Batteries Archives - ICON EV

Here are Some Suggestions to Keep Your Battery in Top Form

ICON Electric Vehicles — Fri, 05 May 2017 22:22:55 +0000

-Charge as directed: some golf carts require charging after every use, while others only need charging when the battery has been drained at a particular level. Follow the user guide.

Water the Battery: use distilled water for washing, but only up to ¼ an inch over the plates. Do not overfill the unit because it could damage the battery and lead to corrosion.

-Keep the connections and terminals clean: as you use your golf cart, the terminal and connections get dirty, but a brush terminal cleaner or wire brush should do fine. Use the brush to remove dust and dirt, but if there’s acid, spray a little bit of baking soda on the top and clean it with water.

-Prevent sulfation with a desulfation: 80% of batteries fail due to lead sulfate buildup, but desulfation can prevent this, plus they also keep the charging times short.

-Store the batteries in the proper location: read the user manual for information on where to store the batteries. Generally speaking for winter, you should fully charge the battery and store in a warm location. If you’re going to store it outside, make sure it’s charged fully, and all accessories are disconnected. Even if you’re not using the battery, charge it once a month.

During the summer, store the battery in a cool place and look up the water levels now and then. It’s also a good idea to charge the batteries every month. Remember that maintenance, climate, and usage plays a huge role in determining its lifespan.

These batteries work fine on their own, but often it’s necessary to use accessories to get the most out of their functions. Many of these are available on Amazon, and they can go a long way towards enhancing their functions.

The Final Verdict
Batteries for cars have gone a long way, and their lifespan has improved to the point they can now be a match for gas powered carts. If you’re a first-time buyer, it can be difficult trying to figure out which of these batteries to buy. With the information provided in this guide, however, the process will be easier to comprehend.

The post Here are Some Suggestions to Keep Your Battery in Top Form appeared first on ICON EV.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Golf Cart Battery

ICON Electric Vehicles — Fri, 05 May 2017 22:21:06 +0000

The batteries used on electric and gas carts differ regarding how they work:

Those for electric cars have to be plugged in after every one or two days after use to recharge fully, while those on gas carts work the same way as that on a car.

Generally speaking, you will need to recharge an electric cart battery more often, but it’s less expensive and not really a hassle if you can charge it after each use.

If you’re on the lookout for batteries, there are several things you have to consider. The first is the life cycle before a replacement is required. The rule is the higher the cycle number, the better. Don’t settle for anything less than a 600 life cycle because these products are inexpensive anyway. When buying these batteries you’re going to read stuff like minutes and amps, and these refer to the lifespan of a single charge.

For instance, if the battery is advertised at 474 minutes at 25 amps, it means the battery is going to last 474 minutes when used at 25 amps. You can also use the batteries at higher amps, but this will shorten the lifespan per charge. Also, keep in mind battery life is affected by the number of accessories and components you use on the golf cart. For a bare bones operation the batteries are going to last a long time, but if you use GPS, DVD players and the like, the battery drains faster.

If this is your first time to keep the following things in mind:

-Compare the price of the batteries on several websites: The cost of each item has gone down considerably the past few years, and retailers are competing for your wallet so expect good deals on various websites.

-Buy only from reputable vendors: If possible, go to the official website and get the latest details about the batteries.
Don’t hesitate to ask the website questions about the batteries they’re selling. This is a good strategy as it will tell you how seriously they take customer support and if they’re knowledgeable about the product.

-Read the warranty, shipping cost and other details before purchasing: With established retailers, this need not be a concern, but for others, it’s essential, so you don’t end up paying for hidden charges.

Once you have those batteries, read the instruction manual that came with it: follow the directions for usage and any tips given there to extend its lifespan. No matter what brand you buy from, it’s important you take care of these batteries to extend their life.

The post Things to Consider Before Buying a Golf Cart Battery appeared first on ICON EV.

The Best Golf Cart Batteries: Lithium-ion vs. Lead Acid

ICON Electric Vehicles — Fri, 05 May 2017 22:02:31 +0000

The golf cart battery industry is in a state of flux. On one hand we have golf cart manufacturers and retailers that realize lithium-ion batteries are better for golf cart performance and longevity than lead acid batteries. On the other hand are consumers who resist the high upfront cost of lithium golf cart batteries, and consequently still rely on inferior lead-acid battery options.

A November 2015 report that analyzes the golf cart battery market estimates the demand for golf cart batteries will increase roughly four percent between 2014 and 2019. The report estimates lead-acid batteries will account for roughly 79 percent of the golf cart battery market by 2019—mainly because of lithium’s upfront cost—but retailers and suppliers tell a different story.

