A 100Ah lithium battery in a golf cart typically lasts 5–8 hours under moderate use (25–35 km/h) or delivers 80–120 km per charge, depending on terrain, payload, and speed. For example, a 72V 100Ah LiFePO4 pack (7.2 kWh) sustains 90 km in flat terrain but drops to 60 km with hills or 4 passengers. Pro Tip: Always derate capacity by 20% for aging and temperature effects below 10°C.
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What factors affect a 100Ah battery’s runtime in golf carts?
Key variables include terrain incline, payload weight, and driving patterns. Steeper hills increase energy draw by 30–50% versus flat ground.
Golf cart batteries follow Peukert’s Law—higher current reduces effective capacity. A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery delivering 50A lasts ~2hrs (100Ah/50A=2h), but at 100A loads, runtime halves to ~1h due to internal resistance. Practically speaking, a 4-passenger cart climbing 15% grades may deplete 72V 100Ah packs in 45 minutes. Transitional factors like ambient temperature also matter: below 0°C, lithium batteries lose 15–25% capacity. Pro Tip: Use battery heaters in cold climates to maintain efficiency.
| Factor | Impact on Runtime | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Hills (10% grade) | -40% | Use regenerative braking |
| 4 passengers | -35% | Limit speed to 20 km/h |
| Headwinds (20 km/h) | -25% | Install aerodynamic covers |
How does voltage (60V vs. 72V) impact 100Ah battery range?
Higher voltage systems improve energy efficiency and torque. A 72V 100Ah pack stores 20% more energy (7.2kWh) than 60V systems (6kWh), extending range proportionally.
But why doesn’t doubling voltage double the range? Because golf cart motors and controllers have fixed efficiency curves. A 72V system running at 50A draws 3.6kW (72V×50A), while a 60V system at 60A uses 3.6kW (60V×60A)—same power, different current loads. However, 72V systems reduce I²R losses by 44% compared to 60V, adding ~15% real-world range. For example, Redway’s 72V carts achieve 110 km vs. 95 km for 60V models with identical 100Ah batteries. Transitionally, controller programming matters: some 72V units allow “Eco modes” that cap speed at 20 km/h to stretch range by 30%.
| Parameter | 60V 100Ah | 72V 100Ah |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 6 kWh | 7.2 kWh |
| Typical Range | 70–100 km | 90–130 km |
| Peak Torque | 120 Nm | 150 Nm |
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FAQs
No—impedance mismatches cause unbalanced loads. Replace all cells simultaneously to prevent premature failure.
How often should I charge my golf cart battery?
After each use, even partial discharges. Lithium batteries prefer shallow cycles (30–80% SOC) for longevity.
