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Comparing Lithium & Lead Acid as Golf Cart Batteries
2021-03-02

The golf cart market is progressing as increasingly more individuals are benefiting from their versatile performance. For years, deep-cycle flooded lead-acid batteries have actually been the most cost reliable method to power electric golf cars. With the increase of lithium batteries in numerous high-power applications, many people are now checking out the benefits of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries in their golf carts.

While any golf cart will assist you to navigate the course or community, you need to make certain it has adequate power for the job. This is where lithium golf cart batteries enter into play. They are challenging the lead-acid battery market due to their lots of advantages that make them much easier to preserve and more cost-efficient in the long term.

Below is our breakdown of the benefits of lithium golf cart batteries over lead-acid equivalents.

Capacity

Gearing up a lithium battery into a golf cart makes it possible for the cart to substantially increase its weight-to-performance ratio. Lithium golf cart batteries are half the weight of a conventional lead-acid battery, which slashes off two-thirds of the battery weight a golf cart would generally run with. The lighter weight implies the golf cart can reach greater speeds with less effort and bring more weight without feeling slow to the occupants.

The weight-to-performance ratio distinction lets the lithium-powered cart carry an extra 2 average-sized grownups and their devices prior to reaching its capacity. The cart continues to carry out after its lead-acid equivalent has actually fallen behind the pack since lithium batteries preserve the exact same voltage outputs regardless of the battery‘s charge. In contrast, lead-acid and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries lose voltage output and efficiency after 70 to 75 percent of the rated battery capacity is utilized, which adversely impacts their capacity and increases the issues as the day passes.

No Maintenance

Among the significant advantages of lithium batteries is that they need no upkeep whatsoever, whereas lead-acid batteries frequently require to be examined and maintained. This eventually leads to saved man-hours and the additional expenses of maintenance tools and items. The absence of lead-acid means that chemical spills are prevented and the chances of downtime on your golf car are significantly decreased.

Battery Charging Speed

Regardless if you‘re utilizing a lead-acid battery or a lithium battery, any electrical vehicle or golf cart deals with the exact same defect: they have to be charged. Lithium batteries can handle this without an issue; however, a lead-acid battery will slow the cart down as its voltage dips. Lithium batteries can be charged up to 80 % capacity in about an hour, and reach complete charge in less than 3 hours.

Additionally, partially-charged lead-acid batteries sustain sulfation damage, which leads to considerably minimized life. On the contrary, lithium batteries have no unfavorable response to being less than fully charged, so it‘s all right to provide the golf cart a pit-stop charge during lunch.

Eco-Friendly

Lithium batteries put less pressure on the environment. They take considerably less time to totally charge, leading to less energy usage. They do not consist of harmful products, whereas lead-acid batteries, as the name suggests, consist of lead which is hazardous to the environment.

Battery Cycle Life

Lithium batteries last considerably longer than lead-acid batteries due to the fact that lithium chemistry increases the number of charge cycles. Lithium batteries have a high upfront cost, compared to regular lead-acid battery replacements, but a lithium battery pays for itself over its lifetime.

Are Lithium Golf Cart Batteries Compatible?

Golf carts developed for lead-acid batteries can see a considerable efficiency increase by switching the lead-acid battery to a lithium battery. This 2nd wind can come at an installation expense. Lots of golf carts with lead-acid batteries require a retro-fit kit to run with a lithium battery, and if the cart maker does not have a kit, then the cart will require adjustments to run with a lithium battery.

If you‘re interested in changing your golf cart to a lithium battery, think about purchasing our Melasta batteries. They are the only lithium golf cart batteries developed particularly to fulfill the power and energy requirements of all kinds of golf carts.