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Imagine a world where buying an electric golf cart is as easy as picking up a new barbecue grill or a set of patio chairs. Well, strap in and enjoy the ride, because that world is here! The days of waiting months for your sleek, eco-friendly ride are long gone, replaced by the convenience of modern retail magic.
Now, let’s talk about accessibility. Once upon a time, acquiring a golf cart meant specialty stores and possibly hefty wait times. But now? You can stroll into your local Lowe's or Costco and leave with more than just your weekend DIY project. Yes, nestled between the latest in-home improvement and bulk pantry staples, you can actually buy an electric golf cart. It’s like they're becoming the new household essential!
But why stop at brick-and-mortar? The digital marketplace has embraced the golf cart lifestyle with open arms. Amazon Prime, the king of convenience, can now deliver a shiny new golf cart to your doorstep in as little as three days. From click to cart—in your driveway, that is—the efficiency is mind-blowing.
Take my friend in Florida, for example. Sun, sand, and a need for a stylish ride to cruise the community. He wanted a great deal without the hassle of traditional shopping. Enter Charleston Custom Carts. A few clicks and a phone call later, an ICON model was on its way to his home, with a mere $400 in shipping fees. Just a few
days later, he was zipping around his neighborhood, turning heads, and setting trends.
The ease of getting your hands on one of these ecofriendly chariots speaks volumes about where the market is headed. They're not just for golf courses anymore. Neighborhoods, campuses, and even savvy businesses are catching on to the practicality and sheer joy of owning a golf cart.
So why the surge in mainstream availability? Electric golf carts align perfectly with a growing consumer desire for sustainable, convenient transportation options. They’re easy to maintain, fun to drive, and, let’s face it, they pack a certain style quotient. As we become more conscious of our environmental footprint, opting for an electric ride is a no-brainer.
In a world where everything from your groceries to your gadgets arrives at your door almost as fast as you can order them, why should your choice of transportation lag? Electric golf carts are zipping into the fast lane, and they're here to stay. So next time you’re shopping online or swinging by your local superstore, remember, your next great ride might just be a shopping cart away.
Trevor Rose Senior Editor Trevor@golfcarting.com
Publisher: GC Media Group, LLC
Senior Editor: Trevor Rose - trevor@golfcarting.com
Creative Director: Troy Merrifield - troy@golfcarting.com
Production Director: Christian Amico - chris@golfcarting.com
Staff Writer: Kelly Madden
Staff Writer: Josh Delsota
Staff Writer / Social Media: Tony Benjamin
Golf Carting® is published monthly by GC Media Group, LLC. Reprinting in whole or by any means- electronic, graphic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.
Advertising opportunities and inquiries to: chris@golfcarting.com
Editorial contributions are welcomed, but editors recommend that contributors contact us first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage, and we assume no responsibility for damage or loss of material. Manuscripts must be typewritten, and all photos have to have captions. Photo model releases of all people in photos must accompany manuscript. GOLF CARTING reserves the right to use material, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet publication requirements. E-mail contributions or inquiries to: trevor@golfcarting.com
WARNING: Certain action photographs depicted in this magazine are potentially dangerous. The drivers and vehicle occupants seen in our photos are experienced professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts. Wear a helmet and safety restraints while operating a Golf Cart, and never drive beyond your capabilities. Do not drink and drive while operating a Golf Cart. We also encourage you to “Tread Lightly” while respecting the outdoors and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Use your head and enjoy the ride!
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This is my second full custom build. My brother, Jason Shadoan, found a frame on marketplace one day and wanted me to ride with him to pick it up. Once we got it back, I noticed it had potential and told him I would help him if need be. After about a year of it
just sitting, I guess he lost interest and called me to see if I wanted to buy it from him. After I raffled off my other, I got the itch to do another build but was not really sure which direction I wanted to go. Being that my last one was lowered on air ride, I figured I’d do a lifted one which
would be different for me. Yes, I know there are a ton of lifted carts but again, I myself had not built one.
