Confessions of a battery abuser.

thetoddjohnson

Whenever purchasing golf cart batteries, or outboard motors, or bicycles, or basically anything we always tell ourselves we will meticulously maintain our new toys. Some of us do, others…well...not so much.

I’m about to purchase a new battery pack for a cart and I know in advance that I’m not going to maintain them very well. So I’d like to hear about opinions on what configuration and battery type would hold up best under these abusive conditions.

The cart will sit idle for long periods of time in a location where there is no access to a charger. In order to get the cart to that parking spot it will typically travel a few miles while heavily loaded and pulling a trailer, so the batteries will not be at 100% SOC when parked. As if that weren’t bad enough, the cart will live outdoors 365 days per year, only a few steps from a corrosive salt water environment. It’s highly unlikely, but the possibility exists for prolonged sub-freezing temperatures. The first time the cart gets used after sitting for some period of time it will once again be driven a few miles while heavily loaded and pulling a trailer before it will have access to a charger.

Part of me thinks that the best approach would be to use a 36V cart in a three 12V configuration, purchase low quality Wall*Mart-esque batteries and plan to replace them often. This is probably the cheapest long-term solution.

On the other hand part of me thinks that it makes sense to try to figure out a setup that will get the longest life out of a set of batteries. While this is more costly, I’d be okay with that because it cuts down on the hassles of having to transport batteries to (and perform the pack change at) the remote location.

So fellow BGW brethren, I’d love your thoughts regarding:

36v or 48v total pack voltage?
number of volts per battery?
sepex or series (does it have any relevance?)
really short tires to try to reduce load on pack during “commute"?
traditional wet cells, AGM, GEL, other?

One last thing, a gasser isn’t an option because of a local ordinance.

Thanks,

TJ

BGW

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Revolution

What about a smallish lithium pack? If your only driving a few miles at a time it would not have to be large, and small enough to be removable when you leave the cart for long periods of time. Take the pack with you and maintain its charge.

Series motors and controllers are cheeper and easier to work with.

kgsc

Solar panel maintainer?

thetoddjohnson

This is a good idea but logistically I think it is more hassle than it would be worth. One reason: I'd need to have 2 chargers (one on the island and one at home). Second reason: It would only be a matter of time before I left the battery at home and didn't realize until got to the cart.

I do one day plan on building a lithium cart, so I'm curious regarding what you mean by a "smallish" pack. Would it be feasible to get a cart to drive 2 miles on a single Nissan Leaf battery?

thetoddjohnson

Now THIS is an idea I like. I just spent a few minutes searching the web and couldn't find any 48V solar maintainers. Does anybody know if such an animal exists?

TJ

tag50

Sav-A-Battery has 12v. solar (3 X 12 for 36v.)

BatteryMinder has 12v. and 24v. solar (2 X24 for 48v.)


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OlrustysGhost

I like the Solar setup. I use it to charge and maintain Batteries around the house. Sun Power! That way I'm just a little off the Electric Grid.

thetoddjohnson

I thought packs were always supposed to be charged as a single unit to keep them "balanaced". Is that not an issue with maintainers?

branson

I think that In you're case any charging is better than no charging. the kind of use that you are describing probably means you will be buying batteries every year or two.
there are solar chargers designed for carts that mount on the roof. they have been talked about on this forum. the general consensus is for pratical daily use solar is not enough. however since you plan to let it sit for weeks it should actually work.

Revolution

They make really nice charge controllers for small off grid PV systems in 36 volt and 48 volt. Some use one 12 volt panel and others use a string of panels with voltages up to 72 volts to charge a 36 or 48 volt pack. Most seem to cost about $120 for 5 amp models. Another $200 or so for panels and you would be set.