Best golf cart motor and controller reviews 2023

A golf cart motor is a must thing for an electric golf cart if you want to have an interruption-free riding experience. Well, sometimes you might notice the motor is not functioning and that is the right time to replace the older one with a newer one from the best golf cart motor and controller reviews.

After a long-term research session, I have made a list of the top seven golf cart motors and controllers and put D&D 170-010-0002 Golf Cart Motor for EZGO and Yamaha all series on the top. Check out whether the motor is compatible with your cart or not first and then read out the buying before making the final decision.

If you are having trouble or not having the intended speed from the golf cart, choose a new golf cart motor for your electric golf cart.

How golf cart motor works?

Electric golf cart runs through the energy created by the golf cart motor. Though it seems an easy process, in a real sense, it is far more complex.

• There are batteries in the golf cart that changes the chemical energy into electrical energy and sends it to the motor circuit of the cart.
• The motor circuit has two more crucial parts as the solenoid and the speed controller.
• Both these parts control the speed of the cart because the motor itself is unable to do this.
• The solenoid sends more speed to the motor through the circuit when you pedal the cart and it produces energy to let the cart move on.

D&D 170-010-0002 Golf Cart Motor for EZGO and Yamaha all series

Specifications

Brand: D&D Motors

Weight: 53 pounds

This golf cart motor from D&D Motors is usable on 36V and 48V batteries. The motor is compatible with 1992 or later Yamaha and EZGO series golf cart motors. When you use this on 36 volts battery, the standard speed remains within 12 to 14 mph. However, the speed rises to 17 mph when it is used on a 48 volts battery. The torque in the motor comes with large tires.

This golf cart motor meets or exceeds all the specifications of Class H thermal rating. On 36 volts, the torque enhancement remains around 30%, but on 48 volts, it goes up to 60% to 80%. Your golf cart will have an 8.3 HP peak at 3250 motor RPM when it is set up with a 36 volts battery. On the contrary, it will have a 10.5 HP peak at 3950 RPM during the installation with 48 volts battery. The user can mount it on the cart with the 19 tooth female Spline.

Key Features

1. It is usable on 36V and 48V batteries.
2. The speed rises to 17 mph maximum.
   
3. The torque enhancement goes up to 60% to 80%
   
4. Mount with 19 tooth female spline.

Performance plus Carts EZGO/Yamaha motor

Specifications

Brand: Performance plus Carts

Weight: 51.5 pounds

This golf cart motor from Performance plus Carts is compatible with some specific models of Yamaha and EZGO golf carts as well. According to the manufacturer, Yamaha G9, G14, and G16 golf carts are suitable for this motor. It can also be set up in Columbia and Melex with Dana axle golf carts.

However, this motor is not made for use on DCS or PDS cars. Unlike the first motor in the list, one can only mount it on 36 volts battery, not with 48 volts or 72 volts. The motor is equipped with a 19-spline that helps to mount in the golf cart. The motor produces speed with a 2.0 HP peak at 2800 RPM. It is a series electric motor and produces fleet speed.

Key Features

1. Compatible with Yamaha G9, G14, and G16 golf carts
2. It works on 36 volts batteries.
3. It has 19 spline feature for easy mounting.
4. Produces speed with 2.0 HP peak at 2800 RPM.

D&D Golf Cart Motors - EZGO Motor & Controller for mainly Speed (EZGO full set)

Specifications

Brand: D&D Motors

Weight: 85 pounds

It is a full motor and controller set from D&D Motors for EZGO golf carts. The motor of this set comes with more robust construction. The manufacturer used more steel and copper to construct the motor. Except for the EZGO golf carts, this motor is also compatible with Yamaha G19, G22, and G29 models, but then it requires a stock 19 tooth spline. This blue color golf cart motor measures 6.7 inches in diameter.

It provides around 20% of torque in the golf cart and the speed of the cart can go up to 23 mph with a 7 HP peak at 5300 RPM. It is usable in both 36 volts batteries and 48 volts batteries. There is a 400-ampere controller, which is basically used for controlling the speed. Because of using extra copper and steel in the construction, it provides more current flow and better thermal capabilities. The set also includes solenoid and wire kits.

Key Features

1. Better thermal capabilities for using extra copper and steel in the construction
2. Compatible with 36 volts and 48 volts batteries
3. A 400 amp controller is included
4. It includes solenoid and wire kits.

D&D Golf Cart Motors - Club Car Motors (Series) - 170-002-0002-19 MPH

Specifications

Brand: D&D Motor Systems

Weight: 50.6 pounds

This golf car motor from D&D Motor Systems is currently the highest thermally rated motor in the golf cart market because of using more copper and steel to construct. It meets and exceeds the class H thermal rating specifications. The motor comes with a durable and corrosion-resistant powder coating construction. The user will get a quieter motor and less shaft wear from the motor as it is made with special shaft heat treating.

The motor is constructed to be used on all club car series. It can work on both 36 volts and 48 volts batteries. It produces 10% more torque than most stock golf cart motors. The motor can be mounted on the club cars with a stock 10 tooth spline. It produces around 4400 mph motor RPM with a 9.8 HP peak, through which the speed rises to 19 mph. The motor measures around 6.7 inches in diameter.

Key Features

1. Durable and corrosion-resistant powder coating construction
2. It is compatible with 36 volts and 48 volts batteries
3. 9.8 HP peak with 4400 RPM
4. Produces 10% more torque and the speed goes up t 19 mph.

 Admiral MOT-B1 Golf Cart Motor E-Z-GO Series

Specifications

Brand: EV Drives

Weight: 49 pounds

EV Drives manufactured this golf cart motor, which is compatible with only EZGO series golf carts. The motor is made to work on with 36-volt batteries, so don’t try to attach it with 48 volts batteries ever. It can produce high speeds with the stock tires.

