FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Motocaddy FAQ’s
Batteries
How heavy are Motocaddy batteries?
The Motocaddy standard range lead-acid battery weighs 14lbs and the extended range option weighs 23lbs. If you are worried about the weight of the battery you will be lifting on and off your trolley, our lightest battery is the lithium battery weighing only 5.5lbs.
How long does it take for the battery to recharge?
After a full round of golf it will take approximately 8 to 14 hours to recharge the battery depending on the model and capacity.
I have just received my new trolley, put the battery on charge and the light has gone green in less than an hour, is anything faulty?
Motocaddy batteries are partially charged prior to delivery. We always recommend charging your battery for at least 8 hours before it is used for the first time.
If I only play 9 holes, do I have to recharge my battery before my next round?
The battery must always be charged after every use irrespective of the number of holes played.
Should I buy a second battery?
If you need to play 36 holes in a day you should either buy an extended range battery or a spare standard battery. If you opt for using two batteries make sure you rotate their use to prolong the life of both batteries.
Should I fully discharge my battery from time to time?
You must never fully discharge the battery as this could severely reduce the capacity of the battery. If you notice the trolley starting to travel more slowly than usual you should stop using it as soon as possible.
What happens if my battery stops before the end of the round?
If your battery stops before the completion of the round, Motocaddy trolleys have a freewheel feature to allow you to complete your game. When you get home, open up the battery bag and check the battery terminals to ensure that they are properly connected. If this does not resolve the issue, please call our technical team.
Trolleys
What’s the best way to keep my trolley clean?
Wipe your trolley down after each outing to ensure it runs smoothly and keeps its good looks. You can use a damp cloth, mild detergent and warm water. Main wheels are easily removed and so can be washed separately. Never jet wash, steam-clean or use a compressed air hose on your trolley. Whilst your machine is more than capable of coping with the elements, cleaning in these ways can force water into the electronics and the gearbox of the trolley. This will invalidate the warranty.
Is there any other maintenance I can do?
Yes, it is best to check nuts bolts and screws from time to time to make sure they are all secure. All of these are set during manufacture using a torque setting but vibration over a period of time might loosen them. So the best guide is hand tight. Also check (visually) wiring and wiring connections. Any sign of damage to cabling or connections could lead to a serious fault with your trolley. There are drain holes in most battery trays, check they are not blocked.
My Trolley doesn’t run straight?
The PowaKaddy steers straight and true, as any electric trolley should. However, like any electric trolley, there are at least two conditions which may cause it to steer with a bias. The first common cause is a lop-sided bag. The offset center of gravity tries to tip a cart sideways slightly and gives the cart an annoying tendency to steer to the right or the left. This can normally be prevented by balancing the bag so that its center of gravity is in line with the main beam of the cart. This is why PowaKaddy offers a CartBag. CartBag pockets are laid out symmetrically on either side of the center of the cart with pockets for balls and drinks down the center. All the pockets are accessed from above. This means that they can be loaded in a balanced way. The PowaKaddy CartBag also features a locking base which prevents the bag twisting and potentially getting into a lopsided condition. This also means that your clubs are always presented to you just the way you like them.
Secondly:
If the cart receives a bad knock, say by running at speed into a curb or a root, slight deformations in the chassis can lead to an annoying tendency to steer to the right or the left. This is why newer PowaKaddy trolleys feature on-course adjustment of the front wheel to correct this problem should it happen. If you have an older model check if the problem is down only to the trolley, place it on flat even ground and freewheel the trolley for 10 yards. The trolley should not veer either left or right by more than 1 yard over the 10 yards. Should the trolley be veering more than 1 yard over 10 yards then you can adjust the front wheel alignment. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for instructions on how to do this. If you loosen the front wheel nuts for any reason, make sure to tighten them up afterwards. Also check that the main wheels are running freely. Dirt or mud on the tire can affect the running of the trolley.
Is my bag too heavy?
During our prolonged life testing we use bags weighing up to 44lbs, this is extreme. However should bear in mind that more weight demands more power and this can reduce the life of your battery or reduce its range.
