Several battery manufacturers have come out with a deep-cycle 48-volt Lithium-ion battery pack that provides 105 Ah of capacity. These are noticeably larger than standard 48-volt GC2 golf car batteries, but are designed to provide more capacity from a single, maintenance-free unit.
These batteries have become popular due to the fact that they provide longer runtimes, but because they are larger in size, 17.44”L x 12.60”W x 10.32”H (443 mm x 320 mm x 262 mm) and weigh 92.6 lbs. (42kg), they may be slightly more difficult to install and will require additional mounting hardware. Nevertheless, many golf car owners are liking the idea of a single no-maintenance battery that is much more robust from a steel enclosure. Some have an IP67 rating for water and dust intrusion. This heavy-duty construction makes them better for applications where driving over uneven or dirt roads, weather, and where extreme vibrations can be a factor.
CAPACITY AND CONNECTIVITY
When it comes to Amp-Hour capacity (Ah) the larger 48V 105 batteries provide consistent performance from a Battery Management System (BMS) that monitors the State of Charge. More sophisticated batteries use a BMS with advanced cell balancing and fault protection for optimum performance. They will also include a wake and power-down button on the top of the battery, along with an LED status indicator. Others may also include CANbus connectors to communicate with equipment or to connect remote battery status displays that can be mounted to your golf car’s dash.
While these 48V 105 batteries have more capacity than a single 48V GC2 model, they can also take more current-draw. As the load increases on your golf car, such as driving up steep hills or carrying heavy loads (multiple people, deliveries, etc.), the current-draw on the battery becomes greater, producing more heat and causing the Battery Management System to shut down or decrease power levels. Larger 48V 105 batteries are designed to take a greater amount of current draw than a single 30 Ah rated 48V GC2 battery is capable of.
Under normal driving conditions and general-purpose use, a large 48V 105 battery is a great choice, as well as in instances where you want to travel long distance on a single charge. This is due to the battery’s high continuous current ratings. A single 48V 105 can replace three 48V GC2 batteries connected in parallel, and the cost is about the same in dollars per kilowatt hours.
If additional capacity is needed, the 48V 105 batteries can also be scaled up when connected in parallel to another 105 model battery, but it is recommended you discuss this option with the battery manufacturer or your golf car battery supplier first.
No matter what you decide, it’s always best to select the right battery that fits your particular needs. Battery manufacturers are creating products like these larger 48V 105 models to make it easier to find the right battery for your power demands. You can get full specifications on 48V 105 Lithium Ion batteries from top manufacturers like U.S. Battery’s website, at www.usbattery.com.
