Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer?

Sdsuslacker · 12-19-2013, 02:41 PM

I bought a set of 12v LED lights (Amazon.com: LiTESeasy Standard Golf Cart LED Light Kit 3: Sports & Outdoors) and a voltage reducer. I was thinking the other day that it may be better to just have a small 12volt battery on board for accessories. I have a small tracker battery in my garage right now that I am not using. Yes, it would be a little extra weight and I would have to charge it separately from my cart, but I'm not really concerned about that.

So, is the accessory battery a better choice than a voltage reducer?

Thanks.

Olman · 12-19-2013, 03:12 PM

I use a small 12 volt battery. I only run lights and the horn. It has worked great for me. I have it hooked up so I can read the SOC of it with ScottyB's volt meter. Rarely have to charge it.

TreeBass · 12-19-2013, 03:22 PM

I'm using a small 12 volt as well, it was a deer feeder battery. It fits in the drivers glove compartment and works great for a couple days/nights then I recharge and go on.

cgray11 · 12-19-2013, 03:34 PM

I'm not sure what cart you have, but I put a deep cycle marine battery in my rxv and it powers all of my accessories and I only charge it like once a month. Its nice to be able to leave the lights or radio on and not worry about killing the main battery pack.

Sdsuslacker · 12-19-2013, 03:49 PM

Well it seems I will save myself some money on a reducer. I like the idea of not draining my main pack if the lights are left on, especially since my kids will be driving the cart around the RV park.

Thanks all for the help.... Now where to put that battery?

I guess I have some fab work to do.

chloe · 12-19-2013, 06:48 PM

I vote for the extra battery too. In fact, after talking with a friend, the other day, I have a recommendation for the type of battery.

This is a wheelchair battery. They do exactly the same as we ask our packs to do but they do it alone. If one is going to install an additional battery, I think this is the way to go. I have seen them listed for anything from $60.00, (about the same as my motorcycle battery), to well over $300.

http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/c...Fa9lOgod2kcAkw

simple man · 12-19-2013, 11:02 PM

Not to pick on you guys using accessory batteries, but you should keep them charged just like your carts! Use it then charge it. They will sulphate too when left partially discharged!

chloe · 12-20-2013, 07:03 PM

Agreed. I plug in the trickle charger every time I plug in the pack charger.

Olman · 12-20-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloe

Agreed. I plug in the trickle charger every time I plug in the pack charger.

Me too but thanks for the heads up Simple Man. Anything I can learn from you guys is greatly appreciated

e-z-go1988 · 12-21-2013, 11:05 AM

I purchased a couple of LED lights (for my 91 EZGO) that are rated for 12-30V. So I hooked them up in series and attached them to my 36V pack.
Dennis

12-19-2013, 02:41 PM	#1
Sdsuslacker Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 25	Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I bought a set of 12v LED lights (Amazon.com: LiTESeasy Standard Golf Cart LED Light Kit 3: Sports & Outdoors) and a voltage reducer. I was thinking the other day that it may be better to just have a small 12volt battery on board for accessories. I have a small tracker battery in my garage right now that I am not using. Yes, it would be a little extra weight and I would have to charge it separately from my cart, but I'm not really concerned about that. So, is the accessory battery a better choice than a voltage reducer? Thanks.
Sdsuslacker Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 25

12-19-2013, 03:12 PM	#2
Olman Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Athens, Alabama Posts: 758	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I use a small 12 volt battery. I only run lights and the horn. It has worked great for me. I have it hooked up so I can read the SOC of it with ScottyB's volt meter. Rarely have to charge it.

12-19-2013, 03:22 PM	#3
TreeBass Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central Texas Posts: 205	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I'm using a small 12 volt as well, it was a deer feeder battery. It fits in the drivers glove compartment and works great for a couple days/nights then I recharge and go on.

12-19-2013, 03:34 PM	#4
cgray11 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ormond Beach, FL Posts: 51	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I'm not sure what cart you have, but I put a deep cycle marine battery in my rxv and it powers all of my accessories and I only charge it like once a month. Its nice to be able to leave the lights or radio on and not worry about killing the main battery pack.

12-19-2013, 03:49 PM	#5
Sdsuslacker Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 25	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? Well it seems I will save myself some money on a reducer. I like the idea of not draining my main pack if the lights are left on, especially since my kids will be driving the cart around the RV park. Thanks all for the help.... Now where to put that battery? I guess I have some fab work to do.
Sdsuslacker Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 25

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12-19-2013, 06:48 PM	#6
chloe Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central Delaware Posts: 859	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I vote for the extra battery too. In fact, after talking with a friend, the other day, I have a recommendation for the type of battery. This is a wheelchair battery. They do exactly the same as we ask our packs to do but they do it alone. If one is going to install an additional battery, I think this is the way to go. I have seen them listed for anything from $60.00, (about the same as my motorcycle battery), to well over $300. http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/c...Fa9lOgod2kcAkw

12-19-2013, 11:02 PM	#7
simple man Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bunnell, Florida Posts: 2,408	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? Not to pick on you guys using accessory batteries, but you should keep them charged just like your carts! Use it then charge it. They will sulphate too when left partially discharged!

12-20-2013, 07:03 PM	#8
chloe Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central Delaware Posts: 859	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? Agreed. I plug in the trickle charger every time I plug in the pack charger.

12-21-2013, 11:05 AM	#10
e-z-go1988 Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mountaindale, Oregon Posts: 303	Re: Accessory Battery or Voltage Reducer? I purchased a couple of LED lights (for my 91 EZGO) that are rated for 12-30V. So I hooked them up in series and attached them to my 36V pack. Dennis

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