[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by Speedie

Math does not compute

66 miles a week x 3 years and 2 months does not equate to 19,000+ miles

It's really not that bad
Watch Saturday Night Live Highlight: New Mercedes - NBC.com

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Let’s us know when batteries get few hundreds charges on them. Let’s see how much for replacement ? $$$$.

The batteries in my Ez Go Elite are warrantied for eight years. Lead acid batteries need to be replaced about every four years.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

I was reading a review on a Lithium Battery retailer’s website. The poster was “very happy” with that 48 volt 96 ah lithium battery got the same range as their old lead acid batteries. Uh what, you are getting the same range and paying twice the cost. I am not sold on lithium batteries. Need to see other benefits of paying twice the cost.

48 volt lead acid battery systems average about 35-40 miles when new and degrade much faster than lithium. 120 ah lithium systems get 55-65 miles and are warrantied for eight years. I’m addition lithium batteries do not need to be watered every 2-3 weeks like lead acid batteries. The charger in the EZ GO Elite can be carried in a space under the seat so if you can find and outlet, you can charge the cart anywhere. Charge time is about half that of lead acid batteries. And lithium carts do not cost twice as much as lead acid battery powered carts. My EZ GO Elite was $19,600. The same cart with the same equipment and upgrades with six 8-volt lead acid batteries was priced at about $15,000.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by triflex

When I go on YouTube looking for a rave review of anyone's lithium golf cart I have yet to find one. I have found negative reviews of the range. For instance, one said when he drives two mile to the golf course and then plays 36 holes in the day and then wants to go have dinner before heading home, the cart battery will not last the trip.

I find it highly suspicious that a huge platform like YouTube would be devoid of people letting everyone know that lithium golf carts are the bee's knees.

I'd love to buy a lithium cart but I also don't see unqualified value without limits. By example, Nissan Leafs were everywhere for a while. Then people realized that the "BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" caused the batteries to diminish in range dramatically. Now I seldom see a Leaf.

I also have not met a salesman yet who can explain what the battery warranty actually means. Does it mean we won't replace it if the cart continues to move 5 feet before stopping?

I'm not sure what you are asking. Nothing is perfect. A typical battery warranty is prorated. People are more familiar with tire warranties that are prorated. Say you have a 5 year prorated tire warranty and their is an issue. Assuming that tire has a replacement for the first year and it fails in the third year. They will measure the remaining tread and give you a credit toward THE LIST PRICE of a new tire. The GOTCHA is that no one pays the inflated list price for a tire. Thus, the real warranty on that tire is far less than the stated five years.

Prices on lithium batteries have dropped significantly from what they used to be. Compared to lead acid they when charged hold far more power with far less weight, they are still more expensive. Lithium batteries have a flat voltage curve compared to lead acid.
A golf cart powered by lead acid batteries will slow down as the batteries drain. Due to the flat voltage curve that does not happen with Lithium batteries but when they reach the end of the charge, the cart should shut off, preventing over draining and damaging the expensive batteries. Perhaps, similar to running a gas golf cart out of gas.

Lithium batteries are commonly used in portable tools. No one reads instructions. They too have or should have a shutoff that prevents fully draining and damaging the expensive batteries. The user will get many more recharge cycles if they do not fully drain the batteries. If you put the tool away without charging it, it can and does deplete itself, just sitting. If, it discharges too far, it will not recharge and you need to buy a new battery.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

get 66 miles on each charge +- 1 or 2 miles. I charge it at the exact same point every time when the battery level is down to 3 bars. I could probably squeeze another 7-8 miles out of it if I wanted.

Originally Posted by Speedie

Math does not compute

66 miles a week x 3 years and 2 months does not equate to 19,000+ miles

Mr. Speedie. I believe we have a reading comprehension issue here. Please reread my post. l didn't say 66 miles A WEEK I said 66 miles ON A CHARGE. The mistake I did make was the 19,400+ miles was actually KILOMETERS since I always use 110KM as my mileage use before charging. So the cart actually has "only" 12,000+ miles on it. Everything else remains the same. Sorry on that number, for some reason I just forgot.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

The batteries in my Ez Go Elite are warrantied for eight years. Lead acid batteries need to be replaced about every four years.

