Luke is an avid weekend-warrior golfer from the East Coast who plays golf more than he cares to admit.
Do you want to know how long golf cart batteries last? Maybe you have recently purchased new golf carts and want to know how long the batteries will last?
Or are you curious and want to know more? No matter what the reason might be, we have the answer for you!
Finding out how long golf cart batteries last can be tricky. You head online to find some more information but are met with conflicting and contradicting advice that leaves you unsure where to turn or who to trust.
Disappointed and frustrated, you start to wonder if you will ever know how long golf cart batteries last.
Well, no more! Today, we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out how long golf cart batteries last and everything you need to know about these batteries!
What Are Golf Cart Batteries?
Before we dive into today’s article, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it. Golf cart batteries are batteries found in golf carts.
Golf carts tend to have multiple batteries that provide them with power, usually multiples of 6V, 8V, or 12V batteries.
When replacing golf cart batteries, you will want all of them to be the same type and voltage to prevent damaging the cart.
Typically, golf cart batteries come in four different types:
- AGM Lead Acid Batteries
- Flooded Lead Acid Batteries (wet)
- Gel Lead Acid Batteries
- Lithium-Ion Golf Cart Batteries
Each of these batteries comes with its own list of advantages and disadvantages.
If you are looking to replace the batteries in your current golf cart, we recommend you take some time researching each type to help you make the right choice for you.
No matter the battery you choose, they will require regular care and maintenance to increase their lifespan and stop them from breaking while in use.
This mainly includes avoiding overcharging the battery, regularly cleaning the battery, regularly topping off the battery rather than deep charging it, and replacing any frayed or damaged wiring and cables.
Most golf carts these days come with Flooded Lead Acid batteries. You can, however, fit Lithium-Ion batteries if you prefer.
These batteries then have a faster recharge time, are lighter, and have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries.
If you are unsure how to swap the battery, we recommend you have a professional do it for you to prevent injuring yourself or damaging the battery or the golf cart.
Now that we have briefly looked at golf cart batteries, let’s move on to see how long they last!
How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?
How long golf cart batteries last depends on how well you care for your batteries and how often they are used.
We know that is a pretty vague answer and a little unhelpful! But on average, fleet golf carts that are properly maintained will last around 4 to 6 years.
If you are a private owner with your golf cart, then you can expect it to last longer, with an average life span of 6 to 10 years!
This is brilliant news if you own your own cart, as you don’t need to budget for a new battery as frequently.
However, these averages are just that, averages. They are based on fleet carts being used for 2 or 3 rounds of golf a day, and private carts being used roughly 3 to 5 times a week.
If you use your golf cart more frequently then, your battery won’t last as long.
The same applies if you do not regularly maintain the battery.
Not charging it properly or leaving it to run completely flat before charging will impact the lifespan of your battery and leave you needing to replace it sooner than others that are caring for their batteries.
You also need to consider other features that draw from the battery pack. Headlights and taillights will impact the lifespan and range of your battery too. The same applies to the speed you drive your cart at.
The faster you drive it, the quicker the battery needs to be recharged. And the more times you charge your battery, the shorter its lifespan becomes!
Keep these factors in mind and think about how often you use your golf cart and how well you care for the battery.
Are you doing all you can to extend its lifespan, or is the way you drive your cart and use your battery going to shorten the average lifespan?
How Can I Make My Golf Cart Battery Last Longer?
Before you leave us today, check out some of our quick tips that will help your battery last for longer!
You can try one or a combination of these tips to not only improve the lifespan of your golf cart battery but its performance too! Let’s get into our list of tips now.
- Use the correct battery charger when charging your battery to prevent damaging it.
- Use anti-corrosion lubricants to protect the components of your battery and prevent any damage from the acid in the battery.
- Never discharge your battery to more than 70% of its reserve capacity as this can erode the plates, causing corrosion.
- Use distilled water when topping off your cell’s reservoirs. You want enough to submerge the batteries without overfilling the cells’.
- Trickle charge your battery using a trickle charger. This will keep it charged in between uses and should help prolong the battery’s life.
- Where possible, spend more and enjoy a higher quality battery that will have a longer lifespan than cheaper models.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, your golf cart battery can last anywhere from four to ten years depending on its intended use, how often it is used, and how well you care for and maintain the battery.
Don’t forget to check out tips to see how you can best care for your golf cart battery to get as much use out of it as possible!
