Check Huskey Parts Company FAQs for General Information
Gas or Electric?This is probably the most often asked question in the business! What type of cart should I buy? Traditional small gasoline engines power Gasoline-powered golf cars with an oversized electric starter designed for frequent starting. Electric golf carts are powered by a DC electric motor, supplied by 6 deep cycle batteries, and are generally sold with a special charger designed for the cart. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Before looking at the pros and cons, here are a few automatic selection factors: If your use of the cart requires continuous operation for over 2 hours, no stopping, then you need a gasoline powered car. Electric carts are designed for 36 holes of golf between charging. 36 holes of golf are about 12 miles, with starting and stopping. If you plan to use the cart indoors extensively, you need an electric car. There is no practical way to eliminate the exhaust fumes from a gas-powered vehicle. If there is a need for no noise, then choose an electric cart. Gas carts are not very noisy, but electric carts make no noise.
A few common uses and recommendations:
Remember always check with local ordinances and policies before making your purchase.
Campgrounds
Either gas or electric
Lake homes
Gas if adding a rear seat for steep hill use, or teenagers who will drive the car all day long. Otherwise, either is suitable.
Indoor facilities
Electric
Elderly use
Electric
Hunting
Electric if noise a concern. Gas if distance a concern
Neighborhood
Either gas or electric
Gas
Advantages
No gas to purchase regularly
Silent running
It can be operated smoothly at any speed
It normally runs when cold
It doesn’t require an annual “tune-up.”
No exhaust pollution
It costs less to buy used than gas carts
Disadvantages
Requires regular checking and maintenance of battery water
Requires regular cleaning of corrosion of battery terminals
Limited range between recharging: about 12 miles
Periodically requires the purchase of new batteries (2-6 years)
May not perform well with heavy loads or up very steep hills (chips and reprogramming is available for most carts)
Electric
Advantages
No gas to purchase regularly
Silent running
It can be operated smoothly at any speed
It normally runs when cold
It doesn’t require an annual “tune-up.”
No exhaust pollution
It costs less to buy used than gas carts
Disadvantages
Requires regular checking and maintenance of battery water
Requires regular cleaning of corrosion of battery terminals
Limited range between recharging: about 12 miles
Periodically requires the purchase of new batteries (2-6 years)
May not perform well with heavy loads or up very steep hills (chips and reprogramming is available for most carts)
For the most part, aftermarket replacement parts will work great on your cart. There are some areas where caution should be used when purchasing.
Motors
Controllers
Wiring harnesses
Verify the warranty of the parts before making a purchase. Buy from a trusted source!!!!
Hauling a standard golf cart for the individual owner can be done one of two ways:
In the back of a full-sized pickup truck (this can be dangerous, please use caution when loading your cart)
On a small trailer
Pickup Truck
Standard, unmodified Golf cars measure slightly less than 8 feet long by somewhat less than 4 feet wide (regardless of make). A FULL-SIZE pickup – (not the Rangers, Frontiers, Tacomas) has a bed 4 feet wide between the tire wells so that the golf car will fit nicely.
If the full-sized pickup has an extended bed (long bed), it will measure 8 feet with the tailgate closed, so no problem. Just drive it on! (See Loading, below)
If the pickup is a standard bed, you will need to leave the tailgate down and secure the cart solidly with heavy-duty hauling straps. Since most of the weight of a golf cart is on the REAR.
Wheels, we recommend backing the cart into the truck bed to reduce the amount of weight on the tailgate.
Loading
The best method for loading is with a pair of aluminum ramps made for this purpose. They are lightweight, will fit under the golf cart after loading, and are arched to prevent bottoming out during the loading and unloading.
If you are very careful and have suitable terrain at both ends of your trip, it is possible to load by backing up to a ditch where the truck’s wheels drop down and the tailgate, in the down position, will touch the ground.
Lastly, we strongly recommend securing your cart with at least two nylon packing straps, ratcheted down tightly.
Trailer
Many trailer options will work for hauling a golf cart.
Remember the dimensions: slightly less than 8 feet long by somewhat less than 4 feet wide (regardless of make). Also, take into consideration your rear seat…..
Another decision to be made is choosing a tilt-down trailer or one with a fold-down ramp.
The tilt-type trailers are usually less expensive but more challenging to use. You may have to back the golf cart on this trailer to get enough weight past the pivot point so the tilt will happen. If you ever have to add weight to make the tilt happen, be very careful where you stand: When the tilt happens, it will happen suddenly, and any hands or toes in the way will become victims!
The tailgate-type trailers cost a little more but don’t create the loading hazard we described above.
If you are hauling for very short distances, any wheel-size trailer is okay. If, however you are hauling a lot on interstates at 70 mph, then we recommend automotive size wheels.
As we stated above, we strongly recommend securing your cart with at least two nylon packing straps, ratcheted down tightly.
Can I use my golf cart on the street? [fl_builder_insert_layout id=”138″ type=”fl-builder-template”] What is the difference between golf cart windshields? [fl_builder_insert_layout id=”141″ type=”fl-builder-template”] What is the proper way to water golf cart batteries?Keeping electric cart batteries at the proper level is critical to the life of the batteries. The cardinal rule is: never let water level go below top of the plates. Battery plates exposed to air rapidly become useless.
The proper time to add water is right after charging, not before. Adding water before setting may cause the acid to bubble over, spewing acid onto the connectors and the vehicle’s frame. After charging, add water to about 1/2 inch from the top of the battery. Be sure to leave a little air space for expansion.
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