Lithium Batteries-all you need to know!
Golf carts are the preferred method of transportation for millions of golfers throughout the world and a much-used vehicle for everything from wineries, campgrounds, universities, and even resort properties. It’s no wonder these users place so much emphasis on the maintenance and repair of their golf cart fleets.
For decades, the preferred battery to power a golf cart was the deep-cycle, flooded, lead-acid type. Now, more and more golf course and cart users are turning to lithium-ion batteries to power their golf carts, as they offer several distinct advantages over the traditional lead-acid types.
The Weight
Since lithium-ion batteries weigh a fraction of their lead-acid counterparts, a golf cart powered by one has a significant power-to-weight ratio advantage. This means that the cart can carry more weight and reach higher speeds without the performance suffering or the power fading.
One of the biggest complaints of golfers riding around in lead-acid battery-powered carts is the lack of power when going up a hill. Lithium-ion batteries provide instant power on demand, regardless of the terrain or the level of charge left. This, in turn, helps speed up play and will allow you to get more golfers out on the course.
It also means that the golf cart can carry up to two additional average-sized adults or their equivalent in weight before maxing out in capacity. This is because lithium-ion batteries have the same voltage outputs regardless of the level of the battery charge.
Faster Charging
Depending on the size of your golf cart fleet, the time it takes to charge a standard lead-acid battery can significantly impact the availability of golf carts. The average lead-acid battery takes 8 hours to fully recharge, a golf cart that’s being used is not making money.
Lithium-ion batteries can be recharged to approximately 80 percent capacity in just one hour and it takes less than four hours to reach 100%. This means less downtime for each golf cart and will allow golf courses the benefit of having a smaller fleet and the general cart owner much more usage time.
Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion are not susceptible to damage if repeatedly recharged to less than 100%. By performing a quick “opportunity recharge” at the end of the day a cart can be ready to go again.
Zero Maintenance/Zero Mess
Performing regularly scheduled maintenance on lead-acid golf cart batteries costs time and money. For a fleet or course this downtime can add up. In addition, if maintenance is not performed regularly lead acid battery life can be significantly reduced. Since there is no acid in lithium batteries, there is virtually no maintenance, and accidental hazardous spills are completely avoided.
Longer Battery Cycle Life
One of the main advantages of a lithium-ion battery-powered golf cart is that they have a much longer lifespan than traditional lead-acid. The average lithium golf cart battery has around 2,000 to 5,000 cycles, whereas the average lead-acid only has anywhere from 500 to 1,000 cycles. This translates into substantial cost savings over time.
While lithium-ion golf cart batteries tend to cost more upfront, there is a considerable cost saving over time when compared to having to regularly replace a lead-acid battery. This also translates to reduced energy bills, potential repairs, less safety hazards, and maintenance costs that are common with lead-acid golf cart batteries.
Improved Technology
Lithium-ion batteries come with a built-in Battery Management system (BMS). It helps ensure that they are not accidentally over-charged or over-depleted. The BMS continually monitors the battery so that its parameters are consistently within the optimal working range.
The internal electronics of the BMS system will compare the overall condition of the battery, energy reserves, and temperature against its age. If the energy storage unit starts to become too hot, multiple safety circuits will prevent it from staying too hot.
An additional Cell Supervision Circuit, (CSC) will monitor each individual cell, which helps ensure optimal performance. This translates to improved safety, reliability, and less downtime of the carts due to battery maintenance.
All batteries are not created equal, and this includes Lithium-Ion. From initial cost, warranty, to amperage, there are many things to consider.
Trojan battery offers a 6 YEAR FULL REPLACEMENT warranty followed by another 2 YEAR PRORATED warranty.
https://www.trojanbattery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TRO1045_GC2_Warranty_091621.pdf
Most low-speed electric vehicles operate on 36-48V DC, but traditional lead-acid batteries are designed and built to be 6, 8, or 12V for portability and to make them more universal. When they are installed into a 36 or 48V application, these batteries have to be connected in series to increase the available voltage to match the requirements of the vehicle. The Trojan GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Battery is designed to work with 48V vehicles without using series connections. Up to 10 Trojan GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Batteries can be used in parallel. This provides increased reliability over configurations that use series connections because each battery can power the vehicle independently, where one bad battery in a series connection can reduce the performance of the entire system. This equates to more run time and faster, more efficient charging.
Many factors go into choosing the correct setup for each unique golf cart. Factors that must be considered are: • Motor Controller Size • Drive Motor Size • Oversized Tires or Aftermarket Gearing • Accessories Using Battery Power (Lights, Radios, etc.) The Trojan GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Battery configuration should be matched to each golf car to support the instantaneous load that is dictated by the motor controller and the continuous load generated by driving at top speed plus the load of any accessories that may be running.
https://www.trojanbattery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GC2-LI-Battery-Quantity-Guide-20220725.pdf
Contact us for information on upgrading your golf cart to new Lithium Battery technology!