EZGO TXT Lithium Conversion Guide (48V and 36V): Fitment, Charger Plug and Install
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The EZGO TXT is the easiest golf cart in America to convert to lithium: a flat, roomy battery bay, a simple wiring layout, and no on-board computer to argue with. The one thing that trips people up is that “TXT” covers two different electrical systems a 36V cart built from 1994 to 2009 and a 48V cart built from 2010 onward and they need different batteries and different charger plugs. This guide covers both, from confirming which one you have to the first charge after the swap.
Step 1: Which TXT Do You Have?
| TXT (36V) | TXT48 (48V) | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years | 1994–2009 (also badged Medalist 1994–95) | 2010–present |
| Stock batteries | Six 6V | Four 12V |
| Drive system | Series (1994–1999) or PDS (2000–2009) | PDS-style with 48V controller |
| Charger plug on cart | Powerwise “D” plug (flat, D-shaped) | Powerwise 3-pin round plug |
| Lithium pack needed | 36V (38.4V nominal) | 48V (51.2V nominal) |
Count the batteries under the seat six means 36V, four means 48V. If the cart has been repowered before and you’re not sure, check the controller label: a 36V controller and a 48V controller are marked as such. Don’t guess from the model year alone; some 2009 carts were sold as 48V and some 2010 stock was still 36V.
Both versions have a Run/Tow switch under the seat. Every step below starts with that switch in TOW. It disconnects the controller so nothing sparks or gets damaged while you’re working on the pack.
Step 2: What You Need to Buy
For a 48V TXT (2010+)
- One 48V lithium pack, 100–150Ah. Most 48V packs measure around 20″ × 12.5″ × 9.5″ and drop straight into the TXT48 tray. Popular choices on Amazon: Vatrer 48V 105Ah, DC HOUSE 48V 100Ah kit, LOSSIGY 48V 100Ah kit. Need more range? The Vatrer 48V 150Ah is the common step up. Use the range guide to pick a size.
- A 48V lithium charger with the Powerwise 3-pin plug. Many kits bundle one check the listing says “EZGO TXT48” or “3-pin Powerwise.” If the bundled charger has a different plug, buy an adapter or a charger with the correct plug rather than cutting the cart’s receptacle.
- A 48V-to-12V reducer if the cart has lights, horn, or a stereo. Under lead-acid these accessories usually tapped one 12V battery; with a single lithium pack that tap no longer exists.
- Hold-down hardware. Some packs ship with a bracket; otherwise a ratchet strap through the tray slots works.
For a 36V TXT (1994–2009)
- One 36V lithium pack, typically 60–105Ah. The six-battery 36V tray is larger than the four-battery 48V tray, so fit is never the issue securing the pack is. See 36V options on Amazon and confirm “EZGO TXT 36V” appears in the fitment list.
- A 36V lithium charger with the Powerwise D plug. The D plug is only used on 36V EZGOs, so any charger sold “for EZGO 36V” will have it.
- A 36V-to-12V reducer for accessories (not a 48V unit).
- Hold-down hardware: more important here because the pack sits in a bay sized for six batteries.
Thinking about going from 36V to 48V at the same time? That’s possible but it means a new controller, solenoid and usually motor in addition to the battery a different project. If you just want lithium, stay at 36V. See our 36V-to-48V conversion guide for the full picture.
Step 3: The Conversion, Step by Step
Time: 1–2 hours. Tools: 1/2″ and 9/16″ wrenches or sockets, wire brush, a helper for lifting (each lead-acid battery weighs 55–65 lb), and safety glasses.
- Run/Tow switch to TOW. Then key off, key out.
- Photograph the existing wiring before touching anything especially where the main positive and main negative leave the pack and where any accessory wires tap in.
- Disconnect the main negative first (the cable that goes from the last battery to the controller/motor side), then the main positive. Tape the cable ends so they can’t touch a terminal while you work.
- Remove the series jumper cables between batteries. Keep the good ones; you may reuse the main leads.
- Lift out the batteries. Use a battery strap or a helper. Set them on cardboard, not concrete, if you’re returning them for a core credit.
- Clean the tray. Neutralize acid residue with a baking-soda-and-water paste, rinse, dry. Wire-brush the tray and any corroded hold-down points. Now is the time to treat rust it’s the only time you’ll see the bare tray.