The frame was already a true six-seater limo and after talking with my brother, he talked me into stretching it a little more just to give some extra legroom. This is where the fun began, I cut the frame in half and stretched it two more feet. Once it was stretched, I decided to run a Jakes long travel lift kit. Obviously, the stock kit was not going to give me enough lift to get the desired look I was looking for. I modified the lift to give me roughly around 8 inches of extra lift.
I knew at the time I wanted to run at least a 24-inch rim and a 35-inch mud tire. I reached out to TIS WHEELS and told them what I was doing to see what they had available. When I told these guys that I was putting that wheel on a golf cart
they thought I was crazy. Once the wheels were ordered I reached out to a local tire shop (DCB Tire) and talked to Matt and we got a set of Venom Terra Hunter M/T’s ordered. Once getting the wheels and tires mounted up, I got the 6 lug adapters to go ahead and fit them on the cart.
After seeing it for the first time with wheels on it and having a rolling chassis thought to myself, this is going to be a massive cart. It measures out 16ft from front to back!! One of my first thoughts was “how am I going to get in this big thing”. That’s when I decided to order a set of Amp automatic lowering steps and modify them to fit the cart.
I already knew I wanted to run a Navitas AC kit from having one on my last cart. Then I decided it was going to need some big power, so I pulled the trigger on a ECO 70v battery.
I ordered a Storm body but had not really decided on a color for the cart. My brother sent me a picture one day and said “the cart would look killer painted like this”. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have that color cause it was something different. I did my research to get paint code and found out I had a color shift pearl added to it. So, depending on how the sunlight hits it, the pearl is either pink or a lime green color. I quickly hit up Jonathan with Phaze 3 Kustoms in Effingham, SC to set up the paint. This guy is one of the best painters on the East coast in my opinion so I knew he was the guy for the job.
While the body was in paint, I wanted to figure out the flooring. I definitely wanted to run the seadeck flooring that people run in boats so it would be ok if it got caught in the
rain. I reached out to Ryan with Rising Tide Customs in Lake City, SC. He was super helpful with this build and came to my house to measure out the flooring and start the design process. I drew out some ideas on paper and texted it to him and he brought them to life.
Once the body was done and able to see it in person, I had to figure out a color for the seats. My dad owns a local upholstery shop and obviously my first choice for doing the seats. I looked at some samples and finally decided on a distressed grey for the seats. I didn’t have a specific design in mind for the seats I just told my brother to put something together that would kinda play off the flooring of the cart and add some pink and green stitching to play off the paint job.
While they were working on the seats it was time for me to build a custom dash. I ran Kicker Audio in my last one and was very pleased with it so it was a must that I do it again. I built the dash to hold 2-8’s and 2 6.5’s along with a Stinger Height 10 touch screen radio. While building the dash, I built it to hold a key switch from an RXV, switches for the steps and the ECO battery gauge. Once the body was on it was time to mount the dash and wire up the amps and speakers. The cart has a total of 11 speaker and two amps, 8-6.5’s, 2-8’s and 1-10” subwoofer powered by two amps. Everything is marine grade to withstand the weather. I did install a blue top optima
battery that would power just the amps so it would not affect my run time much.
For a golf cart it’s a lot of over kill but so is a 16ft long lifted cart on 24s and 35’s so why not. Go big or go home! It took me about a year and a half to complete the cart with only being able to work it with limited time due to having a full-time job and family time. The ride quality, power, and durability are all top-notch. It just goes to show, with a little determination and some elbow grease, you can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. -GCMAG
LLithium batteries have emerged as one of the topperforming product segments in the golf car industry over the last several years. This new and exciting product has enhanced the golf carting experience for consumers by offering much longer run times, extended service life, and requiring zero maintenance. Almost exclusively produced overseas, lithium batteries have revolutionized the entire battery industry by introducing new brands and supply chains to the US consumer. In this article, we will compare factorydirect battery suppliers with more established US-based battery brands.
