Learn How to Get More Power out of Your Golf Cart Engine

Golf carts are an efficient and economical mode of transportation on the golf course and around neighborhood communities. While most older model carts use gasoline operated engines, newer carts are battery-operated, providing a quieter and eco-friendlier ride.

The power of the cart determines the speed at which the cart can travel, and, for those drivers who prefer to use their cart both on and off the course, improved speed may be necessary when traveling on the road.

The power of the cart can also be measured by the motor’s torque, or the pulling power of the motor, which is a desirable feature for carts used for hunting and all-terrain travel. So, the kind of power adjustments you make to your cart is dependent on how you use your cart.

Increased Speed

If your objective is to make your cart road-worthy, changing the voltage of the battery is an effective way to achieve this. Most golf carts can attain speeds of up to 12 mph, which is perfect for leisurely rides around the golf course, but is too slow when traveling on neighborhood roads. Many communities require carts to travel at speeds of 20 mph, and the average cart with a 36-volt battery is unable to obtain that speed.

There are several ways you can add golf cart upgrades to the motor of your electric cart so you can legally and safely travel on the roads in your community.

Change the Motor Achieving higher speeds can be as simple as increasing the voltage of the battery from the standard 36-volt to a 42-volt charge. The increased voltage to the motor will give you more revs per minute (RPM), resulting in speeds up to 20mph. You may also need to change the speed controller to ensure the motor isn’t overloaded.

Change the GearingSwitching to a higher drive gear diameter will increase the speed of your cart by putting more force on the rear axle. Unfortunately, this increase in speed has a corresponding decrease in torque which means that hilly areas and heavy loads may be challenging for your cart.

Change your TiresJust as changing the speed controller and gearing improve the RPM of the motor, you can increase the RPM of your tires by purchasing tires with a larger diameter. Most standard golf carts come with 18” tires, which can easily be upgraded to 20” tires.

If the 2-3 mph increase in speed is not enough to consider purchasing a lift kit, such as the Rhox lift kit, in conjunction with larger tires to improve the overall speed of the cart without compromising the stability.

Increased Torque
Increasing the torque of the motor is often necessary for cart owners who use their carts for hunting, farming, or trail riding as these activities require the cart to travel up steep inclines and along uneven terrain. The torque of the motor equals the pulling power of the motor, which may not necessarily translate into increased speed but will increase the power.

Torque is an important factor to consider, both on and off the golf course, as even a steep hill can prove challenging for a standard cart. There are a few ways you can make sure your cart is never immobilized on tricky terrain.

Change the Speed ControllerThe Speed Controller regulates the electric output of the motor; a higher voltage equals more RPM, and the faster your cart will travel. When you change the speed controller, you can reduce the voltage and increase the amperage of the motor, resulting in increased torque.

Change the Motor
Changing the motor, specifically switching to a different field coil, can have the same effect on the torque, often without needing to change the speed controller. The field coil simply increases the strength of the electromagnetic field in the motor to create more torque. You can replace the field coil in the motor already installed, or you can install a new motor with a higher speed.

Safety

Any changes to the power of your cart should be accompanied by additional safety precautions. Most manufacturers and retrofitters recommend carts for street use do not exceed speeds of 25mph, as the stability of the vehicle can be compromised.

When traveling at high speeds, never overload your vehicle because it can cause balance issues. Always install high-quality brakes built for stopping at higher speeds.

There are a variety of reasons why it may be necessary to improve the power of your golf cart. Some improvements need to be made for increased speed, and some for increased torque. Determine the best adjustments for your specific needs to gain more power from your electric cart.