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The Daily Insight

Can you run a golf cart on 12-volt batteries?

Author

David Jones

Updated on April 04, 2026

A 12-volt deep cycle battery provides the power to start and propel an electric golf cart. Because electric golf carts do not have an alternator to recharge the battery in use, as is the case with trucks and automobiles, a deep cycle battery is necessary to keep the cart running during a long afternoon on the course.

Can you replace just one golf cart battery?

Golf carts have 4-6 individual batteries that make up the main battery. Technically you can change just the battery that has gone bad, it is not recommended as it can cause permanent battery damage. When a single battery goes bad and needs replacing, always change out all of the batteries.

Can you use 3 12 volt batteries on a 36 volt golf cart?

If you have a 36-volt golf cart that runs on six 6-volt batteries, you can replace them with three 12-volt batteries, which often are easier to find.

Can you put bigger batteries in a golf cart?

5. Use a Higher Powered Golf Cart Battery. Increasing your golf cart batteries voltage is a surefire way to increase your golf carts speed and overall power. This is also a super carefree upgrade that takes virtually no time.

What is the best battery for a golf cart?

The Best Golf Cart Batteries. The Trojan T-105 is by far the best golf cart battery that is on the market today. The life cycle (the amount of times you can charge and discharge it before a new one is needed) is extremely high, at 750 times or so. It is also durable and inexpensive.

How many batteries are in a golf cart?

Typically, golf carts will have either a 36V or 48V system, that can be powered by either four, six or eight power cells. This will depend on the battery voltage that you will use. If your cart has a 48-volt drive system, then it can be powered by 8 six-volt batteries, 6 eight-volt batteries or 4 12-volt batteries.

What kind of batteries does a golf cart use?

The best golf cart battery is going to be the one that has the right voltage for your cart and provides years of long lasting charges. All of the new electric Club Car golf carts use six 8 volt golf cart batteries. This provides a total of 48 volts.

What battery does a golf cart use?

Golf Cart Batteries. The strength of your golf cart batteries determines the strength of your golf cart. Proper battery care is the most proactive thing you can do to keep your golf cart going strong. Golf cart batteries usually come in packs of 36 Volts or 48 Volts. And the battery pack is broken up by the number of batteries it holds.