dec
2018
cover story
Electric golf cart heaters are usually permanently
mounted to the dashboard or steering column
and run on power from the cart’s battery. A few
are generic, but some are proprietary and may not
fit all brands and sizes of carts.
They won’t keep you any warmer than propane
heaters, but they have a few advantages. The most
obvious is that there’s no fuel to buy. You’ll pay
more for an electric heater, but when the cost of
propane is factored in, the lifetime cost of owner-
ship is lower.
As opposed to propane heaters, more electric
models are equipped with adjustable temperature
controls. It may be as simple as high and low, but
that makes it more flexible in climates where the
temperature fluctuates.
Other than the installation, the primary drawback
of electric heaters is that they use battery power.
If your battery is strong, that’s not an issue, but
if it’s toward the end of its lifespan, you’ll need to
replace it soon or you might get stuck out some-
where.
How do I choose the right size heater?
Heat output for both types of heaters varies from
1500 to 6,000 BTU. How much heat does that
provide?
It depends.
Most makers provide broad an estimate of the
temperature increase you can expect, but it varies
on a number of conditions including the outdoor
temperature, the temperature setting if more than
one is available and if you use the heater with or
without a cover.
Covered carts with a mid-size heater can expect an
increase of up to twenty degrees in average condi-
tions, and that goes up as the temperature setting
is dialed up.
The use of a cover is considered safe with both
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types of heaters as long as there is adequate
ventilation. Since the cover is normally shifted to
get in and out allowing fresh air into the cabin, it’s
unlikely you’ll run into a problem, but ventilation
also equals heat loss and on the coldest courses, a
higher output model is recommended.
Here’s a run-down of five models to get you started.
Buying and Tips
• Read product details and specification carefully
to be sure you understand what you’re getting.
Remember that not all propane heaters offer the
same number of BTU despite being similar in
size and not all electric models fit all carts.
• If you need accessories, call the maker first to
ensure they’re available.
• For installation worries on electric models, call
the company or visit their website. Better makers
provide technical support over the phone and
may even include installation videos on their site.
• Read the manual when your heater arrives and
always follow the manufacturer’s safety
recommendations.
• Consider buying a well-known brand that
provides a solid warranty and real-time customer
support.
• Make sure your battery is in tip-top shape before
installing an electric heater. Most users report
less than a quarter of battery capacity is drained
in a day, but sudden cold and unexpected
detours affect performance and could leave you
stranded.
When you’re ready to make a buying decision, do
your homework and choose a golf cart heater that
will meet your needs in the worst conditions you
might encounter on the course. Make sure you
have all the accessories you need and buy the best
model you can afford. Investing in your comfort on
the golf course is always a good spend!