BATTERY BUZZ: LITHIUM-ION VS. FLOODED LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

Flooded lead-acid batteries have kept golf cars and PTVs on the go for decades, and they remain a viable option for owners. If you have an older golf car or PTV, it probably has a leadacid battery. With their proven dependability and reliability, flooded lead-acid batteries remain the most used golf car battery.

But more sophisticated lithium-ion batteries are giving traditional batteries a run for their money. If you’re thinking of switching to a lithium-ion battery, you’ll need to understand the differences between the two.

Lithium-ion technology has taken battery performance into a new dimension. It offers the following benefits over flooded lead-acid technology:

ELIMINATES MAINTENANCE AND WATERING. Lithium-ion batteries require no maintenance or watering, whereas flooded leadacid batteries need hands-on care. Further, poor or no maintenance can impact the performance and longevity of flooded lead-acid batteries, eating into your investment. With lithium-ion, you just charge and ride.

SPEEDS CHARGING AND PREVENTS DOWNTIME. Have you ever headed out for a day of fun only to discover a discharged battery? It happens with flooded lead-acid batteries, often due to charger errors or vehicles not being used for extended periods. And it takes up to eight hours to charge a flooded lead-acid battery. There goes your day. This rarely occurs with lithium-ion batteries because they lose their charge so slowly. Further, they can reach an 80% state of charge in a few hours.

OUTLASTS FLOODED LEAD-ACID BATTERIES. With proper care and storage, lithium-ion batteries usually last three to five times longer than flooded lead-acid batteries. The lithium chemistry increases the number of charge cycles the battery can handle. Leadacid batteries deliver approximately 500-1,000 cycles. Lithium-ion deliver 2,000-5,000.

HOLDS ITS CHARGE, EVEN DURING WINTER STORAGE. If you don’t charge a flooded lead-acid battery for a month, it loses up to 33% of its charge. Lithium-ion batteries lose only 2-3% charge per month, making dead batteries unlikely under normal conditions. A charged lithium-ion battery can sit for months and still start right up.

LITHIUM-ION VS. FLOODED LEAD-ACID BATTERIES: F They are ideal for vacation homes. MONITORS BATTERY PERFORMANCE AND REDUCES RISKS. GET THE FACTS. Lithium-ion batteries feature smart Battery Management Systems (BMS). Small computers inside the battery constantly monitor data on the status of each cell and the overall health of the battery. The BMS protects the battery from damage and keeps the battery operating within its safety parameters. The best BMSs feature dual microprocessors and fuses for safety. If one fails, another safely shuts down the battery. REDUCES BATTERY WEIGHT AND IMPROVES PERFORMANCE. Lead-acid batteries weigh 340-390 pounds while lithium-ion batteries weigh only 60-140 pounds. Depending on ampere-hours, lithium-ion batteries can be more than 300 pounds lighter than flooded leadacid batteries. This reduces general wear and tear and improves the efficiency of your vehicle. It will accelerate faster and maintain higher speeds on hills. MAINTAINS CONSISTENT POWER. Lead-acid batteries lose power as the state of charge drops. They become sluggish and can struggle on inclines. That’s not the case with lithium-ion batteries. Like cell phones and laptops, they deliver consistent power. You’ll enjoy steady performance, even on steep hills. COSTS LESS IN THE LONG RUN. You’ve probably heard that lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than lead-acid, but that’s only half of the story. Yes, the sticker price for lithium-ion batteries is higher, but they last much longer. When you factor in the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and the replacement costs of flooded leadacid and AGM batteries within that time frame, lithium-ion batteries deliver a lower total cost of ownership. IS IT TIME TO SWITCH TO LITHIUM-ION? If your current golf car or PTV batteries are working fine and you’re satisfied with their performance, or your vehicle is old and you’re thinking of replacing it soon, this may not be the time to switch. But if you need a new battery or vehicle, it may be time to upgrade. You’ll enjoy better power, performance, and reliability and increase the trade-in value of your vehicle. Visit the Trojan Battery website to learn more about Trojan’s GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Battery or find your nearest Trojan Master Distributor.

HOW TO CONVERT YOUR CART FOR HUNTING

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Whether you’re in the woods hunting, checking your night cameras and feeders or looking for recent signs of animals, the advantages of doing that and more in a quiet, powerful golf cart designed for the outdoors will add a lot of enjoyment to the task.

A cart that has been properly outfitted to tackle everything involved with hunting means less work for the hunters and more success in your efforts.

If you enjoy hunting – whether for local game or on a photographic expedition – there are a couple ways to go if you want a cart to enhance the experience. Very few manufacturers make what may be considering a “hunting cart,” but do offer heavy duty carts made for general outdoor, landscaping or construction use.

The good news is the arrival of many new and useful aftermarket accessories designed to make your hunting cart a real workhorse. If you’re good with a wrench, you can add custom features made to make the thrill of hunting more rewarding.

QUIET POWER HAS THE ADVANTAGE

When you’re out in the field hunting your prey, the last thing you want is to scare them away. That’s why an electric cart is the right choice. The downside is the older cart you’re trying to outfit for hunting likely has an underpowered electric motor that will need to be replaced. A typical 3-horsepower motor won’t get you up steep inclines, especially if you have multiple passengers or animals onboard. A 9-hp motor will get you where you need to go much more efficiently.

