happy with them. What make do you have and how many batteries.

I would appreciate some guidance.

[Buckeye]

I have a Par Car but I am rethinking my choice because I have experienced many mechanical and battery problems.
I also look forward to your responses from Club, EZGO, and Yamaha owners.

[Bosoxfan]

EZ Go RXV...by far the best electric out there.Drive one and see

[rubicon]

My repair guy has repeatedly indicated that he favor the Club Car DS seies. he does not like the Precedent which I own , does like the front ends on Par Car, won't comment on Tomberlain Merge and never mentioned the EZ Go

[FMF Doc]

EZ Go RXV...by far the best electric out there.Drive one and see

:BigApplause::BigApplause::agree:

[blueash]

Have a 2 yr old EZGO. When I ordered it I paid for an upgrade from their 4 x 12 to 6 x 8 batteries. So far, perfect and it gets heavy use.

[George Bieniaszek]

EZ Go RXV...by far the best electric out there.Drive one and see

Another vote for the EZGO RXV!!!!

I have a 2010 with over 7,000 miles on it and it gave me absolutely no problems. I have the 4/12 volt batteries and if I would do it again, I think I would opt for the 6/8 volts for greater range.

I replaced my batteries recently and have no range issues going from Pennecamp to play golf at Briarwood or Oakleigh and back just to give you a real world experience on the range.

One suggestion is to also buy a Battery Minder to decrease the chance of sulfur deposits on your batteries.

[ajbrown]

If I was in the market today, I would also be looking at used EZGO/AC and researching the Yamaha electric with room for 8-6v batteries.....but alas I am not, so...

Whenever I am in a conversation like this, the first thing I point out is the word best is very subjective. Best for what?

For my wife and I, we wanted:

two carts and they had to be electric.
Cost. We wanted two carts, there was no way in heck, I would drop 8-12K on a cart. For goodness sake, it is just a golf cart :ohdear:
Next I knew that a golf cart is not a car, there are not that many moving parts and even a guy like me could fix a used one. Show me a car that skips during acceleration and I may take 45 minutes to get the hood open, but on an electric cart I could probably isolate the issue with help from Internet experts.
It had to have 6-8V batteries minimum, the battery pack configuration had to go 30 miles minimum range per charge for 3 years.
Parts availability.


That led me into the used market. For us the best carts are two 2002 Club Car DS models, one has 6-8V and one has 8-6V packs. A cart like this costs around $1800 - $2500 in a private sale. These carts meet my minimum requirements for range which is Mallory to Lopez for golf and back through Spanish Springs for a bite. When I get home, I know I have charge left for more miles, but if I want to go somewhere, I take the second cart, that is how I get 80 miles per day :ho:

The other thing I love about Club Car is the availability of parts. Since I fix my own, this mattered. To be clear, I cannot think of the last time I had an issue, they just run. I found Par Car was very difficult to get parts for when compared to other brands.


What is not best about my carts?


These carts will slow down going uphill. In the hills of Malory (Odell) there are some tough hills. One cart will slow to 16MPH. EZGO/AC drive will not slow down, so if going up a hill without slowing is high on your list, you do not want a stock Club Car. There were no EZGO AC used carts available yet when I bought, maybe in 2016 if I am around.

My carts are not spanking new, so you may need to tweak stuff like the steering or brakes. Easy peasy DIY or relatively in expensive to have someone do it…..

Since I bought used, I needed to understand enough about carts to buy one in a private sale. I was amazed at the carts people tried to sell.


GOOD LUCK!

[Fourpar]

:BigApplause:
As always, on target with useful info!

[jebartle]

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae278/jebartle1/th_tessiedriverconvert.jpg (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/jebartle1/media/tessiedriverconvert.jpg.html)

[Villages Kahuna]

Drive one and see.They go just as fast uphill as downhill with their totally electronic drive system. One other thing--the E-Z-GO is a couple inches wider than any of the other golf cars. When you test drive it, bring the missus, sit side-by-side and see what I mean.

