Buying a new golf cart battery can be confusing if you have not done it before or if you do not go to the vendor prepared. One great issue associated with almost any newer model of golf cart battery is you do not have to replace these workhorses very often. And if you take care of your power source, you may not have to replace it all during the life of your golf vehicle.
You might find yourself in a debate if you were to argue that the golf cart battery of today is better than those produced in years past. Some old timers swear by the older units, mostly because they were very easy to maintain and they were much less expensive to replace. Today’s newly engineered golf cart battery is expensive if compared with the older ones, but they do so much more and they will last decades if they are taken care of properly. Still, things happen and there are times when you have to replace the power source.
When you simply have no other option but to buy a new golf cart battery keep a few things in mind before you shop and as you shop. The first issue to keep in mind is that unless you have a very good reason to do otherwise, replace the old unit with the same make and model. When your vehicle was designed it was designed with certain power needs in mind. Those responsible for the power source almost certainly tested the vehicle using various power units and decided that the one that came with the vehicle was the best choice for your particular golfing vehicle.
The second issue to consider and be aware of when it comes to buy a new golf car battery is the terminal set up. Unless you have looked at a lot of golf cart batteries you may not realize that there are many set up on the market today. If you purchase the wrong terminal type or set up, the new unit will not work with your vehicle and you will have to take it back and have it replaced with one that is similar to what you have. Under no circumstances should you ever try to force mismatched cable terminals to power sources that are not appropriate for that type of terminal. You might cause an explosion or fire, both of which can be fatal.
The third issue when buying a new golf car battery has to do with power. If your system is a 48 volt system, then stay with a 48 volt system. You should never attempt to increase the power of your vehicle by putting in higher voltage power units. The added voltage may overheat the current wiring in the vehicle and again, this can lead to fires.
Lastly, do not be afraid to comparison shop. You might be pleasantly surprised to find online vendors offering competitive pricing on most major brands. This is one of the best ways to save money when you need a new golf cart battery.
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Car batteries, when you take a look at the function they provide, really are a strange component to a vehicle. As with the starter, they basically only provide a two second surge of electricity to start the car. After that, they’re pretty much dead weight being carried around with you. Why is that? Doesn’t the battery still run the electrical systems of the car? The answer really is no. Once the car is started, the alternator, which is basically just a standard generator, both runs the electrical systems and recharges the battery. In the long run, your alternator is responsible for the electrical components of the vehicle. So why not use the alternator to start the car then? Unfortunately you can’t.
Have you ever left your lights on while shopping only to return to a dead battery? How about on a camping trip? I once left my lights on during a job interview and had to ask my potential employer for a jump start. Needless to say I didn’t get the job.