Smell of a Gas Cart

[cordenny]

We have a Yamaha EFI gas cart on order. We have always driven an electric cart.
I am concerned about the smell of gas. Are there any fuel additives to use? Any suggestions for the garage?
I would appreciate any reccommendations.

[Mikeod]

I have a Yamaha EFI cart. There is no gas odor in the garage. The only time we have any odor from the cart in the garage is when we pull it into the garage and there is a little exhaust odor.

We do not store any gas in the garage. When we get down to 1/4 tank, we fill up.

[champion6]

I recommend a gasoline additive, but not because of the smell of gas. It's because of the harmful effects of the ethanol blended into the gas. I use Sta-Bil Marine Ethanol Fuel Treatment. It is "the blue one" and is sold just about everywhere.

[jnieman]

I'm very sensitive to smells. We have a Yamaha gas cart and have the exhaust extender and use a fuel additive. I do not notice a smell at all during the summer months. Once we close up the sides for the winter if my hubby forgets to use the fuel additive it comes back.

[ijusluvit]

The 'smell' of a gas cart is most often mentioned as a 'problem' by owners of electric carts who wish they had bought a gas cart.

:popcorn:

[Barefoot]

The 'smell' of a gas cart is most often mentioned as a 'problem' by owners of electric carts who wish they had bought a gas cart.


Actually, it's most often mentioned as a problem by people who have had to hold their breath while following one of the smelly beasts through a tunnel! :yuck:

[ajbrown]

The 'smell' of a gas cart is most often mentioned as a 'problem' by owners of electric carts who wish they had bought a gas cart.

:popcorn:

Right... just sparky owners, not walkers, bike riders or anyone else that want to enjoy fresh air...

Actually, it's most often mentioned as a problem by people who have had to hold their breath while following one of the smelly beasts through a tunnel! :yuck:

Not that you need it, but you have many folks that "got your back". I understand why folks buy a gas carts, I really do, but cannot understand why the manufacturer cannot put a little effort/money into emissions.

I have always felt that gas carts should have the exhaust come out in front of the cart so the driver can get the same experience we do behind them :evil6:

Sorry OP, I have no help for you, as a sparky owner forever, I can only say I am sorry we lost you to the other side :1rotfl:

[Paperboy]

I recommend a gasoline additive, but not because of the smell of gas. It's because of the harmful effects of the ethanol blended into the gas. I use Sta-Bil Marine Ethanol Fuel Treatment. It is "the blue one" and is sold just about everywhere.

Use STA-BIL MARINE!!!!!

[John_W]

As two posters have already said, make sure you mix STA-BIL MARINE into your fuel, you can get a bottle in the auto section of Wal-Mart for $10. You will use a very small amount, my first bottle lasted two years. I keep a 5 gallon red plastic gas can in the garage which I also bought at Wal-Mart. Then just put a small amount of Sta-Bil in the can everytime you fill it up with gas. There is a measuring indicator on the bottle. I would also recommend using high test gas. It's a little more money but I found my Yamaha cart runs smoother.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/2981/cartandcar003.jpg

[Golfingnut]

A lot of electric carts also cause a nervous condition called "Destination Anxiety" caused by the stress of worrying if you will actually get to your destination and then back home again.

Seriously though electric carts are great for shorter distances and I do love how quiet they are...but if I want to go miles and miles I do in my smelly, noisy, gas cart and an electric would never work for my use..

My batteries are three years old and I still get over 50 miles to the charge. If the smell and the noise fit. Your taste, buy gas. If they bother you buy electric. The lack of. Distance is simply not true. If you maintain your cart, you can drive to any course play 18 holes of golf, go to the other end of the villages for lunch and back home no mater where you live in the villages. Do that in a golf cart and your ears will ring all night and most will have a headache from the fumes.

[sandybill2]

Actually, it's most often mentioned as a problem by people who have had to hold their breath while following one of the smelly beasts through a tunnel! :yuck:

My son has asthma----he was here on a visit and, of course, we drove him all around in our electric cart. We, of course, did go through quite a few tunnels and the gas fumes in tunnels triggered his asthma.

[redwitch]

Do that in a [gas] golf cart and your ears will ring all night and most will have a headache from the fumes.

I get to disagree with golfingnut. About time! I've been known to put in well over 50 miles in one day in a gas cart. No ringing ears, no headaches, definitely tight muscles but that would be the case regardless of type of cart. For me, it has to be gas. More than once, I've driven up to Chatham, down to Hemingway, back up to Springdale, then down to Pennecamp all in one morning. Not my idea of fun but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

[Golfingnut]

I've driven up to Chatham, down to Hemingway, back up to Springdale.

