GAS OR ELECTRIC?

This is probably the most often asked question in the business! 

• Gasoline powered golf cars are powered by traditional small gasoline engines with an oversized electric starter designed for frequent starting.  
• Electric golf carts are powered by an DC electric motor, supplied by 6 deep cycle batteries, and are normally sold with a special charger designed for the cart

Both have advantages and disadvantages.  Before looking at the pros and cons, here are a few automatic selection factors:

1. If your use of the cart requires continuous operation for over 2 hours, no stopping, then you need a gasoline powered car.  Electric carts are designed for 36 holes of golf between charging.        36 holes of golf is about 12 miles, with starting and stopping.
2. If you plan to use the cart indoors extensively, then you need an electric car.  There is no effective way to eliminate the exhaust fumes from a gas powered car.
3. If there is a need for no noise, then choose an electric cart.  Gas carts are not very noisy, but electric carts make no noise.

GAS CART ADVANTAGES

• Range before filling fuel tank:  Up to 200 miles.  (Differs significantly by make)
• Avoid periodic cost of battery replacement.  ($450-$600)
• Familiar maintenance, similar to other small engines
• Usually performs better in very hilly environments
• Holds value better than electric

GAS CART DISADVANTAGES

• Requires annual tune ups
• More expensive to buy used
• Noisier than an electric car
• Difficult to drive very slowly
• Requires manual choking in cold weather
• Produces some exhaust gas pollutants

ELECTRIC CART ADVANTAGES

• No gas to purchase on a regular basis
• Silent running
• Can be operated smoothly at any speed
• Runs normally when cold
• Doesn't require annual "tune up"
• No exhaust pollution
• Costs less to buy used than gas carts

ELECTRIC CAR DISADVANTAGES

• Requires regular checking and maintenance of battery water
• Requires regular cleaning of corrosion of battery terminals
• Limited range between recharging:  about 12 miles
• Periodically requires purchase of new batteries  (2-6 years)
• May not perform well with heavy loads or up very steep hills

A few common uses and recommendations:

Campgrounds	Either gas or electric
Lake homes	Gas if adding read seat for steep hill use, or if teen-agers who will drive the car all day long.   Otherwise either is suitable.
Indoor facilities	Electric
Elderly use	Electric
Hunting	Electric if noise a concern. Gas if distance a concern
Neighborhood	Either one

Hauling a standard golf cart for the individual owner can be done one of two ways:

1. In the back of a full-sized pickup truck
2. On a small trailer 

HAULING ON A PICKUP TRUCK

LOADING

Remember the dimensions:   slightly less than 8 foot long by slightly less than 4 foot wide   (regardless of make).  

Another decision to be made is whether to choose a tilt-down trailer or one with a fold-down ramp.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN GOLF CART WINDSHIELDS?

All windshields are not alike!    

Folding windshields, in particular, are made with varying materials and assembly techniques.  Here's a brief explanation to help you as a consumer understand the various windshields available.  One interesting point:  They all look alike!  Your only assurance is to do business with an organization you trust.

Materials used in windshields:

Acrylic.  This is your basic material, often known by manufacturer trade names such as Plexiglas.  Acrylic is the hardest of the three materials we will review, which has advantages and disadvantages.   Advantages:  Cost:   Acrylic is the least expensive material.  Scratch resistance:  All plastics will scratch, but acrylic, being the hardest material, is more scratch resistant than the other materials.  Disadvantages:  Shatter resistance.  The harder the material, the easier it is to break.  A golf ball or any abject striking a standard acrylic windshield will cause it to break, and if the force is sufficient it will shatter.

Impact-modified Acrylic.  This is the material most often used on Factory fleets.  Standard acrylic is "modified" during its manufacture by adding rubber to the plastic.  This makes the windshield more resistant to impact, hence the term impact modified.  A golf ball or other object striking an impact modified windshield (sometimes called "high impact") will most likely crack or damage the windshield, but will not shatter, providing a safer windshield.  Since this material is softened somewhat by the addition of rubber, it is less scratch resistant than standard acrylic and more care has to be taken when cleaning impact-modified windshields.  Impact modified acrylics cost more than plain acrylics, and are the middle product price-wise.
 
Polycarbonate.  This is the Cadillac of materials cost wise, and is the only material that can take a significant direct hit from a golf ball or other object and not break.  This is possible since the material is softer, and it actually gives when hit by an object.  Polycarbonate thus provides the safest windshield.  Polycarbonate is also often known by manufacturer trade names, the most common being Lexan.   However, since it is the softest of the three materials it is the least scratch resistant and greatest care must be taken when cleaning to avoid scratching.
All of the above are typically available in clear or gray tint, which doesn't affect the above advantages and disadvantages, other than that gray tinted windshields cost a little more than the clear.

Hinge Materials:
There are two materials factors to be considered:  the plastic, already discussed, it's thickness, and the hinge materials.  The materials discussed are offered in varying windshield thicknesses.  Hinges are the source of many customer satisfaction problems.  Some manufacturers use PVC for the folding seam.   This material is not resistant to ultra-violet rays, so the more time the windshield is exposed to sunlight the more brittle it becomes.  As it becomes brittle, it tends to crack at the seam.   Some of the very lastest windshields now have a true piano-style hinge, with stainless steel rod.  This is a significant improvement and your windshild should last longer than witha composite hinge of any type.

Price:
Acrylic is the least expensive, and Polycarbonate is the most expensive.  Thinner windshields are less expensive that thicker ones.  Good hinges are  more expensive than ones that will rapidly deteriorate.  Like so many things, you tend to get what you pay for.  And remember that they all look alike.   You get what you pay for...Buy from a trusted vendor.

MORE FAQ DISCUSSIONS COMING SOON...(CHECK BACK WITH US)

CAN I USE MY GOLF CAR ON THE STREET?

WHAT IS PROPER WAY TO WATER GOLF CART BATTERIES?

AREN'T ALL GOLF CARS ALIKE?

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR A GOOD USED GOLF CART?