How do golf cart batteries work?
The terminal post of the golf cart battery is attached with the cable using a stainless steel. The post is associated with the cell plates of the golf cart’s battery. This helps in the transferring of power from battery to the engine of the golf cart.
What causes corrosion on golf cart batteries?
Corrosion on golf cart batteries is caused by sulfation which releases gases when the battery is charged to 50 percent or less capacity. There are chargers as well as special products that will reduce the chance of corrosion and keep your battery in great condition for years to come.
What does a red light mean on a golf cart Charger?
Occasionally a red fault light on a golf cart charger can mean that the batteries do not have enough voltage in them to allow the charger to kick on (see Charging Dead Golf Cart Batteries above).
Why is my golf cart battery light on but not charging?
Battery Is in Poor Condition If the batteries of your golf cart are quite old, then there is a chance that the charge will not come on and trigger a flashing battery light. This typically happens if you have used the batteries for quite a few years. The best solution, in this case, is to replace the old batteries with a set of new ones.
Why is there grease on battery terminals?
Car battery terminals need grease to protect them from corrosion. One of the main reasons for this is caused by battery overcharging, making gas escape, passing by terminals, and react with the metal creating oxidation.
Is battery terminal grease necessary?
In the Cleaning a Car Battery section, it says to prevent corrosion, you should put grease on the clean terminal post before you reattach the cable.
What is the red stuff on battery terminals?
Registered. It's connection spray. Helps the connection on the terminals and helps prevent corrosion.
What is battery grease?
Battery Terminal Grease leaves a reliable grease film which effectively counteracts corrosion and oxidation of the terminals. This products provides you with a unique means for the sustained and successful protection of your battery's terminals against moisture.
What is the best grease for electrical connections?
Silicone grease can be used on all your electrical connections and on battery terminals. They are widely used on spark plug cable rubber boots as well as a sealant for spark plug threads. They also help prevent electrical failures caused by moisture and corrosion.
How do you clean battery terminal connectors?
0:142:19How to Clean Car Battery Terminals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 1 rinse the battery terminals with a solution of one heaping tablespoon of baking soda to oneMoreStep 1 rinse the battery terminals with a solution of one heaping tablespoon of baking soda to one pint of water. And then thoroughly scrub the terminals.
Does battery corrosion mean bad battery?
In fact, corroded battery terminals are one of the most common causes of electrical problems and decreased battery performance in cars. But just because corrosion is common, it doesn't mean you should settle for poor battery performance.
Can corroded terminals drain battery?
Corrosion can drain power out of a battery and shorten its life. Battery corrosion is typically apparent at the terminals, a problem that can be resolved by careful cleaning.
What can you put on battery terminals to prevent corrosion?
After removing the terminals, you can apply anti-corrosion washers or a small amount of dielectric grease on your battery's posts. Another great anti-corrosion chemical is the AMSOIL heavy-duty metal protector, which can also be used to prevent rust.
What is contact grease?
The purpose of an electrical contact lubricant is to prevent corrosion and lubricate the connection for easier maintenance. NO-OX-ID "A-Special" electrical grease prevents corrosion attack on all metal surfaces. Attack can come from battery acid, salt, moisture and various industrial chemical vapors in the environment.
How do you remove dielectric grease from connectors?
"Absolute alcohol" which is at least 99% pure is an even better option, if you can get it. Try a pharmacist, if you can't find it for sale anywhere else. Note: these products may contain either ethanol or isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol). For use as a cleaning fluid, the difference between the two doesn't matter.
Should I use dielectric grease on electrical connections?
What is this? Dielectric grease is silicone-based grease that repels moisture and prevents electrical connections from corroding. The grease is a non-conductor of electricity. You are therefore advised not to apply it on mating surfaces of electrical connection.
Should I put Vaseline on battery terminals?
Once the terminals are dry, dab a bit of petroleum jelly onto them. This will lubricate them, help prevent further corrosion, and help strengthen the connection. Reattach the positive and negative cables, and you're all set! Be careful, too much petroleum jelly can cause a poor connection.
What to put on battery terminals to keep from corroding?
After removing the terminals, you can apply anti-corrosion washers or a small amount of dielectric grease on your battery's posts. Another great anti-corrosion chemical is the AMSOIL heavy-duty metal protector, which can also be used to prevent rust.
Can you put wd40 on battery terminals?
Maintain Your Car Battery With WD-40: Spray WD-40 on each of the battery terminals and cable connections if they're also covered in grime. Leave it for a few minutes, scrub it with the brush, and rinse with hot water. Repeat this step till the corrosion is gone.
