Having owned an electric golf cart (Yamaha) for a pit vehicle, I'd go with gas next time. Maintaining, charging, and eventually replacing the batteries was not a good experience. It cost me $800 to replace the batteries just before I sold it. Now, I'll admit, it sat around a lot and I probably didn't do what I should have to maintain them, but still, if it had been a gas version I doubt the maintenance costs and would have been near that.
On the subject of battery powered carts:
I am a professional EV tech, I've been repairing and maintaining electric forklifts and other battery powered industrial vehicle for almost 20 years, including, occasionally, golf carts.
The biggest issue with electric carts, as with all lead-acid battery powered machines, is battery care and maintenance. Included in that is proper cycling of the battery. The way that all deep cycle batteries should be used is to start with a fully charged battery, run it down to 15%-20% remaining charge, then charge it (with the correct rated charger) until the charger says its finished. (No one should be using dial start chargers in this age, charge sensing auto start/stop chargers have been standard for years now). The battery should be allowed to cool before being put back in use.
The battery should not be charged if less than 50% charge is remaining. The battery should not be taken off of charge before the charger says that it's fully charged.
The battery top should be kept clean. The battery electrolyte level should be checked every few charges. A healthy battery will not need water often if all the above guidelines are being followed. When watering the battery distilled water is best, but tap water is acceptable if its not high in calcium or iron. Do not overfill the battery cells! Overfilled is almost as bad as dry.
Letting deep cycle batteries sit unused for long periods of time is just as detrimental to them as over charging and not watering them, it leads to sulfation very quickly.
For the battery to stay healthy it needs a full charge/discharge/charge cycle at least once a week. This is where many electric golf cart owners get burnt.
A set of cart batteries should last about 4 years with good maintance practices. If you are lucky, you can twice that, if you abuse them you will have problems within months of new.
Get one of the 3 wheel AMF Harley's.
Never understood the attraction to golf carts out side of a golf course etc. I can get to the same place in my car quicker, with HVAC etc, without spending a bunch of money on an extra vehicle.
HappyAndy wrote: On the subject of battery powered carts: I am a professional EV tech, I've been repairing and maintaining electric forklifts and other battery powered industrial vehicle for almost 20 years, including, occasionally, golf carts. The biggest issue with electric carts, as with all lead-acid battery powered machines, is battery care and maintenance. Included in that is proper cycling of the battery. The way that all deep cycle batteries should be used is to start with a fully charged battery, run it down to 15%-20% remaining charge, then charge it (with the correct rated charger) until the charger says its finished. (No one should be using dial start chargers in this age, charge sensing auto start/stop chargers have been standard for years now). The battery should be allowed to cool before being put back in use. The battery should not be charged if less than 50% charge is remaining. The battery should not be taken off of charge before the charger says that it's fully charged. The battery top should be kept clean. The battery electrolyte level should be checked every few charges. A healthy battery will not need water often if all the above guidelines are being followed. When watering the battery distilled water is best, but tap water is acceptable if its not high in calcium or iron. Do not overfill the battery cells! Overfilled is almost as bad as dry. Letting deep cycle batteries sit unused for long periods of time is just as detrimental to them as over charging and not watering them, it leads to sulfation very quickly. For the battery to stay healthy it needs a full charge/discharge/charge cycle at least once a week. This is where many electric golf cart owners get burnt. A set of cart batteries should last about 4 years with good maintance practices. If you are lucky, you can twice that, if you abuse them you will have problems within months of new.
I think that is great advice that nobody otherwise gives electric cart owners. However, I think you also just confirmed why I would forgo electric for gas.
In reply to Basil Exposition:
If you were going to let the cart sit for long periods of time you should forgo electric carts.
Edit:gas powered auto start carts have their own set of problems
I think I'd rather have an old CJ series Jeep or something to that effect.
Great, info, thanks to everyone that has posted. Seems like EZGo and Club Car are the common ones here, and parts are readily available. Interesting thoughts about battery maintenance vs. gas powered. To be honest I've seen very few gas powered on the local CL.
As for why not a Jeep/truck instead, would love to, but it's more of a space issue than anything. We have the bikes too, and ride them on the miles of trails, but something cool about hopping on the golf cart with the wife and dog to head to dinner.
hobiercr wrote: Welcome to Dunedin. We have a pretty damn nice town here. Golf carts are a great way to get around town but they are only allowed in certain areas and on certain roads. Don't think you are able to drive them on 580 for example. Close to downtown is one zone and there is another near the Community Center on Michigan (and the Dunedin Stirling Links golf course). There are plenty of places close by that sell new and used carts and parts. Head North on Alt 19 and there are a few places in Palm Harbor. If you find one outside of the area and don't have a way to transport, drop me a line. I've got a trailer you are welcome to borrow (plus a truck to pull it with if needed). I live on the very East end of Dunedin and have lived in the area my whole life if you need any recommendations for other stuff. If you like carbonated malt beverages there are plenty of great brew pubs here.
Thanks hobie. We actually lived a little further south in CLW but just moved a bit north (just off Edgewater Drive south of downtown). If you frequent the local pubs and eateries then I'm sure we've crossed paths :)
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