New batteries and prices 12v/48v

Outlawcart

I have been searching through threads and seems most have to do with 6v or 8v batteries, so apologies if this is covered somewhere.

I am looking at replacing 4x12v batteries. Asking about prices these days because they seem to have jumped dramatically from the last time I checked a few years ago. When I spoke with a shop around 3 years ago they quoted me about $650 for replacement, however they talked me out or replacing at that time. I think my batteries have finally ended their useful life, unless there is something else in the cart that could make them act like they don't have a charge.

I've been looking around here locally and the cheapest batteries I can find are the Trojan T1275 for $212 each but after taxes etc I think it was about $920 for 4... next cheapest I see are $247 and then $279 each at Interstate and Batteries Plus.

I currently have US batteries installed and seem to have done well. All I see on Duracell are bad reviews.

Seems Trojan have always been the recommended, but am I no longer able to pick up a set of 4 batteries for around $650 or so as I was expecting?

Just want to confirm before I put the extra $$$ out there then find out next week I could have saved a couple hundred bucks.

BGW

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Outlawcart

Just a little more data in case there's more to diagnose here instead of just batteries.
I have removed and cleaned the battery cables. Re-filled each battery above the cells with distilled water. Charged each battery individually (I only tested one battery prior to charging and it was very low at 10 volts so I didn't bother testing the rest at that time).

After charging I went through a load test on each one. 3 batteries tested at 12.5 - 12.9 volts which still seems a touch low. All around 255 - 300 CCA (not so sure how that reads different on these cart batteries as that seems very low as well). The final battery tested around 13.5 volts and 350 CCA. All batteries were 6-10 ohms.

So, after charging each battery by themselves and reinstalling I tested the cart. It shot down the driveway like a demon...until I turned around and started back up the slight grade into the drive then it died very quickly and had to tow it back to the house. Died in about 45 seconds.

With this i'm pretty sure the batteries have no more life left in them unless you helpful folks tell me something else to check prior to replacing.

Outlawcart

Seems that's pretty much the going price for batteries now. Haven't been active here for a bit but figured someone might have some input...I just ordered 4 Trojans to pick up tomorrow. Hope I did the right thing.

bobbycason

I'm definitely not one of the experts but from what I've read the 12v batteries are kind of frowned upon. They are the last of the three (6v, 8v, and 12v) when it comes to ride time and the longevity of the life of the batteries.

Outlawcart

So you're thinking possibly a conversion to 6v or 8v batteries may have been the way to go?

bobbycason

That's what I've seen them recommend before. There's a few threads over in the electric EZGO section where they discuss why the 8 volts are the better choice. I've got a medalist that I just upgraded from 36 volts.

Lochlin

In a general sense, more batteries for the same voltage gets longer run time. IE: (4) 12v will get longer run time than (2) 24v. (6) 8v will get longer run time than (4) 12v. (8 ) 6v will get longer run time than (6) 8v, etc. Now. there is a lot more to it than this with regard to amp-hour ratings of batteries and such but generally, more batts means more run time. More batts are also more expensive so it's a cost / benefit thing.

Roxyflash

More battery’s more weight

bronsonj

If you were happy with the four 12V run time (when the batteries were good) then I'd scratch the eight 6V off the list. Fitting eight batteries means adding two in the bag well or getting creative and as Roxy stated, eight batteries will weigh more. You'll get more run time with 6V and with 8V than you had with 12V, so no reason for the extra effort if the 12V batts suited your needs.

Six 8V batteries is the norm. No goofy placement, no worries on getting a battery cable kit, etc. You will need to change some of your cables to fit six batteries and you will need to change the battery pan if you go this route. You will also get better run time from this setup with a little more weight. If you price the 8V batteries you should be able to get them cheaper than $960! At least, around here you can get them cheaper. But some areas have far different prices for a variety of reasons.

The easiest method is to replace them with new 12V golf cart batteries, but as stated that comes at a trade off to longevity and range.

Andy4639