By Ken Jones, Owner at Flamingo Custom Carts
Published
Lithium golf cart batteries are lighter than lead-acid, need no watering, and can be charged whenever it is convenient, while flooded lead-acid batteries need regular watering and full charges to avoid sulfation. Lead-acid is still an inexpensive, proven choice when it is cared for. Switching to lithium only makes sense after your cart’s voltage, charger, controller and wiring are checked, because a lithium pack changes the whole system, not just the batteries.
Here is a side-by-side look at weight, maintenance, charging and lifespan, plus the compatibility checks to make before you buy anything.
Lithium vs Lead-Acid at a Glance
- Weight: Lithium-ion packs store more energy for their weight. Lead-acid packs are heavier for the same job.
- Maintenance: Flooded lead-acid batteries need distilled water and periodic checks. Lithium packs need no watering.
- Charging: Lead-acid does best with full charges and suffers when left partly charged. Lithium can be topped up anytime, but it needs a charger with the right profile.
- Lifespan: Both depend heavily on heat, depth of discharge and care. Compare manufacturer ratings under the same conditions.
- Up-front cost: The U.S. Department of Energy describes lead-acid batteries as “inexpensive, safe, recyclable, and reliable.” Lithium is a bigger investment that changes the cart’s whole power system.
Weight: Why Lithium Is Lighter
The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center says lithium-ion batteries have “high energy per unit mass and volume relative to other electrical energy storage systems,” while it lists “low specific energy” as a drawback of lead-acid. In plain terms, lithium stores more energy per pound.
On a cart, that means less weight in the battery bay. Trojan says on its lithium page that lighter lithium packs help “reduce wear and tear, and increase acceleration.” How much difference you feel depends on your cart, the pack and how you drive. A lighter pack still has to be mounted correctly. RoyPow’s conversion guide stresses that lithium packs must be securely mounted and properly supported.
Maintenance: Watering vs No Watering
Flooded lead-acid batteries need water. Trojan’s battery FAQ says “the best time to water your batteries is always at the end of the charge cycle,” prefers distilled water, and warns that if electrolyte drops below the top of the plates, “irreparable damage may occur.” Overwatering is a problem too, because it dilutes the electrolyte. Trojan also recommends equalizing as needed based on voltage and specific gravity readings.
- Check water levels on a regular schedule and top off after charging.
- If plates are exposed, add just enough water to cover them before charging.
- Keep terminals clean and connections tight.
- Wear eye protection and gloves when working around flooded batteries.
Lithium skips all of that. Trojan says its lithium golf batteries need “no watering” and describes them as maintenance-free. You still want to keep the pack clean and dry, check cable connections, and pay attention to any warnings from the battery management system (BMS).
Charging Differences
Lead-acid batteries want to be fully charged. Trojan explains that undercharging, such as running in a partial state of charge or storing batteries discharged, causes sulfation and reduced performance. That is why lead-acid carts should go back on the charger after use.
Lithium is more flexible. Trojan says you can “charge up anytime without harming the batteries,” and that its lithium packs recharge in under four hours versus eight to ten for lead-acid. Those figures are Trojan’s, so check the numbers for the specific pack you are considering. Lithium does need the right charger. RoyPow warns that “lead-acid charge curves can overcharge or undercharge lithium,” so an old lead-acid charger usually is not suitable unless the battery maker approves it.
Temperature matters for lithium charging too. Trojan’s lithium resources page, for example, says its batteries temporarily disable charging below 32°F or above 113°F. Other brands set their own limits, so read the manual for your pack.
What Affects Battery Lifespan
Neither chemistry has a fixed lifespan. How you use and store the batteries makes a big difference.
- Depth of discharge (lead-acid): Fred Wehmeyer of U.S. Battery Manufacturing writes that “most battery manufacturers recommend a 50 percent DOD for optimum cycle life vs runtime,” and cautions that cycle-life claims should only be compared at the same depth of discharge.
- Heat (lead-acid): Trojan says higher temperatures usually shorten battery life, that operating “at or slightly below 80ºF (27ºC) will optimize both performance and life,” and that charging temperature should not exceed 120°F.
- Heat (lithium): Battery University’s guide to prolonging lithium-based batteries says “lithium-ion suffers from stress when exposed to heat.”
- Depth of discharge (lithium): Battery University also notes that “the smaller the discharge (low DoD), the longer the battery will last.”
- Storage (lithium): According to Battery University, “the worst situation is keeping a fully charged battery at elevated temperatures.” Follow your pack maker’s storage instructions, especially through a Georgia summer.
Compatibility Checks Before You Switch
This is where most lithium problems start or are prevented. RoyPow’s guide lays out the key checks, and they match how we approach every lithium battery upgrade at Flamingo Custom Carts:
- Voltage: Confirm whether your cart is 36, 48 or 72 volts. RoyPow notes a mismatch can damage the controller and charger.
- Charger: Use a charger with a lithium profile approved by the battery maker.
- Controller: The pack’s continuous and peak current ratings need to suit your controller and motor. RoyPow says undersized packs can trip BMS protection on hills or under heavy loads.
- BMS: Never bypass it. If it trips, find the cause.
- State-of-charge meter: RoyPow says lead-acid meters often read lithium incorrectly and recommends a lithium-compatible display.
- 12-volt accessories: Use a DC-DC converter, since the main pack cannot power 12-volt lights or audio directly.
- Existing faults: Fix bad brakes, damaged cables, controller faults or frame corrosion before installing lithium.
We check the charger, voltage, controller and wiring before any lithium install, and old packs are handled at install. If you are staying with lead-acid, our sister shop Golf Carts Atlanta, in the same building, handles battery testing, replacement batteries and chargers. See our batteries and chargers page for details.
Recycling Old Batteries
Both chemistries should stay out of the trash. The Department of Energy calls lead-acid batteries recyclable, and the EPA’s lithium-ion battery recycling page explains that recycling keeps lithium batteries out of household garbage, where improper disposal can lead to fires.
Is Lithium Right for Your Cart? A Checklist
- You are tired of watering and checking flooded batteries.
- You often charge partway or leave the cart sitting between rides.
- Your current pack is near the end of its life and needs replacing anyway.
- You run accessories like lights and sound and want a power system built around them.
- Your cart’s voltage, controller and wiring check out, or you are willing to update them.
- You will use a charger approved for the lithium pack.
FAQ
Can I use my lead-acid charger with lithium golf cart batteries?
Usually not. Lead-acid charge curves can overcharge or undercharge lithium, so use a charger with a lithium profile approved by the battery maker.
Do lithium golf cart batteries need maintenance?
They need no watering. Keep the pack clean and dry, keep connections tight, and pay attention to any BMS warnings.
Will lithium make my golf cart faster?
A lighter pack can make a cart feel quicker, but top speed depends on your motor, controller and setup. Results vary from cart to cart.
How long do lithium golf cart batteries last?
It depends on the pack, heat, depth of discharge and storage. Check the manufacturer’s rating for the specific battery, and keep the pack out of high heat when you can.
Thinking about making the switch? Flamingo Custom Carts handles lithium battery upgrades for compatible electric carts, with your charger, voltage, controller and wiring checked first. Call (678) 436-2282, email [email protected], or stop by 1680 Lower Roswell Rd, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30068, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Or send us a message and tell us about your cart.
