Golf Cart Amps & Voltage Guide

If you own or are thinking about purchasing an electric powered golf cart, there is one aspect that can’t be overlooked: the cart’s battery amps and voltage.

There is a major difference between 36 volt up to 48 volt systems, impacting both performance and potential upkeep and maintenance costs. Hint: some batteries are much more expensive than others.

This guide will explore these differences and help you find the perfect type for your particular make and model.

Golf Cart Battery Amps

Amperage can be considered akin to the fuel in a gas-powered engine. Similar to a tank of gas, the amount of amperage will dictate how far you can drive your cart on a single electric charge. Generally speaking, the more amps, the further you’ll be able to cruise without a charge-up.

Voltage in a Golf Cart Battery Pack

The voltage of your battery pack can be thought of similar to the horsepower of a traditional gas-powered engine. Voltage represents how much power your system will be delivered, resulting in increased ability to tow, carry more weight, and accelerate faster. By comparison, a 72-volt system is much more powerful than a 36-volt system.

This power is modulated and delivered by a “controller” within your cart that dictates the amount of amperage that is delivered. In this regard, a higher voltage (although more powerful) often comes at a cost. That cost is that it can burn through more amps faster, draining the golf cart battery quicker, and requiring you to recharge more frequently.

The Importance of Identifying the Right Battery Pack

Now that you have some insight into the relationship between amps and voltage, let’s dive deeper into the various battery packs available.

Standard golf carts generally utilize a “Six Eight Volt Battery System”. You can easily identify this system by visually counting six batteries, each with 4 2v cells per battery. For reference, most golf cart battery cells represent 2 volts.

The Five Most Common Golf Cart Battery Packs 

Impact of Other Factors on Travel Distance

It is important to realize that several factors can impact estimated travel distances in the chart above. The chart has been standardized based on an assumption of an average acceleration rate of around 20 MPH within a 10-11 second window. 

Other Factors that Can Impact Travel Distance Capabilities Include: 

• Top speeds
• Speed averages 
• Acceleration
• Gradient (incline vs. decline)
• Weather conditions
• Battery brand/quality
• And more…

When looking for a balance of power and range, the 8-6 battery pack has a lot to offer. That said, everyone’s needs are different. If you will be driving your cart less than 5 miles per day, any of the other battery packs would be sufficient. 

PRO TIP: On average most 18-hole golf courses range between a total of 5-7 miles per round

Final Thoughts About Golf Cart Battery Amps and Voltage

We hope this guide shed some light on the relationship between amps and voltage and how this translates into performance for your golf cart. The right battery for your cart’s system will depend largely on the way you use your cart. Those needing additional power for pulling or carrying added weight or for going up frequent inclines may opt for more voltage, while those using the cart over distances of over 5-miles may want to consider a better balance of amps.

If uncertain, referring to your golf cart’s owner manual will provide guidance as to the type of battery your make and model was made to handle. As always, if you have questions or need further assistance, our talented and highly trained staff is standing by to assist and make sure you get just what you need to enjoy the trails or links worry-free.

Additional Reading:

What Voltage is My Golf Cart Battery?

7 Signs You Need to Replace Your Bad Golf Cart Batteries

Golf Cart Battery Life Expectancy  

Updated November 3, 2020