36v to 48v - Is it worth it?

[yurtle]

That's where a life cycle analysis would be necessary, as I'll bet premium batteries are premium cost. Generally, higher volume inventory costs less. I don't know what golf courses use, but I would think most neighborhood buggies go with middle of the line.

[kgsc]

Last 6 volts I bought were 235ah. He did have 245 but they were almost $20 each more.. I passed..

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by yurtle

That's where a life cycle analysis would be necessary, as I'll bet premium batteries are premium cost. Generally, higher volume inventory costs less. I don't know what golf courses use, but I would think most neighborhood buggies go with middle of the line.

I actually did a life-cycle analysis before ordering.

I managed to special ordered Exide GC-145 (245AH) only $10.00 more than it would have cost me to special order GC-135 (226AH), so my life-cycle cost is actually about $0.58 less per battery per year than the standard AH battery would have been.

However, you are correct, premium grade batteries usually cost a lot more than standard grade batteries. In my case, the breakeven point was about $13.50 per battery or about $0.71 per AH.

I was looking for range, so even if the life-cycle cost would have been a bit higher, I probably would have still went with the higher AH battery.

[yurtle]

That's where cost/benefit analysis comes into play. Hard to put a price on the benefit though, so sometimes you just go with your gut.

[mhynd]

Thanks, guys for the info. I have heard that 8-6v will have a longer life than 6-8v. Any experience on this subject? Does the longer life justify the extra cost of 1 or 2 more batteries? Just running down another rabbit hole before I decide on which set up.

[beach cart]

I will probably get slapped for this one. I have 8 6v batts. The run time is great but when these wear out, I am going with trojan ranger 160, to still have good run time and jetison the extra 150 lbs of weight. My cart is loaded, rear seat, biggest amp batts 255 Deka. Driving in Florida in summer has been a problem with motor heat. That's fixed now, Vic at D+D fixed me up with a motor that's slowed me to 27 but that's plenty. Speed motors are fine with lower gears in colder climates. I tried to run speed motors, with 8-1 gears and a heavy sepex pds cart, works for some just not me.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by mhynd

Thanks, guys for the info.
1. I have heard that 8-6v will have a longer life than 6-8v.
2. Any experience on this subject?
3. Does the longer life justify the extra cost of 1 or 2 more batteries?
4. Just running down another rabbit hole before I decide on which set up.

1. It can be proven mathematically that a higher AH 48V battery pack will have a longer useful lifespan than a lower AH 48V battery pack. (I had to change the statement because there are some super-economy 6V golf cart batteries out there that actually have fewer AH than some super-premium 8V golf cart batteries.)

The cart will use the same amount of electrical energy to get from Point-A to Point-B no matter how many AH the battery pack has, therefore the higher AH battery pack will have more AH left in it at the end of the trip, so the State of Charge will be higher and the higher the average SoC maintained, the longer the batteries last.

2. No, I've never used a 48V pack or wore out a set of batteries.

3. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. It depends how and where the cart is used and once the AH requirements needed to fulfill those requirements are met, it is subjective.

4. Just about everything about building a cart is a compromise, so checking out they various possibilities is a good thing.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by beach cart

I will probably get slapped for this one. I have 8 6v batts. The run time is great but when these wear out, I am going with trojan ranger 160, to still have good run time and jetison the extra 150 lbs of weight. My cart is loaded, rear seat, biggest amp batts 255 Deka. Driving in Florida in summer has been a problem with motor heat. That's fixed now, Vic at D+D fixed me up with a motor that's slowed me to 27 but that's plenty. Speed motors are fine with lower gears in colder climates. I tried to run speed motors, with 8-1 gears and a heavy sepex pds cart, works for some just not me.

Slap - Slap - Slap.

Just kidding. There's absolutely nothing wrong with refining a setup to better fit your purposes.

I'm pushing the motor temperature limits a bit with a speed motor turning a stock gear ratio and tire height at 42V, in a cooler climate, but I have more hills.

What motor did you go with, standard or high-torque?

Dropping 150 pounds or so, will gain back some of the lost speed.

[scottyb]

I prefer the performance improvement from dumping 150# when comparing 8/6 to 6/8s. Like any improvement you pay a little extra for 8v batteries and they do not last as long. In the service industry we experienced average useful life of 5 yrs on 6v and 4 yrs on 8v. Of course there are so many variables when it comes to battery useful life it's comical. Like my Aunt getting 9yrs from a 6/6v pack but hey, it never went more than a 1/4 mile in any direction away from the charger

Buy the highest AH pack that best fits your needs, care well for them and you will get your money's worth.

[beach cart]

The motor I went with from ,D+D was Vic recomendation and it is High Torque. Es 9B 50 number. I guess what I am saying for my street no hills requirements, Id go next time aluminum frame, ( club car) stock gears , 500 amp controller large solenoid with a lift, and 23" tires and the largest 8 v batts. By the way my neighbor 80 plus years has this set up on a 2011 club car, he is getting 30 plus miles on the ranger 160. I am doing his spread sheet for him on range, motor temp, pk volt after a days ride. He is the perfect platform, patrols the hood all day for us at work LOL. By the way I didnt know anything 3 years ago, all knowledge learned here, asking questions, building ,changing, experimenting. Johnnie is so right, if you change something performance wise it will effect something else.

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