It’s never a bad time to start researching new golf carts. In fact, it may actually be a good time to purchase a new golf cart. Now more than ever, new golf carts are starting to make a lot more sense to first time golf cart buyers than a used golf cart. 

In our opinion, there are five great reasons to buy a new golf cart this year. Ok, there may actually be more than five, but we will start with these.

1. New golf carts here have great financing options. When you work with our financing partners, you can get rates as low as 1.99% for 48 months. You will be hard pressed to find anything better than that.

2. The new E-Z-GO golf carts that we sell come with a great warranty. They have an industry leading battery warranty for 8 years. That is one pretty awesome warranty on a golf cart.

3. These new carts look even better than before. The 2022 lineup is turning heads in a good way. From new colors to new body styles, a new cart is definitely going to get all the good looks in your neighborhood.

4. AT RMI Golf Carts here in KC, we have a huge new golf cart selection to choose from. We pride ourselves in having one of the largest new golf cart selections in the midwest. You will be able to find new golf carts like the E-Z-GO Liberty Elite, Express S4, Express L6, and the Valor 4.

5. Golf carts are becoming more energy efficient every year. Not only are new electric golf carts more energy efficient, but the lithium batteries need zero maintenance. This saves you lots of headaches in the future. 

The old saying goes that the best two days of a boat owner's life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat. Luckily, this is not the same for golf cart owners. 

Inevitably though, your golf cart is going to need some level of service outside of the routine maintenance. When it comes to golf cart problems, typically they fall into one of three categories:Electrical, Brakes, and Throttle. 

Electrical 

For electrical issues, the most typical problems revolve around the battery and a lack of maintenance. It’s important to keep the cables to the battery tight and the battery dry. 

Additionally if you neglect your golf cart battery you’ll likely find corrosion just like on any other vehicle’s battery. Keeping the corrosion off of the battery terminals and cables will prevent battery connection issues as well as rust. 

Besides a failing battery, a bad connection is your most likely golf cart issue. 

Brakes 

When it comes to common golf cart problems, brakes are also at the top of the list. Golf cart brakes are some of the most simple parts of the machine, but given the frequent stops and starts it’s important to keep the brakes clean and make the necessary adjustments. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to do some of that maintenance. 

Throttle 

The throttle linkage adjustment is a standard problem seen in many golf carts. Many adjustments can be found with a little research, especially when it comes to the battery and brakes. When it comes to the throttle linkage, that often will require a trip into the shop. 

No matter how basic or advanced of a maintenance need you have, RMI can help. Visit our service page to set up your appointment. 

Maybe it’s because we are all staying at home more, that we notice it. Perhaps it’s because families aren’t going on vacation and are looking for some new way to get around the neighborhood. Whatever it is, you may have seen more golf carts around your neighborhood. 

When you are ready to make the jump into having a golf cart, you may think about buying a used one. Here’s some questions you may have as you start the process:

1. Does an electric golf cart come with new batteries? 

   While you may find a great deal on a used golf cart, if it’s an electric golf cart, having to replace a battery can suddenly make it not such a great deal. How long a golf cart battery can last depends on many things, including how hard the cart was used before you bought it. A three-year-old cart that was used for hours every day at a golf course won’t have the same battery life as a golf cart that was used just a few times a week to drive to the dock and back. 
   

2. Have the golf carts been serviced?

   One benefit of buying from a top golf cart dealer, like RMI, is that your used cart will be serviced before you buy it. Examples of used carts services can include things such as general tuneups, testing and potentially replacing batteries. Additionally, it's important to make sure your used cart has had an inspection to correct any safety issues before you make the purchase. 
   

3. Do golf carts come with any kind of warranty? 

   Just like when you buy a car, a warranty is important. Depending on the age and condition, the golf cart could be sold “as-is” or could include limited warranties. Many reputable dealers will include a one-year warranty on new batteries and chargers. 
   

4. What kind of golf cart maintenance am I responsible for?  

   Many times a small problem can be fixed more economically if it’s found early on compared to letting it turn into a big problem. RMI offers a service package that helps take the burden off of you for the general maintenance of your golf cart. The annual service package includes a top to bottom inspection of everything from brakes to connections to batteries or fuel. 
   

Do you have more questions? We are happy to answer them. Give us a call the next time you need some answers.

Electric golf carts are the most common and energy-efficient mode of transporting golfers and their equipment around a golf course. Nearly all golf carts used for recreational purposes are designed to carry two people on the course or around the neighborhood.  

Battery configurations are typically 42 volt systems, which consists of seven 6-volt batteries, or 48 volt systems, which consists of six 8-volt batteries. Some newer carts house 12-volt batteries. Golf cart manufacturers usually provide a two-year or limited four-year warrantee on new sealed lead-acid cart batteries, which are meant to output approximately 20,000 energy units--about 1,000 rounds of golf--when properly maintained. 

Recharging Batteries
Golf course maintenance personnel recharge institutionally owned golf carts after every 18-hole round of golf, which lasts approximately four to five hours, and measures approximately 6,000 yards (3.5 miles). Individuals who own personal recreational golf carts should also recharge batteries after every round of golf. Depending on the slope of the terrain and the weight of the load, golf carts can travel up to 6 miles on one full charge. 

Street legal
When licensed, golf carts are also used for short-distance street commutes, especially in retirement communities and residential golf settings. A standard twi-passenger golf cart travels at about 5 miles per hour on flat ground. Some street golf cart models feature four seats, rather than two plus an equipment rack. Still, golf cart batteries should be recharged after four hours of use. Nobody likes to be stranded. 

