How to Make Your Golf Cart Go Faster?
All golfers who rent or own a golf cart know that it’s not a racecar. But that doesn’t mean you should be okay with the slow speed. However, the majority of golfers enjoy spending hours on the course, basking in the sun. So they don’t seem to have a problem with how slow the golf cart is. But then there are golfers who want to know how to make your golf cart go faster.
And the best part about boosting the cart’s speed is that not only is it possible but the process of achieving that involves just a few simple upgrades. Time to get into that below!
Table of Contents
Why Does Golf Cart Go Slow?
Here are the most common factors that have an impact on a golf cart’s performance levels. Plus, these issues can be fixed quite easily, but more on that later. First, let’s talk about potential problems…
Low Voltage of the Battery
Doesn’t low battery seem like the most common reason for your cart slowing down? It’s only logical to assume that maybe the golf cart is going so slow is because its battery power output is very low. But what if your cart is charged to the fullest? Then the culprit can be its low voltage output. And here’s how to test that using a multimeter.
Speed Sensor Malfunctioning
As far as golf cart performance is concerned, much of it depends on its speed sensor. This particular characteristic ensures a smooth, efficient operation. The thing works by calculating the speed of the cart and the level of electricity required for maintaining that speed.
That said, when this speed sensor fails to function properly, the golf cart slowing down is only inevitable. A broken speed sensor doesn’t send enough power to the engine, naturally. But what’s the cause of the malfunctioning or breaking down of a speed sensor?
- Dirt and Mud Buildup - Needless to say, speed sensors can withstand a certain amount of wear and tear. But just some of it and not a lot in the form of excessive mud and dirt buildup.
- Speed Magnet Failure - It’s only common sense to assume that a speed magnet failure keeps the cart from speeding up. More often than not, this problem also leads to a faltered driving style.
- Speed Sensor Wire Problems - It’s possible that this wire has been disconnected or is spent/damaged. Either way, it diminishes the speed of your golf cart.
- Worn-Out Speed Sensor - Of course, the speed sensor feature can start to burn out over time. It’s common for it to lose its original smooth and efficient functionality. And that, needless to say, tend to slow down cart operation.
Amapcity Controller Malfunctioning
Just like the speed sensor, even a golf cart’s ampacity controller can cause sudden speed surges, on and off speed issues, and speed deterioration. After all, this feature is responsible for regulating the amperage a cart both generates and uses.
And what are the potential causes of the ampacity controller malfunctioning? Faulty cables due to improper installation and maintenance of the controller or failure of the part entirely.
Bearing Coder Malfunctioning
What the bearing coder does is carefully distribute the electrical charge across a golf cart. And it does so by translating the different elements responsible for cart operation into various impulses that contribute to smooth running.
But it goes without saying that, just like any other golf cart component, even the bearing coder is subject to wear and tear as time goes by.
Switch Malfunctioning
Every golf cart has a forward and reverse switch, correct? And when that switch doesn’t function properly, the cart is most likely to slow down simply because it doesn’t have a mind of its own.
The majority of the time, switch issues are a result of wire failures, which gives rise to malfunctioning and even sparks. The possibility of frayed wires shouldn’t be ruled out either.
Is It Even Possible to Speed Up Electric Golf Carts?
The good news is that you can boost your electric golf cart speed. But before you go about making any changes, you should know about the Shunt and Series systems. Both allow you to increase the speed of the cart the most successfully.
But what are they? Shunt and Series are operating systems, and they’re two different operating systems. Meaning you cannot exchange one for the other.
Let’s start with the Series system. For upgrading this one, you have to take into account features like cables, forward/reverse switches, motor, controller, and solenoid. But that’s not how it works with the Shunt version.
In the case of Shunt, it’s not important to upgrade so many parts. And that’s because Shunt systems consist of an individual field circuit and separate motor. This means independent functionality.
How to Make Electric Golf Cart Faster?
Improving your cart’s speed is possible in multiple ways. And these methods also boost torque as well as overall power.
