Lead-acid vs Lithium

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Voltage pushes electric charges through wires, and also through an electrical resistance, which heats up the resisting object.  The flow of the charge is measured in amperes. The flow of electrical energy into the resisting object and heat output is measured in watts. And, the resistance is measured in ohms.  Amperes and watts are two different kinds of flow, and both happen in circuits.

Bottom line: comparing voltage is sort of like comparing gasoline.  Is premium gas "better" than regular gas?  The answer is - depends on what the engine of the car was designed to run on.  So, if sales people say 48-volt is 'better" than 36-volt, they are counting on the fact that you may have no idea on how electricity does what it does.

Determining how many volts your golf cart uses is as easy as counting the water fill caps on the batteries.  Lifting up your golf cart's seat reveals the battery compartment.  If you have 6-6 volt batteries, your golf cart is a 36 volt cart.  If you have 6-8 volt batteries, your golf cart is a 48-volt cart, and if you have 4-12 volt batteries, your golf cart is a 48-volt cart.  Gas golf carts utilize one 12-volt battery.

Although horsepower of the gasoline golf cars are similar, they vary greatly in engine life.  The competing high-end manufacturers use different gas engine configurations and the engine life will range from 1250 hours to 4250 hours, on average.

Electric golf cart motors, on the other hand, have a life span of anywhere from 5000 to 8000 hours and then can be rebuilt for 25% of the cost of a gas golf car engine.  Electric motors for golf carts are similar, regardless of brand. Power and speed is regulated by the amount of current in amps that  goes to the motor and gear ratios of the drive train.  A 48-volt golf carts uses one third less amperage than the 36-volt system and is more efficient.  Unlike your automobile, there is no transmission or clutch in an electric golf cart.  A 2-3 horsepower electric motor, when geared for torque, can produce a considerably higher power rating for short periods of time and easily move a 5000 pound trailer, for example.

Batteries

Each battery has a stamp which indicates the month and year the battery was manufactured.  If you cannot clearly read the stamp there is no way of determining the age.  Batteries last from 3 to 5 years under normal circumstances.  The maintenance of the battery, including proper use of distilled water, impacts battery life.  The number of charging cycles also determines the life of of a battery.  Each time the batteries are charged is one cycle.