[Arctic Fox]

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

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

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

Thank you

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

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

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

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

Thank you

Depends who you listen to.

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

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

[justjim]

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

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by justjim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

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

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

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

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

[MorTech]

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

[Papa_lecki]

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

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

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

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

[EastCoastDawg]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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

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

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by EastCoastDawg

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

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

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

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

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

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

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

Thank you

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

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by EastCoastDawg

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

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

[Paulz]

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

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

[Berwin]

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