Can you use Vaseline for dielectric grease?
Dielectric grease is not an electric conductor while anything soaked in petroleum jelly will burn if exposed to heat or an electric current. Also, Vaseline has a very low melting point compared to the dielectric grease which can withstand extreme temperatures.
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Why is my golf cart battery failing?
The most common thing that leads to early golf cart battery failure is corrosion. The problem goes deeper, too. It will ruin your cables, terminals, and even cause damage to battery trays and tie downs. Replacing a whole battery cable can be costly and difficult, so it’s best to avoid that problem.
What happens if your golf cart battery fails?
Obviously, for electric golf carts, the battery is what provides power to your motor. If your batteries start to quit on you, the golf cart won’t move, or will drastically decrease in range. With a gas motor, the battery is what starts the motor and keeps it running by providing electricity to the spark plugs. Without it, your motor won’t crank.
How to clean corroded battery posts?
Undo the terminals from the battery posts and soak the corroded area in the cleaner or baking soda solution for about 5 or so minutes, then put on some gloves, grab your wire brush, and keep scrubbing until it’s all gone. Repeat as necessary, then rinse with a lot of water.
How does a battery work?
Your battery works by having two metals, a cathode and anode, react to each other to create chemical energy that we harness as electrical energy. With wet cell lead-acid batteries, these metals are kept in a liquid electrolyte, a liquid solution comprised of pure water and hydrosulphuric acid mixed to a set specific gravity. Other types of batteries typically use a gel, mat, or solid electrolyte to perform the same function. For the purpose of this topic however, the only battery we’ll be discussing is the traditional lead-acid battery, as this is the only type of battery for which you will have to worry about electrolyte levels.
Why is my battery puddled?
If your battery gets dirty, muddy, grimy, or anything else, make sure to clean that off too. These things can cause extra resistance in your electrical system, putting an unnecessary drain on your battery and shortening its life.
What happens when hydrogen gas is released from a battery?
Look for corrosion often, and neutralize it immediately. It’s a long and never ending war, but your wallet will thank you. Corrosion happens when hydrogen gases, released from your battery, mix with other chemicals and gasses in the atmosphere, and then bond to the metals of cables, terminals, and battery posts.
What is the purpose of a gas motor battery?
With a gas motor, the battery is what starts the motor and keeps it running by providing electricity to the spark plugs. Without it, your motor won’t crank. Such a vital part as a battery demands that you keep an eye on it, maintain it, and know how to fix things when they go bad.
Golf Cart Battery Corrosion Basics
Golf Cart batteries often corrode due to the gases that are released as your batteries lose their charge and release sulfuric gases. These gases will gradually cause corrosion and cause issues with your golf cart batteries so make sure to check and clean your batteries often.
How to care for your golf cart batteries?
Caring for your golf cart batteries will prolong the life of your golf cart and allow you plenty of use for years to come. In order for you to get the most life out of your golf cart batteries, there are a few maintenance steps to take.
How to Clean Corrosion off of your Golf Cart batteries?
After you have had your golf cart for some time, you may begin to see corrosion or build up on your batteries. To clean your batteries and golf cart well, you can simply remove your batteries for easier access.
What products are best to prevent golf cart battery corrosion?
Corrosion on golf cart batteries is caused by sulfation which releases gases when the battery is charged to 50 percent or less capacity. There are chargers as well as special products that will reduce the chance of corrosion and keep your battery in great condition for years to come.
Why is it important to use distilled water to refill your Golf Cart batteries?
Making sure to check the water level on your batteries will ensure that they will last for years to come. You should always check water levels on your battery after it reaches a full charge and before you take it out for a drive. It is important to specifically use distilled water anytime you refill your golf cart battery fluid.
Should I keep my Golf Cart plugged in at all times?
Knowing when to charge your golf cart simply depends on how often you use it. If you are using your Golf Cart occasionally, such as a couple times a month, then you should make it a habit to unplug your battery every so often.
Is corrosion a sign of a bad battery?
Your Golf Cart batteries usually can tell you something is wrong or needs to be fixed by showing you multiple different signs. The care of your golf cart battery will be the difference between having issues with your golf cart over and over or having a working golf cart for years to come.
Why is my golf cart battery red?
The battery charger on your golf cart will start flashing red due to a fault code. 2 red flashes can mean that the voltage is too low. Different colored flashing lights denote different fault codes. If the red indicator light flashes and nothing happens after that, you must check if the charger is properly connected to the AC mains.
