Advancements in battery technologies have allowed manufactures such as Powerbug to manufacture compact, easy to handle and functional golf bag trolleys. This allows golf lovers to have easy access to their various golf clubs without the need to carry heavy golf club bags on their shoulders when moving around the golf course. The Powerbug golf trolley is convenient, easy to use and more than capable to transport all the equipment the golfer needs on the golf course without pushing it around thanks to its electric motor. The golf trolley uses a lithium battery to supply power to the electric motor that drives the wheels.
Table of Contents
Powerbug Golf Trolley Specifications
The Powerbug golf trolley is an electric golf bag trolley that uses the energy from its battery to power the motor that drives the wheels of the trolley such that the user does not need to push the trolley around. He or she can select between the 9 drive speeds and allow the trolley to move by its own power. The trolley also provides an option to bypass the electric drive system by not fully inserting the wheels in to the axle. The rear wheels should clip only to the outer groove hence the trolley wheels don’t receive the power from the electric motor. This allows the operator to manually push the trolley around the golf course if they desire to do so. This can also come in handy if the battery develops problems and hence fails to function. In this case the owner can still push the trolley around the course with relative ease. The Power bug trolley uses a stable three-wheel arrangement to support the weight of the trolley bag up to 20kg. The Powerbug trolley uses a 195.36 WH mini-battery or a standard battery of 201.6 WH allowing the trolley to travel over 10km or 18 holes plus depending on the battery. Despite the many benefits of the PowerBug golf trolley it does have a few problems stated below.
1. Battery Problems
Battery Weight And Limited Range
The batteries used in the Powerbug electric golf trolley have one problem in particular which is weight. The lithium-ion batteries used in some of the Powerbug golf trolley models despite being lighter than lead acid batteries also used are still relatively heavy. The Powerbug electric golf trolley standard lithium-ion battery weighs 2.2kgs which is above 21% of the total PowerBug trolley weight hence giving the trolley a limited range of 10km. The battery also deteriorates over time and hence carries lesser energy as the trolley ages giving it lesser range. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use the designated Powerbug golf trolley charger and also avoid charging the battery in extremely cold or hot weather. The battery should be kept in a cool dry place and charged regularly. Temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius can also cause problems with the battery. The lead acid batteries are also heavier while giving the Powerbug a range of only 7.5km hence the lithium-ion battery is favoured.
Flammability Of The Battery
The lithium-ion battery used in the Powerbug golf trolley is very flammable and can react violently with water and other liquids hence to solve this problem the battery should not be submerged in water or any other liquids even for cleaning purposes. Deforming the battery by applying pressure or penetrating the battery with nails can also cause the battery to explode hence it should not be punctured any how to solve the problem. Short circuiting the battery can also cause the battery to generate large amounts of heat which may damage the battery hence don’t allow metal objects to come into contact with the battery terminals. Lead acid batteries also have a problem of producing explosive gases hence prevent flames and sparks from coming close to the battery.
Charger Issues
Using unknown and unauthorized chargers with the Powerbug electric golf trolley can severely damage the battery as it is designed to only handle the rated amounts of currents and voltage which is 12V DC with 2 A for the mini lithium-ion battery, 12V DC with 3 A for the standard lithium-ion battery and 12 V DC with 4 A for the lead acid battery. Misuse of the battery charger can also damage or fry the electronic components in the charger and the PowerBug golf trolley. To avoid heating problems when charging the Powerbug trolley charge in a cool dry place.
2. Cumbersome PCB Battery Replacement
The Powerbug electric golf trolley uses a printed circuit board (PCB) that is located in the handle panel and to access the PCB in order to carry out a battery replacement one needs to lower the accessories panel and also remove the screws behind the handle in order to gain access to the PCB. This can be time consuming and cumbersome if one does not have the necessary tools such as the required screw drivers hence to solve this problem it is recommended to always carry the suitable and accompanying tool set where its easily accessible for when the need arises.
3. Insufficient Motor Power
The Powerbug electric golf trolley faces challenges particularly on uphill terrains, especially those fitted with a slightly less powerful motor. The trolley may fail to climb the hill and slid backwards. A good solution to solve this problem is to buy a trolley model with a more powerful motor if the trolley will be driven on uneven terrains.
4. USB Device Charging Pot Inefficiencies
The USB charging pot used to charge mobile or GPS devices has a low charging rate and so will not be suitable for fast charging any device. The USB charger point takes power from the main Powerbug trolley battery hence can reduce the battery capacity. To solve this problem the Powerbug USB pot should only be used when the battery has sufficient power. It is also recommended not to use the USB pot unnecessarily
5. Motor Damage
The Powerbug electric golf trolley motor can get damaged and fail to provide power to the wheels. If this problem develops it is advisable to get a newer motor from the Power bug supplier that has the power requirements that match that of the battery in order to avoid having power problems.
6. Speed Control Switch Malfunction
The Powerbug electric golf trolley speed control switch can get damaged and fail to respond to the commands of the operator. This problem can be solved by always ensuring the water proof seal on the handles are not compromised as water or moisture can penetrate the handle and severely damage the electronics that control the Powerbug trolley including the speed control switch. Ensure the trolley is handled with care and not exposed to environments that can damage it.
7. Front Wheel Alignment Problems
The front wheel alignment controls the ability of the Powerbug golf trolley to travel in a straight line, hence if the trolley develops problems and fails to travel in a straight line calibrate the front wheel by using the adjusters on either side of the front wheel assembly. This should address the problem.
8. Lack Of A Remote-Control Handset
The Powerbug golf trolley does not come with a dedicated remote-control handset that would allow the user to control the trolley for afar. The trolley is controlled using hand controls which may not always be convenient on steep descents especially for order people. The speed of the trolley as well as the steepness of slopes may be a problem for older people to follow. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use the trolley on lower speeds so as to be able to maintain control at all times.
