Club Car Onward & Tempo Lithium Battery Guide: ERIC Charger, Fitment and Dash Display
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The Club Car Onward and Tempo are the newest carts most people convert, and they’re different from the DS and Precedent in one welcome way: no on-board computer to bypass. They also came in three battery configurations from the factory, including Club Car’s own lithium, so “converting an Onward” can mean replacing lead-acid, upgrading a factory lithium pack, or replacing a failed one. This guide covers all three, the ERIC charging system, and what happens to the dash when you fit an aftermarket pack.
Step 1: Which Onward or Tempo Do You Have?
| Onward (lead-acid) | Onward Li-ion / HP | Tempo (fleet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model years | 2017 to present | 2019 to present | 2017 to present |
| Stock batteries | Six 8V | Factory lithium (Club Car branded pack) | Six 8V, or factory lithium on Tempo Li-ion |
| Voltage | 48V | 48V | 48V |
| Motor | DC (IQ) or AC (HP) | AC (HP models) | DC or AC depending on year |
| Charging system | ERIC (external charger with CAN link) | ERIC | ERIC |
| On-board computer | No | No | No |
| Charger plug on cart | Round 3-pin | Round 3-pin | Round 3-pin |
| Lithium pack needed | 48V drop-in, 105 to 160Ah | 48V replacement pack | 48V drop-in |
The serial plate is under the passenger-side dash. Lift the seat: six 8V batteries means a lead-acid cart; one or two large black boxes with a Club Car label means factory lithium. Tempo carts are the fleet version sold to golf courses and are now common on the used market; mechanically they’re an Onward without the trim, and everything below applies.
The ERIC Charging System: What Changes With Lithium
Onward and Tempo carts don’t have the old OBC. Instead, Club Car’s ERIC charger talks to the cart over a data link, checks the pack, and runs a lead-acid or Club Car lithium profile depending on what it finds. Two consequences for a conversion:
- The factory ERIC charger will not charge an aftermarket lithium pack. It expects either lead-acid behaviour or a Club Car pack it can communicate with. It may refuse to start, or start and stop. Plan on a standard lithium charger with the round 3-pin plug; the FORM 48V Club Car charger has a LiFePO4 profile and the right plug.
- There is nothing to bypass. The charger receptacle’s positive and negative go to the pack directly. Some carts have a small data connector at the receptacle; leave it disconnected. The cart drives normally without it.
Step 2: What You Need to Buy
- One 48V lithium pack. The Onward tray is generous and takes any standard drop-in pack, including 150 and 160Ah sizes. Popular choices on Amazon: Vatrer 48V 105Ah, DC HOUSE 48V 100Ah kit, LOSSIGY 48V 100Ah kit. Onward HP and 6-passenger carts, and anything lifted, want the Vatrer 48V 150Ah or larger. For hilly terrain or HP models, favour a pack with a 250A BMS such as the Cloudenergy 48V 105Ah. Full spec comparison in Best 48V Lithium Golf Cart Battery.
- A lithium charger with the round 3-pin Club Car plug, unless the pack kit includes one that names the Onward. Details in the charger guide.
- A 48V-to-12V reducer. Onward carts have lights, and many have a stereo and USB ports. Some Onwards have a factory DC-DC converter already; test the lights after the swap before buying. The Pro Chaser 30A is the standard pick if you need one. See the reducer guide.
- Hold-down hardware to secure a single pack in a six-battery tray.
- A lithium meter. On the Onward this is close to mandatory; see the dash section below. Lithium-calibrated meters.
Step 3: The Conversion, Step by Step
Time: 1 to 2 hours. Tools: 1/2″ and 9/16″ wrenches or sockets, wire brush, safety glasses, a helper.
- Run/Tow switch to TOW. Under the seat, driver’s side. Key off, key out.
- Photograph the wiring, including the charger receptacle wires and any data connector near it.
- Disconnect the main negative first, then the main positive. Tape the ends.
- Remove the batteries. Lead-acid: pull the series jumpers and lift out six 8V units. Factory lithium: disconnect the pack’s main leads and any communication cable, then unbolt the pack; it is heavy and usually secured with a bracket rather than a bar.