What does a green light on a golf cart mean?
A green light flashing on the battery charger of your golf cart usually indicates the charge level of the battery. Short green flashes mean the charge level is below 80%, where long flashes mean the charge level is above 80%. If it is one solid green light it indicates the golf cart’s battery is fully charged to 100%.
Why does my golf cart light flash yellow?
The yellow light in your golf cart charger flashes when the batteries need to be charged. If you have not used your golf cart for some time and the battery charge level goes below the threshold, the yellow LED indicator starts flashing. Once the charging starts, the flashing of the yellow light will stop.
Why does my EZGO RXV battery light flash red?
If the red light flashes twice, it indicates that the battery voltage could be too low and the charger is not able to charge the battery bank.
Why does my battery charger flash twice?
If the voltage is beyond these limits – lower or higher , the red indicator flashes twice. The battery charger timeout with three flashes can be due to one of the three situations given below: The charge in the battery bank has gone below 50%. The batteries have gone old and cannot take more charge.
What happens when a golf cart battery is fully charged?
When the battery bank in your golf cart is fully charged, the flashing will stop and you will notice one solid green light. You should note that the LED indicators on the battery chargers for golf carts are different for the different brands and models. Each charger may have its unique set of colored LED indicators.
Why does my charger flash red?
There can be four red flashes as well which means that it is another form of battery charger timeout. Six red flashes indicate that the charger is faulty. The battery voltage fault could be due to either high voltage or voltage below the required level.
Why is my golf cart charging red?
Occasionally a red fault light on a golf cart charger can mean that the batteries do not have enough voltage in them to allow the charger to kick on (see Charging Dead Golf Cart Batteries above).
What wires are needed to charge a golf cart?
Only the red and black wires are needed to completely charge the golf cart. The blue wire is an optional safety wire. If hooked up to the motor controller it will not allow you drive the golf cart while charging it. Think about being at the gas pump and driving off with the pump still in the car.
What is an OBC on a club car?
When you plug the charger into your Club Car, the OBC will tell the battery charger when to start and stop charging based on the voltage levels in your batteries.
What voltage do you need for a 36V golf cart?
You must match volts to volts. A 36V cart requires a 36 volt golf cart charger. A 48V cart requires a 48 volt golf cart charger. You can burn up your batteries if you do not charge with the proper voltage.
How many volts does a golf cart battery need?
An automatic golf cart battery charger needs a minimal amount of voltage in the golf cart battery to even start working. They need somewhere in the range of 20-35 volts in the batteries to allow the chargers to know that they are connected up to batteries and to kick on.
Why is my golf cart battery charger not working?
Bad connections will cause any battery charger to not function properly. After you've charged up your batteries and checked every connection and you are still having issues, it's probably safe to say you've got a golf cart battery charger problem and may need to service it or buy a new one.
Why is my charger making a clicking noise?
If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
At the very least, your golf cart battery should easily last you for 18 holes. Most batteries last even longer than this, with some lasting for as long as 36 holes, and more.
Can a golf cart battery go bad?
When not in use, golf cart batteries will naturally discharge – slowly. If a battery is going bad, then this may start to happen faster than it should. This would create problems when, say, you leave your cart unplugged overnight, and then come to use it in the morning, only to find that the battery has fully discharged.
Can you abandon a golf cart battery?
Pushing it all the way to the parking lot wouldn’t really be an option, and you can’t just abandon it – so you’d have to arrange for it to be towed. This would be annoying, expensive, and, let’s face it, embarrassing.
Do deep cycle batteries charge?
Deep-cycle batteries are designed to go through regular cycles of discharging and charging. For the most part, the amount of time it takes to fully charge your batteries will be consistent, assuming that you always use the same charger. Over time, however, the constant charging will inevitably take its toll on the chemical processes of the batteries, causing them to charge up slower than before.
What happens if a golf cart battery leaks?
If you have a leaking battery, then corrosion is inevitable and it will affect the battery terminals. This will eventually seep into the posts and melt them. Check out for a battery terminal protector from your golf cart parts store. This is usually available in the form of a spray.
Why does my golf cart battery melt?
The main reason why golf cart battery cables will melt is because of too much current passing through the jumper cable; resulting in overheating and melting. A poor contact connection or a missing ground strap between the chassis and the engine may also result in the melting of your golf cart battery cables. Alternatively, corrosion of either of ...
What causes a cable to overheat?
Excessive internal resistance. The internal resistance of the cables used to connect to the terminals may be very high, leading to overheating followed by melting. Check the resistance of the cables with the help of an ohmmeter. The resistance between both ends should ideally be zero or as negligible as possible.
