Fixing A Free Golf Cart and Saving Money: Tale of a Frugal Tinkerer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ค. 2021
- This is the story about our free 36 volt electric Club Car golf cart and how I restored it seven years ago and then fixed it this spring when the batteries were dead. This video shows the details of why we like to use an electric golf cart to cruise around our country neighborhood in the evenings.
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That was a great relaxing morning with coffee your voice I'm sure I told you is like Kevin Costner.. Your homestead is amazing straight out of a movie thanks for sharing buddy.
Haha! I've had quite a few folks now tell me I sound like Kevin Costner. I really appreciate you watching DB!
My favorite part is always when my little sweeties show up in your video, especially when it shows them from years ago. I did however love the part near the end when you're all standing out by the road and our house is visible across the field,then you drive past your brother's house and ours. It reminds me what a lucky Mom I am to have y'all so close. Means the world to me to have our little world. ❤
I'm glad we all live so close together and we're just a golf cart ride away. Thanks for the great comment Mom!
Nice '63 Split Window, Mrs. Koch!!
@@PatrickWagz Thank you! My husband bought that for me 50 years ago when a 10 yr old vette was less than half the cost of new. He thought it might turn into a classic some day. It was my first car.
You are not the only one that doesn't notice when light bulbs go out until its practically dark in the garage and there's nothing wrong with living on the edge. My Dad always said that if you're not living on the edge then you're taking up too much space. Lol. Great video. Stay safe.
Haha! I hadn't heard that one Blackdog. It's kind of embarrassing to realize you didn't know 3 bulbs were out until you're reaching for a flashlight to do anything!
I wonder how many times you have stumbled across something sitting out, abandoned and forgotten, and then bring it back to life, you have a knack for it, very good video
This stuff seems to find me somehow! I get such a kick out of trying to "polish a turd". Thanks a bunch Tony!
You made the cart look great. New life. And your family has a good way to spend some time together and see the neighbors. Your daughter's laugh cracked me up. LOL
Nothing like a good belly laugh from a child to brighten the mood! Appreciate the kind words!
Can't tell you how many times my fathers old Schumacher "dumb charger" has brought a battery back to life for me. Good to know there are still other folks out there that don't give up on things so easily.
Right on Richard!
OMG I CANNOT HANDLE THE ADORABLE “…end up with multiples.” and the shot of the twins. That is incredibly sweet! ❤
Another great video. It’s always nice to feel that someone has the same ideas and values as you. Happy Mother’s Day to your wife.
Thanks so much Mike. You're certainly right. My wife said this is probably here favorite video so it counts as a Mother's Day gift from me! Win, win! She's a terrific wife and mother so thanks for passing that along!
Great video Neil! Most of our projects are plagued with the “but first...” task list as well. The girls will always remember those cart rides!
Hey thanks Mike! Ain't it true though. I can never just start a project and get through it uninterrupted. But hey, keeps it interesting. Thanks for stopping in sir!
"Slow down and spend some family time together".
Best channel on TH-cam!!
Hey, you're too kind! Appreciate you watching!
I was looking for information about gas golf carts, but stayed for the great story! Treasure what you have. 👍
Thanks a lot Matthew!
I've been looking for a golf cart for the same uses. Summertime strolls visiting neighbors and enjoying life. Time goes so quickly, sometimes we forget to slow down and enjoy it!
So very true. We love having ours. Being slow gives you more time to talk too.
I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who writes the date I put in the new bulb so I can compare how long the previous one lasted.
Neil, the smile on your face tells me that is is an AWESOME video. Once again, thanks for sharing such quality content.
Really appreciate that sir. This video was a little more for me and family I suppose but really glad that people can connect with it. Thanks for watching!
I over here in Tennessee and know of an excavator and another heavy piece of machinery that have been on the side of the road for years. I would love to see those come back to life
If you’re interested I’ll find out what I can do to make it happen my guy!
I’ve got a 1959 Porter cable tractor that i pulled out of my uncles tractor scrap pile. i built a mini hay wagon for it so we could go ride around the old neighborhood with it for the same reason. It turned into a allis chalmers b replica just so people would recognize it more, and I made it shoot flames so when people wernt already paying attention, they were forced to look when a 15’ flame came outta no where. 🤣 Now we live further out in the country too, and on a dirt road. I’ve got the itch to get something with a windshield, that’s a little faster now myself. Loved the video as usual Neil.
