Can you use car batteries in golf carts?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 07, 2026
Can You Use Regular Car Batteries in a Golf Cart? The short answer is yes. Standard car batteries are 12-volts, and you could connect three or four of them in series to provide the required 36 or 48 volts to your golf cart motor.
What is the difference between car batteries and golf cart batteries?
When it comes to quality batteries, golf-cart batteries are usually manufactured with slightly better internal components than marine types. Golf-cart batteries don't have a higher quality than a car battery, however, because manufacturers take cost into consideration.
Can you use a car battery in a gas golf cart?
However, unless you want to spend more money for them, you are better off being aware of the task at which your battery will be doing. Electric golf carts get deep cycle batteries and not automotive batteries. Gas golf carts get automotive batteries and not deep cycle batteries.
Can you use 4 12-volt batteries in a golf cart?
With many golf cars requiring 48-volt battery packs, one of the most common money-saving assumptions is that purchasing fewer batteries with higher voltages will be a less expensive alternative. For example, a typical 48-volt golf car may use eight 6-volt batteries, six 8-volt batteries, or four 12-volt batteries.
Can you charge a golf cart battery with a car battery?
These batteries are designed to be discharged almost completely and repeatedly with low loss in performance. Golf carts usually come with their own charger, however a car charger can also be used to charge a golf cart. The trick is matching the voltage of the charger to the voltage of the batteries.
36 related questions foundHow long do golf cart batteries last?
That all being said, properly maintained battery packs in fleet carts tend to last about 4-6 years while private owners tend to get about 6-10 years out of their battery packs. Other major factors include the type of options on the cart that may increase the draw from the battery pack.
Can I charge a 36 volt golf cart with a 12 volt charger?
A 36-volt golf cart has six, 6 volt batteries. You want to split those 6 batteries into 3 pairs. Each pair that you create will total 12 volts. A 12 volt car charger can charge each pair independently, since a pair equals 12 volts.
What kind of batteries does a Club Car golf cart use?
Club Car Precedent Champion models also use a 48-volt system but utilize four BCI Group Size GC12, 12-volt batteries. U.S. Battery's 12VRX XC2 (20-hour rate of 155) provides a great compromise between daily and occasional use.
How many batteries does a 48v golf cart have?
Lithium 48 Volts Golf Cart Battery Packs
Long Story Short: If your golf cart has a 48-volt electric system and you have lead-acid batteries, then you have 8 (eight) 6-volt batteries, or 6 (six) 8-volt batteries, or 4 (four) 12-volt batteries.
Can you put 3 12v batteries in a 36v golf cart?
If you have a 36-volt golf cart that runs on six 6-volt batteries, you can replace them with three 12-volt batteries, which often are easier to find.
What size battery do you need for a gas golf cart?
3.12-Volt Battery
The 12-volt battery will have six lids or tops under which you can find a 2-volt cell. These batteries have the least amperage and are rarely used in golf carts. A 48-volt or 72-volt cart usually has a 4 or 6 battery system installed. These carts are highly Powerful and can run at a fast speed.
How fast can a gas powered golf cart go?
Speed and performance:
A gas cart can run up to 18 - 20 mph and there are not many speed upgrades you can do to one. In addition, electric carts will get up to top speed faster as well.
Can you mix golf cart battery brands?
Can You Mix Batteries From Different Brands? Just as it's not recommended to combine older and newer batteries on your golf cart, you should also stick to using batteries produced by the same manufacturer. The batteries should also have the same expiration date and be same size.
How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
Average Price of Golf Cart Batteries
The average price of a golf cart battery replacement is going to be in the $800 to $1,500 range. Depending on the type of battery, it could even be in the $2,000 ballpark because powerful golf carts like a 72V need more expensive batteries installed.
Can golf cart batteries be refurbished?
Can you refurbish Golf cart batteries? Yes, it is reasonably possible to recondition your golf cart batteries. But, there will be a condition for that. If the battery is not fully dead and you can charge it up to a certain extent, it will be possible to refurbish it.
Which is better 36 volt or 48 volt golf cart?
Basically, a 48V system gives you more “pep in your step” and picks up/speeds up a bit faster than a 36V system. Energy Needed/Amps Drawn- A 48V system draws less amps and provides a little more range with all things being equal (cart/passenger payload weight, motor horsepower, etc).
Is 48V better than 36V?
Battery Volts
A 36V e-bike battery will allow you to draw a lesser critical current, typically around 15 amperes whereas, a 48V e-bike battery will allow more current in the range of 10 – 40 amperes. It means you can go faster with a 48V E-bike battery.
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?
Manufacturers suggest leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time while using an auto battery charger, as it will keep the batteries fully charged and always available. If batteries are not charged for prolonged storage, they may damage over time and deliver less capacity.
How many batteries do golf carts have?
The standard electric golf cart will have four, six, or eight batteries in total. The voltage will be either 36 volts or 48 volts. These batteries will be contained in a single system, that looks a bit like a large block/box.
Are lithium golf cart batteries worth it?
Not only does the investment in a lithium battery pay for itself over time, but big savings can be made in the way of reduced energy bills, maintenance costs, and possible repairs that would otherwise need to be made to heavy lead-acid golf cars. They also just perform better overall!
How do you make a golf cart go faster?
6 Ways You Can Make a Golf Cart Faster
- Add More Torque to Your Golf Cart.
- Upgrade Your Golf Cart's Motor.
- Improve the High-Speed Controller of the Cart.
- Add Better Golf Cart Tires.
- Use a Higher Powered Golf Cart Battery.
- Watch the Weight in Your Golf Cart.
Can you put a trickle charger on a golf cart?
If you tend to use the golf cart during the warmer months and store it during the winter, pick a trickle charger to make the battery last longer. These chargers connect to the battery over weeks or months at a time. They provide enough power to the battery to keep it charged but without harming the internal components.
How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
It takes 8 to 14 hours to charge a fully discharged battery pack whether you have an old or new battery. Factors that can determine charging time are depth of discharge, how many amp-hours you have used, as well as how many amp hours your charger can charge.
Can you charge a golf cart while driving?
No. You should turn your golf cart off when charging its batteries. Trying to charge a golf cart while it is running is a pointless exercise, as the battery will be draining while you're trying to charge it. A golf cart should only be turned on once its batteries are fully charged.
How often should you add water to your golf cart batteries?
Adding water after charging prevents acid from spilling over. You'll want to add water to 1/2 inch from the top of the battery. 2) We recommend service once or twice a year. 3) Always use distilled water so you don't add additional minerals into your battery.