Temgo vs. EG4: Why I'd Choose Golf Cart Batteries Now

I’ve been running a robust EG4 system in my garage for a while, including their 12000XP inverter, wall mount battery, and Chargeverter. While I genuinely love the 12000XP, if I were starting from scratch today, I would make a very different choice when it comes to batteries and charging. Knowing what I know now, I'd go with Temgo golf cart battery kits instead of the EG4 wall mount battery and Chargeverter.

Disclosure: This video is 100% un-sponsored by anyone. These are just my thoughts and observations.

What I Built

My current setup features an EG4 12000XP inverter, an EG4 Wall Mount Battery, and an EG4 Chargeverter 5KW. This system is powerful and reliable, providing significant energy independence. However, the initial investment for these components is substantial.

The alternative I've explored, and would choose if rebuilding, involves multiple Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kits. These kits are designed for different applications but offer compelling advantages for home energy storage when scaled appropriately. I've personally tested these batteries, integrating them into my existing setup alongside other battery racks, so I speak from hands-on experience.

Why It Works

The core reasons for preferring the Temgo kits boil down to cost-effectiveness, superior capacity for the price, and increased flexibility. A single Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kit, despite its smaller individual footprint, offers comparable capacity to an EG4 server rack battery. The real kicker? I found I could purchase five of these Temgo kits for less than the cost of a single EG4 Wall Mount Battery and Chargeverter combined. Moreover, three Temgo kits collectively provide more total battery capacity than one EG4 Wall Mount Battery.

Beyond the raw numbers, the Temgo kits come with individual smart chargers and displays, offering redundancy and distributed charging capabilities that a single Chargeverter cannot match. This means I can spread my charging load across multiple smaller generators if needed, or simply have backup chargers in case one fails.

Parts & Specs

• EG4 Wall Mount Battery: 14.3 kWh capacity, 200A BMS.
• EG4 Chargeverter 5KW: Max output 3050W (at 120VAC input), 5120W (at 240VAC input), 100A max charging current.
• Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kit: 5.12 kWh capacity per kit, 200A BMS built-in, smart display, Bluetooth app.
• Temgo Smart Charger (included with kit): 56.8V, 18A, IP water resistance rating.
• Cables for Temgo (extra): 2/0 AWG, 5 ft, approximately $67 per pair.
• Fuse for Temgo (extra): 250A, 80V, approximately $9.75.

Math & Run-Time Numbers

Let's run the numbers: A single EG4 Wall Mount Battery provides 14.3 kWh of storage. Each Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kit offers 5.12 kWh. If I were to buy three Temgo kits, I'd have a total of 15.36 kWh, which is more capacity than one EG4 Wall Mount Battery.

For charging, the EG4 Chargeverter 5KW, when fed with 120VAC, provides a maximum output of 3050W. If I had three Temgo kits, their included 18A chargers (56.8V each) would collectively provide approximately 3067W (3 x 56.8V x 18A), nearly matching the Chargeverter's 120V input power. The cost difference is stark: three Temgo kits cost around $2,250, while a single EG4 Wall Mount Battery and Chargeverter can run over $4,300, including taxes and shipping. Even factoring in additional cables and fuses for the Temgo setup, it remains substantially cheaper.

The EG4 12000XP inverter requires a 250A battery input. A single EG4 Wall Mount Battery has a 200A BMS, meaning you'd technically need two to fully power the 12000XP. The Temgo kits also have a 200A BMS per battery, so two kits would meet the continuous discharge current requirement, although with less overall capacity than one EG4 Wall Mount. However, three Temgo kits would exceed the capacity of a single EG4 Wall Mount Battery while still being significantly more affordable.

Pros & Cons

Pros of Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kits:

• Significantly cheaper upfront cost.
• More kWh of battery capacity for the money (with multiple units).
• More battery continuous discharge current for the money (with multiple units).
• Greater battery and charger redundancy (if one unit fails, others continue).
• Water resistance rating at no extra cost.
• Included smart display and Bluetooth app for monitoring.
• Easier to move and adjust due to smaller, lighter individual units.

Cons of Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kits:

• No UL Listing (may affect home insurance or inspections in some areas).
• No built-in battery heaters (important for cold climates).
• No closed-loop communications with inverters (requires manual balancing or external balancers).
• Not as clean or integrated a look as a single wall-mounted unit.
• Requires external bus bars and cables, adding to setup complexity and cost.

When To Use This vs. Alternatives

The Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kits are ideal for homeowners and tinkerers prioritizing cost savings, modularity, and flexibility. If you're building a system on a budget, value redundancy, and don't mind managing individual components, these kits offer exceptional value. They're also great if you need to distribute your power sources or charge from various generators, as each battery comes with its own charger.

The EG4 Wall Mount Battery and Chargeverter are best suited for those who prefer a highly integrated, aesthetically clean setup with minimal visible wiring. If closed-loop communication with your inverter, built-in battery heaters, and a UL listing are critical for your installation or local code requirements, the EG4 system is the more appropriate choice, assuming the higher cost is acceptable.

Bottom Line

For my personal setup, the substantial cost savings and increased flexibility offered by the Temgo Golf Cart Battery Kits are a clear winner. While the EG4 Wall Mount Battery and Chargeverter are excellent products, the value proposition of the Temgo kits—more capacity, more charging power, and redundancy for nearly half the price—is hard to beat. I’d choose multiple Temgo kits and skip the EG4 Wall Mount battery and Chargeverter if I were to do it all again.

Final Wrap-Up

I hope this breakdown helps you make an informed decision for your own energy independence journey. If you found this useful, please consider subscribing to the YouTube channel. Feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments section below – I always appreciate hearing your insights!