48V-105Ah Golf Cart Battery Swap Out - An Easy Weekend Project!
Golf cart battery replacement doesn't have to be a nightmare, or cost you a fortune every 3 to 5 years. In addition to getting you and your golf bag around the course faster than walking, these behemoths used to be the gold standard in off-grid RV living. While many off-grid RVers back-in-the-day recommended that we invest in these beasts, these heavy batteries simply weren’t a good option for our small, vintage RV. Weighing in at 80 pounds each, and needing to be watered regularly, a set of 4 can displace the same weight as your golfing buddy, Gary.
As a time tested technology, the older lead acid batteries perform just as they have for the past 50 years – but perhaps there’s a way to get your golf cart into the swing of the 21st century? Now 4 of these batteries can be replaced by just 1 Lithium Iron Phosphate 48V Battery Kit which includes everything you need to get started!
It all began with a family visit to my brother’s Bob’s cottage in Maryland. He and his family have a 2007 Yamaha golf cart that they use to get around the community and golf course. The old, massive lead acid batteries just weren’t doing the job anymore, and he even asked my 85-year old father to get out and walk back to the house just to keep the cart from dying completely. Fortunately, my pops was game and happily sauntered back. Then he politely mentioned that his other son (that’s me) might be able to help him find a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery replacement. Once he heard that LiFePO4 batteries had more capacity with a fraction of the weight, he was interested.
The Renogy 48V LiFePO4 Golf Cart Battery will provide 120% more capacity than 4 of his old golf cart batteries – when they were brand new, which was probably 5 years ago – while weighing only 106 pounds. This swap out will save him a whopping 214 pounds of weight, which is like leaving Gary at the 19th hole. Plus it will last 5000 charging cycles, giving him many years of happy rounds at his favorite course! He can now:
Play 2+ rounds of golf on a 18-hole course on a single charge!
Drive uphill much easier with 400A of power.
Have extra peace of mind with the built-in FireFade auto extinguisher.
Leave it and forget it. If after 5 days, he hasn’t used the cart, the auto-off feature will prevent the battery from draining and extend its lifespan.
How Difficult is it to Install the 48V battery?
This is a great introductory project for anyone seeking to upgrade any type of battery in their golf cart, RV, boat, cabin…you name it. Renogy includes nearly everything you need in this kit! Along with the 48V battery, they provide you with the on-board battery charger, the battery indicator, and all of the necessary cables. Here are a few considerations when doing it yourself.
Removing Old Batteries
It’s not just about being careful with your back on these bad boys, it’s important to disconnect all the old wires except the main positive and negative going to the engine motor. Recycling these old batteries is easy, just take them to the nearest auto parts store.
Mounting Position & Balancing
The 48V-105Ah golf cart battery will likely be a different shape or size than your previous batteries. When installing, consider if/how you might adapt the space to keep the new battery secured in its new location. Also, consider a location closest to the middle of the cart to maximize weight distribution since you’ll be removing a lot of weight from the cart. You may notice a different feel to the ride of the cart after installation.
Determining the Voltage of Your System & Auxiliary Components
While 48V is a standard voltage for most golf carts to operate, not everything in the cart works on that voltage. My brother’s cart had four 12V batteries connected in parallel to make 48V for the motor. However, the headlights were connected to just one of the batteries, because they operate on 12V. So, if you find some smaller gauge wire connecting to just one battery, that’s probably the case. Also, if your cart has a radio, or other appliances, it’s likely that they run on 12V. In this situation, you may need to install a voltage reducer (available at most auto parts stores) in between the battery and any 12V appliances. Some golf cart models may already have a voltage reducer installed, so be sure to check your owner’s manual. See installation video for more information.
Wiring Up the Key Switch
The battery indicator needs to be connected to the power supply, once you’ve installed your new battery. But you don’t want it to always be on, draining the battery. If you connect the indicator’s power supply to the key switch, you’ll be able to turn on the indicator anytime you’re operating the cart.
This is typically an easy wiring job. The switch should have 2 positive power lines – one going into the switch and one coming out - but they may look identical. To identify, turn the key to the off position. Use your voltage meter to identify which wire has power when the switch is off, and which does not. The one without power is the wire that you want to connect to. When you turn the key switch on, the wire will become electrified.
With just a few tools and a couple of trips to the hardware store, this project can easily be completed in a weekend. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and treat yourself to another round at your favorite course!
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