Lead/acid to Lithium conversions...

[UberDan]

I'm looking at a 2020 Club Car Tempo that has been converted to Lithium, Anybody have any experience with this? Yes, I read the lithium sticky, juat wanted to hear from someone with actual experience.

I used to have an electric DS and after replacing the batteries and not using it much, decided to sell it. Then a few months later I missed having a cart, so bought a Yamaha gasser, not a fan of the noise and vibrations and smell.

Saw a dealer that is selling conversions, they bought out a fleet of 2020 Tempos and are converting them to Lithium. Price is not bad, $7995, all street legal. They use 50ah Roy Pow Lithium, I know that's not the best setup, I'd prefer the 100Ah setup, but not sure what the difference is.

[UberDan]

Here's the ad
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/f...790514253.html...

[UberDan]

Ad for my Yamaha gasser For Sale...

https://post.craigslist.org/manage/7792242953?action=display&go=display

[golfcartg]

The 50Ah battery is really on the low end for a golf cart especially if you want to add any extra weight down the line like passengers, cargo, mods or a lift kit with larger tires. Under heavy load that battery will have to work harder and you’ll likely start tripping the BMS. When this happens, the cart will just cut out leaving you stuck. It's frustrating and interrupts your drive which is not something you want to deal with regularly.

If you like the deal overall, I’d suggest asking the dealer if they could customize it for you with a 105Ah battery instead. It’s worth paying the difference for the peace of mind. They might say the 50Ah works fine, but having the extra capacity in a 105Ah will give you more range and flexibility. The larger battery will give you a more reliable ride and the ability to add features down the line without worrying about power issues. It’s just a smarter choice long term I think.

You're definitely on the right track though with lithium, one common mistake people make is buying individual 12V lithium batteries. Each of these has its own BMS, and wired in a series setup, one battery often trips its BMS while the others keep going causing constant unexpected shutdowns. Then they're stuck with a setup that's more of a headache than a solution.

With a 105Ah battery you’re really getting a lot more breathing room. You’ll be able to go longer without needing to charge and it handles more stress without feeling like you’re pushing it to the limit. Since it’s got a bigger reserve, it won’t wear out as quickly which is a nice bonus for the long haul. The 50Ah can work fine if you’re not asking much from it, but if you plan on using the cart more often or for heavier loads, the 105Ah just gives you that extra confidence that it won’t cut out on you.

[UberDan]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Not that I'll add the things you mentioned, just me 270lbs., cruising around Sun City and maybe a passenger on the course. I do want to be able to do 25mph, which is the legal limit around here.

[UberDan]

Are the RoyPows any good? Better/worse than anything else? Not sure what they have available. What do you think the 105Ah upgrade would cost?

[golfcartg]

Given that you’re aiming for 25 mph you’ll definitely need to look into an upgraded controller and possibly some gearing adjustments to hit that speed. The stock setup with programming will only get you to about 19.5 mph. And at 25 mph, you’re going to put a lot more strain on the battery, so the 50Ah pack wouldn’t cut it for that. A 105Ah battery would be a much better fit for maintaining higher speeds and handling the extra load even if it’s just you and an occasional passenger on some hills. Plus, it gives you peace of mind that you won’t be pushing the battery to its limit all the time.

Even though you’re not planning on major add ons right now, having that larger battery means you won’t have to worry about upgrading later if you ever decide to add more features or power demands like a soundbar and the like.

If you’re serious about upgrading on your own, you can use RoyPow’s dealer locator to find a dealer near you. Pricing can vary depending on where you go, but a good price for a 105Ah battery installed with the charger and SOC meter would usually be around $2,250 or less. Sometimes you can find deals for a bit cheaper, it really depends on the dealer and whether they include installation or offer any discounts. Everyone’s different, but that’s a ballpark to keep in mind. 50ah is usually $1,500 or less to your door. Just a rough estimate to give you an idea and may vary based on specific sellers or shipping costs.

https://www.roypow.com/dealer-locator/

[cybercart]

Are the RoyPows any good? Better/worse than anything else? Not sure what they have available. What do you think the 105Ah upgrade would cost?