Traditionally, lead-acid batteries were manufactured in the United States and reached consumers through a network of US distribution companies and retail businesses. In contrast, lithium batteries are mostly produced by countries in Southeast Asia, with China being the top supplier. Overseas manufacturers have always aimed to sell directly to consumers, bypassing established battery brands, distributors, and retailers. Through online retail outlets like Amazon and Alibaba, factory-direct brands can now reach the end consumer. The question arises: Is this good for the US lithium golf car battery consumer?
A factory-direct brand is an overseas brand created by the manufacturer or assembler. These brands typically have whimsical names and are primarily sold through various large online retail sites. The biggest advantage of purchasing a factory-direct battery is the lower price. However, the major disadvantage is the lack of after-sale service and their ability to handle warranty claims. Consumers must decide if the savings of a few hundred dollars are worth trusting an unknown battery brand with faceless online reviews.
My initial experience working with a factory-direct lithium battery brand was as an early RoyPow dealer. In those early years of the lithium rush, it was beneficial to offer a lithium golf car battery at an affordable price. Additionally, RoyPow extended 30-day terms to all retailers at the time, enabling them to flood the market with their products. Nearly overnight, RoyPow dominated the lithium golf car battery space. So, what happened? How did a company with unlimited supply and virtually no competition fail to emerge as the industry leader? Firstly, RoyPow was slow to recognize that their batteries had an insufficient discharge rate for a large portion of upgraded US golf cars. Secondly, the dealer network realized RoyPow’s
limitations in after-sale service and warranty claim handling. These limitations were exploited by emerging US battery brands focusing their business models on technical support and seamless warranty processes.
A US lithium battery brand is a company based in the United States that imports batteries from overseas manufacturers based on the product standards they set. These companies have the necessary domestic insurances to sell a hazmat-labeled product to the public and an infrastructure for diagnosing and handling warranty claims. The major US battery brands utilize a nationwide dealer network to distribute their products, providing purchasers with a local point of contact for questions or concerns. If a trusted and experienced local retailer sells a company’s product, they are staking their business’s reputation on the quality of that product. Word travels fast locally and even faster online. The best reason to choose a US battery brand, aside from an extended US-based warranty and domestic tech support, is quality control. Overseas manufacturers are infamous for swapping components due to availability or cost issues. US brands should and must perform quality control checks on each shipment to ensure products meet their standards. Specifically, for this product category, the more checks and balances, the better.
From an experienced dealer’s perspective, the aftersale service provided by US brands and dealer networks is invaluable. I have navigated through multiple types of warranty processes over the years. I have assisted many customers in purchasing a second lithium battery after initially taking the less expensive route. I’ve also had customers wait months for a resolution on a warranty claim. No one wants to have a bad experience after spending upwards of $1,500 on a product. A US-based company can be held accountable for product deficiencies; overseas companies cannot. While some products can be produced as inexpensively as possible to extend savings to the end user, others, like lithium batteries, must be produced to the highest standards and qualitychecked at every step of the way. Given that we already know cheap lithium batteries are a potential fire hazard, it’s clear that purchasing a lithium golf car battery from a trusted US company backed by an extended dealer network is the right choice.
Golf cart buyers are just like car lovers in many ways –they don’t want to settle for just any average vehicle but are inspired to ride in a totally unique cart that stands out in a crowd.
This was the inspiration behind Streetrod Golf Cars, whose factory and manufacturing facility is based in Montezuma, Iowa. Founded in 1995 by Craig Schmidt, the company was sold to The Pritchard Companies, a well-established player in the transportation industry. Craig’s son, Jessie, remained with the company and currently serves as their Production Manager.
One of their keys to success was the establishment of their company-owned sales dealership in the Villages in Central Florida, long known as the golf cart capital of the world. Since their inception, Streetrod Golf Cars has created and sold over 2,600 eye-popping custom carts.