Nexgen supplies lithium and AGM lead-acid batteries, and we firmly believe lithium-ion golf cart batteries are the best option for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike. Consumer buying trends support our position.

In December 2015, the U.K. golf cart manufacturers PowaKaddy and Motocaddy announced that nearly 60 percent of their carts and electronic golf accessories sold in the UK now contained lithium batteries. Unlike the rest of Europe, which already overwhelmingly adopted lithium golf cart batteries, the U.K. has been slower to make the change.

When consumers—like those in the U.K.—begin to understand the advantages lithium batteries provide compared to lead acid, we believe more people will demand their golf carts run on lithium power.

Below is our breakdown of golf cart batteries. We compare the pros and cons of lithium and lead-acid golf cart batteries, and discuss why we feel lithium-ion batteries are a superior choice.

Carrying Capacity

Equipping a lithium-ion battery into a golf cart enables the cart to significantly increase its weight-to-performance ratio. Lithium golf cart batteries are half the size of a traditional lead-acid battery, which shaves off two-thirds of the battery weight a golf cart would normally operate with. The lighter weight means the golf cart can reach higher speeds with less effort and carry more weight without feeling sluggish to the occupants.

The weight-to-performance ratio difference lets the lithium-powered cart carry an additional two average-sized adults and their equipment before reaching carrying capacity. Because lithium batteries maintain the same voltage outputs regardless of the battery’s charge, the cart continues to perform after its lead-acid counterpart has fallen behind the pack. In comparison, lead acid and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries lose voltage output and performance after 70-75 percent of the rated battery capacity is used, which negatively affects carrying capacity and compounds the issue as the day wears on.

Cart Wear And Tear

Golf carts are expensive investments, and keeping them well-maintained helps protect the cart for years of use. One of the main factors adding to cart wear and tear is weight; a heavy cart is difficult to drive uphill or on challenging terrain, and the added weight can tear up grass and put extra strain on the brakes.

Swapping the battery from lead acid to lithium is the easiest way to reduce a golf cart’s weight and overall wear and tear. As a bonus, lithium batteries need virtually no maintenance, whereas lead-acid batteries regularly need to be checked and maintained. The lack of lead-acid chemical spills also keeps carts operating in tip-top shape.

Battery Charging Speed

Regardless if you’re using a lead-acid battery or a lithium-ion battery, any electric car or golf cart faces the same flaw: they have to be charged. Charging takes time, and unless you happen to have a second cart at your disposal, that time can put you out of the game for a while.

A good golf cart needs to maintain consistent power and speed on any course terrain. Lithium-ion batteries can manage this without a problem, but a lead-acid battery will slow the cart down as its voltage dips. Plus after the charge has dissipated, it takes an average lead-acid battery roughly eight hours to recharge back to full. Whereas, lithium-ion golf cart batteries can be recharged up to 80 percent capacity in about an hour, and reach full charge in less than three hours.

Plus, partially-charged lead-acid batteries sustain sulfation damage, which results in significantly reduced life. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries have no adverse reaction to being less than fully charged, so it’s okay to give the golf cart a pit-stop charge during lunch.

Golf Cart Battery Compatibility

Golf carts designed for lead-acid batteries can see a significant performance boost by swapping the lead-acid battery to a lithium-ion battery. However, this second wind can come at an instillation cost. Many lead-acid equipped golf carts need a retro-fit kit to operate with a lithium-ion battery, and if the cart manufacturer doesn’t have a kit, then the cart will need modifications to operate with a lithium battery.
The easiest way to tell if a cart is going to need modifications or a simple retro-fit kit is the battery voltage. Compare a lithium-ion battery and a lead-acid battery side-by-side, and if the battery voltage and amp-hour capacity are the same, then the battery can be plugged directly into the golf cart. However, lithium-ion battery’s smaller size and design often means the golf cart might needs alterations to its battery mount, charger and cable connecters.

Battery Cycle Life

Lithium batteries last significantly longer than lead-acid batteries because the lithium chemistry increases the number of charge cycles. An average lithium-ion battery can cycle between 2,000 and 5,000 times; whereas, an average lead-acid battery can last roughly 500 to 1,000 cycles. Although lithium batteries have a high upfront cost, compared to frequent lead-acid battery replacements, a lithium battery pays for itself over its lifetime.

The entire Nexgen Battery team is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality lithium products currently available. Please get in touch with us to learn about how we can help your team achieve its energy needs in a safe, reliable and efficient way

The post The Best Golf Cart Batteries: Lithium-ion vs. Lead Acid appeared first on ICON EV.