That sounds awesome Rob! I live stuff like that and wish I got to do more of that kinda project. Thanks so much for sharing and as always, really appreciate you watching!
This was so fun to watch! We have an electric golf cart at our Vocational School to ride when needed. It quit like that a few times and wouldn’t charge, followed the same steps you went through and it will start going again. I’ve been expecting to buy batteries for the last 4 years! Have a good day!
Thanks a lot Ben! Sounds like I'm not the only one. Hopefully I can squeeze a few more years out of it too then. Thanks so much for watching!
You know even if it leaves you stranded you're not going to give up on it... You're like me you're the king of lost causes. I bet everybody in your family says, how do you get such good deals on stuff like that all the time. I always tell him because I'm willing to work on something and make it a good deal. Great video love seeing the family. God bless you and yours.
Thanks so much! You know you're not wrong! I have people say that to me all the time! And, I sure as heck won't give up on a lost cause very quickly either. Thanks for a great comment sir.
I scrolled down a few pages to see if it was listed (didn't see it, but I did see your dedication to your comment section!) but I came across another guy a few years ago that has a method for hooking up an inverter welder to essentially bake off the sulfites that form on the lead acid plates from repeated charges/normal cycles over several years. Whenever it decides to stop raining, I'll be doing another batch here shortly, but he claims if you do it every few years, you'll never have to replace a lead acid battery again. I suspect 'never' is a bit optimistic as the plates will wear out eventually, but if I can get 10 years out of a 4-5 year battery, I call it a win!
Don't be frugal with that dielectric gel though. I slather it on the terminals and in every connection I have access to. Works wonders for fighting corrosion.
(Also kudos for slipping that read-into-it joke by the youtube algorithim!! 😁)
Awesome! I may need to look into that trick for the batteries. We're still running the same batteries as what are seen in this video but they seem to be nearing the end it seems (8 years old)
Very awesome video. Enjoyable to watch. Very peaceful. I like making things last and repairing. Can't get rid of something with life left in it. Great lovely family video. Kudos to you and your family.
Thanks and so glad you enjoyed it
good idea, taking the family on the test drive. That way they can push you home if it quits.
Great video, thanks.
Haha! Well, I wasn't going to be able to steer it home without someone to push! At least in today's age we have the security of a cell phone! Thanks George.
Great little video 💙 I have a semi that gives me similar issues and I’ve found that doing exactly what you did - completely cleaning and regreasing all the battery terminals - usually gets that job done. I’ve learned a lot owning my own rig over the last seven years. And one thing is to include my battery box with bi-yearly preventative maintenance.
You're so right. A little battery maintenance goes a long way for sure. Only because you're a truck owner did you catch the video I did on my Dad's semi? Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for this information! I’m taking on a cart project 🤦🏾♂️
A good lesson to teach the next generation! Thank you for the video!
I hope they're learning something from this kinda thing, other than Dad is always working on junk! 😋
Me too I love golf car so close to the nature feel like you can fly the fresh air around your body head to toes
You're a skillful storyteller, Neil. Thanks.
Great video! Your story telling gets better and better!
Thanks Jamie I really appreciate that comment. I am really working on it so feels good to hear that.
The Titanic has less corrosion than those battery terminals! Great job.
Haha! Probably so!
A cart ride brings the family together and builds memories
Lol glad there are a few of us frugal fixers out there.
Other then the colour of our tractors we are cut from the same cloth.
Appreciate it Jonathan!
Thanks for putting this video together. Nice job!
Appreciate it very much!
Nice story line, nice drone shots and editing! Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate the kind words Bob!
I think you are my new favorite channel. Keep on keeping on 👊
Wow! Thanks for that Sam. You're too kind but I'm gonna keep on trying for sure. Appreciate you watching!
I like your guard cat
That cat follows me back and forth to the shop everyday. She's been a good cat for the past 17 years!
Your editing and story telling is always exceptional. The idea of a tinkerer is very relateable to me. I maybe try to find some balance, for example I have a new tractor/mower (JD 1-series) but I'm always buying "deals" for implements and attachments. My general theory, is if I need it on a weekly basis then I cannot afford to be working on it all the time. I seem to always have a list of projects to work on, as I'm sure you do as well. I've really enjoyed all your videos and your creativity to being committed to being frugal.
