Trying to find option to extend distance per day

[Mr. Mike]

How about this idea? Maybe put a small gas generator somewhere on the cart and plug your charger in any time you can...assuming your not always near an electric receptacle. You could easily start a generator and charge the cart for awhile plus small generators are cheap at places like harbor freight...way cheaper than a second set of batteries and charger.

[kgsc]

Also, not sure what cart you have now, but if it is based on the TXT platform but just longer like a workhorse or an MPT you could possible find another cart that is gas and either swap drive trains or swap the accessories you need the sell what is left..

[Volt_Ampere]

Going to a gas cart is the best way to increase distance!

[JohnnieB]

Post a picture of the cart so we can figure out what it is.

How many miles are actually traveled in the about 10 hours you are getting out of it mow? (Measure it with a GPS. )

Sounds like you what to up the usage from 10 hours to 16 hours, which is a 60% increase, but the increase in miles the cart is driven might not be that big of an increase.

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The are several factors that determine how many miles an electric cart can be driven, but it all boils down to two things. How many watts (Amps x Volts) per mile the cart uses and how many watt-hours (AH x Volts) of energy are stored in the battery pack. Basically, it is the same as how many miles a car or pickup can go on a tank of gasoline, it depends on the MPG the vehicle get and how many gallons the gas tank holds, but with electric carts you don't want to empty the batteries more than halfway, or they wear out a lot sooner.

[Volt_Ampere]

I like electric carts but only for reasonably short runs per day. (Two rounds of golf is about 12 miles or so.) If you want unlimited range, you really should consider a gas cart. Gasoline is almost 100X more energy storage per pound when compared to FLA batteries.

[SRRJ]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I don't have a picture of it, it's at the golf cart shop right now. It was custom built, it was just a long frame and a local shop built it for me.

Converting to gas would be too expensive I think. This cart works fine now, I'd just like a little bit more time on it. I'm looking for a cheap fix for this one, I'd rather spend the bigger money on another cart later on.

I have no idea the distance I drive each day, I use it at county fairs, we drive around and pick up trash or clean bathrooms with it.

People have suggested putting a generator on it, but I'm thinking that would be too noisy to use going through crowds. Plus how much gas would it burn?

The weight of extra batteries would be another what, 350 lbs? That's like adding 2 people, my cart can easily carry 4 people on it, so I'm not sure that would be a big issue.

[SRRJ]

As far as solar goes, I've seen panels from 280 to 400 watts. I wouldn't want the solar to power the cart, just to keep charging the batteries to put enough charge back into them during the day so I my batteries are less depleted by night time, hopefully giving me enough extra time to last until we finish.

[Volt_Ampere]

If you have good sunlight, solar panels may be a reasonable option to extend your range during the day. Only other option is more Watt Hours in your battery system. (more volts, more amp-hours)

[tag50]

Forgive me for saying, I don't see a "cheap fix".

750-set of batteries
100-set of cables
50-100-solenoid & on/off/on switch (or marine main/aux switch)
100-extra charger (used)
15-60-in dash digital meter (so neither batt. set gets too low)

VS

900-1200-solar panels (the 12v. panels I looked at ran about a buck/watt)
15-60-in dash digital meter

Assuming 2 meal breaks in a 16 hour day, charging during said breaks is looking better.


.

[HiTechRedNeck]

Originally Posted by tag50

Forgive me for saying, I don't see a "cheap fix".

750-set of batteries
100-set of cables
50-100-solenoid & on/off/on switch (or marine main/aux switch)
100-extra charger (used)
15-60-in dash digital meter (so neither batt. set gets too low)

VS

900-1200-solar panels (the 12v. panels I looked at ran about a buck/watt)
15-60-in dash digital meter

Assuming 2 meal breaks in a 16 hour day, charging during said breaks is looking better.


.

Ditto...

Just try plugging cart in during the idle periods (like while cleaning bathrooms,loading, lunch ect)

This option is basically free. Try it before going out and spending money.

BTW ... What batts are in your cart?
. what cart?