Converting My Golf Cart to BYPOWER 48V Lithium Batteries

Converting My Golf Cart to BYPOWER 48V Lithium Batteries

This product review addresses a common dilemma faced by golf cart owners when their original lead-acid batteries begin to fail: Should you replace them with the same type or consider alternative lead-acid brands? Until recently, these were the only feasible options. You could either contact the shop where you purchased your cart to order replacements, find a supplier for similarly sized lead-acid batteries and handle the replacement yourself, or, in extreme cases, buy a new golf cart altogether.

However, in recent years, some OEM golf cart manufacturers have started offering their carts with a single large lithium battery option. This is a departure from the traditional setup of four (12-volt) or six (8-volt) lead-acid batteries in 48-volt powered golf cars.

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Around the same time that OEM golf cart manufacturers began offering lithium batteries as an option, several battery manufacturers started producing lithium batteries designed to replace lead-acid batteries in existing golf carts. This development introduced a new alternative to consider, which leads us to this review.

I own a 2017 Yamaha Drive2 PTV golf cart equipped with Yamaha’s AC motor, originally outfitted with six 8-volt lead-acid batteries. I typically use the cart three times a week on one of our two golf courses, both featuring significant elevation changes. After three and a half years, the original Trojan T-875 batteries were failing, barely lasting through a single round.

After conducting my research, I opted for BYPOWER lithium batteries, which were provided at cost by BYPOWER. This review will delve into the reasoning behind my decision, the replacement process, and the outcomes of the switch.

The Logic Behind My Decision

Lithium batteries present several significant advantages over lead-acid batteries, including:

Lighter Weight
No Maintenance
Faster Charging
Longer Charge Retention
Increased Longevity
Direct Fit with No Modifications Required

One of the most compelling benefits of lithium batteries is their weight advantage. A standard set of lead-acid batteries weighs approximately 378 pounds. In contrast, lithium batteries deliver more power, and with the BYPOWER batteries, each unit provides 48 volts and 30 amp-hours. You can replace the six lead-acid batteries in your cart with just two lithium batteries. If you choose two InSight batteries, your total weight would be just 69 pounds, resulting in a remarkable weight savings of 309 pounds! Even if you opt for four lithium batteries, as I did due to the significant elevation changes on our courses, your total weight would come to 138 pounds, saving you 240 pounds.

This reduction in weight is immediately noticeable in the cart's acceleration, steering, and handling. Reducing the load by at least 240 pounds means that components like brakes, suspension, and tires will experience less wear and tear over time.

Another key advantage of lithium batteries is that they require zero maintenance. You never need to check or add water throughout the battery's lifespan.

Additionally, due to their chemistry, lithium batteries charge significantly faster than lead-acid batteries. Typically, they reach a full charge in just a few hours after a round of golf. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which can quickly lose capacity if not kept on a charger, lithium batteries maintain 80% of their capacity after 60 days and may take up to two years to drop to 20% of their capacity.

Lead-acid golf cart batteries typically last between three and five years, often with a warranty of 12 to 18 months. In contrast, lithium batteries are rated for eight to ten years or more. The BYPOWER lithium batteries discussed in this review come with a 7-year full warranty and are rated for over 6,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge.

For DIY golf cart owners, one important consideration is the difficulty of converting from lead-acid to lithium batteries. Fortunately, the RELiON InSight batteries are a direct size replacement for OEM lead-acid batteries, making the transition straightforward.

With such impressive advantages, why isn't everyone switching to lithium batteries when it's time for a replacement? There are a few reasons. Many golf cart shops remain unfamiliar with lithium options and lack experience with them. Additionally, since lithium technology is relatively new, many cart owners may not even be aware of these aftermarket batteries when their lead-acid batteries fail. The most significant factor, however, is the initial cost difference.

If you're considering a new golf cart, your dealer might offer a lithium option, which typically adds between $2,200 and $4,000 to the price compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. For those replacing lead-acid batteries in an existing cart, a set of six quality lead-acid batteries will cost around $1,600, plus installation fees, and an additional $75 to $100 for a battery fill kit if needed.

Depending on how you use your golf cart and the terrain of your golf course, you can replace the six 8-volt batteries (48-volt system) with either two, three, or four 48-volt lithium batteries. One significant advantage of lithium is its scalability; you can start with a two-battery system and add more later if you need additional range.

For example, two InSight batteries provide 60 amp-hours and a range of 24 to 34 miles per charge. Three batteries offer 90 amp-hours and a range of 36 to 51 miles, while four batteries provide 120 amp-hours and a range of 48 to 70 miles. The current pricing for BYPOWER lithium 48-volt batteries is $2,995 for two, $4,125 for three, and $5,310 for four. This pricing includes free shipping, spacer batteries to fill empty slots, a BYPOWER charger (compatible with your cart’s regular charge port), and CAN cables for battery communication.

Why choose BYPOWER over other lithium options? Several factors impressed me, including the thoughtful design of their InSight battery, their commitment to safety in lithium technology, and their excellent customer service.

Unlike many competitors, BYPOWER designed the InSight battery from the ground up specifically for golf cart applications, rather than modifying existing lithium batteries. They carefully defined the requirements for a lithium battery in a golf cart environment and tailored their design accordingly. I encourage you to visit their website to learn more about the battery's chemistry, construction, and their innovative 'SuperSmart BMS' (battery management system) incorporated into each unit.