Thanks Kyle, I really appreciate those thoughtful comments. I agree whole heartedly with you. I went that direction with our vehicles as I used to work on all my own stuff. I no longer have the time to be messing with our daily driven vehicles so we have made sure to have good options there. If it is for hobby or side work income, then I tend to get creative and more willing to put up with repairs, etc. I really like the balance of some nice things mixed with the fixer uppers. Thanks for watching!
Great Story , Great fix Neil .👍
Sure do appreciate it Ron!
I finally figured out who his voice reminds me of. Kevin Costner from Dances with Wolves... Is it just me?
Not just you. I've had like a dozen people tell me that now. Hope it isn't a bad thing! Thanks for watching!
Always great content, better than any tv show!👍
I really appreciate that Brad! Thanks for watching.
Sure enjoy watching you Neil. Found your channel and like your subjects and camera sense Stay safe
Thanks Michael and Welcome! I really appreciate you checking out the channel and taking the time to say Hi!
Great video Neil, super cool cart, love the wheels 👍🏻
Thanks! I loved the rims too. I'm a sucker for those old "turbine" style wheels.
Great job! I love my club car DS. Mine is a gasser though. Nice edit. -Ed
Thanks Ed! I wanted a gasser too, but wife wanted this. I could still be persuaded to have gas though for those long distance trips! Thanks so much for watching!
Another great video Neil! I love the part about multiples of everything 😂 have a great week and thanks for curing my withdrawals from last week
Appreciate it Mike! Glad I could take care of those withdrawals!
from the Netherlands thanks for the video Neil and Fam
Thank you Mr. Hollandduck!
Awesome video...thank you for sharing!
great video awesome storytelling
Thanks
Good work with the family time.
This is giving me the “Dances with Wolves” movie vibe lol you sound just like Kevin Costner
Ha! I get that a lot :)
It seems every time I watch one of your videos, my heart always feels a bit better than normal happy. Thanks 😁
That's a nice comment to read John. I'm glad this video has come across this way as that is what I had in mind. Appreciate your support of the channel sir!
Neil Koch: Dig-Drive-DIY your videos support my life with learning and enjoyment , it goes both ways.
nice video Neil....what a great place to bring up a family..:)
Thanks John. We like it out here!
We've got an EZGO with 6 12 volt batteries and a pretty cool smart charger. The distributor said that we can just leave it plugged in all winter long. Let acid batteries are not affected in a negative way. According to them. Our golf cart is now 5 years old and the batteries act like new 👍🏼
My problem is that I'm a tinkerer, I enjoy fixing things - but I'm cursed with chronic fatigue and muscle pain that's left me disabled. Lyme disease is not a joke, make sure you use repellant to keep the blood suckers away.
Great reminder sir. I'm sorry to hear of your unfortunate circumstance. I'm thankful to be able to do what I do, that is for sure. I appreciate you watching the channel.
Thos video taught me the power in persistence!!
Love your videos and sense of trying to get every drop of usefulness out of something. Now with that being said. I used to work at Exide battery making the industrial fork lift battery's. If they forgot to put water in BEFORE charging they could sometimes over heat and explode. The water is also what carries the positive electron's around inside through the plates. I think. Don't hold me to that last part. I just built them. Didn't really understand them.
Very good tip Charles. I should have filled them up first. Most of them still had a good amount of water in them though fortunately so not too risky at least. Glad to hear the reminder though! Thanks for watching and commenting!
In recognition of your demonstrated lifetime commitment to frugal living, I hereby dub you an honorary Scotsman, laddie. Choose the hallowed surname of your choice; MacDougal the Frugal; McNaught Lets Naught Go to Waste; McNeil, Neil McNeil; McCurdy the Hurdy-Gurdy Man. Two observations: 1) I hope ye checked the wire connection on the black lead on the battery charger. 2) Ye need to get a job in a better neighborhood with newer relics in the fencerows. Carry on!
