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March 4, 2021
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November 4, 2022Considering upgrading your lead-acid battery for a lithium-ion battery?
Many Golf Cart owners are switching to lithium batteries because they offer quick charging, low maintenance, and a longer lifespan. Lead-acid batteries are still used in some carts but require longer charging and are very heavy. There is a lot to consider when upgrading your battery, but we will break it down for you.
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in phones, RVs, boats, and even airplanes! They have a wide range of use and are a significant upgrade from lead-acid batteries. E-Z GO’s preferred battery is the Trojan Lithium-Ion Battery. If you want to learn more about the Trojan battery, read here.
What is a Lithium Battery?
At the core, Lithium batteries contain Lithium-Iron Phosphate, while lead-acid batteries contain lead dioxide. Since lithium batteries do not contain lead-acid, this inherently makes them safer to store.
The Breakdown
Weight
Lithium batteries are considerably lighter than lead batteries. Next time you replace your golf cart battery or even remove it for a cleaning, you will appreciate the more lightweight battery. A lighter load will allow your golf cart to operate more efficiently, saving you on gas!
Cost
Since lithium batteries are more complex and require more advanced manufacturing, the cost of a lithium battery is higher than a lead battery. However, you may decide that the benefits of a lithium battery outweigh the added cost.
Maintenance
If you want to spend more time on the cart and less time maintaining your battery, a lithium battery is for you. Lead-Acid batteries require regular maintenance to keep the battery’s performance healthy. Since lead-acid batteries do not form a memory, they must be fully discharged before charging the battery.
Lifespan
Suppose you purchase a Trojan GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Battery. In that case, you can expect the battery to last at least eight years or 4,000 cycles. On the other hand, a lead-acid battery may only last 1,000 cycles. If a lead-acid battery is maintained poorly, the expedited life will be even shorter.
Charge Time
When it comes to charging time, lithium batteries require the least amount of time to charge. This is a major reason why these batteries are used in many electronics today.
Safety
As with any battery, there are some safety precautions to be aware of. Defective lithium batteries may be sensitive to extreme temperatures. However, Trojan lithium batteries have been field tested for more than 100,000 hours and meet international safety and performance standards down to the battery cell level.
Lead-acid batteries contain lead and may leak harmful gasses. With this in mind, always wear protective gear when handling batteries.
Environmental Impact
While both batteries aren’t 100% environmentally friendly, lithium batteries are considered better for the environment. Lead-acid batteries contain more harmful chemicals(i.e., lead). However, lead-acid batteries can be easily recycled compared to lithium batteries.
Bottom Line
Considering lithium batteries’ cost-effectiveness, reliability, and maintenance, they are the better option for golf carts. Golf carts are lightweight, and the lead-acid battery is not doing much to help that. We hope this clears up any questions you may have about lithium batteries.
Having Problems?
If your battery isn’t holding its charge, your golf cart won’t even start, or you’re dealing with any other troubles or issues, bring it to Garrett’s! Our expert techs can get your golf cart up and running in no time. We can also help you buy a new golf cart battery or customize and make your golf cart truly your own. We also sell new and preowned specialty vehicles from E-Z-Go, Cushman, and more!
