When it’s time to change the battery pack in your golf car, the question of which battery and which battery chemistry to get can be a tough choice. There are budget concerns, overall capacity concerns, weight, and other factors that can influence your decision. So, how do you choose? Begin by understanding the various battery technologies available to make an informed choice for your specific application.
For the modern battery-powered golf car, there are three primary battery technologies available: flooded lead-acid (FLA), absorbed glass mat (AGM), and Lithium-Ion (Li). Since all three offer distinct advantages and disadvantages in various applications, it is crucial to understand how they can be optimized for your specific needs.
Flooded Lead-Acid
FLA batteries remain popular due to their cost-effectiveness, safety, reliability, and wide range of capacities. They are also nearly 100 percent recyclable, making them an excellent choice for golf car owners who want to minimize their environmental impact and reduce landfill waste.
FLA batteries perform well with improved capacity, cycle life, and fast cycle-up to full capacity through the use of various chemical additives that make up the battery cells. Because the battery plates are submerged in a liquid aqueous electrolyte, the water in the electrolyte will evaporate over time from electrolysis during charging. This water loss requires regular maintenance, including water replacement, cleaning, and re-tightening terminals. Maintenance also includes keeping the batteries fully charged to prevent sulfation and to avoid freezing in cold weather.
AGM
AGM batteries have the electrolyte suspended in special glass mats that surround the battery’s electrodes rather than being submerged in a liquid electrolyte. This construction allows the battery to be sealed with a special one-way valve, controlling gassing and eliminating the need for water addition, resulting in minimal maintenance. AGM batteries are also able to be used in the most extreme weather conditions due to their construction.
AGM batteries are more expensive than FLA batteries and do not last as long; however, they are an excellent option for applications where accessing the battery compartment is difficult. AGM design advancements in positive electrode corrosion resistance and carbon-enhanced negative active materials have improved their ability to charge quickly and efficiently, even in a partial state of charge, and they also have increased cycle life over previous models. AGM batteries are also nearly 99 percent recyclable.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion batteries are state of the art when it comes to deep-cycle battery technology. Equipped with an internal battery management system (BMS), they inform golf car owners of the charge status, regulate discharge and charging, and maintain the battery in optimal condition at all times.
Deep-cycle lithium-ion batteries have an average cycle life of 2,000 to 5,000 cycles and can be discharged beyond 50% depth of discharge (DOD) without reducing their cycle life. Lithium batteries also do not require special maintenance. Some models allow users to monitor the battery’s state of charge using an LED panel or a mobile app that connects to the battery via Bluetooth. These batteries come at a higher initial cost than FLA and AGM chemistries. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are not easily recyclable and must be disposed of properly.
Selecting FLA, AGM, or Lithium-ion batteries will ultimately depend on how your golf car is used, your budget, and the amount of capacity you will need on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it’s always recommended to consult with your golf car specialist or battery dealer to help you decide. For more information on U.S. Battery’s FLA, AGM, or ESSENTIAL Li® batteries, visit usbattery.com.
