Advice on electric golf carts

[EddieWalker]

I've come to the realization that I need a golf cart.

I really don't want to deal with storing gas if I can help it, so I'm thinking about an electric golf cart for getting around my place.

It will only be used on roads or groomed trails, so 2 wheel drive is fine. In-expesive, but reliable, would be the way I'm looking right now.

I'm just starting to look and would love some advice on different brands, models and things to look out for. I've never had a golf cart and only drove them a few times on golf courses and TxDon's at his place.

I don't even know enough about them to know what questions to ask. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Is 48 volt worth the extra price over 36 volt?
How old is too old for the batteries?
What type of charging systems are there?
What are the differences between the brands?


Thank you,
Eddie

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Eddie....get a 48 volt clubcar........you can pick up a very nice 3-4 year old cart here in Oh for about 2K. They come with the charger & a roof. the other brands are good too, but in my past experience the clubcars are a little more $$ up front but are really nice well built carts. Get the newest batteries in the cart you can if you get to pick from several different carts. There are more HP motors & higher amp controllers available if you want more power or speed as well as rear seats & lift kits, dump beds, ETC.

 

[ronjhall]

I have a 2000 48 volt Club Car. I bought it over a year ago. I like Club Car because the frame is aluminum. Which makes it lighter than the other models out there. It has to be the best tool I have around my 4 acres. I use it to carry tools and supplies to all my projects.
Here is a link to a picture. Click Here
My cart was $2600. With lights, carry box and windshield added. I expect to replace batteries in the next year or so. According to what I have read. 5 years is about average for battery life.

 

[bczoom]

Eddie,

You didn't specifically mention new or used (I'm thinking new) but if you're considering a used model, look as far north as you can.

Up here, the golf season is a lot shorter than down there so the used ones should have a lot less hours/use on them.

Brian

 

[Tact]

I just checked with my cousin, who owns a golf course near Columbus, Ohio, who said he has a couple of used EZ GO golf carts for sale for $2400. They are 36 volts, 2 years old, white with tan top and seats, and great condition. If you are interested let me know and I can forward his ph. #. I have no idea if this is or isn't a good price.

Fred

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm looking for something used for good price. I've seen a ton of EZ Go models, but very few Club Cars for sale. Price for 2002 EZ Go seems to be from $1,500 to around $2,000.

Funny how many 2002 model year ones are around. It makes me wonder if there's a three year usage on them at the golf courses before they replace them.

Five years on the batteries seems reasonable. Is there a brand to look for on batteries? Something better to look for?

How does the charging work. I take it there's a seperate battery charger similar to a car battery charger, but higher voltage. Is ther a plug that connects to the charger, or do you have to open up the cover to the batteries and hook up to the terminals every time? Do any of them have a built in charger that you can just plug into an outlet?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[ronjhall]

Many Golf Carts are leased. They usually run 3 years. Then after market companies buy the off lease carts. You should be able to find one of these resellers in TX.
Trojan Batteries are supposed to be the best for golf carts.
My 48 volt cart came with a 25 amp charger. It is automatic and shuts off when charge is complete. Club Car has a top end model that uses the motor to help keep batteries charged when foot is taken off pedal. Mine is not that type. Most important maintenance is keep batteries full of distilled water and cleaning terminals.

 

[Bird]

Eddie, the summer my wife and I worked in an RV park in Virginia with a thousand campsites, they had several golf carts, all bought used, so different brands. Doesn't seem like you have much problem with them if you just plug them in each night when you get through for the day. I also used one every day one year when I worked the State Fair of Texas. I've even used a few for what they were supposed to be made for. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[FL_Cracker]

Eddie,

Most have large chargers that had fixed external plugs on the cart and a long cable on the charger. Just pull up next to the charger and plug it in and spin the dial to the desired charge time.....

Very easy...

You may want to ask a local golf cart shop about one with a lift kit. It makes getting in and out easier and looks better. It you have one with a carry-all bed the bed is not so low....

 

[wushaw]

Eddie, I have a 1999 36v EZ-GO electric with a factory lift, steel bed, top & windshield, I bought it in 2001.
I paid 1600.00 for the cart and 900.00 for all the factory lift components. I use my cart regularly for many various chores.
I still have the origional batteries, I just replaced all the battery & motor cables with #4 welding cable, I had a few bad connectors but I mainly wanted to increase the cable size for decreased resistance and more current flow and the cart is a little faster and more power.
The battery charger has a murphy plug that plugs into the drivers side of the cart that works real easy.
I like electric cause it is quiet and no gas or oil changes to worry about. If I had a few hundred acres then I would have gas but for my 12 it is just fine.
My neighbor has 143 acres and trains labs and uses the same brand cart I have and he does everything with his cart, he has to plug his in every night. I plug mine in every few weeks.
Electric carts are not speed demonds but will carry you and your tools for many years and not use one drop of gasoline.