Haha! Love this! You've got some great names there. Since some folks already call me Neily, I think I'd go with "Neily McNeil". Sounds Irish enough :) You're right on those observations though. I did scope out the black one too and I'm always watching the backyards for new lawn relics so I can catch 'em fore they sit too long now!
Great video, very nice editing
i missed this one some how but you got a 👍 up now lol
This one is having a little surge of interest for some reason 🤔
Must be golf cart season?
I use CRC disk brake quiet spray on my batteries been 2 years on my car and haven't noticed any fuzzies around the terminals. easy to apply and comes off easy with a wire brush.
I need to try that for sure! Thanks for the tip!
The life of the batteries depends greatly on the quality of the charger. I see you have a Lester Ii charger. They are great with excellent factory support. Good for you! That's a giant step in achieving a long life out of your batteries.
You make really nice videos!. Thank you
Thanks! That means a lot to me.
Neil, I understand totally that part about being frugal. I have a corner of my shop dedicated to it. There are 3 or 4 corded drills, a couple of circular saws, my dad’s old air compressor, a pole lamp, a jig saw, a saber saw and half a dozen solar lights. That is just from memory.... because I don’t really look at that corner unless I have something to add to it.
You see, they are too ‘good’ to just throw away... but not running or too worn out to use. I should probably fix the ones that I can and scrap the rest.... but electronic and mechanical repairs just don’t inspire my inner tinkerer.
Last month, my neighbor and I were tearing down an old house. Inside was an antique Cheval mirror and a wash stand with a marble bowl. I latched onto those like a leach to a bare leg.
When I sat them next to my pile of frugality ... it was apparent that it was time to thin the herd. There is no way that I’m ever going to engage my inner tinkerer on most of the pile.
What I need to do is call that old guy I know who operates a matchmaking business. He takes old frugal and sells or trades it to tinkerers.
I’ve never seen his business establishment. But, I’ve been told that it is 3 acres of pure frugal bliss. And, I’m pretty sure that he still has room for my 16 square feet of it. Which, coincidentally is just enough to fit that antique mirror and wash stand.
I think I’ll do that because I’m sure that restoring them will renew my inner frugal tinkerer... especially if I replace the burnt out bulb over ‘frugal corner’!
Thanks for the inspiration! That just got added to my ‘To Do’ list... which as you know is right below the ‘Honey Do’ list!!!
I appreciate hearing your take on it. I had a feeling you were a frugal tinkerer at heart. Hopefully this concept made sense as I struggled to convey what I wanted to say. I have several corners in a couple buildings like the one you described! My biggest hurdle is resisting the urge to add to it rather than take away it seems.
But, the older I get the more I'm willing to buy something that needs less to no work. As you noticed, there is a Jeep in our life now that didn't require any wrenching on my part. I almost bought one that needed a rear end and some other repairs, but thought I'd rather head to the ice cream shop than be working on it all summer. So far, the frugal tinkerer is content with being a little less frugal as time seems in short supply these days anyway. Plus, the wife insisted!
Thanks for the great comment and your solid support of the channel Dave. Have a great week!
@@digdrivediy your thoughts were well put and successfully conveyed! Age has a way of changing out time management... especially so for those of us who are getting “well aged”!
I bought a smart charger that you can force it to charge even does 8 volt golf cart batteries. Once in a while I like to fully charge each battery to individual voltage and my rural king cart batteries are on year 5
I love this. I'm searching Craigslist and FB for a free electric golf carts. Great video shots. GOTTA get me a golf cart soon!
Thanks a bunch Tim. I appreciate you watching it and the kind words. Good luck with your search for a cart!
What an amazing video lol I loved this
What a great video, thanks man!
Appreciate it!
I've always had good luck with the CRC brand Battery Terminal Protector that comes in a spray can. Easy enough to wipe off if you need to pull a battery, convenient enough to give a little extra spray when doing other work under the hood. I've found quite a few old "dumb" battery chargers at estate & garage sales. Most just needed connectors fixed and a little cleaning on the inside and they are as good as new. Can't tell you how many times people needed to borrow mine because their "smart" charger wouldn't work.
Great tip!
Wow
Ur videos or just amazing.
It was really cool how you showed ur equipment coming about. I really think u should make a video on that. Please dude!!!!! That was so cool how u started with that beat up ford and made it beautiful.