My point is, I could make the above drive several times on one charge. The gas carts effect me with headache and my wife's allergies. We have a neighbor that smokes a pack to two a day and he says it never bothers him and he can't even smell the fumes at all.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Actually, it's most often mentioned as a problem by people who have had to hold their breath while following one of the smelly beasts through a tunnel! :yuck:

Exactly! It's not the owners or riders of the gas carts that get the smell and pollution, it's everyone else. I really wish they would ban them from the Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

My batteries are three years old and I still get over 50 miles to the charge. If the smell and the noise fit. Your taste, buy gas. If they bother you buy electric. The lack of. Distance is simply not true. If you maintain your cart, you can drive to any course play 18 holes of golf, go to the other end of the villages for lunch and back home no mater where you live in the villages. Do that in a golf cart and your ears will ring all night and most will have a headache from the fumes.

Do you have eight 6 volt batteries?

[Russ_Boston]

I get to disagree with golfingnut. About time! I've been known to put in well over 50 miles in one day in a gas cart. No ringing ears, no headaches, definitely tight muscles but that would be the case regardless of type of cart. For me, it has to be gas. More than once, I've driven up to Chatham, down to Hemingway, back up to Springdale, then down to Pennecamp all in one morning. Not my idea of fun but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
I'm with you on this one Red even though I also respect GN's posts.

The one problem I have with electric (I have 1 gas and 1 electric) isn't the initial charge distance. I can go anywhere as mentioned and get home. The problem is that I then feel that I need to recharge before trusting it again. So if I've put on 25 miles I know that I have 15 or so left but the fear is there that it may fail me. It has only happened once but I make sure that I use it fully charged (and that takes many hours) when I take off for the day. I have no issue with the noise or smell of my own cart. More likely to get the fumes from the cart in front anyway.

[Golfingnut]

Do you have eight 6 volt batteries?

7 Six volts for total of 42 Volts. It's an EZGO

[Easyrider]

My batteries are three years old and I still get over 50 miles to the charge. If the smell and the noise fit. Your taste, buy gas. If they bother you buy electric. The lack of. Distance is simply not true. If you maintain your cart, you can drive to any course play 18 holes of golf, go to the other end of the villages for lunch and back home no mater where you live in the villages. Do that in a golf cart and your ears will ring all night and most will have a headache from the fumes.

You must have those new magic batteries they talk about......:1rotfl:

There is really no smell or noise that should bother anyone, I've gone much farther and enjoyed it all, never had to worry about slowing down on every hill. If one's over sensitive then they need an electric..

Never have I even once worried if I would be able to get back home before the cart quit on me no matter how long the day or the trip. .

[Easyrider]

Exactly! It's not the owners or riders of the gas carts that get the smell and pollution, it's everyone else. I really wish they would ban them from the Villages.

Now that's a truly good and reasonable suggestion, why not ban cars too.... :MOJE_whot:

[Easyrider]

I've driven up to Chatham, down to Hemingway, back up to Springdale.

My point is, I could make the above drive several times on one charge. The gas carts effect me with headache and my wife's allergies. We have a neighbor that smokes a pack to two a day and he says it never bothers him and he can't even smell the fumes at all.



And we don't smoke.......

[Barefoot]

It's not the owners or riders of the gas carts that get the smell and pollution, it's everyone else. I really wish they would ban them from the Villages.

Exactly --- owners of gas carts seem to be blissfully unaware that those travelling behind them are inhaling the fumes. In tunnels it can be overwhelming.

[Golfingnut]

Cigars, body sweat and cheap perfume stink to me also, but obviously don't bother everyone. You are lucky. I will stick with healthy, quiet and efficient electric carts.

[Carl in Tampa]

Wow! I'm having flashbacks to the days when boating was my major diversion.

This reminds me of when sailboat owners referred to motorboats as "stinkpots."

I owned both but preferred the motorboat. Water skiing behind a sailboat can be difficult. Also, when you have a specific destination and a specific time frame you don't want to depend on the vagaries of the wind.

Similarly, I now have a gas golf cart. The house I'm in came with an electric cart. It didn't take long for "can I get home anxiety" to set in. That, along with having to be pushed up the hill when emerging from a tunnel, was enough to send me to the store to make a change.

