Is your golf cart 36-volt or 48-volt?

The voltage of a golf cart is the total of the batteries wired together, not the number on one battery. You need to know it before you buy batteries, a charger or a controller, because the wrong voltage can damage equipment.

Most carts are 36-volt or 48-volt. Some are neither, so this guide covers the setups you are most likely to find.

How the batteries add up

Lead-acid carts use several smaller batteries wired in a line. Add up the voltage printed on each one. Three 12-volt batteries make a 36-volt cart, and four 12-volt batteries make a 48-volt cart. Here are the common setups:

Cart voltage	Common battery setups
36-volt	Six 6-volt batteries. Three 12-volt batteries. One 36-volt lithium pack.
48-volt	Eight 6-volt batteries. Six 8-volt batteries. Four 12-volt batteries. Two 24-volt batteries. One 48-volt lithium pack.
72-volt	Twelve 6-volt batteries. Nine 8-volt batteries. Six 12-volt batteries. Three 24-volt batteries. Two 36-volt batteries.

Other setups exist. Some older or smaller carts and utility vehicles run on lower voltages such as 24 volts, and gas carts use a single 12-volt battery to start the engine. If your numbers do not add up to 36 or 48, have a shop look at the cart.

How to check yours

Count the batteries and read the voltage printed on each case, usually near the model number. Do not confuse it with the amp-hour (Ah) rating.
Look at the charger label, which may say 36V or 48V. Chargers get replaced, so use this only to back up another check.
Measure the whole pack with a multimeter set to DC volts, across the main positive and negative terminals. A fully charged lead-acid 36-volt system reads about 38 to 39 volts. A 48-volt system reads about 50 to 52 volts.
If the cart has a lithium pack, the label may show slightly different numbers, such as 38.4 or 51.2 volts. These packs are made to replace a 36-volt or 48-volt setup. Check the pack label or ask the seller.

Things to watch for

Counting batteries can mislead you after a lithium swap or other changes, because the cart may now have one pack instead of several.
Never mix voltages. Mixing different voltages in one cart is not safe.
Switching a cart from 36-volt to 48-volt takes more than new batteries. The controller, motor, charger and wiring may all need checking or replacing.
Higher-voltage systems generally give more torque and can give longer range, which helps on hills and with heavy loads.
The multimeter check involves live electrical equipment. If you are not comfortable with it, have a shop check.

Questions to ask a shop

What voltage is my cart, and how did you confirm it?
Does the charger I have match the batteries I want?
If I change voltage or battery type, what else has to change, and what does the whole job cost?
Has anyone modified this cart before, such as a lift, a different motor or a lithium swap?

Find a shop

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