Author Archive: Don

America EV 1932 California Roadster

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Not only do we offer a wide range of standard golf carts – both street legal and non street legal – for rental or purchase, Surfside Golf Cart Rental also owns our own golf cart company: America EV. In our main headquarters in Riviera Beach, America EV is run and operated by trained, experienced professionals, who use high-quality, completely new parts, and assemble them by hand from the ground up. America EV golf carts can reach speeds up to 24mph, which qualifies them for street legal certification. This means that they can become registered as low speed vehicles (LSVs), and can then be driven on roads with a posted speed limit of 35mph or less.

Today we feature the America EV 1932 California Roadster, an all-electric vehicle based on the design of the old car of the same name. These vehicles were built in our Riviera Beach location, with street legal features including headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and seat belts. The frames of the California Roadster are made from rugged and corrosion proof all-aluminum I-beams, and each cart uses a system of Trojan batteries managed by the SEVCON computerized controller, capable of travelling for approximately 20 to 25 miles before needing to be charged.

These carts are available for rental, with rates starting at $295 for a single day rental of a street legal cart (Non street legal is $250 for a single day). Our rates page details the price of longer rental durations.

Standard colors of the California Roadster are Rosso red, black, arctic white, and yellow, but many carts have custom colored flames cascading down the hood, and also have the option of unique graphics and custom paint colors.

In order to charge the California Roadster, all you need to do is plug it into a standard wall outlet. These carts also feature an on-board 12-volt converter that gives an in-dash power source, where a laptop or cell phone can be plugged in and charged. Along with custom paint and graphics, the California Roadster can also be upgraded with features including but definitely not limited to: custom leather seats, a Bluetooth sound system, a backup camera, a color-matched roof, an underglow for under the cart body and/or under the roof, and a security system.

City roads, events, vacation destinations…wherever you may take the America EV 1932 California Roadster, it’s going to be a memorable trip, that much is certain. With a unique cart like one from America EV, you’ll be sure to stand out. If you’d like more information, you can read about the California Roadster and about its specifications on our website.

How to Prepare Your Golf Cart for Long-Term Self-Storage

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If you would prefer to store your golf cart on your own property rather than in a storage facility, there are several important steps to take to ensure that your golf cart stays in top condition during the off-season or time it’s not in use. Even when storing your golf cart for long periods of time, there is more to it than simply tucking the cart away in a shed for months at a time. Golf carts still require periodic maintenance when not in use, but following the right guidelines to storing your golf cart will keep it preserved and ready for when it’s time to be brought out again.

Battery Preparation

When preparing your golf cart for storage, you’ll want to first perform some basic battery maintenance. Begin by disconnecting battery cables, and clean any corrosion from the cables and battery by using a mix of baking soda and warm water (or white vinegar and water) – baking soda neutralizes acid corrosion. Fully charge the battery, as batteries will naturally self-discharge when not in use. When disconnecting the battery charger, unplug it from the AC outlet before unplugging it from the cart. Using only distilled water, refill the batteries, making sure the cart has been fully charged. Do not refill the batteries before fully charging your cart, as this can lead to electrolyte overflow.

Turn the key switch off to turn off everything on the cart, and depending on your cart, you’ll have either a Run/Tow switch or a Run/Maintenance switch. Flip this switch to “tow” or “maintenance” in order to reduce battery discharge and fire risks. Finally, disconnect the main positive and negative connections – it’s recommended to tape the connections together in order to not forget where they go.

You’ll want to periodically check in on your charge and water levels – especially in warmer climates, the water levels can slowly decrease due to evaporation, and batteries will self-discharge when left unused for extended periods of time. It’s recommended to return to your cart every 2-4 weeks and check these levels – fully recharge and refill the batteries as needed.

Tire Checks

Before putting the golf cart in storage, you’ll want to inflate your tires as high as possible without over inflating them. When the cart is stationary for long periods of time, the tires naturally deflate from the weight of the cart, possibly causing damage to the tires like flat spots. When checking in on the cart as recommended, inflate the tires every two weeks and move the cart slightly, applying pressure to a different part of the tire.

Another option is storing the golf cart off the ground – raise the cart up onto jack stands, which will take pressure off the tires and ensure that no flat spots will form.

General Cleaning

Even in the best storage, moisture will still be produced. Inspect your cart to make sure there are no rust spots, and if there are, cover them with fresh paint. Rust spots can increase from moisture in the air if left untreated, and any other markings will also worsen with extreme temperatures. Be sure to remove any crumbs that may be on the seats, as they can grow and harbor bacteria in the time the cart is stored, and make sure to clean the flooring and upholstery to prevent any possible molding. Remove any rugs or carpets, cut and polish any scratches, and replace spark plugs if needed. Other things to clean include any dirt or grime, bird or other animal droppings, mirrors, fuel, air, and oil filters, and cables and connectors.

Storage

An important tip to remember is to leave the cart in neutral when storing it, and if storing it on the ground, keep it on a level surface and surround the wheels with bricks or other heavy objects to keep it from rolling. Do not keep the parking brake engaged – this can damage the cart.

Most golf carts will fit in a 10×10 enclosed space – placing the golf cart inside is critical and will prevent any damage that could be caused by harsh weather and below freezing or exceedingly high temperatures. A garage is a good option, although it can take up space that may be needed for cars, so storing it in a small shed is another ideal choice.

Even though the cart is inside, always use a protective cover to keep dust and dirt off the cart. If you don’t have a cover specifically for golf carts, a large canvas cloth will suffice – the most important thing is simply making sure the cart is covered.

Even when not in use, your golf cart still needs periodic maintenance, so it’s important to follow these steps to ensure that your golf cart is sufficiently prepared for storage and regularly checked in on, so when it comes time to use it again, it’ll still be in top condition.