- Clean the tray and treat any rust.
- Set and secure the new pack with terminals toward the main leads. Use the factory bracket with spacers, or a strap, before connecting anything.
- Connect main positive, then main negative, torqued to spec.
- Connect the charger receptacle positive and negative to the pack terminals. Leave the ERIC data connector unplugged and taped.
- Wire the reducer if the lights are dead after the swap.
- Wake the pack if it shipped in sleep mode, switch to RUN, key on, test drive slowly, then confirm the new charger starts a cycle.
Onward-Specific Notes
The dash display will change
Onward Li-ion and HP carts show state of charge on the dash by reading data from the factory pack. An aftermarket pack doesn’t send that data, so the display typically goes blank, freezes at its last value, or shows a battery warning icon. The cart drives normally; the warning has no effect on speed or operation. Owners handle it two ways: an external lithium meter mounted on the dash, or the pack’s own Bluetooth app. Don’t expect the factory display to work again unless you buy a Club Car pack.
HP models pull hard
The Onward HP’s AC drive draws more current under acceleration and on hills than the DC version. A 200A BMS is the minimum; 250A gives margin, and on a lifted HP with big tires 250A is the sensible choice. If the cart cuts out for a second under hard throttle after the swap, the BMS is at its limit.
Replacing a failed factory lithium pack
Out-of-warranty Club Car lithium packs are expensive to replace like-for-like. An aftermarket 48V pack is the usual route and costs a fraction of the dealer price. You lose the dash integration and the ERIC charger; you gain the option of more capacity than the factory pack had. Confirm with the seller that they have your Onward year running on their pack, and buy the charger at the same time.
Tempo carts from a golf course
Fleet Tempos are often sold with tired lead-acid sets and a speed-limited controller setting. The lithium conversion is identical to the Onward. If the cart feels slow after the swap, that’s the fleet speed setting, not the battery; a dealer or a handheld programmer can adjust it.
Troubleshooting After the Swap
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Factory ERIC charger won’t charge | ERIC needs a Club Car pack or lead-acid | Use a standard lithium charger with the 3-pin plug |
| Dash battery display blank or shows a warning | No data from aftermarket pack | Normal; use an external meter or the pack app |
| Cart does nothing when key is on | TOW mode, or pack in sleep mode | Switch to RUN; wake the BMS |
| Lights or stereo dead | 12V tap gone (carts without factory DC-DC) | Install a reducer |
| Cuts out under acceleration (HP) | BMS rating too low for AC drive | 250A BMS, or two packs in parallel |
| Cart feels slow after swap (Tempo) | Fleet speed setting in controller | Controller programming, not a battery issue |
Charging faults not covered here: Lithium Golf Cart Battery Won’t Charge: 9 Causes in Order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Club Car Onward need an OBC bypass for lithium?
No. The Onward and Tempo use the ERIC charging system, not an on-board computer. Wire the charger receptacle directly to the pack and use a lithium charger.
Can I use the factory Club Car charger with an aftermarket lithium battery?
Generally no. The ERIC charger expects lead-acid or a Club Car lithium pack it can talk to. A standard 48V lithium charger with the round 3-pin plug replaces it.
Will my Onward’s dash still show battery level with an aftermarket pack?
Usually not. The display reads data from the factory pack. Use the new pack’s app or an external lithium meter.
What size lithium battery does a Club Car Onward need?
105Ah for a stock 2 or 4-passenger cart doing under 15 miles a day. 150Ah or more for 6-passenger, lifted, or HP carts and long days. Estimate your own range in the range calculator.
Is an aftermarket lithium pack safe in an Onward?
Yes, with the same conditions as any cart: a LiFePO4 pack with a BMS rated for the controller’s draw, a lithium-rated charger, and no charging below freezing. If certification matters to you, choose a UL 2271 listed pack.
Next Steps
Compare packs in Best 48V Lithium Golf Cart Battery, or see the DS and Precedent, which do need the OBC bypass, in the Club Car DS & Precedent guide. The full model table is in the fitment guide.
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