Rant time - electric trolley batteries

[fundy]

Geez, what is it with leccy trolley batteries. For the 3rd battery running, a few months after the warranty expires and my supposed 36 hole battery struggles to get to the turn, yep it has a 1/4 capacity maximum. Its as if they put a timer in them and they fail on request as soon as the warranty runs out!

As for Motocaddy and their customer service, its quite a while since I came across a retail company who treat their customers with complete and utter contempt, which in the current environment cant bode well for their long term success. This is the second time Ive had cause to have to use their customer services and thankfully will be the last as I will never be dealing with them again!


Ok rant over, any one make a decent recommendation for a replacement battery? Going to need a new charger too on all accounts? Think I asked this 15mths or so ago but is it worth going the lithium route?

 

[GB72]

I had a similar problem with my recent battery purchase. After about 9 months it started to struggle over the last couple of holes and was gettng worse. Luckily it was swapped on my doorstep for a new one with no quibbles.

 

[Imurg]

I had a similar problem with my recent battery purchase. After about 9 months it started to struggle over the last couple of holes and was gettng worse. Luckily it was swapped on my doorstep for a new one with no quibbles.

Now who would do a thing like that..........?

 

[fundy]

Now who would do a thing like that..........?

I expect any of them would within warranty, would they have done so a month or two after the warranty expired though?

 

[AmandaJR]

The very reason I turned to a push trolley. Go Kart are brilliant but it's all hassle I can do without.

 

[duncan mackie]

the real problem is that lead acid batteries are entirely the wrong solution in this application, for anything but price - and we buy on price.

not only do they have a nominal cycle usage but they dislike actually being discharged lower than about 80%. Great storage solution, poor discharge cycle. a 36 used for 18 each time will do better - but it's heavier etc there are some better lead acid technilogies out there, but I don't know about their availability in golf sized units (boats and lorries but not golf carts!)

you can help by charging straight away - and minutes matter, days can be disaster etc top range charging systems will also help. storing in a 'nice' environment helps too.

lithium is more appropriate but if used heavily it's probably not going to deliver a great deal more in terms of total cycle - just easier to handle.

 

[louise_a]

i have just bought a motocaddy electric trolley and went for the lithium battery option on the basis that its guaranteed for 5 years and so should work out cheaper over the long term.

 

[Pants]

Ok rant over, any one make a decent recommendation for a replacement battery? Going to need a new charger too on all accounts? Think I asked this 15mths or so ago but is it worth going the lithium route?

If you go the lithium route, read the warranty very carefully.

They often major on their "5 year guarantee" but this means very little. I've copied an extract from a typical supplier below. I believe many other suppliers may have similar wording.

"The LitePower battery and charger are both covered by a full 24 month warranty from the date of purchase. In addition to the standard 24 month warranty LitePower now offer a 5 year limited warranty (additional 3 years) on the battery (this excludes the charger). In order to qualify for the 5 year limited warranty please register your warranty online or using the warranty registration card.

If your product should fail during the 3rd year of ownership LitePower will offer you a brand new replacement for 50% of the purchase price of the product. Year 4, 70% of the listed purchase price and year 5, 85% of the listed purchase price. Any purchased product will come with a new 5 year warranty. Please note that due to the nature of batteries, the product is only covered to complete 18 holes during years 3 to 5.

The warranty covers manufacturing defects that occur during normal use. Any breakage caused by accidental damage or as a result of abuse or misuse or commercial use is not covered.

Any repairs or replacements made without charge do not carry a new warranty beyond that of the original purchase. The warranties contained herein are offered as an extra benefit and do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. We reserve the right to request a proof of purchase."

Am I being a bit cynical in thinking that they don't anticipate the batteries lasting as long as they advertise?

 

[fundy]

Its having read the warranty that is putting me off, that and the only company that seem to be offering this supposedly 5 year warranty is Motocaddy, and theres zero chance of them getting any more money from me based on their service levels. and if you read closely 30% in yr 4 and 15% in yr 5 hardly sounds like a warranty to me, almost tempted to have a chat with advertising standards lol

No way Id pay for lithium without a 5 yr warranty which leaves me stuck as to which way to go again. May go the cheap and cheerful 18 hole battery so that I dont feel disappointed when it packs up after 13 or 14 mths!