I haven't done a diligent search in TOTV, but my guess is that there are a lot more threads about problems with electric carts than with gas carts. And there is one thing the electric cart people can depend upon...... there will come a day when the batteries need replacing and it will be expensive.

In the mean time, I keep oil and gas in my cart and get an annual tune up. The governor that keeps the speed at a legal 20 mph or less means that I am not putting a strain on the motor, which is actually capable of going much faster so I am not wearing the motor out by running "wide open" even with the gas pedal all the way down.

The electric cart owners on this thread who complain about the fumes when riding behind a gas cart or through a tunnel forget one thing. We gas cart owners also ride behind gas carts and through tunnels. I guess I'm just insensitive, but it doesn't bother me.

:smiley:

[ajbrown]

I cannot deny that gas carts go and go.

I do wish to share a couple of opinions.

Getting stranded in an electric cart is just as <cannot find a complimentary word> as it is in a gas cart. If you run out of volts it is like running out of gas. Not too <hmm stuck again>

Get a voltmeter for your dash, figure out what it means and you cannot get stuck because you ran out of "gas".

You can partially charge. Although not to be done everyday, it is OK on that occasional big day to load up some voltage without completing the charge. You get home from a day of golf at a remote course and lunch somewhere else. You can plug in the charger while you take a shower/nap and unplug before the charge completes.

[Golfingnut]

I cannot deny that gas carts go and go.

I do wish to share a couple of opinions.

Getting stranded in an electric cart is just as <cannot find a complimentary word> as it is in a gas cart. If you run out of volts it is like running out of gas. Not too <hmm stuck again>

Get a voltmeter for your dash, figure out what it means and you cannot get stuck because you ran out of "gas".

You can partially charge. Although not to be done everyday, it is OK on that occasional big day to load up some voltage without completing the charge. You get home from a day of golf at a remote course and lunch somewhere else. You can plug in the charger while you take a shower/nap and unplug before the charge completes.
All true and well said. If the fumes and noise of gas don't bother you, great. But I truly like quiet fresh air while on a ride.

[Russ_Boston]

You know what would happen to me? (My own fault of course) - I would forget to plug the sucker in! Then next morning I go out to go golfing and have a quandary - enough juice to make it back and forth? Gas is more mindless I guess.

[Golfingnut]

You know what would happen to me? (My own fault of course) - I would forget to plug the sucker in! Then next morning I go out to go golfing and have a quandary - enough juice to make it back and forth? Gas is more mindless I guess.

Very possible. What I have is an on board charger. When I pull into golf cart garage, an extension cord, RED, is already plugged into the wall socket and hanging on a hook right at eye level so I step out of the cart, take the ext off the wall hook and plug her in.

[ajbrown]

You know what would happen to me? (My own fault of course) - I would forget to plug the sucker in! Then next morning I go out to go golfing and have a quandary - enough juice to make it back and forth? Gas is more mindless I guess.

I have done this. I head in house cause I want to check something on cart before I plug in and the life gets in the way and I forget. The brain finally kicks in at 3 AM :shocked:

I solved this in a very reasonable way, I bought a second electric cart :1rotfl:

[golfnut]

You can minimize the smell from a gas cart by doing an annual tune up, replace spark plug and filters. I believe the smelly carts you get behind are way behind on their maintenance schedule. I have one of each, even with new batteries in the electric I would not be comfortable going past the 40 mile mark, knock off 5 miles for every 9 holes of golf. After 2 years deduct 5 miles from each.

[Shimpy]

it is really bad too when your electric cart is being towed back home behind someone's gas cart....:yuck: :1rotfl:


touche

[mrsanborn]

I have always felt that gas carts should have the exhaust come out in front of the cart so the driver can get the same experience we do behind them :evil6:

I agree. Butt what about people exhaust? Don't you think it should come out the front so they can experience what we behinders have to sometime experience?

[Shimpy]

Exactly --- owners of gas carts seem to be blissfully unaware that those travelling behind them are inhaling the fumes. In tunnels it can be overwhelming.

I can see that, but gas owners hate to get behind electric carts on a hill because they just don't have the torque and go from 20mph to 15mph trying to make the hill.

[philnpat]

touche

I keep a tow strap in my gas cart for emergencies...have never had to tow a gas cart and have never been turned down when offering a tow to an electric cart. I agree...there are plusses and minuses to both gas and electric. I just feel more comfortable in my gas Yamaha.

[Halle]

I cannot deny that gas carts go and go.

I do wish to share a couple of opinions.