What you do is amazing
Don’t stop
Thanks I appreciate it. I may do a more in depth back story type of video someday. I've been working on some ideas for that and thanks for suggesting it. There is an old video on here of me restoring that dump truck even though it is nothing like my current videos. Thanks for watching!
Great job thank you love your videos
Thanks so much Ed!
You can use 3 12v deep cycle battery’s. Just did mine. Takes couple hundred pounds of weight off and it’s like $250 for fresh battery’s
Great video.
Thanks!
A bad boy cart would be the perfect golf cart for where you guys live. They can off road and carry stuff like a side by side. You can even tow trailers with them. Unfortunately they got bought out by Textron and I don’t think they make them anymore. If you want an off-road cart like a bad boy there are modifications you can do to a 72 volt EZ-GO. I know you guys probably don’t want one since you got this thing for free but I just thought it would be worth mentioning.
Yeah, sure worth mentioning as I have never heard or seen one that I know of. I wish this did have a little more range and a little heavier towing capacity. That Bad Boy cart sounds like a nice unit. Thanks for watching!
hahaha when it says most of the times and he has twin girls LOL perfect timing.... I'm learning to be the same way figuring out how to fix things . I just got a golf cart from my boss for 1/4th of the price And it was a 48 volt and two batteries were not taking a charge out of the 4 ... i put it on the old school charger but it was already too late .. they were run low on water for too long. The tester said they not bad but they just didn't hold a charge or get to full. SO and i had to get batteries and I went all knew because knew a guy and saved 350 bucks on 12 volt batteries because he deals with golf carts resells them batteries by the pallet . So i paid . Still was 900 bucks but refurbished were 650 and new anywhere else was over 1200 bucks so i figured i might as well go new. I was already saving money so i figured its the heart of the cart. so 1900 bucks all together cart and batteries i have a really nice cart and now. I get to fix her up even more the way I want. My friend re sells them and he said he could make it worth 6500 bucks so that's what im gonna try to do ...
Great video 👍🏼👍🏼🇺🇸
Thanks Kevin!
Sharing my old age. Clean up battery terminals. Put some Coke in to a squeeze bottle, apply to aria of acid buildup. Slow is best. Use throw away rags and rubber gloves. It kills the active acid and then wire brush contact arises. Blessing’s to all.❤
I think that I probably need to be doing this. Thanks for the tip!
Cool blog man
Great video!!
My Dad used to put a baby asprin in each hole of the battery. it worked great for the graintruck!! Maybe you can get another season out of those!!
Thanks Muryl! I'll need to try that asprin trick. Never heard of that but makes sense with the pH I suppose. Thanks for watching!
@@digdrivediy thanks for all the great videos!! My Dad had a 110 Deere. Learned to backup a short coupled trailer with that rig!!
Great video! We are too much alike. Most of my toys start out this way, easier to upgrade later. When you have sweat equity.
So true Jake. I really like the thrill of fixing up something that someone else threw out. Means so much when you have that sweat equity in it. Thanks for watching!
Now that's the kind of cart I'm looking for! A freebie that needs a little personal TLC. Nice job on it! I think you might have said it, but what is the furthest you've rolled with it before the batteries died out? The landscape look's exactly like where I grew up in NW Minnesota. Our little old farm house was smack in the middle of wheat, barley, potato, occasionally corn, and sugar beet fields as far as the eye could see. I used to joke that the only trees on the landscape were around houses for windbreaks or along the rivers and creeks. Felt a little nostalgia watching. Thanks.
Appreciate it sir. Yep, our landscape is pretty wide open. I'm glad it reminded you of home. I think we went over 12 miles on one of our first trips with new batteries. They weren't dead yet though at the end. We regularly do 5-6 mile trips all the time. I've never pushed it to see how far it would go, although I have pushed it home from the corner before.... but that's because it didn't have a fresh charge :) Thanks for watching!
I ended up switching to 3 12 volt deep cycle batteries and a 3 bank charger/maintainer. I use the stock charger for quick charges, which we seldom need.
Yes, top the batteries up every month or so. The more power used before charging the less life lead acid batteries will have. In the summer take a ride and top off when you get back. Maybe you can squeeze another two years out of them!
I'm hoping so. They've been fine so far this summer.