Aaron Rasmussen is the company’s Operations Manager and explains the secret to their appeal to those looking for something beyond the standard golf cars found at most dealers. “Our customers are often hot rod lovers who can remember their first street car and want something that makes them just as happy and proud to drive as their first classic car,” he says. “We pride ourselves on our ability to create their dream cart to exacting specifications and unmatched automotive precision.”
Streetrod Golf Cars begin with a heavy duty, aluminum utility chassis from Club Car® which are shipped from their facility in Georgia. They come with a powerful, 14hp Kohler® gas motor, providing plenty of zip and durability. The aluminum frames have a weight capacity of 800 lbs. The vast majority of Streetrod carts are equipped with gas engines, which customers find more robust than those with lithium ion
batteries. Gas engines also increase the overall range of the carts.
Streetrod Golf Cars offers different models of carts to fit the needs and styling to suit any buyer. With 8 different models and 12 body styles, it’s easy to build your own cart using the simple tools on their website. Rasmussen points out the Vintage Collection of carts is the company’s bread and butter, with most Villages residents looking to replicate old favorites like the 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod and other cars the buyer may have had – or always wanted – back in their younger days.
The skilled engineers and craftsmen at Streetrod Golf Cars offer over 60 unique configurations within the Vintage line, allowing customers to create their dream cart to match their personal tastes. These carts are available in 2 and 4-passenger models, including hardtops, convertibles, and canvas canopy top versions. The company also makes some gorgeous specialty vehicles in the Vintage collection like beverage and concession carts, 6 or 8-passenger limo carts, old school pickup or panel trucks and more. They also make several fully street legal low speed vehicles, perfect for getting around larger golf or other residential communities. All Streetrod carts come with premium marine-grade seating for lasting durability and
maximum comfort, custom paint and upholstery and a host of automotive-style features and accessories.
The custom, authentic wheels are from Cragar®, including the classic SS style used on so many of yesterday’s classic cars and hot rods.
Streetrod’s LUX Collection carts feature a modern, cutting edge style and flair resembling today’s finest luxury cars. These premium vehicles offer smooth, sweeping body sculpting, a lockable hood compartment, a removable tailgate, chrome bumpers and futuristic LED head and taillights. The LUX carts can be equipped with 2 rear-facing back seats or dual golf bag compartments for hitting the course. Other features include the premium stereo sound system, USB charging ports, backup camera and large display screen, tilt steering wheel and PPG automotive body paint. These carts are the epitome of design and luxury.
Rounding out their line of vehicles is the new GRIT B2 cart designed for those looking for something a bit more rugged and capable of covering rougher terrain in style and comfort. The GRIT B2 was created in homage to the older Ford® Bronco vehicles using a Fiberglas body and all stainless steel and aluminum components for maximum durability. Other notable GRIT features include rugged 14-inch wheels, lifted frame, cooler and lockable storage compartment, removable tailgate, touchscreen dashboard with large display, a full-sized windshield that can easily be popped out and even a trailer hitch.
The GRIT B2 offers a very tight turning radius allowing for easy maneuverability and the wheels and suspension provide a smooth, confident ride.
“We rolled out the new B2 at this year’s PGA Show in Orlando, and the response was fantastic,” says Rasmussen. “Everyone wanted to take a test drive, and we think this will be a very popular option for our customers.”
Streetrod Golf Cars are designed and built to exacting replication standards, using a 5/8 ratio of actual body measurements of the original vehicles from year’s past. The meticulous attention to staying true to the original means an exact visual representation of yesterday’s coolest cars.
Each cart’s Fiberglas body goes through 4 individual rounds of hand sanding and is finished with glistening PPG automotive quality paint.
The company offers a huge array of body color options created to bring back memories of the classic vintage hot rods. Rasmussen says, as one might expect, that flame paint schemes are an extremely popular choice for a lot of buyers.
When it comes to taking cart owners back to a simpler time and cherished memories of their first or favorite car, Streetrod Custom Carts is an industry leader with an eye on the future.