Getting stranded in an electric cart is just as <cannot find a complimentary word> as it is in a gas cart. If you run out of volts it is like running out of gas. Not too <hmm stuck again>Get a voltmeter for your dash, figure out what it means and you cannot get stuck because you ran out of "gas".

You can partially charge. Although not to be done everyday, it is OK on that occasional big day to load up some voltage without completing the charge. You get home from a day of golf at a remote course and lunch somewhere else. You can plug in the charger while you take a shower/nap and unplug before the charge completes.

:agree:

We have been driving an Electric Cart for 6 years without any problems. The first cart was a rebuilt Yamaha that we had for 5 1/2 years it was great but would slow down going up hills. We bought a EZGO RVX and love it it doesn't slow down going up hill and runs very smooth. I put a big sign on the wall next to the charger PLUG IT IN PLUG IT IN! Works for us. We have never run out of power.

As a side note we did see a Gas Cart on Colony that had run out of gas while on the way to the gas station. A friendly Villager was helping them.

[renrod]

Was it a FORD or CHEVROLET. The FORD guys says "FORD=First on Race Day" and the Chevy guys says "FORD= Found On the Road Dead". And it goes on-and-on!

[Easyrider]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr View Post
It's not the owners or riders of the gas carts that get the smell and pollution, it's everyone else. I really wish they would ban them from the Villages.
_Exactly --- owners of gas carts seem to be blissfully unaware that those travelling behind them are inhaling the fumes. In tunnels it can be overwhelming.
_________________


Hey guys, go out and grab yourself a new gas cart and you won't always be the one behind the other carts, and you'll never go back..:1rotfl:

[er9027]

As two posters have already said, make sure you mix STA-BIL MARINE into your fuel, you can get a bottle in the auto section of Wal-Mart for $10. You will use a very small amount, my first bottle lasted two years. I keep a 5 gallon red plastic gas can in the garage which I also bought at Wal-Mart. Then just put a small amount of Sta-Bil in the can everytime you fill it up with gas. There is a measuring indicator on the bottle. I would also recommend using high test gas. It's a little more money but I found my Yamaha cart runs smoother.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/2981/cartandcar003.jpg

Love your cart except for the plates!!! Go BEARS:MOJE_whot:

[karostay]

I agree. Butt what about people exhaust? Don't you think it should come out the front so they can experience what we behinders have to sometime experience?
Behinders is that another way of saying *** ****s :1rotfl::1rotfl:

[kittygilchrist]

As two posters have already said, make sure you mix STA-BIL MARINE into your fuel, you can get a bottle in the auto section of Wal-Mart for $10. You will use a very small amount, my first bottle lasted two years. I keep a 5 gallon red plastic gas can in the garage which I also bought at Wal-Mart. Then just put a small amount of Sta-Bil in the can everytime you fill it up with gas. There is a measuring indicator on the bottle. I would also recommend using high test gas. It's a little more money but I found my Yamaha cart runs smoother.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/2981/cartandcar003.jpg

THANK YOU! I learned something here...a newbie gas cart owner...:clap2: great help.
BRONCOS Rule...

[ouatiny]

also be careful when you park your real car in the garage I think it uses the same gas

[rdhdleo]

Just be careful when using any additive, friends used what the Yamaha dealer they went to said to use and a couple years later had to have a $300 overhaul on the engine done. The dealer said to use the stuff the technician said not to! Also make sure it is ok to use on the new EFI gas carts, which is what we have it should not be needed. Our 1 year old Yamaha EFI gas cart runs great without anything but then also it doesn't sit it is used a lot almost everyday!

[Rango]

Now that's a truly good and reasonable suggestion, why not ban cars too.... :MOJE_whot:


....and gas powered lawn mowers, weed trimmers, blowers, generators............

[94blaze]

I use a product called startron made by starbrite which is on marine aisle at your locally walmart. Its great for keeping gas from going bad due to the ethanol and moisture that can accumulate in the tank. Around 9$.. I need to research this flavored smelling fuel treatment.

[Barefoot]

Now that's a truly good and reasonable suggestion, why not ban cars too
....and gas powered lawn mowers, weed trimmers, blowers, generators............

We haven't followed any cars or lawn mowers or generators through a tunnel. And that's where the smells are really bad. :evil6:

There are owners who are passionate about gas carts due to range, and other preferring clean air that buy electric. Both sides can hurl golf balls at each other all day long ... I doubt anyone will have a change of heart.

[kittygilchrist]

MAINTAINING YOUR GAS GOLF CART (http://www.jrgolfcart.com/a_gas_cart.html)
ok, I did a 10 second search and will use higher octane from now on...

