battery life/headlights

shmo

Well, let me start off by saying, "I know, but I am cheap"...haha

I have a G-22 48v that I just added headlights to. Being that I was too cheap to buy a voltage reducer, I just wired the lights up to 2 batteries, 16 volts. I realize that I will shorten the life of the bulbs, and I also realize that it probably isn't great to pull off of only 2 of the batteries in the bank. My plan was to cycle through the batteries, 2 at a time every so often, by swapping around the wiring. However, I am no electrician. Generally speaking, I don't use the headlights more than maybe 30 minutes a week. With that being said, my lovely better half decided to use the cart last night and not turn the headlights off until this morning, roughly 11 hours

Without being put on the charger last night, the cart runs and drives just fine, However I know those two batteries must be taxed. Any input on what I should do at this point? Should I just run the cart and charge like usual? Or is there something a little more involved that I should consider doing? I would hate to tear up a pair of batteries because I was too cheap to spring for the right parts.

Appreciate the input,

SHMO

BGW

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OLD MEC

You have a sharp looking late model Yamaha IF is the one in avatar? To skimp on a great cart like this by ruining the life of your batterys is terrible? All you need to do is add a small sealed 12 volt handicaped scooter battery ( UB 12350 ) that less than a year ago cost $60.00. You can do like I and throw it in glove box because of size 7 1/2" X 5 1/2"X 7 1/2" and run wiring to all accessories? I charge mine twice a month with cheap auto charger ( Harbor Freight $25.00. This makes much more sense than ruining ( 2) 8 volt batterys at about $150.00 PLUS??

shmo

My Avatar is the cart in question.

After asking around, I am now shopping for a converter. The headlights get such little use, it is probably not much concern. My plan was to swap the wiring between batteries every couple months to even out the wear on them.

Thanks a bunch for the advice on the small battery. I actually have one of those sitting around that is not being used.

SHMO

arcitech

On my EZGO the headlights come off of 2 batteries, but the light switch is built into the key switch (OFF, RUN, RUN+Lights) Keeps the hassles low, and the wife always remembers the key! There must be some way you could rig a similar solution. The separated battery is fine, but then you have to have 2 chargers or do like I did with my stereo, put a solar panel to keep the charge. Then you have to have the cart outside and that may not be your plan...

scottyb

A good voltage converter will save you $ in the long run. Test the 2 drained batteries. Compare them to the rest of the pack and individually recharge them if necessary. Recharging a total pack with 3 drained batteries will cook the 4 good ones before the 2 low ones come up WHICH is precisely why we suggested the voltage converter in the first place.

sak00

What I would do is hook all the batteries in parallel (sp). This way the all the batteries will come back to a common voltage. Then hook them back up orginally in series and charge them like you would anyway.