Looking for openions on my idea to extend run tim on my 48 volt club car

Catty Wagon

Ok, my club car cart runs on 48 volts. Currently I have 8 6 volt batteries running in series. Since I have room for 8 batteries I I thought why not get a 12 volt batteries. Run 2 sets of 4 in series comma then run those two sets parallel. In theory, this should keep everything at 48 volts but boost my amp hours. What do you guys think? Has anybody done this or attempted to do this? If so what roadblocks did you run into?

BGW

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scooterman

Better run time use 8 of the 6 volts batteries, Amp hours on the 12 batteries aren't nearly as high and you have to also deal with charging them correctly, it is much simpler going 6 volts.

sjfishon

real simple, go to a gas cart,, nuf said steve

Hecky50

8 x 12 volts is some serious weight!! Go with 8 x 6 volt. They are available in higher amp rating then the 12 volt. Or you could go gas or Lithium ion.

teecro

I think the first question that needs to be fielded is why do you feel the need to do this? How many miles are you wanting/needing to run between charging? And more importantly how many miles are you currently running between charging? Perhaps you have exsisting battery and/or charging issues that is limiting your current range?

Catty Wagon

Hecky50, I've been looking into the possibility of using the lithium ions. Would definitely cut down weight.

Catty Wagon

teecro, I have no gage for miles as of yet. The reason I want to push the limits is for the money. I will be using it as a pedicab out by where I live around the bar scene. The long I can run between charges the more $$ I can make.

cmar143

What kind of 6v batteries are you running? I have 8 6v Trojan t145 and they are the highest Ah rated 6v batteries that will give you longer run time without spending 3K on lithium. 8 12V is a bad idea because of weight it will work against you especially since it already sounds like you are carrying 4 passengers at least

teecro

Without knowing at least a baseline for miles there is no true way to make an informed decision on whether or not you will benefit from different batteries. But first off as pointed out 8 12's is not going to be the way to go at all. Six 8's is a compromise between Eight 6's and Four 12's... If max miles was what I was after I'd go with eight 6 volt batteries but they don't come cheap so I'd hope your making a lot of drunken fares to pay for them.... Also from a different angle is to use your cart on the street as a taxi will you have to license it as a slow speed vehicle, have insurance etc?

jjance

I looked it up for you. The weight would increase by 258 lbs. The KwH's storage of the batteries would increase from 9 to 16 KwH's. Under ideal conditions with a stock motor and controller that would give you a min run time of 6.4 hrs. Now this is just a guess but I'd say it will take you 6 or 8 hrs to recharge them.