[Bill-n-Brillo]

There are owners who are passionate about gas carts due to range, and other preferring clean air that buy electric. Both sides can hurl golf balls at each other all day long ... I doubt anyone will have a change of heart.

Ditto.

Bill :)

[NoMoSno]

I wonder if auto traffic contributes to some of the tunnel smell.
Fumes tend to settle to the lowest spots.(of course carbon monoxide is odorless)
Wonder if a simple venting system could be installed in the busier tunnels?...

[graciegirl]

I wonder if auto traffic contributes to some of the tunnel smell.
Fumes tend to settle to the lowest spots.(of course carbon monoxide is odorless)
Wonder if a simple venting system could be installed in the busier tunnels?...

That would use a lot of energy. I hold my breath.

[Easyrider]

We haven't followed any cars or lawn mowers or generators through a tunnel. And that's where the smells are really bad.

.

As I said, go out and grab yourself a new gas cart and you won't always be the one behind the other carts in the tunnels, and you'll never go back..:D

[Easyrider]

I wonder if auto traffic contributes to some of the tunnel smell.
Fumes tend to settle to the lowest spots.(of course carbon monoxide is odorless)
Wonder if a simple venting system could be installed in the busier tunnels?...

They are totally open on both ends and they are a minimal length so having any kind of air movement system would be a hugh cost for such a small area.

[jdsl1998]

When we bought our house 5 years ago, we bought a used gas cart. We still have the cart. We hope it lasts until we can buy a solar powered cart with electric backup. When we bought our cart, gas was all we knew. Being non-golfers, we went with what we knew. I think a lot of the carts in The Villages will be replaced with Electric and or Solar in the future.

[Easyrider]

I think a lot of the carts in The Villages will be replaced with Electric and or Solar in the future.

Never happen, gas carts outnumber electric many times over...

[Sydney]

....and gas powered lawn mowers, weed trimmers, blowers, generators............

I agree, I use a battery powered edger/trimmer and blower, electric mower and hedge trimmer, keeps that tunnel smell out of my garage.

:duck::throwtomatoes:

:thumbup:

[Barefoot]

Hey guys, go out and grab yourself a new gas cart and you won't always be the one behind the other carts, and you'll never go back..:1rotfl:

As I said, go out and grab yourself a new gas cart and you won't always be the one behind the other carts in the tunnels, and you'll never go back..:D

:yuck: This idea might be more appealing after a coffee. :mornincoffee: Nope, still not a good idea!

[graciegirl]

When we bought our house 5 years ago, we bought a used gas cart. We still have the cart. We hope it lasts until we can buy a solar powered cart with electric backup. When we bought our cart, gas was all we knew. Being non-golfers, we went with what we knew. I think a lot of the carts in The Villages will be replaced with Electric and or Solar in the future.

Just like flat screen TV's. They will become cheaper and better eventually and more effective and dependable too. The Solar Powered golf carts. And then everyone will have one. Life marches on. For now I like my gas cart. Sweetie likes his electric cart.

[Golfingnut]

There are things you can do to help with both the smell and the noise, but the bottom line is, gas carts sound like old army tanks and stink terrible. I would pay ten times the amount to enjoy our clean quiet ride in our electric cat. Thing is, it does not cost any more or very little more, so it's a no brainier for us. STINK VS CLEAN AIR And NOISE VS QUIET. There is a claim that you can go farther on a tank of gas than a daily elec. charge. THAT IS TRUE. BUT, go out and drive any cart for 50 miles and I assure you it will be time to get out of the cart be it gas or electric.:spoken:

[justjim]

Golf cart batteries---"a ticking time bomb". I've heard that batteries have started fires in TV garages ----in at least one case burned the house completely down.

Not to scare any of you electric cart people (I have one of each) but proper battery and battery charger maintenance is very important---your cart, garage and even your house may depend on you properly putting water into those batteries. A battery charger that malfunctions and doesn't shut off can fuel a fire too.

[Golfingnut]

Doesn't take long to travel 50 miles in the Villages now plus playing a round of golf. A gas cart will go the same speed on the last mile as the first mile not to mention not having to crawl up the hills.

Lots of dangers in dealing with cart batteries too. Doesn't matter to me what cart anyone chooses but we need to tell the whole story. Distilled water is fairly expensive in large amounts and sulfuric electrolyte dripping on the garage floor and driveway is not too good either.