Use A High-Powered Battery for Golf Cart
Just the idea of boosting cart battery voltage sounds like a reasonable thing to do. And the best part about this approach is that it’s simple and quick. But only when the replacement battery is from this list of top recommendations for continuous, long-lasting performance.
But how do you find out the current voltage of the battery?
- Voltage is often printed on the battery.
- This information can also be found on the motor of your golf cart.
- Battery voltage recommendation is a part of the product manual as well.
So much is obvious that not all carts accept batteries of the same voltage. The range differs from one golf cart to another. But what’s 100-percent sure is that a fresh battery increases the motor output of a cart, which boosts speed. And when you install new high-voltage batteries, they’re bound to increase the speed at which you travel on the course significantly.
Upgrade Golf Cart Parts Responsible for Torque
The motor’s pulling capacity is the torque. Torque is nothing but the function of the current. So a higher current produces more torque. And a higher torque produces more speed.
Now here are different ways of boosting the torque levels of your golf cart…
- Upgrade the voltage of the motor. Keep your motor as is, just provide it with a higher voltage to boost cart speed.
- Or you can install a high-RPM motor and leave the voltage alone.
Upgrade Golf Cart Motor
Now here’s something you should know about Series Wound DC Torque Motors. They feature a larger internal field coil. And when the field coil is larger, it paves the way for a higher generation of the magnetic field. A larger coil also has a more secure armature-holding capacity. All of this, no doubt, generates greater torque.
How about Series Wound DC Speed Motors? These, on the contrary, have a comparatively smaller field coil. So a lower magnetic field plus higher-RMP armature spin are inevitable for producing greater speed.
As is evident, Torque Motors achieve more power while sacrificing speed. And Speed Motors give you higher speed but compromise torque.
Install Larger Tires On Golf Cart
What’s the easiest and most cost-effective method for boosting cart speed? Just upgrade the size of the tires! And this solution works in favor of both electric and gas golf carts. A bigger diameter is sure to increase the speed at which your small motorized vehicle moves.
But how large should the tires be? The standard size is 8 inches, but you can upgrade to 20-24 inches. This increases the speed by 2 to 4 mph without having to replace other more expensive features like the speed controller, motor, etc. So the solution is economical and less time-consuming.
And just by the way, keeping the new, larger tires inflated at all times also matters when it comes to maintaining that top speed.
Replace Golf Cart Solenoid and Speed Controller
These are the two most important components in electric golf carts. And both are installed between the battery bank and motor. When left to their own devices, they can end up obstructing not just the speed but other performance factors too.
Let’s assume your cart motor is capable of drawing 400 amps but the solenoid and controller have a mere 275-amp capacity, then it’s only natural for the motor to never reach its best potential. So you have a compelling reason to upgrade these two parts to the correct amperage level.
Keep Golf Cart Clean and Light
A no-brainer yet the most neglected!
Keeping your expensive golf cart in good condition boosts not just speed but its overall performance as well. And by clean, we mean free of mud, rocks, and caked-on dirt. The buildup of such unwanted particles is often found at the bottom or undercarriage region of the cart. And, no doubt, they reduce speed.
Even what’s on your cart can decrease its speed. Keep unnecessary things and clutter i.e. too much weight off the golf cart to make sure it’s meeting the max. speed potential. And this includes a lightweight, well-organized golf bag too.
Finish Line
There’s just one more thing that not many golfing cart enthusiasts know. That these small motorized vehicles often come with a governor installed on them. And this governor is put in place for limiting the cart’s speed. So first try to turn it off and check if the speed increases, which shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
But if it doesn’t happen, then find out what seems to be the problem. Once the problem has been spotted, then you can move on to deciding the best approach for recovery.
Battery-operated carts are surely convenient and economical in the long run, but they’re no easy feat to maintain. Especially the different parts of an electric golf cart that have to be constantly checked and upgraded. But once you get into the habit of proper maintenance, these concerns shouldn’t be such a bother.
