FAQ's
How to Choose the Right Golf Cart for Your Needs
At Bayside Custom Carts, we are here to help educate you on the various types of carts and what works best for you. Our skilled staff want to be sure that you get exactly what you want without the high-pressure sales tactics you may have experienced at other dealers. We are a family-owned business and treat all our clients as if they were our family. So, whether you invest a little or a lot in your new cart, makes no difference to us. We want all our valued customers to have the same buying experience!
Gas Golf Cart or Electric Golf Cart
During these current times where the price of gas is high, the most common choice is electric. And with more and more communities allowing golf cart usage, it really is a wise choice. Especially when the Department of Motor Vehicles now allow LSV. LSV stands for Low-Speed Vehicle. LSV golf carts are carts that have been modified to include power and safety features like increased powertrain, brake lights, horn, seat belts, turn signals, windshield wiper, etc. The result is a more powerful, safe, and well-equipped vehicle for insured use on public automobile roadways, where allowed by law. Electric carts are also much quieter than gas carts and require less maintenance.
Gas carts are a good choice for someone who is looking for a work cart or if there isn’t an option for charging. Gas carts typically get around 120 miles per tank of gas. Gas carts can top out as speeds of 18 – 20 mph. In the past, gas carts had more power than electric carts but in recent years, the EPA has driven manufacturers to constantly work to improve the operation and performance of electric carts. Now there are programmable 'regen speeds' and top speed all now can be done through handheld programmers. Electric carts can now reach speeds up to 30 mph. Gas carts are typically $1k or more than electric carts, but it just comes down to preference and what you will be using the cart for.
Should I make my golf cart street legal and what does it require?
This is a question we get daily, especially here in Florida where EVERYONE has a golf cart. The first thing we suggest is that you check with your community to see if there are any HOA rules stating that golf carts are required to be registered with the DMV. If you are not living in an HOA community, be sure to check with your county or municipality to verify their requirements for golf cart use. If you decide you want or need to make your golf cart street legal, there are a few requirements necessary before you can have it registered with the DMV. First, you will need to check with your homeowners or car insurance to have it added to your policy. Here is what you will find on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle site:
Any person operating an LSV must have a valid driver license in their immediate possession.
LSVs may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH or less and must be equipped with the following safety equipment:
- Headlamps
- Front and rear turn signals
- Stop lamps
- Tail lamps
- Reflex reflectors, red – one each side and one on the rear
- Exterior mirror on the driver side and an interior rear-view mirror or exterior mirror on passenger side
- Parking brake
- Windshield
- Seat belt for each designated seat
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Bayside Custom Carts is happy to represent you during the registration process and deliver your new street legal golf cart directly to you. Contact us for more information.
What is the difference between a street ready golf cart and a street legal golf cart?
Street legal carts are also known as LSV (low speed vehicle) which must be registered with the DMV and meet all the requirements of an LSV. Florida allows LSVs to be used on public roads 35 MPH and under unless that road specifically states that LSVs are not allowed to travel on it regardless of its speed limit. Street ready carts usually have most of the required accessories or speed that an LSV has, but it might not be necessary to have your cart registered with the DMV if you do not plan to use it on public roads or it is not required within your specific community. Many HOA’s require street ready within their community. They want head lights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, and a rear-view mirror. They may also require it to be registered with their HOA and added to the driver and owner's homeowner’s insurance. Always check with your HOA covenants to be sure.
Golf Cart Batteries
Most electric golf carts these days operate with either 36-volt or 48-volt lead acid battery systems. 36-volt systems are generally six 6-volt batteries, while 48-volt systems usually have six 8-volt, four 12-volt, or eight 6-volt batteries. These batteries need to be recharged when they are between 90% - 50% capacity, or when the cart has been unused for 30 days. When maintained, golf cart batteries will last approximately 5 to 6 years. We recommend having a charger with an automatic shut-off function (so that you don't fry your cart's batteries from over-charging). What are the best golf cart batteries? Our preference, and really the industry standard for golf cart batteries is Trojan Golf Cart Batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are also an option for electric golf carts. Though more expensive than the standard lead acid batteries, there are some advantages to them. When equipping your golf cart with lithium-ion batteries, it enables the cart to significantly increase its weight-to-performance ratio. Lithium golf cart batteries are half the size of a traditional lead acid battery, which shaves off two-thirds of the battery weight a golf cart would normally operate with. The lighter weight means the golf cart can reach higher speeds with less effort and carry more weight without feeling sluggish. Lithium-ion batteries also charge up faster and you get more run time than lead acid batteries. Plus, you never need to add water like you do with the lead acid batteries. Another massive difference between lead acid and Lithium-ion batteries are the charge depletion over time. What happens if you don’t touch or start your golf cart for a month? The traditional battery is going to lose almost 35% of its charge if left sitting for a month. A Lithium-ion battery on the other hand is only going to lose 3% of its charge in a month. So essentially you could leave your fully charged cart sitting in your garage for a year, and the battery will still be 75% charged. Traditional lead acid batteries can lose power the more you run it. As the batteries heat up and lose their charge, the power of the cart and the torque get lower as the battery charge depletes. Lithium-ion batteries work on full power all the time, no matter how much charge is left. This is very similar to your phone. If you have 50% battery or 2% battery, that golf cart will have the same torque and power. However, when the Lithium-ion battery is fully depleted, the cart stops (no matter where you are, with no warning), so you must be sure to keep an eye on how much charge you have left at all times. Lithium-ion batteries have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. What are the best Lithium-ion golf cart batteries? Here are Bayside Custom Carts, we have found that RoyPow Batteries are preferred by most golf cart owners and are fast becoming our best sellers.