Golf Cart Batteries: Is Yours A Ticking Time Bomb? (http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/148985/electronics/golf_cart_batteries__is_yours_a_ticking_time_bomb. html)

The danger with golf cart batteries is that many require that distilled water constantly be added to keep the leaded plates submerged in the battery's sulfuric electrolyte. The other factor in this equation is that most owners don't realize that their golf cart batteries need this type of constant attention. The average cart is powered by lead acid batteries which are positioned underneath the seat. It isn't uncommon to fold back the seat of the cart and find all 6 batteries desperately in need of fluid.

When batteries run dry, they can smoke and even explode. With each battery packing the explosive power of a grenade, the potential danger is a real threat. In order to prevent this, it is essential to check your golf cart batteries on a regular basis. First, there should be no corrosive phosphorus should be growing around the terminals.

Next, you'll need to remove the caps and check the water level. The water level in your batteries should be just below the filler cap's opening, if it's too low, use a funnel to fill with distilled water only. If your golf cart batteries are completely dry, you should probably take them for maintenance. If levels get too low and remain low, there is a chance that the battery won't hold a charge or that it could be a potential fire hazard.

If you're using wet cell batteries, be sure to develop-and stick to-a regular maintenance program. The odds are fairly low that one of your golf cart batteries will explode under your seat, but more likely than that of the largely publicized Sony laptop battery. More common is that you can dramatically shorten the life of your wet battery without proper care and maintenance.


Wet-cell Batteries | Learn About Chemicals Around Your House | Pesticides | US EPA (http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/products/batt.htm)

Wet-Cell Batteries:
What are they?

Wet-cell batteries are used in cars, trucks, tractors and other motor vehicles to provide the spark to start the vehicle.
What's in them?

Wet-cell batteries contain lead and a solution of sulfuric acid.

What health and safety precautions do you need to think about with wet-cell batteries?

When activated, the electrolyte solution in the battery produces explosive gases which are easily ignited. Manufacturers of batteries containing sulfuric acid must use labels which warn consumers of the dangers from battery acid and accumulated gases. Sulfuric acid is extremely caustic, which means it burns. Fumes are strongly irritating and contact can cause burning and charring of the skin; it can cause blindness if you get it in your eyes. Lead is poisonous in all forms and accumulates in our bodies and in the environment.

Well thought out article with important information. I am such a neat freak and maintenance nut, that these things do not apply to me; however, your caution to folks that are NOT dillegent in their maintenance of their cart would be much safer with a gas cart.

[jimbo2012]

Gas carts have a battery too!

As far as a house burning down in one case the attic door was open, if closed the fire would have been contained probably.

In that same case there were two chargers going so it's hard to say exactly what the cause was.

I was part of an investigation of a recent fire of a Village home. The demolition team was accompanied by insurance engineers and investigators. The remainds
Of the cart Removed piece by piece while photos were taken.
It was explained to us that the house caretaker had plugged in the cart charger that morning knowing the owner would be ariving that day and it was possible that the separate low amp charger was also present. That combination could have cause the spark that ingnited the hydrogen gas produced by all wet cell lead acid batteries.
The pull down staircase was open to the garage attic for ventilation and the fire spread throughout the structure very fast and the house was destroyed.
To answer your question all lead acid batteries produce hydrogen gas and no MFG is better than anouther in this case.
Sta Rite Golf Cart


Just check your batteries once a month.

We know there are tens of thousands of elec carts here, we don't see fires every day.

I think this battery fire risk is unfounded for the most part and just a way some owners of gas carts justify their choice. There are risks with gas carts too as well as your toaster and many other house hold items.

[jimbo2012]

Gas cart stats

2002: A Club Car gasoline model; 7,300 units sold February-April 2002 for $4,000-$9,000. The fuel tank could leak, posing a fire hazard. By October 2003, the company had received 10 reports of leaks but no injuries.

2005: E-Z-Go gasoline models; 60,000 units sold from 2002-2005 for $6,400-$8,000. �High engine temperatures can permit fuel to get into the air filter box, posing a risk of fire.� As of 2005, there were 12 reports of fires.

July 19, 2012: Five Club Car gasoline models; about 800 units sold March-May 2012 for $5,000-$7,000. The fuel hose could separate from the tank. The model numbers recalled were updated in February 2013. By then, there had been three reports of hose separations, with no reported injuries.

Sept. 9, 2012: 19 Club Car gasoline models; about 4,000 units told April-Jue 2012 for $5,000-$17,000. The model numbers recalled were updated in January 2013. The fuel tank filler neck could crack and allow gasoline to leak. There have been 10 reports of cracks, with no fires or injuries.