Lithium batteries are twice or three time cost of lead acid batteries so I would expect them to last at least three times long which I (IMO) doubt they will.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by DAVES

I'm not sure what you are asking. Nothing is perfect. A typical battery warranty is prorated. People are more familiar with tire warranties that are prorated. Say you have a 5 year prorated tire warranty and their is an issue. Assuming that tire has a replacement for the first year and it fails in the third year. They will measure the remaining tread and give you a credit toward THE LIST PRICE of a new tire. The GOTCHA is that no one pays the inflated list price for a tire. Thus, the real warranty on that tire is far less than the stated five years.

Prices on lithium batteries have dropped significantly from what they used to be. Compared to lead acid they when charged hold far more power with far less weight, they are still more expensive. Lithium batteries have a flat voltage curve compared to lead acid.
A golf cart powered by lead acid batteries will slow down as the batteries drain. Due to the flat voltage curve that does not happen with Lithium batteries but when they reach the end of the charge, the cart should shut off, preventing over draining and damaging the expensive batteries. Perhaps, similar to running a gas golf cart out of gas.

Lithium batteries are commonly used in portable tools. No one reads instructions. They too have or should have a shutoff that prevents fully draining and damaging the expensive batteries. The user will get many more recharge cycles if they do not fully drain the batteries. If you put the tool away without charging it, it can and does deplete itself, just sitting. If, it discharges too far, it will not recharge and you need to buy a new battery.

You can not run lithium battery (pack) to zero volts. The are programmed to cut power off long before reaches zero volts. Lithium same as lead acid batteries they loose there charging ability over time and charges, agree it takes longer but they will eventually not charge at all. Some Lithium cells can over heat, go dead, and not take charge which most likely will cause the battery to become useless.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

You can not run lithium battery to zero volts. The are programmed to cut power off long before reaches zero volts. Lithium same as lead acid batteries they loose there charging ability over time and charges, agree it takes longer but they will eventually not charge at all. Some Lithium cells can over heat, go dead, and not take charge which most likely will cause the battery to become useless.

We get your position U don't like lithium.

All your negativity is opinion NO facts.


.

[Calisport]

I have a new Lithium star car. Love the quiet power. 80 miles supposedly. I've gone 2 days to 62 miles and had 1/4 battery power left.
Star car is brand new so there are a few fixes they need to do to the computer system. ie. clock always starts at noon. 5 year warranty on battery. So something happening in 3-4 years is covered. No gas fumes or noise at all. Some of the gas carts people have I notice are set to go 28-30 miles per hour by the way they pass people without care.

[triflex]

I want to buy lithium but I don't want to buy a hassle with diminishing range and having to replace a new battery in an 8-year-old cart.

Probably I'm getting a Yamaha QuietTech. I have read on their website though that they are getting a new lithium system but no details about its advantages (if any) over other systems.

I also think battery tech needs to improve with Solid-State batteries that can charge up in 10 minutes or less to be practical. This is why I don't think battery cars are really going to prevail in the near term. Tesla will be a one-off exception because they were a first mover. But imagine driving from middle Georgia to Disney and needing to top-up your batteries along with 1,000 other battery cars all taking an hour to charge.

Originally Posted by mrf0151

Resale value is the question here fellow Villagers. Trade-in or sell the EZ-GO Lithium cart in say 6-7 years down the road compared to doing the same with a Yamaha Quite-Tech in 6-7 years down the road.
Hands down the Yamaha will bring a much higher trade or sell value because the next owner will not be facing the very expensive price of having to put in the new batteries.
It is proven that Yamaha engines last 20-30 years. How long will this expensive electric motor last?
The best value is without a doubt the Yamaha.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

We get your position U don't like lithium.