There's no question. The E-Z-GO RXV is a top choice.

[jimbo2012]

Ok the lighter the cart the further it will go, I assume we will agree on that.

It takes more power uses more battery amps to run/push a heavier cart.

Club cars have an aluminum frame, and R about 100lbs lighter.

So my vote is Club Cars.

[capecodkev]

where is the best place to buy an EZ GO?

[Buckeye]

I know Par Car has 8-6volts along with Yamaha.
How about EZGO and Club carts.
What is the most amount of batteries you can place in them??

[TomSpasm]

My research last year led me to buy a used 2008 Club Car DS in very good condition with 4x12v batteries and switch them out to 8x6v batteries for max range. Costs time and money for that upgrade, but it works for me and so far, range is not an issue in any way, shape or form...

[Bosoxfan]

where is the best place to buy an EZ GO?

Go talk to Kyle @ Town & Country over at the publix shopping center in Spanish Springs.They're right next to the Villages Cycles.Great guys & their service is top notch!!

[Bosoxfan]

Ok the lighter the cart the further it will go, I assume we will agree on that.

It takes more power uses more battery amps to run/push a heavier cart.

Club cars have an aluminum frame, and R about 100lbs lighter.

So my vote is Club Cars.

You have a point but as stated above the fact that you don't lose speed going uphill, the smoothness of the ride...IMHO nothing matches the EZ Go RXV

[jimbo2012]

R U saying that club cars lose speed up hills?

[rubicon]

I believe the club car DS series has more leg room and a little wider than most other carts mentioned here. The Precedent is smaller . The ride with the EZ GO's I've been in are not as smooth as the club car

[TrudyM]

Drive one and see.They go just as fast uphill as downhill with their totally electronic drive system. One other thing--the E-Z-GO is a couple inches wider than any of the other golf cars. When you test drive it, bring the missus, sit side-by-side and see what I mean.

There's no question. The E-Z-GO RXV is a top choice.

That's good to know for us that are now wider than most others ourselves.

[George Bieniaszek]

where is the best place to buy an EZ GO?

Bought mine at Town & Country in Spanish Springs. They are outstanding!!

[junction29]

Bought mine at Town & Country in Spanish Springs. They are outstanding!!

They will go faster with these batteries!

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/just-fun-109/villages-first-bio-degradable-battery-73950/ :crap2::crap2::gc:

[Buckeye]

bump

[WaltR]

We started out looking for a used electric cart back in Nov of 2010. Ended up buying a new 2010 Star Cart, and have been very satisfied so far. I think the Star is probably one of the most under-rated carts out there

[mountaineergirl]

I agree. We love our Star Cart.

[sirknor]

We bought a new Star in 2009. We really like it. Have had normal maintenance. The dealer is real good with service. I would buy another one.

[2-crazy]

I would like to know what type of electric cart people have in TV and if they are happy with them. What make do you have and how many batteries.

I would appreciate some guidance.

Talk to Frank Re at Sta-Rite Carts & Accessories in Fruitland Park, 352-326-3100 he will give you straight advise on carts.

[vito711]

Looks great,
any Yesteryears out there for sale?

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan
EZ Go RXV...by far the best electric out there.Drive one and see

I agree with the EZ-GO for electric.

[elevatorman]

How about one loke this..... Radio Flyer Car Original Story By Mike Nederbrock for KTUU-TV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/embed/-1w48qPF5hc)

[Cathy H]

We price-compared new EZGO, PARCAR & Club Car (Electric) and so far Club car is lowest. Should we buy it?

[stuckinparadise]

We are also in the market for a golf cart and were leaning toward the Yamaha, now I'm not so sure. We definitely want an electric cart but it sounds like most people on this thread are happy with the EZGO. Does anyone out there have a Yamaha?

[jimbo2012]

My first choice are the Club Cars, they are about 100lbs lighter in weight because they use an alum frame (no driveway rust) less weight = more distance.

