gas vs electric

[wingnut2000]

are electric carts lower maintenance than gas carts? I have a gas cart and have already replaced a few parts in the last few months. Thinking about trying to sell it and get an electric and put money in the bank

[Marathon Man]

There are pro's and con's either way. Batteries are expensive! They last 3 to 4 years. As long as u don't jack the govener on a gas cart it will last a long time.

[gornoman]

My last battery pack lasted 7 years.

[Pocono Country Boy]

Personally I prefer gas in my toys....maybe I'm just old school.

And yes.. batteries wear out and will cost you as much or more in the long run as you spend on a gas powered toy. Yes, they last quite a while if properly maintained but when you DO need to replace them it's a pretty big chunk of change (and you will need to replace them unless you sell the cart before they wear out).

[Marathon Man]

I've seen 2001 batts run 100 minutes on a discharge its all about how u maintain them. I perfer gas my 350 is very reliable and I can go as far as I want and don't have to worry about my batteries dying. My cart runs 20 mph with out the govenor jacked up.

[arcitech]

Originally Posted by wingnut2000

are electric carts lower maintenance than gas carts? I have a gas cart and have already replaced a few parts in the last few months. Thinking about trying to sell it and get an electric and put money in the bank

Electric: needs lots of attention to prevent unplanned maintenance. Water levels, lots of wire connections, keeping all the contacts clean. Then they need the batteries well taken care of and you will still spend a few hundred every 3-5 years. Upgrades are plentiful, and the lack of noise is preferred in some localities.

Gas: Needs pre-season and post-season maintenance and gas/oil/filters/tune-ups. They hold their value longer and need less overall maintenance, but when they need a new motor or clutch, you spend as much or more than the same cart that uses electricity.

As for total cost of ownership, if you buy new, you will put less money into a gas cart over ten years of "normal" use. If you look at the carts for sale, the electric ones are 4-8 years old, right about the time that they are going to need batteries, automatic you will need another 400-600 to get freshened up.
The gas carts are around the same age but they go for 500-1000 more for the same year cart. (Around Va. anyway)

Then comes the time you want to modify the cart. All the lifts and bars and aluminum and shiny stuff are pretty equal in price. A Big Block conversion will cost close to the same as a motor and controller on a 48v conversion. The Electric will be almost all bolt on, and the Big Block might need some welding or cutting.

If I'm wrong on any of this, I'll apologize ahead of time. And to answer the question: No, electric carts don't need less maintenance, they need different maintenance and they will break and wear out just like a gas cart. If you buy used, you always have to assume some risk, I've been lucky with Elec. but I check my cart out at least 2-3 times a month while the wife uses it, and about once a month in the winter to make sure it will always be ready to go. I guess all those years of doing preventative maintenance in the Navy has made me a bit of a bugger when it come to taking care of things before they break instead of wishing I would have. (Disregard that comment for the Westinghouse fiasco)

[arcitech]

Originally Posted by wingnut2000

are electric carts lower maintenance than gas carts? I have a gas cart and have already replaced a few parts in the last few months. Thinking about trying to sell it and get an electric and put money in the bank

I have been known to buy new when the old starts to nickel and dime me every month. That's how I bought my Nissan Titan in 2006, got tired of trying to find the alternator on my Ford Contour.(Found it, but never could reach it!)

Remember that if you trade, always trade up and don't buy anything without a test drive!!

[golfcarfixer]

Originally Posted by arcitech

Electric: needs lots of attention to prevent unplanned maintenance. Water levels, lots of wire connections, keeping all the contacts clean. Then they need the batteries well taken care of and you will still spend a few hundred every 3-5 years. Upgrades are plentiful, and the lack of noise is preferred in some localities.

Gas: Needs pre-season and post-season maintenance and gas/oil/filters/tune-ups. They hold their value longer and need less overall maintenance, but when they need a new motor or clutch, you spend as much or more than the same cart that uses electricity.

As for total cost of ownership, if you buy new, you will put less money into a gas cart over ten years of "normal" use. If you look at the carts for sale, the electric ones are 4-8 years old, right about the time that they are going to need batteries, automatic you will need another 400-600 to get freshened up.
The gas carts are around the same age but they go for 500-1000 more for the same year cart. (Around Va. anyway)

Then comes the time you want to modify the cart. All the lifts and bars and aluminum and shiny stuff are pretty equal in price. A Big Block conversion will cost close to the same as a motor and controller on a 48v conversion. The Electric will be almost all bolt on, and the Big Block might need some welding or cutting.

If I'm wrong on any of this, I'll apologize ahead of time. And to answer the question: No, electric carts don't need less maintenance, they need different maintenance and they will break and wear out just like a gas cart. If you buy used, you always have to assume some risk, I've been lucky with Elec. but I check my cart out at least 2-3 times a month while the wife uses it, and about once a month in the winter to make sure it will always be ready to go. I guess all those years of doing preventative maintenance in the Navy has made me a bit of a bugger when it come to taking care of things before they break instead of wishing I would have. (Disregard that comment for the Westinghouse fiasco)

I think your reply was very well put and I have a gas car and also a sparky,They are both great and its all what your preference is.

[wingnut2000]

Thanks guys. I will probably stick with my gas cart. I do have the governor jacked up on the stock motor and got a shorter belt. The cart runs good right now. Maybe i should ease up on the governor. I guess I can get more speed with less engine life or reduce the speed for more engine life

[Marathon Man]

I think cranking the govenor is dumb. If your not careful you will fry the motor. A rebuilt motor runs about 550. High speed gears are less than the cost of a rebuilt motor. I have high speed gears with a 28 degree clutch and the yamaha belt and I have not problem climbing anything.