First golf cart need information and advice

[Leed1315]

I traded an older atv I had for a 36v golf cart today. It has back seat and is lifted. The batteries were bad and he only had 4 of them left. I got this golf cart to use for hunting. It will normally make around a 3 mile round trip at most with a good portion being a fairly steep hill. Here are my questions.\
1. How can I find out what year it is?
2. I had wanted a 48v but happened to come across this one. Will a 36v be fine for what I'm wanting to use it for or should I try to convert it to 48v? If so what does it consist of and whats the cost on something like that?
3. What batteries should I use? I know most recommend Trojans and I don't mind spending the money for good batteries but if there are some as good for a cheaper price then I'm all for it.
4. Are there alternative batteries that can be used that are as good or better? The reason i ask is because I have an atv salvage ad had a guy last week come by a frame and front suspension to put under a golf cart to widen for more stability on a lift. He mentioned putting deep cycle marine batteries in it and said others had tried it with mixed reviews.
5. I don't know a whole lot about this cart as far as whats good on it and whats not. So what normal replacement parts should I be checking out?
6. For what I'm looking to use it for what are some upgrades ya'll would recommend?

I know its a lot of questions and I appreciate any help. Just hope to have it ready by the first of deer season.

[Leed1315]

After searching on here a little bit I believe I have a TXT with a Sepex DCS system. I'm not familiar with the differences but figured it would help with getting advice.

[yurtle]

A lot is in the Stickies but here they are, as well as a few not in the stickies. The last link is a site sponsor, and besides having great package deals for upgrades, there is a good bit of information to help you decide what you need to upgrade. Also, read up on all the info he has on batteries.

Links:

Owner's, Parts, and Service Manuals:
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...g-manuals.html

Wiring Diagrams
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...-diagrams.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...g-manuals.html

Dana Axle:
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/attac...5-28148g01.pdf

Golf Cart Serial Number Lookup:
http://www.shopezgo.com/customer-ser...ialNumber.html

Controller/Motor Type:
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/attac...go-guide-2.jpg

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...en-system.html

Carts Unlimited:
http://www.cartsunlimited.net/

[Great white north]

My 2 cents worth upgrade to 48 volt now , Scotty's 808 pkg buy Crowns for batts a little cheaper then Trojan but just as good !

[yurtle]

Try and find two or more dead batteries. When I went from six to eight batteries, I was lucky enough to find a big enough dead battery that it covered my core charge.

[Leed1315]

Does it matter what kind of batteries I bring for cores? I know for car batteries at wal-mart it didnt. I have plenty of bad atv batteries. I'd rather use them for cores and scrap out the heavier ones from the golf carts.

Were can I check out this Scotty's808 package?
If I upgraed to 48 volt would I be using 6 8v or 8 6v batteries?

[vagabond]

you can go either the 8vs or 6vs, 6vs will give you longer run time, but if your not doing a lot of driving the 8vs might be the better option.
I went with Scottys 404b with the altrax DCX 400 amp and the big solenoid, used it for 36 v rhen went 42 and now I'm running it 48, and I'm very happy with the setup oh I'm running 8 6vs

[rib33024]

Originally Posted by Leed1315

Were can I check out this Scotty's808 package?

Here. And Welcome to BGW


http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Custom_Options.html

[cgtech]

Stay Away from "Marine batteries". Use only "golf cart" batteries. Not all "deep cycle" batteries are created equal! You will get only half as long life or less (years) out of "deep cycle" batteries as compared to "golf cart" batteries. I have seen perfectly good "deep cycle" batteries last only 1.5 years in golf cart use, they are not the same. More expensive, but, money better spent. ( not even talking about brand preference).. A good set of the correct "sams club" T-105 equivalent batteries will probably serve you better than 3 "Trojan group 31-12v" batteries would (36v example), and Trojan is more expensive and usually considered #1.

[yurtle]

Type of battery core didn't matter for me. I was given a diesel cranking battery, and it was apparently larger than two, six volt buggy batteries, so I actually got back more than the core charge was. My guess is they have some kind of lookup chart, based on pounds of lead. It may also be "ball-park", as I've never heard anyone here complain that going to a larger amp-hour battery cost them in core charge.