Can you put regular car batteries in a golf cart?
Using regular automotive batteries in golf carts isn’t recommended due to fundamental design differences. Car batteries (flooded lead-acid SLI types) provide short bursts of high current for engine starting, while golf carts require deep-cycle batteries delivering sustained power over hours. Voltage mismatches also occur—golf carts typically use 36V/48V systems requiring six to eight 6V/8V batteries in series, whereas car batteries operate at 12V standalone.
What happens if I use car batteries in a golf cart?
Substituting automotive batteries risks premature failure and voltage incompatibility. SLI batteries suffer plate damage when discharged below 50%, common in golf cart usage cycles. Pro Tip: Use deep-cycle lead-acid or lithium batteries rated for 80% depth of discharge (DoD) to extend operational lifespan.
Automotive batteries lack the cyclic endurance needed for golf cart propulsion. For example, a standard 12V car battery might last 30–50 deep cycles in golf cart use, whereas a 6V deep-cycle GC2 battery handles 500+ cycles. Voltage drop under load also destabilizes motor controllers, potentially triggering error codes. Beyond capacity issues, series connections of 12V units create oversized 72V systems incompatible with most golf cart electronics.
How do golf cart battery requirements differ from automotive?
Golf carts demand high-cycle batteries with thick lead plates and robust separators. Lithium-ion variants now dominate premium models for their 2,000+ cycle lifespans and 50% weight reduction. Transitional phrase: While automotive systems prioritize cold cranking amps (CCA), golf carts focus on amp-hour (Ah) capacity and discharge efficiency.
| Parameter | Golf Cart Battery | Car Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Life | 500–2,000+ | 30–50 |
| Typical Voltage | 6V/8V | 12V |
| Plate Thickness | 0.15–0.25″ | 0.07–0.10″ |
Deep-cycle designs use thicker lead plates to withstand repetitive discharges—up to 0.25″ versus 0.10″ in SLI batteries. Lithium options like LiFePO4 further optimize space/weight ratios, with 48V 100Ah packs weighing 55 lbs versus 600+ lbs for lead-acid equivalents. Practically speaking, using car batteries forces frequent replacements and increases downtime for equal runtime.
Fasta Power Expert Insight
FAQs
Only with voltage-matching modifications—connecting six 12V batteries creates 72V, but their shallow-cycle design reduces range by 40–60% versus proper deep-cycle units.
What’s the cost difference between car and golf cart batteries?
Entry-level lead-acid golf cart batteries cost $150–$250 each (6–8 needed), while lithium packs run $1,200–$3,500. Car batteries ($100–$200 each) appear cheaper initially but fail rapidly in deep-cycle applications.