If you love driving your golf cart no matter the weather, then having a golf cart heater makes those frosty days a little more comfortable. It’s an easy-to-install accessory and models are available for every budget and preference.
Golf cart heaters come in two popular styles:
Both come in a range of sizes and produce proportionally similar heat, but each has unique benefits. Propane golf cart heaters are the least expensive and simplest to use. They’re compact, lightweight, require no permanent installation and are designed to fit in your cart’s cup holder. They can used be used with a cart cover as long as there’s ample ventilation and some come with stands that allow you to use them in other places.
That’s why if you add a golf cart enclosure to keep the heat in, make sure you have at least one flap open so you can ventilate while using the propane heater. The drawback to propane heaters is the ongoing cost of buying fuel. Propane Fuel Cylinders, 4 pk./16 oz. Most models use the typical pound canisters that power camp stoves and each will last about between five and eight hours. At three to five dollars each, they’re not horribly priced, but if you use your golf cart a lot in the winter, it adds up quickly.
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 ownership 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 somewhere.
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 conditions,and that goes up as the temperature setting is dialed up. The use of a cover is considered safe with both 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
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!