When you're checking out the batteries in an electric Golf Cart, one thing that's easy to miss is figuring out the Voltage and Amperage. This means understanding the difference between 36-volt and 48-volt systems. Knowing these differences is important because replacing batteries can be expensive. Knowing what to look for beforehand can help you pick the right pack when buying your golf cart battery.

The Voltage of a Golf Cart Battery Pack

Voltage is a measure of the electrical difference between two points in a circuit. In the context of golf cart batteries, Voltage determines the power available to drive the cart's motor. Most golf carts operate on a 36-volt or 48-volt system, although some high-performance models may have 72-volt systems.

Let's start by looking at the Voltage in a battery pack and its meaning. To compare, let's think about cars. We're used to hearing about things like horsepower and MPG. In an electric vehicle, Voltage in a battery pack is like power, not fuel. So, in a golf cart, Voltage is similar to horsepower in a car. A 72-volt system might give more power than a 48-volt one, and a 48-volt system might be stronger than a 36-volt system. But remember, it's not just about Voltage. The controller in the vehicle also matters. It controls how much Amperage comes from the batteries. But why is Amperage important? Let's talk about that.

The Amperage of a Golf Cart Battery Pack

Amperage, often referred to as current measures the flow of electric charge in a circuit. In the context of golf cart batteries, Amperage represents the battery's capacity to supply power over time. It determines how long the cart can run before requiring recharging.

Understanding Voltages is helpful, but knowing the total Amperage in a battery pack is key. To explain Amperage, let's compare it to a car's Horsepower and MPG. Horsepower affects how fast and powerful your car is, but it won't move without fuel. That's where MPG and your gas tank size come in—they determine how far you can drive before filling up. Similarly, in a golf cart, Amperage is like your gas tank. It decides how far you can travel on one charge. More Amperage means more miles before needing to recharge.

Why is it Important to Distinguish Your Battery Pack?

Now that we know the differences between Amperage and Voltage let's break it down to find the contrasts between various battery packs. We usually find a Six Eight Volt Battery System for typical golf carts. You can see this by counting six batteries, each with 8 cells. Cells are marked by caps used for watering. In Golf Cart batteries, each cell equals 2 Volts. Let's check out the five most common battery packs we see in the market:

Battery Amperage is determined using Trojan Batteries with a 20 Amp-Hour Capacity Rating.

Now that we've broken this down, we need to emphasize that how fast you go and how quickly you speed up will change how far you can travel. We figured out how far you can go by going 19.9 miles per hour normally and speeding up to 20 miles per hour in about 10-11 seconds.

From our chart, we can observe the different applications for each battery pack. The most suitable choice for power and range would be an 8-6 Volt Battery pack. However, if you expect the Golf Cart to travel less than 5 miles per day, you have flexibility in selecting battery packs. But remember, a standard round of 18 holes of golf typically covers 5-7 miles. 

We trust this information enhances your understanding of the distinctions between these battery packs and their impact on your needs. If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

Ready to upgrade your golf cart batteries? 

Whether you're a weekend golfer or use your cart for everyday chores, quality golf cart batteries are essential for peak performance. Visit Golf Cart Geeks today to find the perfect fit for your cart, and let's power up your ride!