RoyPow is solid! They’re on the same level as Eco Battery so you’re looking at good quality either way. I’ve seen a lot of people run them with no issues, super reliable. I have to agree the 105 is a game changer, unless you’re like me and get distracted by all the options and just end up zoning out halfway through forgetting what you were even upgrading for LOL. But yeah, 105Ah. Do it.

[UberDan]

Yeah, I asked the dealer about the speed, he said 19 mph is about the max. But, most everything around here will do 25 at least. My old DS would do 26-27 with full charge and maybe some downhill. My Gas Yamaha will do a little more, maybe 27-28. Must be a gearing thing, huh?

[golfcartg]

There is absolutely a speed limit wall that a lot of folks run into. I’ve seen it time and again. There’s mostly a general recipe for achieving greater speed:

48V is the starting point for people who are not already there, that creates a solid boost right off the bat over 36V. After that, a higher amp controller will feed more power to the motor which gives you better acceleration and speed. For people running a series motor for speed, forget about it. Sepex motors are more efficient and can be better controlled giving you finer control over the top end.

Gearing and/or tires are the next stop. Larger tires can increase ground speed by effectively increasing the distance covered with each rotation, you can also adjust the gearing to optimize performance. Just be careful here, too much without the right upgrades can strain the motor and other components. Lastly, pair it all with a PQ motor, high amp lithium battery and thicker gauge wiring for light weight, speed and torque. Thicker gauge wiring is important. It reduces voltage drop allowing the motor to receive the maximum power from the power source without overheating or losing efficiency. With the right balance of voltage, controller, motor, and gearing, you’ll be flying past speed barriers in no time

UberDan By the way, it’s wild to think how fast your old cart is! I mean, 27-28 mph? That’s impressive! I like to see people pushing the limits and really getting the most out of their cart. It’s all about finding that balance between performance and enjoyment and it sounds like you’re doing just that!

[UberDan]

Sold my Gasser!

Contacted dealer with the Tempos and he said "to reach 25mph you would need to install either a high speed motor or controller which are expensive and not something we'd be able to do." Otherwise, he's saying 18-19 mph.

What does it take to get to 25 mph?

[golfcartg]

Sold my Gasser!

Contacted dealer with the Tempos and he said "to reach 25mph you would need to install either a high speed motor or controller which are expensive and not something we'd be able to do." Otherwise, he's saying 18-19 mph.

What does it take to get to 25 mph?

Congrats!!

As you know, when a controller pushes more power, it demands a lot from the battery, particularly if you're aiming for that 25 mph mark. For instance, if you were to switch to a controller rated for 450A or more, it would allow for higher speeds. Lithium batteries have specific limitations regarding their discharge rates. If the controller requires more current than the battery can deliver, the Battery Management System will engage to protect the cells potentially leading to system shutdown.

Imagine this: you’re speeding down the road at full speed, feeling the thrill of the ride. Suddenly, all the power cuts out, and the cart slams to a stop as the BMS trips. The force throws you violently forward, and in an instant, you’re pitched towards the windshield, the cart halting abruptly while you’re left reeling from the shock. It’s a stark reminder of how important it is to make sure your battery can handle the power demands especially for carts equipped with an EMB. Some batteries remain unresponsive until they are connected to a charger, which can leave you stranded.

Once you realize the battery is unable to handle the demands, if a 105ah upgrade isn’t feasible, your only other option would be to wire in a second battery of the same in parallel. Either way, it will cost a lot to remedy. But its the only way you can effectively increase your capacity while also distributing the load more evenly across both batteries reducing the risk of tripping the BMS.

[UberDan]

UberDan By the way, it’s wild to think how fast your old cart is! I mean, 27-28 mph? That’s impressive! I like to see people pushing the limits and really getting the most out of their cart. It’s all about finding that balance between performance and enjoyment and it sounds like you’re doing just that!

That might be on a slight downhill...