If you own an electric golf cart, you already know the importance of your golf cart’s batteries. However, what many golf cart owners do not realize is that there are actually two main types of golf cart batteries: lead-acid batteries and lithium golf car batteries.
Lead-acid batteries are the more common of the two types and are usually found as the factory battery for most electric carts. However, manufacturers and owners are quickly starting to shift from these batteries to lithium golf car batteries.
If you already own an electric golf cart with lead-acid batteries, you should consider switching to lithium golf car batteries. Here are some of the advantages that doing so can offer.
Weight
Lithium golf car batteries are far lighter than their lead-acid counterparts. This means that if your cart uses lithium batteries, it has a significant power-to-weight ratio advantage.
What this means is that not only can your cart carry greater weights, it can also reach faster speeds before the power fades. This is particularly handy when you’re traveling up a hill, as one of the most common complaints electric cart owners have is about the lack of power when climbing an incline with their cart. By switching to lithium golf car batteries, this concern is significantly mitigated.
Charging
A standard lead-acid battery can take up to 8 hours to fully charge. If your cart is low on battery, you will have to wait a significant amount of time before it can be used again.
Lithium batteries, on the other hand, recharge far more quickly. They can be recharged to approximately 80% of their capacity in just one hour and can be completely recharged in under four hours. Furthermore, unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries are not susceptible to damage if they are frequently recharged to less than 100%.
Maintenance
One big issue with lead-acid batteries is that they can require a significant amount of maintenance. This can take up time and – depending on the amount of maintenance required – money.
Lithium batteries, on the other hand, require little to no maintenance. This is because they do not contain any acid, and therefore they are not prone to hazardous spills like lead-acid batteries are.
Battery Cycle Life
Lithium batteries have a longer lifespan than traditional lead-acid batteries. The average lithium batteries last for between 2000 to 5000 cycles. The average lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, last for only 500 to 1000 cycles.
This means that investing in lithium batteries means that you will have to replace them far less frequently than lead-acid batteries. This translates to a significant amount of financial savings over time.
Even though lithium batteries require a greater investment upfront and are more expensive than lead-acid batteries, you will be saving more money over time. This is not only due to the less frequent need to replace them but also due to reduced energy bills (due to shorter charging times), maintenance costs, and potential repairs.
Final Thoughts
Should you switch your golf cart’s lead-acid batteries for lithium? The answer depends on how you use your golf cart. If you want power and use your golf cart often then you will most likely want to go with a lithium battery.
If you don’t use your golf cart that often, then a lead-acid battery might be a better choice for you.
The good news is that lithium golf car batteries can be used in a traditional cart that comes equipped with lead-acid batteries. However, this replacement may require a professional to ensure that your cart is road and golf course ready.
If you’re looking to replace your lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries, contact Carts & Parts at (937) 459-8891. We’d love to answer any questions that you might have and help you in any way possible!
