By David Robinson
Updated Mar 24, 2022
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Most golf carts are powered by either a gasoline engine or an electric motor. Gas‑powered models typically use a single 12‑volt battery for the starter, lights, and other accessories, while electric carts often employ six or more 6‑volt batteries in series to create a 48‑volt system. Extracting a reliable 12‑volt feed from these batteries is straightforward if you follow proper procedures and safety precautions.
Open the engine compartment and locate the battery. Although the battery should be a 12‑volt unit, confirm this by reading the label or using a digital multimeter set to 24 V DC. Place the red probe on the positive terminal and the black probe on the negative terminal; a reading between 10 and 14 V confirms a 12‑volt battery.
Attach insulated terminal connectors to two lengths of twin‑core wire. Connect one wire to the positive terminal and the other to the negative terminal. Secure the connections with a wrench or screwdriver as required. Route the wires to the desired 12‑volt outlet location.
Cut the positive wire near a convenient spot and splice a single‑pole switch between the two cut ends. This switch will allow you to shut off power when the cart is idle, protecting the battery and extending its life.
Open the battery or motor compartment and count the batteries. Most carts use six or eight 6‑volt cells. Check each battery’s label for voltage; if it’s not visible, use the multimeter method described earlier.
Because series wiring adds voltages, calculate how many cells are needed for a 12‑volt supply. For a 6‑volt cell, you’ll need 12 ÷ 6 = 2 cells in series. This configuration will provide a stable 12‑volt output.
Attach insulated connectors to two lengths of wire. Connect one end to the unused terminal at the start of the series chain and the other to the opposite terminal of the last battery in the chosen subset (e.g., the second battery). Tighten all connections securely.
Run the wires to the location where 12‑volt power is needed. Install a single‑pole switch in the positive line by cutting the wire and joining the ends across the switch. The switch lets you disable the feed when the cart is not in use.
Keep all wires short and thick to reduce resistance. If you’ll use many 12‑volt devices, consider installing a dedicated 12‑volt battery for added reliability.
Do not overload this 12‑volt circuit with high‑current devices; uneven draining can shorten battery life. Batteries are heavy and contain acid—wear protective gloves and eyewear, and wash any exposed skin or clothing immediately after contact.