Hey Neil happy mothers day.
Hey Ryan! I'm lucky to have a great Mom that still spoils us and a great wife that is a fantastic Mother to our girls. Was grateful to spend the day with both of them today. Thanks for checking out the video.
Definitely charge over the winter. Lead acids degrade when discharged. Keep all your truck/tractor batteries topped off too. Thanks for the video Neil! Well done.
Frugal is one thing, but if you start reusing coffee grounds, I'll unsubscribe!
Haha! No reused grounds for me unless the situation is dire. We went snowmobiling one time and ran out of coffee...Oh, I better not tell you I don't want to lose a sub 😉
I'm gonna make a commitment to doing a better job of keeping them charged in the winter. When thinking about all the tractor batteries...I'm thinking about reducing the number of tractors. Ha!
Suggest you leave the charger plugged in all winter and check water once a month.
I appreciate the suggestion. That is likely good advice. I wonder if my charger turns back on when the voltage gets low? I assume it must although I've never tried it. I just fixed another battery cable on this thing last night when you must have made this comment! What are the odds? Thanks for watching!
Allowing those batteries to die over the winter is a bad idea. But otherwise, I did enjoy your video. I have just rehabbed a gas cart I bought from my neighbor. Set it on fire before I got out of his yard, resulting in repairs I didn't plan on.
you sir are very talented!! not only good at fixing things but very artistic! Your story telling is top notch!!! you definitely earned my sub!
Well thanks so much Joseph. Very kind of you to say. Thanks for the sub I really appreciate it!
nice story
Thanks for watching
"Mate" ! Just leave it plugged in, it has OBC to take care of the charging. ensure you keep up regular battery maintainance, at least once a month.
Even if you only use it for 10min plug it back in, long periods of discharge is the KILLER of GC battries.
And yes I look after lots of them, everyday.
Nice life there enjoy 😉
Nice video add a solar panel or two to the top and it will always be trickle charged
I’m watching this with the volume way down so I must assume you flew the drone around the neighborhood until you spotted an abandoned golf cart, am I close? Can’t wait to see what it becomes!
You're actually pretty close! Except I spotted it from the road driving to work. I just asked about it one day day and they said "take it".
Saludos desde Panamá 🇵🇦🇵🇦🔥🔥🇵🇦🇵🇦
Hello Panama!
Is that a pool/pond @:18? Those are definitely some beautiful properties.
Yes sir, that is my brother's pond. We dug it in 2010. Thanks for checking out this video. Looks like I need to step up my golf cart game from what I just saw on your channel! Nice!
@@digdrivediy LOL, I appreciate the comment. Do you guys use that to swim/relax? What is the size of it?
Yeah, it is for recreation and fishing. We have lots of family gatherings centered around that pond and the kids have a blast. It is about a 1/3 acre I believe.
Is anyone else astounded that he spent good money on "lift kits" and chrome wheels before he checked to see if he could make it run?
No, I made sure that it ran first. You can see pics of my wife driving it in the field after installing the new batteries. Thanks for checking out the video!! :)
I would like to know more about the dandy of a 3 wheeler I see in the back ground
My Grandpa bought it new in 1985. After he passed in 1992 my uncle took it and kept it for about 20 years at his place and then about 10 years ago my uncle handed it down to me. I enjoy tooling around the neighborhood on it in the summer.
Those trojans like to be kept fully charged and hate to be discharged below 50%. Throw a smart charger on them and leave them plugged in all winter and they will last for years.
I saved my cfls for lights that don't get used much. Got a drawer full of them lol. When I pass my son is going to be like why did he save all these old bulbs?
Good stuff as always! What camera did you put up in the can light? We have loved our golf cart as well!
Why thank you much friend. I was able to stash my little DJI OSMO Action in the can light housing to get that shot. I thought it was pretty cool! Thanks for watching as always!
Great video. Your my kinda people lol
Thanks as always Kory. We're easily amused around here 😋
Great video buddy \m/ P.S I see those drums.
I painted my club car the EXACT same color.
That's wild. Good choice 👍🏻
Made me want to live on a farm.
I watch a video on maintaining cart batteries the gentleman said to wear safety classes and long sleeve shirt and pants that batteries are dangerous, food for thought
That's a great suggestion!