jimbo - how do you figure once a month landscape? effective in april my lawn is being tended to once a week and will remain on that sched 'til next 'winter' when it switches to once a month for a few weeks. my neighborhood seems to be on the same schedule, too. and we have 4 different crews working the street.

OK, If thats the case, WHY do u want to move too TV where there are more golf carts runnin around??:confused:

ok instead of 75 make it 300, but it's not 10,000.

...

again, just shows that you don't live here. on my block right now there are 3 landscaping crews and a power washer. multiply that by 5000 streets ...maybe the number should be more like 20,000. Sumter county has the lowest unemployment in central florida and a lot of that is due to the thousands (no exaggeration) of service people serving the villages on a daily basis. The Villages has a complete school system that ONLY serves the children of people who work here...so no, I was not kidding, and no if anything my figure was low! you may have spent the last 5 years south of here but that is just not the same thing as being here and seeing the level of maintenance performed in the villages. the villages is now roughly 15 miles by 7 simple math says 105 sq miles, but you are free to dispute the map with rand mcnally.

I care about littering. I care about what goes in our landfills. I care about neighbors who do not care about caring for their property. I don't care if people smoke but i do care about being in a position of smoking by proxy. etc etc

But environmentalism in itself exists for one main reason....it makes money.
So no I am not that overly concerned about my carbon footprint bcause most of it is hocus pocus

LoneyCat, I'm not going to get into a math match with you the point is there aren't that many running gas powered equipment.

That's my opinion.
You're entitled to yours.

The topic of this thread is golf carts NOT lawnmowers anyway.

Can we please stay on point or start your your own thread on that topic.


ps: a few facts it's 32' miles, 1,915 residential streets , total (not only lawn care )12,000 people work in The Villages, unemploy rate 8.1%. see

Sheeesh....I thought it was all about carbon footprint!!!!!! Now I'm realy:confused::confused::confused:

...

Bill? I'm out of popcorn.

Roger............

:popcorn:

..........pass it along! :jester:

Bill :wave:

My dream is to be allowed by the Grand PU Pa to replace my lawn with beautiful rocks and ground cover as well as drought resistant plants. I'm tired of feeding the lawn, pouring tons of water and pestisides into the ground only to find out that I'm providing a very expensive bathoom for my neighbors' dogs.:p Seriously if allowed I'm sure that we would have some beautiful, creative yards like they have in Arizona.

If everyone did that, the developer couldn't make tons of money selling water.

Howdy boy.

I agree that Arizona has some creative and beautiful yards. But ... it’s Arizona ...it’s a dry, hot desert. They landscape that way because they have to, not because they want to. Do you want The Villages to look like a desert town? I have stone in some of my flower beds and they are hot, hot, hot. I would replace the stone with mulch if I could, but my dogs would eat the mulch. :doh: I could fill in my entire CYV yard with stone, but I never will. I love the feel and smell and green of grass. If you fill in your entire lawn with stone, where would Duffy walk?


The developer makes tons of money selling water to us? How? Please explain.

emissions
 

Wow I have a Diesel mower! And I think like a bazillion people have a gas lawn mowers.

A modern Diesel Truck produces less emissions on its ideal torque curve pulling a fifth wheel than a single single Gas cart does off the line coming out of a tunnel .

New CNG Diesel's with Hybrid Transmissions. The Electric Motor Boost is impressive for towing. Maybe the next gen Corvette might sport a combinatuin hybrid electric motor transmission'automatic. Something like over 700 HP and over 30 mpg.

If a Gas cart is fuel injected and cat equipped then MPG can increase and emissions can decrease. No one says you can't have one. I Love my classic cars. The looks chrome mass sound. However they are no where near the horsepower nor fuel economy of today's stock vehicles? If everyone in TV had a 60's car you could not breath! Look at old NYC movies from the model t days. GAG!

If a electric Cart can get the range you need. If it is faster off the line than a Gas cart. Can have the same top end and is quite and clean why not have one. No one is talking about banning Trucks or Cars or Farm vehicles or Contractors vehicles . Were talking about fun simple clean village transportation. But wait GE just developed a new generation total electric freight train. Pulls its own batter pack, Changes out at stops.

Welcome to Plasma Boy Racing, home of White Zombie, the world's quickest street legal electric door slammer in the 1/4 mile drag.

:thumbup:

AND keep as much grass as you can...

Cars!
 

Movie Cars! Hey You gotta respect the classics Man!

FOCUS CarGuys... I think your drifting off topic.... :loco:

Lol
 

To many fumes!

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Sounds like too many "left-handed cigarettes" to me............ :shocked:

Bill :)

How much range does the average user want or currently use?

A well maintained cart was documented by one of your residents

Or about 50 miles

There are ways to increase the range but what would be a target mileage or drive time to get folks to consider changing when the time comes and phase out some of these polluting carts.

.

200+ miles, reliably and consistently - similar to what a gas cart can do today between fill-ups.

A specific concern I personally have, given our current snowflake status, is that we're away from TV for months at a time. I simply wouldn't feel comfortable leaving an electric cart for that length of time. Yes, I know you can get a neighbor or home watch person to help out with charging intervals, maintaining the batteries, keeping an eye on it, etc. But for us, though, a gas cart seemed to make more sense.

Bill :)

Bill at 200 miles even if you averaged 20 mph means your driving 10 hours a day??

Can you explain that please?

Jimbo, it's not 200+ miles in a day - it's 200+ miles between fill-ups. :thumbup:

Bill :)

Bill an elec cart as you know recharges every nite, the question I was looking for feedback on was how much range in day, not between fillups or recharges.

So how far on average might one go in a day?

So you're looking for daily range..........sorry.