Learn more at https://www.streetrodgolfcars.com/
For those cart owners looking for the ultimate in quality and comfort in their golf cart seating, MC Designs has got you covered in style.
Christopher Moen started manufacturing his company’s premium golf cart seats out of Angleton, Texas, in addition to his custom cart building company, Maverick’s Custom Carts. Moen says the idea came to him because of what he felt was a market for seats that exceeded many available today.
Moen is a diesel motor and performance engine expert who also has a creative and artistic talent for design and manufacturing.
“We would go to truck shows and other diesel truck performance events and get around in a cart we designed and built, and a lot of people would express interest in buying a similar custom cart,” he
says. “That’s how I started the cart building business, and MC Designs is our seat division.”
One thing Moen knew when he began designing and development of his custom seats was that you get what you pay for. He was determined to create the ultimate custom golf cart seat using only the best materials and crafting them by hand. “There are a lot of golf cart seats on the market, and I wanted to brand ours as the best available.”
MC Designs creates their seats using a 5/16inch aluminum backing plate for ultimate rigidity and longevity. All of their seats are made by hand, from the thick foam to the vinyl stitching and wood components. Moen was committed to building the premier, automotive-quality seats in both styling and passenger comfort. The company uses the highest quality, marine grade, leather-look
vinyl with a choice of 3 different densities of foam cushioning.
“Our seats are designed with one result in mind, and that’s durability,” says Moen. “Even using a pressure washer on them is safe because they don’t allow water to access the foam because of our stitching quality.” Much like a finely crafted supercar, the MC Designs golf cart seat “holds” the driver and passengers in place with enhanced bolstering and support.
“We presented our products at the PGA Show in Orlando in January, and the people that discovered our cart seats said that once they sat in them, they were convinced of our quality and comfort,” Moen said. “Our seats basically sell themselves.”
Another secret to the success of MC Designs in their unwavering commitment to the highest quality of American craftsmanship and fabrication. Moen says he wanted his seats to be the best in the industry, and using only American products and old school, hand-crafted production methods was the only way
to go.
Currently the company offers custom seating for the Club Car DS®, E-Z-Go TXT®, Precedent® and Onward® and Yamaha Drive 1® and Drive 2® model carts. They are now developing seating fabrication for several others. They are also planning another line of cart seating options that will be offered at a lower price point to appeal to a broader spectrum of potential buyers. The seats are available in a wide variety of single and dual-color options.
“We realize our seats may not be for everybody, but we also believe there is always a market for those who want the best they can get, and that’s proven to be a key to our success,” Moen says.
MC Designs is currently developing a new, 3D website which will allow buyers to see their custom seat selections in the most realistic way.
You can see more about MC Designs and Maverick’s Cust Golf Carts here: https://mcdesigns. online/
When one of a company’s co-founders has a background as an aerospace engineer, you can bet their high tech training and attention to the smallest detail would carry over into their new electric vehicle company. Andy Ilg and his partners bring a wide variety of business, manufacturing, design and engineering expertise to their new venture.
Founded in Peachtree City, Georgia in 2022, Voyager Electric Vehicles has made a bold statement in premium quality golf carts and electric vehicle transportation and is poised for impressive future growth. The company’s parent company, Adventure Manufacturing, is located in Cleveland,
Tennessee.
Jeff Hathaway, Voyager’s Vice President of Sales and also a company co-owner, says their launch into the industry has been nothing but rewarding. “We had a super focused vision of the type of vehicles we wanted to create and the company mission we were on, and the market’s response has been very positive and gratifying,” he said.
The company designs and manufactures 4 different models including the Pioneer, Explorer, Rebel and their newest offering, the Patriot model.
“We began by taking our new Patriot cart to events like boat shows and a few others, and the way people reacted to it
showed us we had a real winner,” Hathaway says. “We pre-sold 10 at our first event and met dozens of cart dealers who wanted to get it into their lineup.” The new model is now in full production with 250 carts coming off the line as of this writing, and Voyager expects to reach about 2,000 sales of the Patriot in the first year of sales.