 

[Bratty]

Ok rant over, any one make a decent recommendation for a replacement battery?

Afraid not, but I can recommend a replacement trolley with proper customer service... sorry, Fundy!

 

[andycap]

I've had the same battery in my Hillbilly since i bought it in 2007, it's on charge in the shed 24/7 when not in use , and it has only recently started struggling with the last few holes . pretty much had to push it off the 18th this week although we had played a hilly course. cant grumble at that , although i have read that they recommend a new charger as well if its over 5 years old , so that pretty much doubles the expense.

 

[JT77]

Fundy, get a 3 wheel push, Stewart do a great one, no battery probs ever

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

Clicgear 3.0 is the way forward, no more messing about with batteries :thup:

 

[fundy]

Afraid not, but I can recommend a replacement trolley with proper customer service... sorry, Fundy!

Trolley not the problem, replaced that last time I had a fall out with Motocaddy, sadly had replaced the battery a month before the trolley broke again so still had the battery. Wouldnt swap the Golfstream revolution trolley for anything, just need a battery again!

 

[duncan mackie]

I've had the same battery in my Hillbilly since i bought it in 2007, it's on charge in the shed 24/7 when not in use , and it has only recently started struggling with the last few holes . pretty much had to push it off the 18th this week although we had played a hilly course. cant grumble at that , although i have read that they recommend a new charger as well if its over 5 years old , so that pretty much doubles the expense.

andy,

can you give an honest assesment of how often you use the trolley?

 

[Mark_G]

As Duncan says, the problem is the technology of lead acid batteries is not suited to deep discharge, lithium is a much better choice. I used to race radio controlled cars, and have used nicads, nimhs, and lithium batteries doing unspeakable things with charge current and discharge rates. The lithium batteries were superb, with dedicated charging routines they had virtually no noticeable drop off in performance, if I could afford it I would definitely plump for lithium. I have recently been looking for golf trolley batteries myself and my normal suppliers for batteries have stopped supplying golf trolley batteries as, in their words, "they are more trouble than they are worth"

 

[chris661]

I've had the same battery in my Hillbilly since i bought it in 2007, it's on charge in the shed 24/7 when not in use , and it has only recently started struggling with the last few holes . pretty much had to push it off the 18th this week although we had played a hilly course. cant grumble at that , although i have read that they recommend a new charger as well if its over 5 years old , so that pretty much doubles the expense.

andy,

can you give an honest assesment of how often you use the trolley?

I have had my powakaddy since 2008 and it is still on the original battery and it has been used at least once a week if not twice a week for the summer months. Mine goes on charge when I get home and stays there untio I head back to the course.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Go Kart do a specific 36 hole battery for their trollys but I guess the question is how often do you play 36? I cvan get 36 out of my standard GK battery if I need but wouldn't do it regularly. If you are doing it often then I'd suggest getting a specific 36 holer. However I understand that doesnt solve the problem but if the OP has now gone through 3 batteries there must be an issue somewhere

 

[duncan mackie]

I have had my powakaddy since 2008 and it is still on the original battery and it has been used at least once a week if not twice a week for the summer months. Mine goes on charge when I get home and stays there untio I head back to the course.

Chris - that could be anything from 30 to 90 cycles a year - or 120 to 360 lifetime cycles; quite a range! OTOH I know many players who would have done 360 on a battery bought in Jan 2011 already - it's hard to make valid comparisons in this area without accurate data. There's also the issue of the nature of the course - the difference between a flat 5600 course and a hilly, heavy rough, 7000 is chalk and cheese to a battery and the impact each round will have on it's lifetime.

 

[Val]

Clicgear 3.0 is the way forward, no more messing about with batteries :thup:

Jesus, as long as its bit as pimped up and white as yours