What causes a battery to melt down?
A stalled motor can cause the terminals of a battery to have a meltdown. It happens when a motor receives enough power to get started but it fails to turn. This is common when the cart is over a steep incline or a curb. It may be time to charge your battery and replace the melted terminals with new ones.
How thick should a golf cart cable be?
When you replace a heated high current cable, you can consider replacing all such cables with at least 4 Gauge thickness.
Why does my golf cart get hot?
If you find a particular cable getting hotter than the other cables, check for the connection made with that cable. A bad or loose cable connection can cause it to get hot.
Why is my battery wire getting hot?
Another reason that your battery wire is getting overheated is its resistance. A low resistance wire tends to heat faster than one with high resistance. Use a multimeter and check the resistance of the battery wire that you find is quite hot.
Why does water boil in golf cart batteries?
Why Water in Wet-Cell Batteries Keeps Boiling While Charging. There are multiple reasons for the water in wet cell batteries to boil. Sometimes, you may have more water in your golf cart batteries than what is needed. According to some studies, there should be a gap of ¼ inch above the plates.
Why do golf cart batteries melt?
Why Do Golf Cart Battery Terminals Melt. The terminal of a golf cart battery will usually melt when connections become loose or dirty. To avoid terminals melting, ensure you use the correct size wires, and that limps, nuts and bolts are tightened securely.
Why is my cart hot after charging?
Using your cart with a dry battery will cause heat damage quickly! Maintaining optimal water levels is a must. If you find your batteries becoming hot soon after charging, it may indicate low water levels. Don’t forget to check the cable connections as well.
How far should the battery be from the plate on a golf cart?
According to some studies, there should be a gap of ¼ inch above the plates. Sometimes, your golf cart batteries are old and worn out. Such batteries fail to work efficiently and will eventually die. These factors will force your charger to add more pressure on the batteries to get them completely charged.
How much torque does a golf cart battery need?
According to the majority of the golf cart battery manufacturers, the torque required falls between 85 to 100 and 5-inch pounds.
What happens if you use a dry battery?
Remember it’s crucial that you regularly check the water level in your battery. There is a line marked on the tank that indicates how much water is needed. If the amount of water in your battery is too low, then you’re working with a dry battery. Using your cart with a dry battery will cause heat damage quickly!
What is a post on a golf cart?
The post is associated with the cell plates of the golf cart’s battery. This helps in the transferring of power from battery to the engine of the golf cart. Remember that leaving connections loose or dirty can easily lead to some resistance.
Where is grease used in a vehicle?
These are commonly found in the electrical system in motor vehicles. The grease is applied prior to insertion of the gasket around the connection. Dielectric grease is also used on metal components in the electrical connection. The connections that are exposed to the elements are sealed.
What is the difference between conductive grease and anti-seize grease?
The difference between the two is that conductive and anti-seize greases contain fine powdered metals. The fine powdered metal suspends by the insulating grease so it does not conduct. The suspended metal powder has the lowest voltage breakdown. Silicon grease has been around for a long time.
Why use silicon dielectric grease?
This is because the dielectric grease will increase the voltage breakdowns across the insulators. This is especially true in the case where moisture is present.
Why is dielectric grease used in marine applications?
Because the grease does not dissolve in liquids, it is also used in marine applications. Dielectric grease is commonly used during tune ups of internal combustion engines. The grease is applied to spark plug wires to prevent electricity from traveling inside the boot and leaking into the engine.
How to clean dielectric grease?
Dielectric grease must be applied properly to realize the full benefit. Applying too much can reduce the quality of your connections. Too much grease can also kill the battery cells. To properly apply the grease, follow these steps: 1 Unplug the connector. Be careful not to break it. 2 Clean any corrosion away that has already built up on the terminal post and clamps. You may have to scrape it off with a tool. 3 Open the grease tube and apply only a small amount to the surfaces. 4 Replace the connector cable. 5 Wipe away any excess grease with a clean towel.
Why is dielectric grease called insulating grease?
Some components cannot receive sufficient voltage or may not receive any electricity at all. When this occurs in the vital components , such as the ignition switch, it can prevent your car from working at all. For this reason, dielectric grease got its name and is also often referred to as insulating grease.
What is tune up grease?
Dielectric grease (view on Amazon), also known as tune up grease, is silicon-based with low viscosity, and is often used due to moisture repelling properties. When it was discovered that certain components become dry and corroded over time, the idea of using grease as a lubricant came about.
