Lithium- is it worth the money ?

[Dellboy]

Hi
looking to pick up a new Motocaddie S1 pro next week, but not sure about which battery.

Comes with a standard battery but they will do a good deal on a Lithium one if I want it.

The money side is not an issue ( I'm not flash or loaded just got £800 tax rebate :thup: ) but just wondered if they really are worth the extra money.

I hope to be playing 3-4 rounds a week so charging needs to be quick and easy.

Cheers

Del

 

[moogie]

Ive never had the Lithium Del, but Ive got the S1 too, with standard battery, and at times play 3 times per week, normally just put on charge the night before, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm.......whenever I remember.........fully charged in morning, ready for another workout

 

[louise_a]

I got an S3 Lithium last month, it charges quickly and you get far more then 36 holes out of a charge, I got to 45 and it was still going strong, had to charge it as I was doing 18 and didnt want to risk it. With the 5 year guarentee, especially with how much I play it seems a no brainer for me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It is a good question. Can someone explain (in layman terms) exactly what the difference is and why the lithium cost so much more

 

[trevor]

Same here, I have a S3 with 18 hole battery and no problems right through the winter with hedgehog wheels on and muddy boggy conditions to plough through. The price difference means I can buy 3 or 4 standard batteries to 1 lithium.

 

[louise_a]

Homer, its lighter, comes with a 5 year guarantee, lasts far longer than 36 holes, doesn't need t obe run down before charging, takes less time to charge and it looks good.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I think there've been a few threads about lead acid batteries expiring well before or just outside their warranty period, I understand that Motocaddy guarantee the lithium version for 5 years. It's lighter than lead acid I believe & smaller (you don't have to remove the battery to fold the trolley as I understand it, you do with the lead acid), so if those factors are important it's probably worth it. The cost is probably down to the cost of raw materials & the manufacturing process.

 

[miniscadge]

IMO the lithium is not really worth it unless you struggle with the weight of the normal trolley
You could get the extended range battery which does 36 for £30 extra i did this and was glad i did

 

[duncan mackie]

Homer, its lighter, comes with a 5 year guarantee, lasts far longer than 36 holes, doesn't need t obe run down before charging, takes less time to charge and it looks good.

last thing you want to do with a lead acid either!

the real difference is in convience - it doesn't mind being left a few hours before being put on charge, it will accept a faster charge rate (spec dependent), and is lighter per Ah to handle.

5 year warrantee is a red herring to value

 

[Hobbit]

Also an S1. Got 3yrs out of my last 18 hole lead acid, and 2yrs into the life of a cheepo 36 hole battery - the trolley has just about expired. I see little point in spending lots of money on a battery that outlasts the trolley...

 

[louise_a]

last thing you want to do with a lead acid either!

Ah, I was told that you do have to let them run down.

 

[fundy]

Also be aware that the 5 yr warranty isnt a full 5 year warranty. It is a 2 yr warranty and then you get a discount on a replacement (on a sliding scale) if you need to replace it in years 3,4 or 5

 

[CliveW]

Ah, I was told that you do have to let them run down.

Nikel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries need to be run down otherwise they develop a memory, but lead/acid and lithium don't.

 

[Dellboy]

Thanks for all the replies, gives me something to go on, got to say I'm leaning towards the lithium, but will double check the deal again before I get the cash out.

Many thanks to you all

Del

 

[SocketRocket]

I thought Lithium St Annes was a golf course?

 

[Andy808]

If you have the money get the Litium battery.
Not only do Lithium batteries last longer they can maintain a higher output for longer and when they do start running down it's not as abrupt so you will more than likely finish your round so you don't end up pushing your trolley for the last 4 or 5 holes.

 

[shewy]

I hear Boeing have some spare Lithium batteries going cheap!
I'll get my coat

 

[G1BB0]

I was gonna say if they use them in aircraft then they must be half decent tech. Lithium is also able to be made to any shape (within reason).

I would go lithium personally as I find lead acid heavy and a PITA putting on charge all the time plus they are big and bulky. If I had the spare cash its deffo the way I would go :thup:

If you play 3 times a week over a year thats 150 rounds, 2 year standard warranty = 300 rounds, say its 200 quid difference thats 66p per round or the cost of a mars bar! No brainer really

 

[chrisd]

I was chatting to GoKarts owner Chris a few weeks ago and he was clear that Lithium is the way forward. More reliable, easier to use, better quality and will last were his views.

 

[louise_a]

If you have the money get the Litium battery.
Not only do Lithium batteries last longer they can maintain a higher output for longer and when they do start running down it's not as abrupt so you will more than likely finish your round so you don't end up pushing your trolley for the last 4 or 5 holes.

The last bit is at odds with my battery instructions which says that "Lithium battteries tend to drop off quickly, and if the trolley warns you that the battery is low be prepared to push the trolley home"