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Golf Cart Batteries: Lithium Vs. Lead Acid
The golf cart market is evolving as more and more people are taking advantage of their versatile performance. For decades, deep-cycle flooded lead-acid batteries have been the most cost-effective means to power electric golf cars. With the rise of lithium batteries in many high-power applications, many are now looking into the advantages of LiFePO4 batteries in their golf cart.
Carrying Capacity
Equipping a Lithium battery into a golf cart enables the cart to significantly increase its weight-to-performance ratio. Lithium golf cart batteries are half the weight of a traditional lead-acid battery, which shaves off two-thirds of the battery weight a golf cart would normally operate with. The lighter weight means the golf cart can reach higher speeds with less effort and carry more weight without feeling sluggish to the occupants.
No Maintenance
One of the major benefits of Lithium batteries is that they require no golf cart battery maintenance whatsoever, whereas lead-acid batteries regularly need to be checked and maintained. This ultimately results in saved man-hours and the extra costs of maintenance tools and products. The lack of lead-acid means that chemical spills are avoided and the chance of downtime on your golf car is drastically reduced.
Battery Charging Speed
Regardless if you’re using a lead-acid battery or a Lithium battery, any electric car or golf cart faces the same flaw: they have to be charged. Charging takes time, and unless you happen to have a second cart at your disposal, that time can put you out of the game for a while. A good golf cart needs to maintain consistent power and speed on any course terrain. Lithium batteries can manage this without a problem, but a lead-acid battery will slow the cart down as its voltage dips. Plus after the charge has dissipated, it takes an average lead-acid battery roughly eight hours to recharge back to full.
Battery Cycle Life
How long do golf cart batteries last? Lithium batteries last significantly longer than lead-acid batteries because the Lithium chemistry increases the number of charge cycles. An average Lithium battery can cycle between 2,000 and 5,000 times; whereas, an average lead-acid battery can last roughly 500 to 1,000 cycles. Although Lithium batteries have a high upfront cost, compared to frequent lead-acid battery replacements, a Lithium battery pays for itself over its lifetime.