Just add out solar and go all day & nite

[philnpat]

My first choice are the Club Cars, they are about 100lbs lighter in weight because they use an alum frame (no driveway rust) less weight = more distance.

Just add out solar and go all day & nite

I haven't seen any frame rust causing driveway stains but have seen yellow/brown driveway stains caused by leaking battery acid from electric carts.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I was in the golf business for 35 years. In that time I managed, maintained and purchased several golf cart fleets. Back in the 80s and 90s EZ Go were generally considered to the the Cadillac of golf carts. In the late mid 90s, Club Car made several changes to their carts and just overtook the market. I think that it was the aluminum frame that first got so much attention and then they were the first ones to develop the 48 volt system with six 8-volt batteries.
I think that Club Cars are still the best out there. The lightweight frame allows them to use a lot less power to get more miles and it never rusts out.

I have a 48 volt Club Car with six 8-volt batteries and when I need new batteries, I am going to do the conversion to eight 6-volt batteries.

Another note of caution. If you like the carts with the fancy bodies like the Yesteryear carts or the '57 Chevy that's fine. Some people love them, but be advised that those bodies are much heavier than a standard golf cart body and will cut down on your range.

[jimbo2012]

I haven't seen any frame rust causing driveway stains but have seen yellow/brown driveway stains caused by leaking battery acid from electric carts.

So R U saying that the battery in a gas cart can't have a leaking battery?

It's called lack of maintenance, having an elec cart is not the reason.

[glgene]

I was in the golf business for 35 years. In that time I managed, maintained and purchased several golf cart fleets. Back in the 80s and 90s EZ Go were generally considered to the the Cadillac of golf carts. In the late mid 90s, Club Car made several changes to their carts and just overtook the market. I think that it was the aluminum frame that first got so much attention and then they were the first ones to develop the 48 volt system with six 8-volt batteries.
I think that Club Cars are still the best out there. The lightweight frame allows them to use a lot less power to get more miles and it never rusts out.

I have a 48 volt Club Car with six 8-volt batteries and when I need new batteries, I am going to do the conversion to eight 6-volt batteries.

What is the conversion cost to go from six 8-volt batteries to eight 6-volt batteries? The total cost, incl. two addt'l batteries? How many more miles would you get in extra range?

Gene

[jimbo2012]

Gene there's a second part of that questions which needs to be included.

Two batteries weigh about 130lbs, extra cables and battery brackets weigh I guess 20-30 lbs, call it 150 for sake of discussion.

So the extra batteries will give more amps = distance but it will be diminished by the extra weight.

A club cart is about 500 lbs add the extra batteries so it's now 650 lbs.

that really hurts going up the small hills & tunnels.

Now the cost to add the batteries & cables $225-$250
cost to fabricate the bracket?????

Maintain more batteries

I know I'm bias, but the solar option blows this idea away in many other ways.

.

[kittygilchrist]

Tessie is adorable!

[ajbrown]

What is the conversion cost to go from six 8-volt batteries to eight 6-volt batteries? The total cost, incl. two addt'l batteries? How many more miles would you get in extra range?

Gene

Here is an estimate from Frank7 with details.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/454934-post2.html

[ajbrown]

What is the conversion cost to go from six 8-volt batteries to eight 6-volt batteries? The total cost, incl. two addt'l batteries? How many more miles would you get in extra range?

Gene

I forgot I had this still. If you find mind numbing data interesting, read the chart. It contains a test I did when I was converting my cart from 6-8s to 8-6s. It was the exact same cart for both runs. The only difference was the battery pack installed.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/batterytestBOTH.jpg

[glgene]

Gene there's a second part of that questions which needs to be included.

Two batteries weigh about 130lbs, extra cables and battery brackets weigh I guess 20-30 lbs, call it 150 for sake of discussion.

So the extra batteries will give more amps = distance but it will be diminished by the extra weight.

A club cart is about 500 lbs add the extra batteries so it's now 650 lbs.

that really hurts going up the small hills & tunnels.

Now the cost to add the batteries & cables $225-$250
cost to fabricate the bracket?????