My trolley is noisy?
A new trolley will have a slightly different pitch to a trolley that has been used for a few rounds, the moving parts are all new and take time to bed in. Most of us will try our trolley for the first time indoors and of course this means the running trolley sounds louder, take it out and try it with a bag on we’re sure you’ll be pleased. Never asses noise in a quiet room only on the golf course. If your trolley is not new and is making excessive noise have a quick check underneath the trolley. Is anything loose or damaged. If you cannot see or rectify the problem then contact a Powakaddy Service Agent. Trolleys with the EBS function have a slightly different pitch to normal trolleys. This is because the gearbox is different and has many more moving parts. The difference in pitch/noise will not usually be noticeable on the course.
Stewart Golf FAQ’s
X Series
1) X-Series – 18 or 36 Hole Lithium Battery?
We are not able to guarantee any battery for 36 holes for the following reasons.
- 18 holes of golf is not a finite measurement. There can be a difference of several miles from a short to a long course (taking the distance between green and tee in to account too).
- Terrain, ground condition, bag weight, and a number of other factors can make a big difference. Imagine running along a flat concrete road as opposed to up a steep sand dune & you’ll get the idea.
- The quality of the golf also affects how far you walk. A golfer shooting 65 will walk a lot less than a golfer shooting 110 and zig-zagging up the fairways! This scenario would also see the steering being used more, which also consumes more power.
Many customers have completed 36 holes with their trolleys on a single charge, however if you play 36 on a regular basis we recommend that you purchase an additional battery pack.
2) Are lithium batteries compatible with lead acid chargers?
Lithium batteries must only be charged using the charging equipment supplied with the battery. It is not possible to charge the battery using any other charging equipment.
3) Are X9 batteries dangerous?
No is the simple answer! Unfortunately certain other types of Lithium battery can be dangerous if not treated in the correct manner. The X9 battery is made from LiFePO4 (Lithium ion Phosphate) which is widely recognized as the safest type of lithium battery. This makes it the material of choice for electric vehicle manufacturers.
4) How long will an X9 battery last?
The lifetime of a battery is determined by a number of factors including regularity of play, weight of golf bag, course type, trolley age and trolley type. With this in mind it is not possible to predict how long a battery will last. Despite this, we are confident that an X7 Lithium battery will last five times longer than a lead-acid equivalent.
5) How should an X9 battery be stored if not used for considerable periods of time?
For storage in excess of four months, it is recommended to fully charge the battery before reducing the level of charge to around 60% (ideally by using it for 40% of its capacity). It should then be fully charged prior to its next use.
7) Should a X9 battery be recharged if not been used for a full round?
X9 batteries do not suffer from a “memory effect” seen in certain other high technology batteries. This means that it will not cause any damage to the battery. The only effect will be a quicker charge!
8) What is the best way to maximize the life of an X9 battery?
Thanks to the advanced battery management system, the X9 battery is protected against overcharging and excessive discharge during use. Despite this there is still a danger of damage to the battery if left un-charged after use. The best way to prolong the life of your battery is to charge it as soon as possible after each round.
10) What maintenance is recommended for X9 batteries?
In addition to regular charging, it is recommended to regularly check the battery connections and keep the battery clean with a damp cloth.
11) What battery can I use as a replacement on my X1, X3, X5, X7 or X9?
1. Lead Acid
This is the equivalent battery that was supplied with the X1, X3 and X5.
Providing your original charger is in good working order, you will be able to use this with a replacement lead-acid battery.
2. Lithium Phosphate (LiFePO4)
This is the battery that is supplied as standard with the X7 Lithium and X9 models and is the option that we recommend. It has several significant benefits over the lead-acid battery, such as:
Weight reduction (3kg instead of 12kg)
- Smaller size
- Longer overall life
- More reliable charging
- Constant power delivery (so the trolley won’t slow towards the end of a round)
This is supplied as a set with battery and charger – your old lead-acid charger will not charge the new lithium battery.