Electric Vehicle Discussion List - Golf Car Battery Specifications

Golf Car Battery Comparison
Data current as of June 2008

6 Volt (3 cell) Batteries
Manufacturer	Low Capacity				Reduced Capacity				Standard Capacity				Increased Capacity				High Capacity
Manufacturer	Type	C20	RC	Wgt	Type	C20	RC	Wgt	Type	C20	RC	Wgt	Type	C20	RC	Wgt	Type	C20	RC	Wgt

East Penn Deka	----------				GC10	190	100	59	GC15	215	115	63	GC25	235	132	67	----------
Exide	----------				----------				GC-110 (E-3600)	186	110	62	GC-135 (GC-5)	226	135	65	GC-145 (GC2-H)	245	155	68
NAPA (Exide)	----------				----------				8144	186	110	62	8146	226	135	65	----------
Trojan	----------				----------				T-105	225	115	62	T-125	240	132	66	T-145	260	145	72
US Battery	US-1800	208	107	56	US-2000	216	114	59	US-2200	232	122	63	US-125	242	140	67	US-145	251	154	70

Notes: C20 = 20 hour amp-hour capacity RC = 75 amp reserve capacity in minutes Wgt = weight in US pounds. Data provided by manufacturers.

8 Volt (4 cell) Batteries

Manufacturer Low Capacity Standard Capacity High Capacity

Type C20 RC56 RC75 Wgt Type C20 RC56 RC75 Wgt Type C20 RC56 RC75 Wgt

East Penn Deka ---------- GC8V 165 121 85 67 ----------

Exide ---------- GC8V-110 (E-4800) 150 110 78 63 ----------

NAPA ---------- 8148 150 110 78 63 ----------

Trojan T-860 150 90 62 56 T-875 170 117 82 63 T-890 190 132 92 69

US Battery ---------- 8VGC 170 128 90 64.5 8VGCHC 183 136 96 69

Notes: C20 = 20 hour amp-hour capacity
RC56 = 56 amp reserve capacity in min; RC75 = 75 amp reserve capacity in min
Wgt = weight in US pounds
Data provided by manufacturers, except RC75, calculated from manufacturers' data.

Recommendations:

Road EVs typically need a cruising current of 75-100 amps. Under acceleration, currents of 500 amps aren't uncommon. These are stressful current levels for golf car batteries. Many years of use by EV hobbyists suggests that, of the brands listed, Trojan and US Battery stand up best.

With 8 volt batteries, current limits should be reduced by 25% to maintain reasonable cycle life.

For flexibility, when designing battery boxes using golf car batteries, dimension for a maximum block length of 10 3/8", max width 7 3/16", and max height 11 5/8". Allow at least an additional 1/4" in length per battery for case swelling. Otherwise you may find yourself cutting old, tired batteries out of the box.

Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in any of the products listed above.

8 Volt (4 cell) Batteries
Manufacturer	Low Capacity					Standard Capacity					High Capacity
Manufacturer	Type	C20	RC56	RC75	Wgt	Type	C20	RC56	RC75	Wgt	Type	C20	RC56	RC75	Wgt

East Penn Deka	----------					GC8V	165	121	85	67	----------
Exide	----------					GC8V-110 (E-4800)	150	110	78	63	----------
NAPA	----------					8148	150	110	78	63	----------
Trojan	T-860	150	90	62	56	T-875	170	117	82	63	T-890	190	132	92	69
US Battery	----------					8VGC	170	128	90	64.5	8VGCHC	183	136	96	69

Notes: C20 = 20 hour amp-hour capacity RC56 = 56 amp reserve capacity in min; RC75 = 75 amp reserve capacity in min Wgt = weight in US pounds Data provided by manufacturers, except RC75, calculated from manufacturers' data.