Maintain more batteries

I know I'm bias, but the solar option blows this idea away in many other ways.

.

Jimbo,

Good info from you. Thanks!

OK...here's the $64,000 question: When will your solar-powered cart be ready for action....May, June, ??? Inquiring minds are inquiring. <g>

Gene

[bbatts]

What about the GEM. Looks good, but I don't see very many around TV.

[Jimbo120]

I would like to know what type of electric cart people have in TV and if they are happy with them. What make do you have and how many batteries.

I would appreciate some guidance.

Before I purchased my Starr Cart I did hear of some people having electrical problems but I have been very happy with mine. It is 48 Volt with 8 - 6 volt batteries (which I believe give you the best range). Other reasons I purchased one: Priced a few thousand less than similar equiped Yamaha or Club Car,4 seater with flip up seat, seat belts std. nice sumbrella cover std, a little higher headroom. Also I purchased with 10 inch tires instead of the 13 inch standard tires to improve ride. You may want to go over and look at them. Good luck!

[Jimbo120]

What about the GEM. Looks good, but I don't see very many around TV.

You dont see many around as they only make a street legal to the best of my knowledge.

[KBusch]

My first choice are the Club Cars, they are about 100lbs lighter in weight because they use an alum frame (no driveway rust) less weight = more distance.

Just add out solar and go all day & nite

I'd like to see this solar too. It must be very revolutionary as I have never seen solar be able to do what you are saying it is capable of doing. You will be a millionaire if it works. A solar panel that fits on top of a golf car AND can charge a pack of golf cart batteries? Wow, sounds too good to be true.

[jimbo2012]

See this thread (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/solar-golf-carts-347/solar-golf-carts-61963/)

[KBusch]

It doesn't state how many watts the system puts back into the batteries. I'd like to do some calculations and figure some other factors in. Having seen solar tried on golf cars since the early 80's, I haven't seen any that can make it so you don't have to charge up your cart without using the factory charger. Can you provide how many watts the system puts out?

[My Daily Run]

I love my Parcar...2011 model and I have not had one problem and great service !!!

[Halle]

To those of you that have a EZGO RXV Freedom what is the max distance you estimate you can go on a single charge?

[par]

I would like to know what type of electric cart people have in TV and if they are happy with them. What make do you have and how many batteries.

I would appreciate some guidance.
By a gas cart!

[jimbo2012]

By a gas cart!


What is it U didn't understand the question.

He does want to hear it, smell it or go to gas stations.

In fact he cares about the future generations and his carbon footprint, perhaps.

Club Cars all the way

[glgene]

What is it U didn't understand the question.

He does want to hear it, smell it or go to gas stations.

In fact he cares about the future generations and his carbon footprint, perhaps.

Club Cars all the way

Jimbo...Why 'Club Cars all the way?' Why not Yamaha, EZGO, etc? Serious question.

Gene

[jimbo2012]

Gene

In elec carts distance and weight have a significant correlation, lighter an object less battery drain to get going, less battery drain to keep going.

CC's have all aluminum chassis and weight less than the others 50-75lbs, the one other minor perk is no rust stains when they get older.

I have two, one with 6 batteries the other with 4 just to further test the distance with 2 less batteries weighing about 140 lbs less.

I'll be doing a lot tests with these two when I get back.

below is the dry weight without batteries or extras
Club Car Precedent Electric: 495 Pounds
Club Car DS IQ-System Electric: 498 Pounds

EZGO RXV Electric: 571 Pounds
EZGO Medalist/TXT Electric: 550 Pounds

Yamaha G22 Electric: 549 Pounds
Yamaha G19 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G16 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G14 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G9 Electric: 519 Pounds (not bad)
Yamaha G8 Electric: 556 Pounds

[Schaumburger]

Gene

In elec carts distance and weight have a significant correlation, lighter an object less battery drain to get going, less battery drain to keep going.

CC's have all aluminum chassis and weight less than the others 50-75lbs, the one other minor perk is no rust stains when they get older.