Prolong battery life
It takes several hours to re-charge golf cart batteries that have gone completely dead. To lengthen the lifespan of batteries, make sure they are fully charged before each use. Also check the water level in each battery cell at least once a month, refilling with pure distilled water as necessary. Fill only to the plate level. Water levels that are too high cause the acid mixture to overflow and corrode surrounding parts. A good preventative battery regimen frees golfers from worrying about transportation and enables them to focus on their game. 

We've already gone over the value and advantages of powering your cart with a lithium battery, but to make sure you treat your transport with as much TLC as it deserves, learning to charge those batteries requires you to learn a little more about doing it properly. 

What battery type does your cart use? 
You’re in luck: there are only two types of batteries made for golf carts, so identifying the proper power source is your first job. Your vehicle may be engineered for a 36-volt system (that’s six 6-volt batteries) all the way up to a 48-volt system that is driven by either six 8-volt batteries or four 12-volt batteries, all of which belong in what’s called the deep cycle lead-acid battery family. 

The first relies upon electrolyte levels maintained within each cell, while the second, lithium-ion, offers limitless benefits via power-pushing conductive cells that rely upon ion production to keep these batteries cranking out power at an efficient rate. Since lithium batteries don’t rely upon liquid electrolytes, you won’t be burdened with constant fuel level monitoring or refilling if your golf cart is powered by energy-efficient lithium. 

Is one superior to the other? 
That can depend upon the cart you drive, the replacement battery cost and your cart’s age. If you’re driving a dinosaur that just keeps going, you’ll spend less cash on a lead-acid unit when compared to its cousin. Plenty of duffers stick with this lead-acid because they resist change. Folks who already complain that they spend too much on their favorite sport may balk at spending even more on the lithium upgrade. On the other hand, lithium has so many benefits, plenty of golf cart owners have become converts once they learn that lithium-ion batteries deliver on these 4 points: 

1. They’re small, compact, light and efficient (on average half the size). 
2. They charge faster and stick around 5-times longer than lead-acid units. 
3. They’re more reliable and environmentally friendly. 
4. In the end, they deliver more cost-efficient rounds of golf (or trips to your neighbors house). 

An industry in flux 
According to members of the battery industry, this is an industry in flux because the only thing you can count on is that you’ll have to take a pass on your game until your cart is recharged. A lead-acid battery can slow a cart down and take 8 hours to get up to speed, while lithium can get you to around 80-percent capacity in an hour. Replace a lead-acid battery with lithium and you could see a nice performance boost, but you will have paid a price to do it. 

But, here’s the quandary: cart owners have relied upon lead acid batteries for so long, they are almost conditioned to choose them. In fact, the demand for cart batteries is expected to continue to increase and lead-acid models generally make up the majority of those, so never underestimate consumer preference.

How to charge a lead-acid cart battery 
The process of charging this type of battery isn’t uncomplicated, so do it correctly and extend the life of the battery and cut back on the number of times you seek golf cart repair. Follow these steps: 

-Read all of the instructions that came with your battery twice. 
-Plan to routinely charge your battery after every use so it’s always ready to go. 
-Charge in a well-ventilated area to avoid gases that build up during charge time. 
-Take a pass on charging your golf cart in high temperatures. 
-Understand that ion batteries needn’t be fully discharged to take a new charge. 
-Double check voltage settings and compensate for temperatures above 80-degrees F. 
-Check water levels and tighten vent caps. 

How to charge a lithium-ion cart battery 
First: the gorilla in the room. You may wonder if you can replace a lead-acid battery with a lithium battery and in fact, it’s done-—as long as the replacement doesn’t operate on what’s called automatic “equalization mode.” If the motor can't be permanently turned off while charging, a battery could sustain damage, sending you to the land of golf cart repair. Your best bet is installing a product designed with a specific algorithm that protects your battery’s health, performance and life span and then follow these steps: 

-Read the instructions appearing on the literature that came with your battery. 
-Don’t charge the battery if the temperature is extreme; either too cold or hot. 
-Turn the cart off while undertaking the charging process so the battery reaches a proper saturation point. 
-Don’t fully-charge because less is always better when it comes to lithium-ion. 
-If the battery or charging unit starts to heat up in mid-process, give it a rest. 
-Become accustomed to the way your cart battery indicates readiness. When in doubt, read the manual. 

Is it time for you to change the battery in your golf cart? 
Properly diagnosing the health of your cart batteries before deciding to replace your unit is important so you don’t spend money and time to change battery in golf cart that doesn’t need changing. Consult a battery hydrometer if you’ve a lead-acid battery. All you may need is an assessment of electrolyte gravity. On the other hand, if either battery type is over the age of three, look for signs that your battery has given all it has to give and needs replacement. 

Gather up your tools, battery carry straps, rags, a scrub brush, safety goggles, a good corrosion block product and situate yourself near a water source. Disconnect and remove the old battery, clean out the battery hold with a hose and let dry (you can use a hair dryer). Apply corrosive block to the frame so it comes into the best contact with the new battery and install it. Hook up the cables and once everything looks good, take a test drive so no surprises await next time you’ve got your clubs ready for 18 holes. 

Need more info about batteries? Give us a call at any time and we would be glad to help you out.

It's the 1st of the month so that means it's time for another "how to" video for you DIY golfers out there. Many of our customers own gas golf carts. Every week we take calls from people that are having a hard time getting their carts to run. Sometimes they run intermittently. One minute the cart runs great, they other they can’t get the engine to turn over.

Lots of times people will mistake this for a dead battery; they will replace it and still have the same issue. Many times when this is a problem the brushes in your starter are worn out and need to be replaced.

This is a really common problem and an extremely easy fix! In this video we will show you how to troubleshoot and replace the starter generator brushes in your gas powered golf cart!