Amount of Energy to Charge Golf Cart?
The Types of Golf Cart Batteries
A golf cart battery is actually a deep cycle battery. This type of battery is also referred to as "wet" or "flooded" batteries because of the electrolytes they contain. These electrolytes are comprised of a water and acid solution that produces an electrical current over long periods of time. The batteries work by consuming a considerable amount of water within their predicted lifespan.
These batteries cost more to replace because of their longevity. A well-maintained golf cart battery would be able to last up to six years. The minimum predicted lifespan would be at four years. Golf carts typically contain 6 volt batteries, 8 volt batteries, or 12 volt batteries. The 6 volt golf cart batteries and 8 golf cart batteries usually have a 36 volt or 48 volt electrical drive system. To determine your golf cart voltage, check the battery compartment below your golf cart seat. Count the number of holes on the battery then multiply that number by 2 to know its golf cart battery voltage. The last step would be to multiply the golf cart battery voltage by the total number of golf cart batteries, and this would determine your vehicle's volt system. A set of 12 volt golf cart batteries is usually found in 48 volt golf carts. Trojan golf cart batteries carry all these deep cycle variations.
Charging Your Golf Cart
Taking good care of your batteries also entails proper use of the golf cart charger. Just like other electric appliances, you shouldn't over charge your golf cart batteries. You might want to use an automatic golf cart charger to avoid overcharging. Luckily almost all chargers today are "smart" chargers that measure, through an algorithm, the amount of energy left in the battery pack and then calculate the time needed to charge the battery pack to full charge status. Charging is also best done when there's enough time to bring the battery up to full. A partial charge before driving the vehicle could also damage the batteries.
Electricity Consumed in Charging a Golf Cart
While charging a golf cart battery may sound inconvenient, using an electric golf cart to drive short distances can actually reduce fuel expenses. Savings can go up to $1,000 annually. It takes approximately 8 to 14 hours to charge a depleted lead acid battery pack depending on the age of the batteries. It's takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours of charging time for the new Lithium Elite from E-Z-GO®. This saves you energy out of the wall (money) and down time compared to lead acid batteries.
The saved costs depend on how many kilowatts are consumed to charge the battery. For this case, let's take into account a 120 volt charger that draws 10 amps. Volts multiplied by amps yields watts as the product, so the result is 1,200 watts.
Another study done by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority evaluated the energy use of electric golf carts per hour. The report indicated a 3.3 kWH for its daily energy consumption, while gas carts consumed much more at 1.13 L or 10 kWh of energy.
Whether you're looking at daily consumption or long-term benefit, electric golf carts are one step to a more sustainable future. The environment isn't the only thing taken care of, as you can also enjoy more annual savings in the long run. Just be sure to take good care of your golf cart battery to enjoy all of its great benefits.