I have two, one with 6 batteries the other with 4 just to further test the distance with 2 less batteries weighing about 140 lbs less.

I'll be doing a lot tests with these two when I get back.

below is the dry weight without batteries or extras
Club Car Precedent Electric: 495 Pounds
Club Car DS IQ-System Electric: 498 Pounds

EZGO RXV Electric: 571 Pounds
EZGO Medalist/TXT Electric: 550 Pounds

Yamaha G22 Electric: 549 Pounds
Yamaha G19 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G16 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G14 Electric: 560 Pounds
Yamaha G9 Electric: 519 Pounds (not bad)
Yamaha G8 Electric: 556 Pounds

Jimbo - Thank you for posting this information. This is why I enjoy reading TOTV. I see you live in Fernandina -- how far have you driven your Club Cars in one day and/or what is your typical daily usage of your Club Cars?

[jimbo2012]

I only had it on the road here about 10 days before I left so hard to say, but the first day went 43 miles or so with almost 50% battery reserve.

That was on the 4 12V not the 6 8volt cart which I test when I get back

[Schaumburger]

I only had it on the road here about 10 days before I left so hard to say, but the first day went 43 miles or so with almost 50% battery reserve.

That was on the 4 12V not the 6 8volt cart which I test when I get back

Please post your test results when you return. Someday when I hope to move to TV, I am leaning towards getting an electric cart as I love their quietness. Nothing like being able to hear yourself think and the sounds of nature as you drive the cart :).

[Rickg]

I live in fernandina and bought a used club car DS with six 8 volt batteries that I was told were new Nov 2012. In April I went from Placida Villas in Fernandina to Colony, to LSL Starbucks. Then on to Spanish Springs to the square and golf cart store. From there I went to Brownwood and back home. I drove 18/19 mph. On the last leg to home I could notice a reduction in performance, but I could still maintain 18/19 mph. I'm not sure how good this is for the batteries but I wanted to know how far I could go. I don't see myself ever going further than this, so I'm happy.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What about the GEM. Looks good, but I don't see very many around TV.

I see quite a few of them around TV and most have For Sale sings on them.

I looked into buying one about a year ago. I test drove one and they are very fast and remarkably smooth riding. They have two speeds. One is the energy saving mode where the cart will go about 20mph or so and the other is the fast mode which brings it up to 25mph.
They have a 72 volt system. I forget what the battery configuration is.

The reasons that I didn't buy one are many. #1, the range is 25 miles. They will not go any further than that. #2, they are very expensive and I couldn't see spending $15,000 to go 25 miles per day. #3, according to Florida law, they must be registered and insured as they come under the category of a Low Speed Vehicle and not a golf cart. They must also have seat belts and all of the other safety equipment that a car has including a solid windshield that cannot be opened. I love to ride with the top half of my windshield down.
The cost of registering and insuring is somewhere in the order of $2,000 the first years. It goes down a bit after the first year.
Basically, I want a golf cart, not another car.

[ajbrown]

<Stuff snipped by Alan for brevity> On the last leg to home I could notice a reduction in performance, but I could still maintain 18/19 mph. I'm not sure how good this is for the batteries but I wanted to know how far I could go. I don't see myself ever going further than this, so I'm happy.

No matter what type of electric cart you get, no matter the battery configuration or if you have solar. Get a volt meter installed in your golf cart. It is a pretty simple DIY project and I suspect a relatively inexpensive install if you hire someone. Understanding how much your batteries are discharged is part of battery maintenance and will keep you from being another stranded casualty for the gassers to make fun of :D. In addition, you will start to see trends in your pack, e.g., played Lopez and came home and pack was at 49.3 volts. In the future you play Lopez and get home and pack is at 48.5 volts....maybe a bad battery which if ignored could affect the life of the pack?