The speed of the motor can go up to 18 mph, which remains on the average side in terms of speed. However, you bring the speed up to 18 mph; there must be a rise of the torque up to 20%. With the 19 tooth female spline, this golf cart motor can produce up to 8 HP peaks.

Key Features

1. The motor is compatible with EZGO series golf carts
2. The motor is designed to work on with 36 volts batteries
3. 20% increase in the torque and the speeds goes up to 18 mph
4. It has a 19 tooth female spline.

Golf Cart Controller 25864G09, 36v for EZGO

Specifications

Brand: GolfRama

Weight: 2.7 pounds

GolfRama manufactured this golf cart controller, especially for EZGO golf cart models. This controller is 350 ampere and it is used basically to control the speed of the cart. The controller is only compatible with EZGO Medalist and TXT models. It should never be installed on DCS or PDS models.

It will work with 36 volts battery, not a wiser option to select it for 48 volts batteries. The manufacturer has remanufactured this controller from the basic model and upgraded it to a 5-pin connector, so it is not compatible with conventional 9-pin controllers. Moreover, this electric speed controller comes with ITS throttle input.

Key Features

1. It is a 350-ampere golf cart speed controller device.
2. The controller is compatible with EZGO Medalist and TXT models.
3. The model is upgraded to a 5-pin controller.
4. It has an ITS throttle input system.

D&D Alltrax Controller - Yamaha G29 Golf Cart Controller (for Yamaha)

Specifications

Brand: D&D Motor Systems

Weight: 6 pounds

If the user wants to get more speed from the golf cart with enhanced torque and thermal capabilities, this Alltrax controller from D&D Motor Systems can be a great option. The controller is compatible with the Yamaha G29 golf cart model. It is a 500-ampere speed controller, which is of course on the higher side. The speed controller goes well to work with both 36 volts and 48 volts batteries.

With the controller, there is a fuse, operator manuals, and 5/16ths power lead bolts included in the set. Moreover, there is a 2.0 programming port with a free solution. There are many programmable throttle options available and also auto throttle calibration. After using this controller, there will be a torque enhancement of up to 30% compared to the stock golf cart controllers. It can take the speed from 14 mph up to 22 mph. It comes with a floating dual-bearing design and solenoid brackets.

Key Features

1. It is a 500-ampere speed controller.
2. It is compatible with 36 and 48 volts batteries.
3. There is a 2.0 programming port for the free solution.
4. It comes with a floating dual-bearing design.

Buying guides: You should never miss

Buying a golf cart motor is never easy as long as you don’t know what factors are needed to consider before choosing any motor. I’m here with this buying guide to help you in this regard.

Compatibility

The first thing you need to check out whether the golf cart motor you are buying is compatible with the golf cart you have or not. Not every golf cart motor offers universal compatibility. Some motors are made for EZGO golf carts, some are made for Yamaha models, and some others are made for club cars. There are also instructions regarding the compatibility with older and newer golf cart models. Before choosing any motor, you need to check out the compatibility first.

Construction

The construction of the motor you are buying for your golf cart should be durable and robust. It will be great if the motor is made of steel and copper. Some upgraded models use extra steel and copper to make the motor more robust. Moreover, one should also check the Class H thermal specifications and ensure the motor meets or exceeds these specifications.

Voltage

 Most golf cart motors can work on with 36 volts and 48 volts batteries. However, you must check this out before purchasing and it is very necessary when you are going to use two types of batteries on the golf cart.

Torque enhancement

 The torque enhancement is measured by percentage, and it is compared to the stock golf cart motors. The percentage of torque enhancement ranges from 10% to 30% typically. The torque enhancement also affects the speed. One should try buying a new golf cart motor with a better torque enhancement.

Speed producing

 How much speed a golf cart motor can produce is a crucial thing to consider. The speed production varies depending on the voltage of the battery. Typically, using the motor on a 36 volts battery may only produce up to 19 mph speed. However, the speed can go up to 24 mph efficiently if the motor is put on with a 48 volts battery.

Controller

 To control the speed of the golf cart and ensure well functioning of the motor, a controller can be a good addition. While choosing a controller, you should choose one with a minimum of 350 amperes and the maximum can go up to 500 amperes typically.

How to test golf cart motor?

1. Now first set the multimeter to the continuity setting or the ohm setting.
2. Typically the meter beeps when there is continuity setting mode.
3. And if it doesn’t beep, you need to check on the meter for the result.

The voltage of the golf cart motor?

Most electric golf cart runs through 36 volts or 48 volts battery system. So the motor used in the cart is also made to work on these batteries basically. However, some motors are compatible with 72 volts batteries as well. The golf cart doesn’t have single 36 or 48 volts batteries. The 36 volts or 48 volts unit is made by using a definite number of 6 volts or 12 volts batteries.

Importance of golf cart controller

As the name indicates, golf cart controllers are used on the golf cart to control the speed. If there is no controller attached to the golf cart motor, the cart will move on abruptly which is risky in the true sense. But a controller can reverse the AC speed and also control the DC speed to provide you a safe riding experience.

Symptoms of bad golf cart controller

The rider must find some symptoms to distinguish that the golf cart controller is bad functioning.

• Losing the control of cart’s speed: Your controller is here to control the speed and if you can’t do this efficiently, it is sure the controller is not functioning well.
• Failure in starting: You will find some difficulty in starting the cart because of the bad golf cart controller.
• Not having a smoother ride: There will be frequent shakings and disturbance during the ride.
• Slowing down abruptly: The cart might slow down now and then without any command from the rider.

So, I think you are now fully prepared to attach a new motor to your golf cart, and don’t forget to attach a controller also. Hopefully, you will have a nice and safe ride towards the golf course.