- Set the lithium pack in the tray with the terminals oriented toward where your main leads reach. On a 48V TXT it usually sits centered; on a 36V TXT choose one end and fill the rest with the pack’s foam spacers or a bolted-in block.
- Secure the pack before connecting anything. Strap or bracket it so it cannot slide forward under braking.
- Connect main positive to the pack’s positive terminal, torque to the pack manufacturer’s spec (typically 8–10 ft-lb for M8 terminals check the manual). Then main negative to the pack’s negative.
- Wire the reducer (if fitted): input across the pack’s positive and negative, output to the accessory circuit where the old 12V tap used to be. Fuse the input.
- Run/Tow switch to RUN. Key on. The cart should wake normally. If it does nothing, see the troubleshooting section below before pulling anything apart.
- Test drive at low speed in an open area, then plug in the charger and confirm it starts a charge cycle.
EZGO-Specific Notes
The PDS controller and regen braking
PDS carts (2000–2009 36V, and all 48V TXTs) use regenerative braking on downhills, which pushes current back into the pack. Every lithium pack sold for golf carts has a BMS that accepts charge current, so this is normal but a pack that’s already at 100% at the top of a long hill can briefly hit its charge-cutoff limit and the cart will feel like it lost the “engine brake” for a moment. It’s not a fault. If you live on a hill, don’t charge to 100% right before descending; many packs let you set a 90% charge limit.
Charger plugs: don’t cut the receptacle
Owners sometimes cut the cart’s charger receptacle and hard-wire a lithium charger with a different plug. It works, but it makes the cart harder to sell and means every future charger needs the same modification. Adapter cables exist for every EZGO plug for a fraction of that headache.
The state-of-charge meter
The factory dash meter on a TXT is calibrated for lead-acid voltage curves. With lithium it will sit near “full” for most of the ride and then drop quickly because lithium holds voltage flat. Most lithium packs include a Bluetooth app or a small external display that reads true state of charge; use that instead. A lithium-calibrated meter is a cheap upgrade if your pack didn’t include one.
Troubleshooting After the Swap
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cart does nothing when key is on | Run/Tow still in TOW, or pack shipped in “sleep” mode | Switch to RUN; press the pack’s wake button or plug in the charger briefly to wake the BMS |
| Cart moves but lights/horn dead | Accessories were tapped from a 12V battery that’s gone | Install a voltage reducer |
| Charger won’t start | Wrong plug, or charger is lead-acid profile | Confirm plug matches; confirm charger is lithium-rated for your voltage |
| Cart cuts out under hard acceleration or on hills | BMS continuous rating below what the controller draws | Check the pack’s BMS rating; 200A is the minimum for a stock TXT48, 250A+ for lifted/upgraded carts |
| Cart lurches or stops briefly going downhill | Regen hitting charge cutoff on a full pack | Charge to 90% instead of 100%; normal behavior otherwise |
| Dash meter reads wrong | Lead-acid calibration | Use the pack’s app/display or a lithium meter |
For deeper diagnostics see Lithium Golf Cart Battery Won’t Charge and Cart Won’t Move After Lithium Conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 48V lithium battery fit an EZGO TXT?
Yes, in a 2010-or-newer TXT48. Nearly every 48V drop-in pack lists the TXT by name. A 1994–2009 36V TXT needs a 36V pack unless you also upgrade the controller and motor.
Do I need a new charger for my EZGO TXT after converting to lithium?
Almost always. The stock Powerwise charger uses a lead-acid profile that most lithium BMS units reject. Buy a lithium charger with the same plug as your cart: D-plug for 36V, 3-pin round for 48V.
How much does an EZGO TXT lithium conversion cost?
A complete 48V kit with charger and reducer typically runs $850–$1,900; 36V kits are usually a little less. Full breakdown in Is a Lithium Conversion Worth It?
Will lithium make my TXT faster?
Top speed is set by the controller and motor, so no. Hill climbing and acceleration improve noticeably because lithium holds voltage under load and the cart is 250–300 lb lighter.
What size lithium battery does an EZGO TXT need?
For a stock TXT48 doing under 15 miles a day, 100–105Ah. For lifted carts, big tires or 20+ mile days, 150Ah. Range estimates by cart type are in the range guide.
Next Steps
Confirmed your TXT is 48V? Compare packs in Best 48V Lithium Golf Cart Battery. Not sure a lithium pack will fit your tray or match your charger port? The fitment guide has the full model table.