BATTERY BUZZ: BUYERS CHECKLIST FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

The lithium-ion battery market is filled with start-ups that may not deliver the top-quality products and services you deserve. As a result, golf car owners must do their due diligence, as there can be big differences in the quality and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

All lithium-ion golf car batteries eliminate the need for maintenance and watering, speed charging, and last longer than flooded lead-acid batteries. But they are not all designed and built equally. While all manufacturers claim that their batteries are durable, some are made to last longer and deliver better performance than others, depending on the manufacturer’s engineering and design expertise, component quality, and manufacturing standards. In truth, the durability of a battery is in the details.

To avoid buyer’s remorse, make sure the battery you select is: • Rated to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard SAE J3060. The benchmark for batteries used in agricultural and construction environments, it protects the battery’s wires and components from damage caused by vibrations. • Rated to an ingression progress rating of at least IP67. This helps prevent costly damage caused by water or dust getting into the battery. • Designed to dissipate heat and allow for natural cooling through the circuit board, not just through less efficient heat sinks alone. Unmanaged heat can damage or destroy a battery. • Designed with multiple levels of safety redundancy to protect you and your property. If one level fails another catches the issue and turns the battery off. • Fully drop-in and scalable, so you can replace your existing batteries with lithium-ion batteries and add batteries when needed to extend your range. • Designed for range. The range of lithium-ion batteries varies, with some getting 45 - 60 miles on a single charge. Manufacturers may list stated capacity, which may be based on the sum of individual cells within the battery. This is different from useable capacity and does not account for internal losses. Check useable capacity. • Built with lithium-iron-phosphate cells, one of the most stable lithium-ion battery chemistries.

T• Does not rely solely on the cell provider’s UL listing. Make sure the entire battery pack is UL-certified. Don’t make the mistake of buying a lithium-ion battery on price alone. Select a reputable manufacturer with U.S.-based support and do your due diligence. What Sets Trojan Battery Company Apart from Other Manufacturers? At Trojan, we bring nearly 100 years of battery manufacturing experience, including 10 years of lithium-ion experience, to every battery we manufacture. We pioneered the golf car battery in 1952 and have been a trusted partner to major golf car OEMs. Our deep infrastructure lets us deliver superior customer service and support. And our maroon-colored batteries are renowned around the world for their reliability, durability, and longevity.

Motors are an essential part of your golf cart, and ultimately decide the amount of power, torque, and speed your golf cart is going to produce. Are you in the process of building a golf cart, or maybe you need to change that old motor on your existing cart? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article we will provide you with some trusted names when it comes to aftermarket golf cart motors. Each of the companies provides a huge variety of golf cart motors for multiple makes and models, so have no fear, there's a motor for you here!

Before we jump into the best motors to buy, let’s dive

deeper into what the motor does for your golf cart, and why it’s important to invest in a quality product.

The golf cart motor is the heart of the vehicle. Without a motor, your golf cart isn’t going anywhere. The batteries provide the electricity for the motor, when the motor is running, then the wheels are turning.

When it comes to electric vehicles, the motor may be the most important part. The motor determines the amount of torque the golf cart will produce, along with the vehicle's top speed.

There are a variety of motors on the market, all of which have their own unique capabilities. We want to make sure that you have the best options for your golf cart, so in the next section we dive deeper into the best companies for new aftermarket AC and DC golf cart motors.

Navitas is among the best-known names on this list. Navitas has been creating top quality golf cart performance parts for years and have risen to the top when it comes to the golf cart industry.

Navitas provides quite a few options when it comes to motors for your golf cart, but we should mention, they can be expensive.

Navitas has options for DC and AC motors, along with the right speed controller to go along with it. All of Navitas' aftermarket products will fit most golf carts as well, so if you own a Club Car, E-Z-GO or Yamaha, chances are they’ll have exactly what you need.

Most of their systems include all the parts you would need to install it yourself, so if you have any knowledge in wiring, these should be a cinch to install.

If you want a reliable motor for your golf cart that is going to last you years to come, then look no further than Navitas Motors and Controller systems. • Smartphone App for personal customization • Cables and hardware for simple installation

• 600 amp TAC2 AC controller (Bluetooth capable) • AC 4 kw Motor • Hardware/Mounting plate • Temperature harness for motor/Speed sensor • Phase cable • Programmer Price: $1,500 - $2,000

These are full system prices (everything you need to run properly, including controller)

Located in New York, D&D Motor Systems has been a privately owned motor company with a combined 50 years of experience between the two owners. Their company has been specializing in DC motor systems, along with the perfect speed controllers to go along with them.

D&D has options for all the main golf cart companies such as Club Car, Yamaha, and E-Z-GO. They also have options for torque or speed.

Maybe you need more low-end power for hauling things, then a torque motor is going to be your best option, if you want more top speed then a speed motor will probably suit you best.

If you are looking for a high-quality motor that will stand up against any motor on the market, then I would consider taking

a closer look at D&D Motors for your custom golf cart.

D&D also provides a discount when you bundle a motor and controller together.

• Increased Torque and Speed over typical DC motor systems • Better battery efficiency and longer run times

Silverwolf Motor Company has been around since 2011 and has been building high quality golf cart performance kits that stand up to the industry standards. Each of their motor systems are built with vehicle range, acceleration, and speed

taken into consideration.

They also have a super easy plug and play installation setup, and provide smartphone connectivity through their app, so you have true personalization.

As of now, the only kit they provide is their TEEKON DC to AC Speed Enhancement Kit. This kit utilizes premium ACPermanent Magnet motors that are extremely energy efficient. These motors are lightweight, have regenerative braking, and Power Management Technology, allowing you to control your speed and torque settings through the app.

Installation is super simple with their plug and play feature. The wiring harness plugs right to the OEM harness, allowing you to get going with only 7 tools from your tool drawer.

Located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Plum Quick Motor Company may not be a name that you’ve heard when it comes to golf carts, but recently they’ve been making a name for themselves.

Their DC to AC conversion kit is one of the best on the market and it’s less expensive than the other motors we’ve previously talked about.

Plum Quick provides two different kits that fit most Club Car, Yamaha, and E-Z-GO models, which can get you up to 35 MPH top speed!

Take a closer look at Plum Quick Motors if you plan to overhaul your old golf cart.

• 12 HP AC Motor • 840 AMP Controller • Smartphone App • Plug and Play Connector

If you want a powerful AC motor with unmatched speed, then consider taking a closer look into Silverwolf Motors. You will not be disappointed in the performance. Price: 440 Amp - $1,600

As you can see there are a variety of aftermarket golf cart motors to choose from. Each motor company that we listed are all reputable and are trustworthy in our eyes. Whether you have a Club Car, E-Z-GO, or Yamaha golf cart, any of these listed companies will have the perfect motor for you.

The motor is a very pertinent, and expensive piece of your golf cart, so buying a new motor should involve research. Take your time while choosing a new motor, and make sure that you’re choosing the right motor for your specific golf cart brand.

We should also mention that if you don’t feel comfortable installing any of these parts yourself, contact your local golf cart dealer or shop for help. Some of these components can be tedious to install, so always contact a professional to do the job right, if you don’t feel qualified.

If you have any questions regarding these golf cart motor companies, or have any information to add, please feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for reading!