Personally, I know there are many days we go a good bit more than 50 miles. ("Adventures in Golf Carting" - it's fun and addictive!!) I'd say a consistent, reliable range of 100 miles (to no less than 50% pack depletion) would be a target.

Bill :)

On topic, do I care about my carbon footprint?? Two words:

Al Gore

We have a GEM and it has one of the lower ranges for an electric vehicle (30 miles). It has worked out fine for us. There have been a number of times where we'll take it out all morning, put 20-25 miles on it, bring it home and charge it for a couple of hours, and then take it back out to got to the squares or out to dinner. We have yet to need to be towed. It works fine for our needs, but I could certainly see how some folks would want a range of 100 miles+.

Bill, 100 miles per day? You doing community watch by golf cart? :1rotfl:

I would not hold your breath for that, but since you will be driving gas I guess....... oh never mind :duck:

AJ, having quoted your tests earlier in this thread do you think that the average is about 50 miles with elec here?

You mentioned on another thread that you were working with a friend in New York that was creating a new concept in solar powered golf carts. How many miles does a solar boost add?

Is he far enough along to know the approximate cost of this kind of golf cart? Does he know who he would have manufacture it? I am sure all the people interested in saving our planet will be looking to buy something that is so energy saving.

The reliability is important too. It is scary to run out of charge in the awful summer heat and have to wait for a tow. I think many people who do care about green issues are torn because gas carts are more reliable and can be left in the garage for snowbirds with fewer untoward events.

Many would like to take the higher road but we must, as we age, be practical and safe too.

Funny you ask that ?, spoke to him last nite, he just ordered 10 panels they should be here end of next week.

I'm building a 48volt cart as a testing platform with him, oh fun! :coolsmiley:

It will be a Club Car with larger wheels and a two seater standard length roof.

The panels he found will work, but the other specs (the controller) or requirements is where the engineering comes into play.

As far as boost we'll know after a month or so I suppose, but hope to see about 50%, or 50-75 miles perhaps, remember the solar is charging all day even though the batteries are being used (depleted).


I was asking these questions to see what folks desired in an elec cart.

It's unfortunate that I have yet to get serious feedback.

If the demand isn't found here than it goes on the back burner I suppose.

Thanks for dragging me in
 

Thanks for dragging me in Jimbo, I am prepared :throwtomatoes:

The following is based on my experiences and my friends. Prior to each statement please include IMO. These are my opinions based on my experience as a cart owner and some reading, nothing more.

Jimbo, I have no idea the average usage; each person needs to understand their own personal requirements. I live in Mallory, 50 miles in one heck of an unusual day for us:

23 miles, Mallory to Lopez, golf 18 holes, back home
10 miles, Mallory to Spanish Springs, back home
// That was a pretty good day, you want to what?
12 miles, Mallory to Bonefish for dinner, back home
// Can't we go in the morning??
5 miles, Mallory to Publix at 466A to pick up milk.

I have not posted to the OP question as NO seemed too short an answer, but I do not choose my golf carts based on Carbon footprint. It does not even show up as one of my top … umm I do not even think it is on my list. The thread has now morphed into something I do have thoughts on, so I will throw my hat in to enjoy the banter. I hope I do not offend anyone along the way :ho:.

Working in Internet security for years I learned much about FUD . There is a lot of FUD with regards to facts about electric golf carts.

IMO, if you need to drive a golf cart 45 plus miles almost every day, you are crossing a line where gas may be the only option. With 8-6v batteries and a more efficient AC motor, you may be able to move that number to 55 miles from my reading. IMO, driving a cart that far every day is very unusual for most of us (I can only go by the folks I know). If your usage is like mine (daily average around 15- 20 miles with the potential to push to 60 miles) there are some very good electric options for you so you have a choice between gas and electric. It truly is up to you. Note: The type of electric cart you buy MATTERS, not all have the same range.

In addition, issues created by leaving the battery pack unattended and discharging have been mitigated by products like the Battery Minder. I am in the process of ordering some for my carts.

Do I care about my carbon footprint?
 

What I care about is saving money and that usually coincides with using less energy. So I don't stay up nights worring about my carbon footprint.

I'm a big believer in free markets. So if there are people promoting energy saving products or products that polute less, that's fine with me. I just don't want to pay more taxes to subsidize someone's purchase.

why not check with one of the many companies that already make them, you can see if they sell parts and learn about the controllers and such that are out there
Solar Golf Cart Upgrades | SolarCarts, LLC

Ok I'm confused. Is this thread about those "dirty nasty smoggy gas carts" or is it a request for info to research a "new improved electric cart"?

My focus is on the use of gas operated carts and how they increase the carbon footprint with some documentation to substantiate its negative affect on our environment.

That is to those that care about it and as you have seen some stated they don't care-WOW!!

If any gas carts can be phased out by folks switching to elec when they need to upgrade, buy new or change. Great

As far as research no, I already have been working on it for a while.

My friend built his first one two years ago, its never been plugged in but it can't really be put to the test because the community he's in is small and the runs are 2-3 miles not like here at all.

But since I'm buying & living here at TV later this year it would be a great place for me to test out the use of solar.

I know that people love their carts---either electric or gas---my problem with gas is the exhaust they leave behind----we have neighbors who have gas carts and when we talk about the "smell" they leave behind--they tell us---well---we don't smell it---we are in front of our exhaust--- I posted on this "thread" before----my asthmatic son had breathing problems---DUE TO THE GAS EXHAUST--and the residue---or odor they leave behind in the tunnels---- I have been in my yard when the "yard men" come to cut grass, trim and clean up--I can honestly say I have never "smelled" the exhaust that I smell when I go through a golf cart tunnel---the gas smell----do whatever you are going to do---just think about the ones with the breathing problems----and what you are leaving behind.