The Patriot body style is an exclusive offering through a partnership with their manufacturer – no other electric vehicle brand can market this dramatic new body configuration.
Features include not only the eye appeal of the new body design, but an all-aluminum chassis and frame, double A-arm suspension and many more premium upgrades and performance enhancements.
All Voyager carts come equipped with premium contoured seating, matte or metallic body paint, front end brush guard, dashboard USB charging port, retractable seat belts for all passengers and side mirrors. Wheels come in 10 or 12-inch sizes. Their Explorer model also includes a Gussi custom steering wheel and impressive multimedia audio system compatible with Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto® connectivity.
The Explorer also comes standard with a rearview back-up camera, large storage compartment and ice cooler. Available cart configurations include the 4-passenger lifted or non-lifted models, 4-passenger forward-facing non-lifted model and 6-passenger versions in both lifted and non-lifted models. At Voyager, potential buyers can find the exact type of electric vehicle to suit their specific needs and type of usage.
The Rebel model comes with an available 72v, 105Ah lithium battery package for boosted power and range, with 40-plus miles of use on a charge. Wheels on this model are 14-inches and it comes in 4 or 6-passenger lifted styles. The Rebel was created to break all the rules and perceptions of what a cart can do while transporting family and friends in the ultimate comfort and style.
All Voyager carts come with tires boasting an aggressive tread design to handle any terrain and gorgeous aluminum custom wheel designs.
Hathaway points out a few of the company’s advancements now taking place, including a recently
announced partnership with the Eco Battery® company, securing their own proprietary line of lithium power.
Exclusively for their Patriot Model, Eco Battery will provide not only the 72v 105Ah lithium battery pack in addition to their Eco Drive® motor and motor controller which provides seamless electronic communication between all of the vehicle’s components and an increase in the cart’s overall range.
“We’re thrilled to partner up with the people and products at Eco Battery to make the Patriot a real stand-out in the carting world,” Hathaway says, including an 8-year limited warranty on the battery pack and a 2-year warranty on the entire drive system. “Our dealers are super excited to offer the new Patriot configuration and feel it will appeal to a large number of potential cart buyers across the country.” Voyager currently has about 20 authorized dealers in the U.S. and is adding more at an impressive pace.
Voyager exhibited at this year’s PGA Show held in January in Orlando, and Hathaway says, “The overall interest in our vehicles at the show just blew up, and we see nothing but continued positive company growth in the coming years.”
OWNER: Bill Pulk of Babcock Ranch, Fl
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: Club Car Precedent
ANDY, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS BUILD?
It’s outfitted with sport windshield, Plum quick motor, with 8 to 1 gears in the rear-end, woody side molding and a custom Bimini top.
ANY CUSTOM FABRICATION OR CUSTOM-MADE PARTS?
Box on back was custom made with removable tail gate to fold the bottom of the rear seat in place.
WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE?
GTW 6 inch lift, GTW wheels and tires
GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS:
GTW 6 inch lift, GTW wheels and tires
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOU?
Keep repairing cart and will be doing a lithium battery installation.
OWNER: Andy Fisher of Fisher Carts from Murrells Inlet, SC
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 2004 E-Z-GO
ANDY, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS BUILD?
I started with a 2004 E-Z-GO back half frame mated to a hand-built front half frame. Custom-made front straight axle using old E-Z-GO spindles with Harley Davidson front wheels. E-Z-GO R&P steering unit hooked to a 67/72 C-10 steering column. It has a GPS speedometer, keyless remote start with Bluetooth radio. The cart has four Monroe air shocks to lift and lower it. The rear end is a stock gear E-Z-GO with Miata rotors and disc brakes with custom brackets with 15” x 10” wide Cobra 4 on 4 wheels. It’s outfitted with a Navitas 5K motor and 600amp controller with Extreme Team Lithium battery.
