How much current does a 36 volt golf cart battery draw?

AI Thread Summary
A 36-volt golf cart motor's current draw under full load varies based on design and load conditions, making it difficult to provide a fixed answer. Typically, golf cart motors are rated around 8 to 9 horsepower, translating to approximately 4 kW. The current draw can be influenced by factors such as the weight of the load and the specific motor design. For example, a 36-volt Leeson motor may draw 58 amps at full load, which could quickly deplete batteries. Understanding the specific requirements of the application, such as a swamp cooler, is crucial for determining feasibility and battery compatibility.
Keith H
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Hello forum.

How much current does a 36 volt battery draw under a full load? (Scratch the word battery in this first sentence and replace it with motor). I know I could find it under manufacturers web sites, but I cannot seem to figure it out quickly.
 
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Keith H said:
Hello forum.

How much current does a 36 volt battery draw under a full load? I know I could find it under manufacturers web sites, but I cannot seem to figure it out quickly.
I don't have the answer but I advise you that batteries don't "draw" current, they supply current, so I'm assuming you mean what is the maximum current can it supply.
 
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I guess that depends on the battery. You won't get the current of a 36V golf cart battery out of 54 AAAs.
 
fresh_42 said:
I guess that depends on the battery. You won't get the current of a 36V golf cart battery out of 54 AAAs.
Agreed, but my nitpicker side can't help but point out that actually, yes you will, if the load is very small. You need to say that the max current out of 54AAAs isn't likely to equal the max current out of a golf cart battery. There is also the question of amp-hours which can be quite relevant to some questions but has not been clarified by the OP regarding his question.
 
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phinds said:
Agreed, but my nitpicker side can't help ...
You're quite persistent on this, aren't you? :wink:
 
How much current would the motor use when under a full load in a Golf Cart?
 
fresh_42 said:
You're quite persistent on this, aren't you? :wink:
Oh, yeah. Nitpicking is one of my better qualities. I don't even talk about the rest. :smile:
 
I guess I am wording it wrong. How much current is being used by a golf cart motor when the cart is loaded with four, fat golfers and all their stuff?
 
The current drawn by the motor is not a fixed amount that can be derived mathematically.
It is one of many parameters that would be taken into account by the designers of the golf cart, and not all golf carts are identical designs.
Some designs will be relatively lightweight machines not needing a very heavy duty motor, others easily capable of moving heavier loads.
So your question is a bit like asking how much fuel does it take to drive a car between two points A and B.
It depends on a lot of factors, but the main one is the design of the car and in particular the capacity of it's engine.
 
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Keith H said:
How much current would the motor use when under a full load in a Golf Cart?

They are rated by power, not current. 5.5 hp, or 4 kW is typical.
 
  • #11
I am trying to see how feasible it would be to convert a swamp cooler to run the squirrel cage fan using batteries with solar panels. I just discovered that a 36 volt 600 watt motor-scooter motor may just work.

Golf Cart motors can be 36 volt, but are 8 to 9 horsepower. My golf cart runs for 10 or more hours on six 6 volt batteries and three 40 watt 12 volt panels. I am not sure where all this is taking me, but I know that if I keep asking questions I will get it.

On Northern Tools website they list a Leeson 12volt motor that draws 58 amps on a full load. That would draw down my batteries far too fast.

My go-cart has a 36 volt Leeson motor. I run it for 2 1/2hours on three 12 volt 33ah batteries at full throttle.
 
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  • #12
If you want to power a swamp cooler start with data on the cooler.
 
  • #13
The cooler demands a 1/2 hp motor or larger.
 
  • #14
At what rpm?
 
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