Question on Adding Battery

Gobird

I'm sure this has been brought up and talked about before on this site but I couldn't find anything so I'm asking. My cart is a 99 EZ-Go. Is it possible to add another battery that would be used just for accessories like radio, lights, things like that. And still be able to charge it with the standard charger and some how have it wired in so it would charge with the main battery pack but still be separate. Just thought this might save ware and tair on the main battery pack.

Thanks for any feed back.

BGW

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roady89

If you had a 48 volt charger you could do that. You would wire the batteries is series like normal but only tap into 36 volts for the controller and control wiring.

Now the downside:
You should to use the same batteries so while charging you don't get a false charge reading. A 12 volt auto batt will come up quicker that a deep cycle cart battery and give you a false reading. Even if you use the same golf cart batteries you will still have a pack out of balance because your accessory batts won't get pulled down as much.(normally) Damage could be done to the accessory batteries trying to get the others up.

Your better off adding a 12 volt marine battery and using a small charger or a battery tender and keeping it seperate.

Gobird

Thanks for the input. I may look into adding that marine battery.

scottyb

would it not be more cost effective to purchase a voltage reducer and run your lights and radio off of the whole pack?

Gobird

Don't know, what's involved in doing it that way? Would I just wire all the 12V stuff up to the reducer?

scottyb

Basically YES.
I would take the two 12v leads from the reducer to 2 buss ( 1 pos / 1 neg)bars and make any connections there for accessories.

gornoman

All voltage reducers have wattage limitations that cannot be exceeded. How many 12v items are you planning?

scottyb

good point.

Ronman

The reducer will run just over a hundred bucks, about $120 if Im not mistaken. I picked up a deep cell marine battery at NAPA for $62.00 last week. Found a small fully automatic charger that will mount on the bottom of the seat for $37.00 from rainbow custom carts that I might order this week. Or just use the my old standard 12v charger (just like the convenience of having one mounted on the cart and ready to go wherever Im at). Either way Im under a hundred bucks.

You should have the same configuration I have and will find an extra battery fits perfect under the drivers side. I used heavy duty nylon ties to strap it down.

The plus side is you wont be draining two batteries and setting them off balance from the other four. This will make it far cheaper in the long run.

Gobird

Ronman,

Thanks for that info. Yes, I do have an open place for one. It sounds like this may be the best way to go. As far as load, I have a full set of stock lighting,head lights/tail lights, light around license plate, 10' of 12V rope lighting around the undercarriage and a radio.