:22yikes:

[JP]

Part of the problem with gas golf carts is there is so little competition or dare I say government regulation, so there is very little incentive to really improve the motor and make it less smelly and more fuel efficient.

I bet if you asked Honda to design a great engine/golf cart that was still reasonable to buy, and gave them the money to do it, you would get an exceptional golf cart that would be hands above anything currently available for us to buy.

[philnpat]

[QUOTE=jimbo2012;766095]Gas carts have batteries too!

Wasn't aware gas carts had more than one battery! :D

[Barefoot]

..... the bottom line is, gas carts sound like old army tanks and stink terrible. I would pay ten times the amount to enjoy our clean quiet ride in our electric cat. Thing is, it does not cost any more or very little more, so it's a no brainier for us. STINK VS CLEAN AIR And NOISE VS QUIET.


I think this battery fire risk is unfounded for the most part and just a way some owners of gas carts justify their choice. There are risks with gas carts too as well as your toaster and many other house hold items.

:gc: I know we've beat this subject to death. The gas versus electric debate will rage on until we all convert to solar! But I couldn't resist snipping and referencing the above posts, because ... :agree:

[jimbo2012]

[QUOTE=jimbo2012;766095]Gas carts have batteries too!

Wasn't aware gas carts had more than one battery! :D

Thanks for the pointing our a grammar error.


Gas carts have a battery too!

[Peachie]

:gc: I know we've beat this subject to death. The gas versus electric debate will rage on until we all convert to solar! But I couldn't resist snipping and referencing the above posts, because ... :agree:


Quote:
Originally Posted by Golfingnut View Post
..... the bottom line is, gas carts sound like old army tanks and stink terrible. I would pay ten times the amount to enjoy our clean quiet ride in our electric cat. Thing is, it does not cost any more or very little more, so it's a no brainier for us. STINK VS CLEAN AIR And NOISE VS QUIET.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2012 View Post
I think this battery fire risk is unfounded for the most part and just a way some owners of gas carts justify their choice. There are risks with gas carts too as well as your toaster and many other house hold items.
I know we've beat this subject to death. The gas versus electric debate will rage on until we all convert to solar! But I couldn't resist snipping and referencing the above posts, because ...
__________________

Bare, I know you think that the links on here providing proof there is a hydrogen problem associated with electric golf cart parties that may cause fires far more readily with an electric vs gas cart are phony claims but you must realize electricity does not fall out of the sky to charge those batteries.

Coal mines scar many areas that have been mined and then you have the extremely noisy, polluting trains that run constantly past The Villages moving coal to the power plants to provide that electricity needed for the electric carts. You also have the used, numerous batteries to contend with for disposal.

As you said, this subject has been beat to death. I have no problem with electric cart owners even though they pollute and cause noise indirectly. I encourage people to drive what makes them happy and go play. No one's mind is being changed here and I think there are many of us that will jump on the "nonpolluting solar bandwagon" if and when it is a VIABLE solution.

[jimbo2012]

numerous batteries to contend with for disposal.



Batteries are the most recyclable item of all, lead is something like 98 or 99% re-cycled.


on the "nonpolluting solar bandwagon" if and when it is a VIABLE solution.

it is!

[Easyrider]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2012 View Post
I think this battery fire risk is unfounded for the most part and just a way some owners of gas carts justify their choice.
__________________

[/QUOTE]


No reason to try and bash gas carts and no reason to justify a choice of a gas cart if there is no profit to be made by doing it. It is hard to take this as non biased and being totally objective from a source hoping to make some $$ on electric/solar carts.

[jimbo2012]

The subject of this thread is gas carts smell, agree?

read post #63 gas carts are not immune from risks.

Well for me to have an opinion that elec and or elec & solar is viable option is my position, which I can post herein.

On the other hand you can choose not to read my posts.

It's all about choices.

[Easyrider]

The subject of this thread is gas carts smell, agree?

read post #63 gas carts are not immune from risks.

Well for me to have an opinion that elec and or elec & solar is viable option is my position, which I can post herein.

On the other hand you can choose not to read my posts.

It's all about choices.

Never heard of a car dealer that didn't think their brand was the best which is fine but they shouldn't bash the other brands thinking it will make theirs look better.:D

[mrf6969]

All Yamaha gas carts are a sealed tank. While the cart sits in the garage you should have NO gas oder. Walk into The Villages golf cart store and you will only smell tires. Most of their carts are gas and you Do NOT small any gas at all.