You’ll then want to upgrade the motor’s controller from a 175-amp to 500-amp model with an auto-breaking feature that stops the cart when you take your foot off the gas. Make sure it is regenerative, so it charges while you’re driving. Companies like Navitas (www.navitasvs.com), Plumquick.com, Silver Wolf (silverwolfmotors.com) and DDMotorSystems.com can offer/ build motors how you like it for your terrain and program your controller to your preference.

Getting your hunting cart up off the ground will also be a key modification. A suspension lift kit of 6-inches is typical, although you can raise your cart up to 8 or 10-inches if you feel it’s necessary, but you may suffer a little loss of handling capability because the cart is riding much higher off the ground. Get rid of the standard leaf springs and shocks and install heavy duty parts, along with the tie rods. Your wheels should be as durable as possible while still being lightweight, and you should take some time to learn about the right tread patterns and sizes for all-terrain tires for maximum performance on your favorite hunting grounds.

As with all styles of golf cart modifications, conversion to a hunting cart can be as budget-friendly or fully radical as you’d like, depending on how much you plan on investing. Front suspension is a critical component for a hunting cart, and independent suspension components can greatly increase your cart’s ability to crawl up rocky inclines while still trying to keep one wheel on the ground. Products like a Jakes Long Travel Lift Kit, available in 4” to 8” lifts, will give you a very smooth ride and enhanced handling for around $1,200.00

MILD OR WILD –

HUNT FOR THE BEST MODIFICATION PRODUCTS

Just like modifying a golf cart for any other use, building the optimum hunting companion is personal. You can outfit your cart with a few accessories, or go wide open in rigging it to the max.

There are dozens of companies that make and sell hunting accessories for most of the major cart brands, and with a little time and a few tools you can be on your way to your dream

PlumQuick Navitas

Silver Wolf

D&D Motor Systems

machine. Vertical gun racks that mount near your legs and have a quick-release mechanism mean fast reaction when you come up on your prey, and horizontal gun storage racks allow you to safely and securely transport your weapons while driving. Today’s designs feature cushioned gun holders with foam-lined clips and Velcro straps to hold the guns securely, and heavy duty mounting hardware that is incredibly durable and lightweight.

Other options include a front-mounted basket for transporting game, rooftop racks custom-fit for any cart model and even portable propane heaters that fit in your cup holder to keep you warm at night. A camouflage graphics cart wrap will make sure you blend in with the hunting grounds.

An avid hunter since the age of 12, Rick Reynolds of Fort Myers, Florida, rigged his cart up for going to his hunting camp in Georgia to hunt white-tailed deer. He goes a couple times a year, if possible, either with his wife or a group of other hunters. A fire marshal for the Fort Myers Fire Department, Reynolds has a gas-powered cart, and installed a silencer on the exhaust system which he says makes about the same level of noise as an electric cart.

Reynolds has installed a 2-gun and ammo rack behind the seats, cushioned and secure to protect his rifles. He also outfitted his cart with a front rack for gear or game, a large rear bed, hand grabs and a winch. “I can’t tell you how glad I am I installed the winch, whether for hunting or just getting out of being hung up on something,” Reynolds said. “I’ve also got enough of a lift on it to clear about 14-inches of water or rock, and that’s critical if you use your cart for hunting.”

Reynolds gets some of his hunting accessories for his cart from Kolpin Outdoors (Kolpin.com) based in Minnesota, one of many online sellers of aftermarket hunting parts for carts. Kolpin offers an entire line of hunting-related vehicle accessories and parts, including gun boots, roofs and windshields, Rhino Grip® clamps for securing guns and other cargo and even a mount to securely hold a chainsaw. Many other cart accessory companies sell camouflage wheels and wheel covers, steering wheel covers, seat covers and complete

cammo enclosures for when the cold and wind are a problem.

Depending on what you are hunting for you can get innovative and back saving product like this power-loader from GreatDayInc.com for around $574. With the use of a winch (not included) the power-loader can lift any trophy deer, to a turkey. When not out hunting, it is a rancher's right-hand man with the ability to lift up to 350 lbs without physically lifting up a pound. Bales of hay, firewood, sacks of feed or seed and even fence post can be lifted and transported easily around the property.

Great Day, Inc also carries products to hold your guns and bows as well as a variety of sturdy racks that mount to the front, top and rear of your cart. Their product line goes far past just carts, most of their products with fit on many models of ATVs, UTVs and even your truck or Jeep.

Fender flares are another important addition to your hunting cart to keep the mud under the cart when you’re getting down and dirty on the hunting trail.

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Many people use other types of UTV, side-by-side or ATV vehicles for hunting, but gas engines can be a problem when you’re tracking your game. A golf cart equipped with the right electric motor can add a big advantage to your favorite hunting nest.

Coming home safely from a day out in the woods is the goal in any hunting trip, whether you’re looking for deer, hogs, beautiful flowers or animals to photograph, or using a gun or a bow. The right modifications to a golf cart can increase your hunting enjoyment and make the whole outdoor adventure much more satisfying. Happy Hunting! - GCMAG

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