How to Connect Headlights to a Golf Cart (10 Steps)
If you're going to be hooking up headlights to your golf cart, there are a few things you need to know.
I will walk you through the process in detail and share all the necessary steps.
Things You'll Need
You will need the following things:
- Screwdrivers (both standard and Phillips)
- Electric drill (with bits of the right size)
- Plastic container (or bag for collecting screws and other bits)
- Voltmeter (or multimeter) to check battery charge and indicators
- Mounting kit containing mounting brackets
Light Connection Steps
Step 1: Park the cart
Park the cart in neutral (or park) gear and place bricks on the front and rear wheels to keep it from moving.
Step 2: Disconnect the batteries
Disconnect the cart's batteries so they don't accidentally cause electrical problems while working on the wiring. There may be up to six batteries, usually located under the seat, but they may be elsewhere. Either turn them off completely, or at least disconnect them from the negative terminals.
Step 3: Install the light
After the batteries are disconnected, you can install the lights.
Try to set them high for maximum visibility. After making sure that the position is optimal, fix the luminaires using the mounting brackets from the mounting kit. Then attach the brackets to either the cart bumper or roll bar.
Some mounting kits limit the choice of where to place the luminaires. In this case, you may have to follow the design specified or allowed by the kit. It is preferable to follow the guidelines, especially if, for example, you are installing 12-volt lights on a cart with 36-volt batteries, because there will be no flexibility.
Step 4: Find a place for the toggle switch
You will also need to find a suitable place to mount the toggle switch.
The toggle switch that will be used to control the light is usually mounted to the left of the steering wheel. This is convenient for right-handers. But it is up to you exactly where you would like it to be, to the right or in a higher or lower position than usual, and how close or far from the wheel.
Ideally, this should be a place that can be easily reached with the second hand without distracting you from driving.
Step 5: Drill Holes
Select the correct drill according to the size of the mounting hole you are going to make.
The hole for a toggle switch is usually about half an inch (½ inch), but make sure this size fits your switch or it should be a little smaller or larger. If this is the case, it may be appropriate to use a 5/16” or 3/8” bit as it should be slightly smaller than the required hole size.
If the mounting kit has a hole template, you can use it. If you have the right size drill, attach it to the drill and get ready to drill.
When drilling at your chosen locations, apply a little force to help punch through the material you are drilling into.
Step 6: Attach the harness
Once the lights and toggle switch are securely in place, the harness can be attached.
The harness includes all the wiring needed to connect the two attachments to the batteries and turn on the cart lights.
Step 7: Connect the wiring
Once the harness is in place, you can connect the wiring.
Connect one end of the wire (fuse holder) to the positive battery terminal. A solderless ring terminal can be used for this connection.
Attach a butt connector to the other end of the built-in fuse holder. Pull it further to the center terminal of the toggle switch.
Then run a 16 gauge wire from the second terminal of the toggle switch to the headlights. Again, you can use a solderless butt connector to make this connection. Alternatively, you can use wire ties to secure the wires in place after connecting their ends. It's important to keep them in place. It is also important to use duct tape to cover the connections to protect them.
Step 8: Fasten the Toggle Switch
On the side of the toggle switch, fix the toggle switch in the hole made for it using the screws from the mounting kit.
Step 9: Connect the Batteries Again
Now that the lights and toggle switch are connected, wired and secured, it is safe to reconnect the batteries.
Connect the wires to the battery terminals. We haven't changed this connection on the battery side, so the pins should return to their original position.
Step 10: Check the Light
Although you have done everything necessary to connect the headlights on your golf cart, you still need to check the circuit.
Turn the toggle switch to the "on" position. The light must come on. If they don't, you will need to recheck the circuit by narrowing it down to a loose connection or faulty part.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to test a golf cart battery with a multimeter
- How to connect headlights to a toggle switch
- How to connect headlights on a 48 volt golf cart
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