ANY CUSTOM FABRICATION OR CUSTOM-MADE PARTS?
The front straight axle is all custom-built along with shock mounts and headlight mounts. F/R microswitches are custom-built to work off the stock location on the steering column. Custom-built front grille with S/S rods. Custom 4-link setup out back.
WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE?
Yetor Remote Control switch DC good for 12/24/36/48/72 volts. 67/72 C-10 polished S/S steering column with a Chevy comfort grip steering wheel. Eking auto speedometer GPS 120 MPH. Airmaxx dual gauge with dual dump valves. 3-gallon S/S air tank with an air compressor. 4 Monroe air shocks. P-Ayr 4.3 mockup motor block with a supercharger, S/S headers. JBL Cruise Bluetooth stereo. Wilwood brake pedal and master cylinder. Curtis foot pedal assembly. It has full lights: head, tail, brake, and turn signals and undercarriage lights.
GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS: I’ve retired from Duke Energy with 42 years. I was a nuclear maintenance tech and fuel handler. I’ve been married for 41 years to my best friend. We have a daughter, a son, and a grandson. We both retired and moved to Murrells Inlet, SC. I’ve been working on carts for over 35 years. I also have a couple of classic trucks and cars. I love all things on wheels.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOU?
Just to keep on having fun with my builds.
Q: How can I diagnose my slow running EZGO cart with the PDS controller?
A: The PDS model is differentiated by having a push button forward/reverse switch that started in the mid 2000’s. This more advanced SEPEX style controller features a diagnostic mode to pinpoint any on-going trouble codes that were stored in the controller’s memory. The codes are heard from the backup buzzer so you must have a functioning buzzer to use this feature. To activate the diagnostic mode, do the following:
With the key off and the tow/run switch in run, move the push button F&R switch from neutral to reverse 5 times ending back in the neutral position. If the sequence is done correctly, you will first here up to 5 beeps. Those beeps are to indicate which mode you are in. There are several "personality plugs" that can be used in the PDS models to which can increase speed or regen braking.
1 - Beep for all-terrain 13.5 mph.
2 - Beeps for steep hill 13.5 mph.
3 - Beeps for mild hill 14.5 mph.
4 - Beeps for freedom 19 mph
Once you hear these first set of beeps, the second series of beeps will follow with any stored trouble codes. You can refer to the sticker on your controller cover to show what the codes mean and pinpoint any issues you may have.
To get out of the diagnostic mode, simply flip the tow/run switch to off and on again.
Q: I was thinking of going with AGM batteries instead
of lead acid. Do I have to change my charger?
A: While AGM batteries offer maintenance-free ownership, they do have some drawbacks. One of which is the charging algorithm to which lead acids charge a bit differently than AGMs do. It is recommended to get a charger to be compatible with AGM/GEL batteries as they have a different voltage threshold to equalize its cells most effectively. You may be able to change your algorithm if you have a DeltaQ charger but if you have an old Powerwise charger, this is not acceptable for long term usage. Instead investigate a replacement from either Summit, Eagle, or Admiral to name a few that specify for use with AGM style batteries.
Q: I have an EZGO Express with the Samsung lithium battery. Can I change to a different brand of battery, or do I have to go back with the Samsung brand?
A: The good news is “yes”, you can change to a different brand of replacement battery of your choice, however, the bad news is you will have to change out all the electronics to do so. The advanced controller that the Samsung lithium runs is CAN/BUS enabled which means the controller constantly communicates with the battery. You will have to either step down to a fleet style stock controller or upgrade to a Navitas/Alltrax brand for even more power. Keep in mind you will also have to change out your wiring harness, ITS, microswitches, even your key switch with a TXT48 harness rather than the one that’s installed in the Samsung lithium carts. It’s a straightforward install even though it’s a bit labor intensive, however you do have options for these particular carts.
the next generation of Atlas® has arrived