What is the average lifespan of golf cart batteries?
When maintained, lead-acid golf cart batteries such as Trojan, Crown, and USA Batteries will last approximately 2 to 5 years. Lithium-ion batteries (Allied Lithium, Dakota Lithium, and RoyPow Lithium) have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.
When is the best time to check the water level on golf cart batteries?
We recommend checking the water level every other month and when your cart is fully charged overnight. Be sure to use distilled water and bring the levels up in each cell above the lead element, and about an inch from the top of the cell.
Golf Cart Maintenance / Golf Cart Repair and Service
How often should I have my golf cart serviced?
It is recommended that you have your cart serviced and inspected once a year. You can save a lot of money by performing maintenance on your golf cart alone, but it is useful to have a professional check your golf cart to make sure no internal damage has occurred. Get your golf cart serviced to have your steering, suspension, and battery checked by a professional to make sure everything's in working order. When appropriately maintained, golf carts won’t need replacing for a long time. You can get more life out of your golf carts by making golf cart maintenance a part of your regular operation.
How long does it take to build a custom golf cart?
We love helping you create your dream cart, and depending on what upgrades you choose, it usually takes 2-3 weeks to build a custom cart. We carry most body styles, custom wheels and tires, and many other accessories so it isn’t common that we will need to order additional parts for your cart. There may be occasions where we do need to order parts, which could cause a delay in the completion of your custom cart. We can give you a better estimate when designing your cart with you.
Can you restore my existing golf cart?
In most cases, we can restore your existing golf cart and bring it back to life. We can even add a new body, wheels and tires, steering wheel, lights, etc. if you want to change the look. Depending on the age of the cart and parts available, we can usually get your cart up and running again with no problem. Golf cart restoration is sometimes all you need to make your cart look new!
Do you take trade ins?
We are always happy to consider your trade towards the purchase of a new or used cart. Check out the “Value My Trade” link on our website. Simply fill answer a few questions, upload pictures of your cart, and submit. We’ll get back to you with an estimate on the value of your trade.
Golf Cart Delivery
Bayside Custom Carts offers delivery service of golf carts purchased from us. There is a fee depending on the distance, and we do deliver all over the state of Florida. We also offer pick-up and delivery for carts that need serviced for a fee. Please contact us for more information.
Golf Cart Warranty
Bayside Custom Built Cart Warranty
Miscellaneous Golf Cart Questions
Where can I find the serial number on my golf cart?
Every brand of Golf Cart places the serial number differently, and it also depends on the year of the cart.
To find the serial number and determine the year of your Club Car, use the following reference:
From 1981 through present, Club Car positions the serial number under the glove box on the passenger side of the golf cart. The first 2 numerical characters indicate the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture. Golf carts prior to 1981, the serial number can be found on the vehicle frame. Lift the seat and locate the aluminum "I-beam" frame section (closest to the batteries). Note: If this serial number has been removed, you can confirm if it’s between 1975 & 1980 if there are 2 brake pedals and 1 accelerator pedal.
There are three primary places to find your EZGO Golf Cart serial number.
1) It may be placed directly on the steering column.
2) It may be in the passenger-side glove box.
3) It may be placed on the body located directly behind where the driver's legs would be.
The most common EZGO Golf Cart is their TXT model (2003 to Present). For these years the id sticker can be found behind the seat, under the black plastic access panel, on the cross member of the frame.
To find the serial number on your Yamaha Golf Cart, you will need to determine which model you have and then use the following reference:
For G1 model carts, the serial number can be found under the rear bumper stamped into the square cross member of the frame.
For early G2 model carts, the serial number can be found under the rear bumper stamped into the square cross member of the frame. For G2 models made between 1988 and 1990, the serial number can be found under the seat where the floorboard meets the motor compartment.
For G9 models, the serial number can be found under the seat where the floorboard meets the motor compartment.
For models G14, G16, G19 & G20, the serial number can be found running vertically just under the glove box on the far left (drivers’ side) of the vehicle.
For models G14, G16, G19 & G20, the serial number can be found running vertically just under the glove box on the far left (drivers’ side) of the vehicle.