[jimbo2012]

But those are brand spanking new, there are documented failures.

Also been there when they drove one in the showroom, the fumes could knock you over

[Barefoot]

The subject of this thread is gas carts smell, agree? read post #63 gas carts are not immune from risks.
Well for me to have an opinion that elec and or elec & solar is viable option is my position, which I can post herein.

I like to hear what Jimbo has to say about Solar. I hope that soon it will be a viable option for all of us.

[jimbo2012]

Well I thought I did state my view on solar, it works fine.

Please ask me what you would like to know.

[glgene]

We have a Yamaha EFI gas cart on order. We have always driven an electric cart.
I am concerned about the smell of gas. Are there any fuel additives to use? Any suggestions for the garage?
I would appreciate any reccommendations.

We bought a 2013 Yamaha EFI gas cart a few months ago. NO gas odor. 200+ miles per tank fill. No battery-related anxieties. But yes, the electric cart makes less noise. It's all about priorities...YOUR priorities.

Gene & Kathy

[jimbo2012]

Gene it is priorities and choices

but I can't agree there is no smell, all combustion engines have an exhaust that smells, drive behind one or in tunnel.

Those fumes are very much there.

[glgene]

Gene it is priorities and choices

but I can't agree there is no smell, all combustion engines have an exhaust that smells, drive behind one or in tunnel.

Those fumes are very much there.

Jimbo,

Kathy has a "super sniffer" and our Yamaha EFI gas cart engine doesn't bother her one iota. Previous gas cart rentals did, big time. I guess it's the magic of EFI, or something like that.

Have a good day! Always enjoy your posts, Jimbo.

Gene (& Kathy)

[Gardenia1]

The 'smell' of a gas cart is most often mentioned as a 'problem' by owners of electric carts who wish they had bought a gas cart.

:popcorn:

Too funny.....You hit the nail on the head.....

[Djembe dude]

When cigarette/cigar smoking is banned in the villages, then I will change to an electric cart. until then just hold your breath.

[McP1605]

You all crack me up! I've only been on TOTV for two months and these gas vs. electric posts must get the most replies! And, they are always the same... gas owners love their carts, electric owners love their carts! What we need is a HYBRID golf cart... maybe that would be the answer!

[kittygilchrist]

my cat likes the smell of a sock. I don't know what to do with him.

[Easyrider]

Gene it is priorities and choices

but I can't agree there is no smell, all combustion engines have an exhaust that smells, drive behind one or in tunnel.

Those fumes are very much there.



But then gas carts don't leave a trail of battery acid stains and burns on the concrete everywhere they go either...fumes if there are any are soon gone, battery acid burns are on the concrete forever....check the cart paths on the golf courses and the parking areas at the country clubs, hugh stains and burns from battery acid.

[jimbo2012]

No comment EzRider

[94blaze]

To the gas owners just buy a gas mask and be done with it. To the electric owners buy a haz mat suit to prevent acid burns..

[Enjoying Life]

As two posters have already said, make sure you mix STA-BIL MARINE into your fuel, you can get a bottle in the auto section of Wal-Mart for $10. You will use a very small amount, my first bottle lasted two years. I keep a 5 gallon red plastic gas can in the garage which I also bought at Wal-Mart. Then just put a small amount of Sta-Bil in the can everytime you fill it up with gas. There is a measuring indicator on the bottle. I would also recommend using high test gas. It's a little more money but I found my Yamaha cart runs smoother.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/2981/cartandcar003.jpg

Nice cart!!! And thanks for the input.:wave:

[Easyrider]

No comment EzRider

:coolsmiley:

[golfnut]

I have one of each but prefer my gas cart seen below.

[DonH57]

We have a Yamaha gas efi cart. Don't really notice the gas smell of any ones cart in our travels. The only time I've only choked was when following the smell of someone sucking on a cigar like it was the last one they were gonna smoke that day.

[Pat Walkey]

We have a Yamaha EFI gas cart on order. We have always driven an electric cart.
I am concerned about the smell of gas. Are there any fuel additives to use? Any suggestions for the garage?
I would appreciate any reccommendations.

Ditto here. Any answers

[graciegirl]

We have one of each. I like our Yamaha gas the best. It is old too. We bought it used six years ago and it is still chugging along.


Sweeties par car has to be plugged into it's source every night. And it will go about 70 miles on a charge. Hardly EVER lets us down. But it has.