Lights on golf carts?

[disneediva]

We are going to be at the Fort at Xmas and we were hoping to decorate the golf cart with Xmas lights, Any thoughts on how I can get the lights to run if they are not battery operated. I am going alone with my 2 kids so I am looking for any hints you can give me.Thanks

 

[stacktester]

You can buy an inverter with battery cable ends that will power lights. I have a small generator I use but I'm thinking about the smaller inverter for Halloween.

After posting I was thinking, you didn't mention if it was your cart or a fort cart. If you were to use the inverter I suggested you need to make sure you have the 12 volt terminals in order. Make sure you do this. If it's your own cart, do you have a cig lighter? Some inverters have a cig lighter adapter.

 

[disneediva]

I am renting a cart from the Fort.

 

[stacktester]

Something like this is what I'm thinking. They make this in a 1000 watt as well that may be more what you need. Maybe BigdisneyDaddy will come an answer that. One thing you just gotta make sure you have the pos and neg cables correct to use your golf cart batts to do the lighting.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222741706&sr=8-39

I meant to post this link when I replied. This is probably close to what Scott said he has. I'll ask Derek who sells the same carts as the fort uses today as I've got to order something from him.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

You can buy an inverter with battery cable ends that will power lights. I have a small generator I use but I'm thinking about the smaller inverter for Halloween.

After posting I was thinking, you didn't mention if it was your cart or a fort cart. If you were to use the inverter I suggested you need to make sure you have the 12 volt terminals in order. Make sure you do this. If it's your own cart, do you have a cig lighter? Some inverters have a cig lighter adapter.

I have a small 400W inverter that will run 2 strings of 50 lights. It has a cig plug or can be wired direct. I think one of the problems is that the 48V carts use 6- 8 volt batteries so you cant hook directly to one battery. I know that in order to run headlights and tail lights that the cart needs a voltage reducer to put it in the correct 12-14 v range. I am not familiar enough with the carts to know where that is in the wiring, I am sure that Tungpo will know.
Long story short is that you would need an inverter and the means to hook it up or access to a cig plug.

 

[Shan-man]

If the Fort's carts dont have a cig lighter socket, the easiest solution might be to bring your own 12-volt battery to power the inverter. Sure, it's more to fit into the cart, and more weight and bulk to haul in your rig, but it sure simplifies things! If you are in a motorhome, you could use your/one of your coach batteries for this purpose... you aren't using it when plugged in at the fort. You probably don't want to use a chassis battery, or a tow vehicle battery, which would erase radio station programming and reset clocks, etc. If you are using a coach battery, you can just reinstall it during the day to recharge it. If you bring a separate battery, you may need to bring a small charger too.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Get yourself a few strings of battery operated lights! This is what we use for our cart. They run on C batteries, and will last a night or two before you need to change the batteries. They work perfectly, and are a lot less trouble than messing with inverters and such. I buy mine at Ace Hardware, but I am sure that you can find them just about anywhere this time of year. Here is an example of what you can buy: Battery Operated Christmas Lights

TCD

 

[disneediva]

thank you guys for all the help i really appreciate it

 

[TwingleMum]

Get yourself a few strings of battery operated lights! This is what we use for our cart. They run on C batteries, and will last a night or two before you need to change the batteries. They work perfectly, and are a lot less trouble than messing with inverters and such. I buy mine at Ace Hardware, but I am sure that you can find them just about anywhere this time of year. Here is an example of what you can buy: Battery Operated Christmas Lights

TCD

These look great, Thanks TCD

 

[bradisgoofy]

.....If you are in a motorhome, you could use your/one of your coach batteries for this purpose... you aren't using it when plugged in at the fort. .....If you are using a coach battery, you can just reinstall it during the day to recharge it. ....

Coach batteries are six volts EACH, so you would need to take out TWO. And they weigh a ton.

Do yourself a favor and get the battery operated lights.

 

[Shan-man]

Coach batteries are six volts EACH, so you would need to take out TWO.

Sorry, I forgot that most coaches use six volters. Mine uses two 12s in parallel rather than two 6s in series. And yes, I know this leads to premature battery failure, I just have bigger fish to fry so this change will have to wait. I have carried a spare, standard automotive battery and inverter with me specifically to provide my tenting buddies with a basic power source and found it to be a reasonable exercise. I mentioned it here in case the OP had specific lights they'd like to use which cannot be duplicated with battery lights. Like rope lights in a mickey head shape, for instance, or like Donnie's rooftop inflatable... that's not gonna fly with C cells

 

[stacktester]

You mean all these lights lol. I have my Yamaha 2400 in the bag holder putting out the power.

 

[LONE-STAR]

You mean all these lights lol. I have my Yamaha 2400 in the bag holder putting out the power.

Was this your attempt at making your cart fly. Buy putting a hot air balloon on your roof. I know the elec. cart was slow but I don't think this will help.

 

[stacktester]

I never thought about that. I'll get me some helium for this year lol. I got a gasser now so no more slow.

 

[LONE-STAR]

I never thought about that. I'll get me some helium for this year lol. I got a gasser now so no more slow.

I love gas carts. One day I will go big block. But for now I am ok with what I have. I get 29mph.
To stay on topic Lights look good on carts.

 

[gmflanigan]

If you rent a cart at the Fort do you need advance reservations? Are there several types?--2,4,6 passenger?

 

[stacktester]

During holiday and peak times yes, you will need advanced ressies. The fort carts have a back seat and hold 4 people. I've seen more but it's not too safe.

 

[LONE-STAR]

If you rent a cart at the Fort do you need advance reservations? Are there several types?--2,4,6 passenger?

Advance reservations are needed depending on the time of year.

All cart are standard 4 seaters (but you can squeeze the extra kid on)

 

[MBMacs]

Inverter is a great way to go, many uses outside of the Fort. The 12 volt battery is also a great way to go if you have the space, rather then trying to tie into the Fort's cart batteries.

 

[Shan-man]

Inverter is a great way to go, many uses outside of the Fort. The 12 volt battery is also a great way to go if you have the space, rather then trying to tie into the Fort's cart batteries.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so glad that at least one other person thinks my suggestion is reasonable!