A digital meter that displays numbers is very nice as there is no doubt the pack's state of charge. My rule of thumb for my packs is to not discharge more than 50%. If you decide to follow my rule, then you would consider heading home when your digital meter displays 48.4 volts while sitting idle. At 48.4 volts will have plenty of juice left and in a pinch can discharge 80% (about 47 volts). On my last ride my cart with 8-6v 39 month old batteries was at 40 miles when I crossed that 50% threshold. Based on my tracking such mundane things for my packs, I estimate my cart could have gone another 20'ish miles before crossing the dead line at 80%.

My carts came with an analog meter. If you do not have a meter that displays numbers, take some time to find out where on that type of meter 48.4 volts is. I have the meter below. On this type of meter, based on my rule above, I try to never let the needle be in the green when sitting idle. IMO 48.4 volts on this meter is where the 'F' line is. This picture is after a full charge. Good luck....


http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/IMG_0328.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/IMG_0328.jpg.html)

[Rickg]

AJBrown, that's a lot of good information. I was Planning on bringing a volt meter with me when I return this fall. I have the same analog meter, so if I run the battery's down to 48.4 I'll still have a good amount of life left? What would be the ideal voltage to recharge? If I run the batteries down to 47 volts is that bad for them?

[ajbrown]

AJBrown, that's a lot of good information. I was Planning on bringing a volt meter with me when I return this fall. I have the same analog meter, so if I run the battery's down to 48.4 I'll still have a good amount of life left? What would be the ideal voltage to recharge? If I run the batteries down to 47 volts is that bad for them?

Glad to help, I am not a professional, just love electric carts and I enjoy sharing my experiences and hearing others from TV. There are a lot of good sites, but I always find myself back at Trojan Battery Company (Maintenance page) (http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Testing.aspx) for a reference. Once you get on that page, read through the related links. There are two that are pertinent to our current discussion.

This one talks about how deeply to discharge related to your 47 volt question.
Trojan Battery Company (discharging the pack) (http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Discharging.aspx)

On the following link pay special attention to the chart at the bottom.
Trojan Battery Company (SOC table) (http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Testing.aspx)

As far as what do you have left when you at 48.4 volts? Your mileage will vary. I did a test last year on my pack and took the time to graph my results. Here is a long winded description of the test run Test run description (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/475522-post1.html)

and here is the results which may answer your range question.
Test run results graphed (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/479280-post13.html)

[Blackie]

Get a volt meter installed in your golf cart. It is a pretty simple DIY project and I suspect a relatively inexpensive install if you hire.

I think this is an excellent suggestion.

Please will you provide a link for a suitable meter.

Has anyone had a meter installed by a cart service and what is the approximate cost?

[philnpat]

We have a great digital unit for $69 installed, used on solar & all other carts,
dead accurate State OF (SOC)

Does the unit show individual battery voltage as well as cumulative voltage?

[l2ridehd]

I have a 2002 Club Car DS with oodles of miles, 6 8 volt batteries and a 2008 Yamaha with 8 6 volt batteries with many miles. Both run fine. But doing some work on them myself, the Club Car is so easy to do anything on. And it just goes and goes forever with no issues. Also parts are always available. I added a 3 inch lift kit to the Club Car so I could use the 10 inch 265 tires, thinking about adding front brakes, and have replaced brakes, suspension grommets, motor, and a few other things, but it still runs great. Based on the carts history and usage, number of sets of batteries, I would guesstimate it has well over 70K miles and still going strong.

[ajbrown]

Does the unit show individual battery voltage as well as cumulative voltage?

You likely never need this unless you are troubleshooting an issue.

There was a company that made this, but they seemed to go out of business. Google 'paktrakr'. It was on my Xmas list, but I must have been a naughty boy as I did not get it.

I was going to make one. I had gone as far as looking up the part numbers for a double pole selector switch, but never got motivated enough.

My Dad made one we will use for troubleshooting (he is a very kool Dad) :bowdown:. No selector switch, it is eight little voltmeters on a piece of one inch angle. Each voltmeter has two wires with an alligator clip at each end which is a PITA, but it does what we need in the odd event we need it.

PS. I2ridehd, sounds like fun....