All your negativity is opinion NO facts.


.

Here some fact.

I have lithium powered tools and I check them with multimeter. Example my 56V batteries shut off at 41V and require recharge. These batteries have computer control module’s. Not like the double A batteries. I’m not negative, lithium cells can be replaced in battery pack and regain full capabilities. But, who has the availability. I replace several 3.7V lithium in battery controlled pack. So not my opinion but facts.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Here some fact.

I have lithium powered tools and I check them with multimeter. Example my 56V batteries shut off at 41V and require recharge. These batteries have computer control module’s. Not like the double A batteries. I’m not negative, lithium cells can be replaced in battery pack and regain full capabilities. But, who has the availability. I replace several 3.7V lithium in battery controlled pack. So not my opinion but facts.

Replacing individual cells in a pack isn't always a good idea. While it may not be noticed in a very low current small device replacing individual higher powered cells within a pack can be problematic and even dangerous due to different voltages and wear between the original cells and the 1 replacement cell in the pack. All the cells should be replaced with matched cells then balanced when it is a high current product within the pack. Small multi-cell battery repair is one thing, but replacing individual cells in a large capacity (amps) pack really isn't a good idea. Some "smart" chargers and batteries won't even work after doing that because they sense the unbalanced voltage on the individual cells which is why they have "computer chips" inside the pack. Drone batteries I have used are "smart" like that as they have high and fast output and generate a lot of heat. The chips in them monitor and record each individual cell in the pack.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Don't forget the Clutch, the starter, the starting battery, the brakes (the Elite has no brakes).
And best of all, you're buying AMERICAN.
Always puzzles me when the Yamaha's have American flags all over them.
Please don't give me the "assembled in USA" speech.
The profits, go to Japan.

I am big on Made in USA, but the Yamaha carts are made in Newnan, Georgia and probably have as much US content as the EZ-goes do. You can buy Yamaha stock no problem in the US too (YAMHF) or buy EZ-Go made in Augusta, GA and buy Textron (TXT). Just for clarification.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Here some fact.

I have lithium powered tools and I check them with multimeter. Example my 56V batteries shut off at 41V and require recharge. These batteries have computer control module’s. Not like the double A batteries. I’m not negative, lithium cells can be replaced in battery pack and regain full capabilities. But, who has the availability. I replace several 3.7V lithium in battery controlled pack. So not my opinion but facts.

Those batteries don't have BMS

Apples & oranges, lets see your facts on Golf carts

[Laker14]

the first question you have to answer is do you want an electric cart, or a gas cart. They each have their specific advantages and disadvantages. If you are happy with the disadvantages of gas cart, and enjoy the advantages, then lithium is unlikely to be a game changer for you. You'll still have to charge and eventually replace a lithium battery.
If you want an electric cart because you know for sure you don't want a gas cart, then it makes sense to evaluate lithium vs. lead-acid.

I bought my first cart 3 years ago and knew I wanted the range of a gas cart, and did not want to deal with charging and filling LA batteries, or replacing them every few years. I bought a Yamaha Quiet-tech...I love it.
The opportunity came to buy a used Club Car electric from a friend who wanted to go to a lithium Evolution. I knew the cart had been well taken care of, but needed new batteries. I considered a lithium "upgrade", but decided to go with one more set of LAs because of limited availability of lithium, and wasn't thrilled with what I was reading about what was available. I may very well go with lithium next time around, if I decide to keep the cart. Hopefully in 3 or 4 years they will have made even more progress in price and performance and understanding of the technology in golf cart applications.

The electric cart will be a "second cart" for us, for when we have company. It won't be my go to cart for a long commute to a distant golf course, with 18 holes of golf in the middle. It will get light use, when the Mrs. and I want to be able to hear each other comfortably, maybe to the square for some music, or dinner, or pickleball together. I wouldn't personally go with electric as my primary cart unless I had lithium. But that's just me. The cart I bought from my friend served him well for many many years as his primary cart.