If the cart is going slowly because of bad batteries, your meter should read 0 amps or less, and you will hear a clicking. This is the batteries turning over internally. There will be no problem with the meter reading with good batteries at this point.
Full Answer
How do I know when to charge my golf cart battery?
Golf cart battery meters tell you when to recharge your batteries, so you do not end up draining them completely. There are two types of golf cart battery meters – Analog and Digital (usually LED). The analog meter uses voltage to move its needle to indicate the level of charge.
What is a battery meter on a golf cart?
A battery meter (or battery gauge) is a device you add to your electric golf cart to read the state of charge level for your battery bank. They come in either analog or digital, square or round, surface or in-dash mount.
How many amps does it take to charge a golf cart?
With that said, for a 48 volt golf cart, 13 amps has been found to be the right balance between charging speed and long-term battery stress. For a 36 volt battery charger, 21 amps is standard. You'll want to avoid purchasing a charger with low amperage (2-5 amps) as it will take forever to charge your batteries.
How does a golf cart Charger work?
The plug on your golf cart charger needs to make connection with the holes/leads within the receptacle on your golf cart in order to kick on. The charger needs to be connected to battery voltage. Even if you connect up a volt-meter to the charger, it will not give off any voltage.
Why does my golf cart charger kick on and off?
When your golf cart battery charger keeps turning on and off and doesn't provide a steady charge, there are a few different problems that may be to blame. These include poor water level in your batteries, a weak battery charge, poor connections, troubles with the cart, computer issues, and much more.
How do I reset my golf cart battery gauge?
Unhook power to the battery meter for 10 minutes. This will reset the battery meter.
How do I know if my golf cart battery charger is working?
Turn on the Charger – Once you have the voltmeter attached to your battery charger, turn on the charger to read the electrical output. Typically, the needle on the voltmeter will move from left to right – with right being higher – to gauge the amps produced. A reading of about 36 amps is typical for a battery charger.
What should my golf cart charger read when fully charged?
If the batteries are full, the ammeter reading will quickly drop below 15 amps. As the batteries charge the ammeter read out will eventually drop to about 2 or 3 amps. This indicates a near full charge in the batteries.
Where is the reset button on electric golf cart?
Locate the motor Remove the panel so the electric motor is visible. Electric motors usually include reset buttons that can perform similar to circuit breakers. Look in the area where several electrical wires enter the motor and locate a small red button. This is the reset button.
Where is the reset button on an electric Club Car golf cart?
Identify your main battery supply (usually the largest battery) on your motor. Check around this supply for a small red button that may or may not be labeled “Reset”. Press and hold this button for a few moments and then release it to reset the motor.
How do I know if my golf cart controller is bad?
X Common Symptoms of Controller FailureTop Speeds Not Appropriate for Your Cart. Golf carts are designed to reach pretty specific speeds and to not go over them or beneath them. ... Sudden and Unexpected Slowing. ... Shuttering or Shaky Driving. ... Stalling Out and Refusing to Start. ... Surges in Speed When Driving.
Can you leave golf cart charger plugged in all the time?
Manufacturers suggest leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time while using an auto battery charger, as it will keep the batteries fully charged and always available. If batteries are not charged for prolonged storage, they may damage over time and deliver less capacity.
Why does my golf cart not hold a charge?
It could be due to a lack of battery voltage, a faulty charger or a lack of hydrogen in the batteries. A charger problem can also be associated with the charger making a loud clicking noise, failing to stop charging after the batteries have attained full charge or not charging fully.
How do I know if my battery charger is working?
Running a test on your battery charger is an easy process.Plug in your charger to an electrical outlet. ... Turn on your voltmeter unit. ... Take a battery or battery pack that's compatible to your battery charger. ... Check the readout on the voltmeter and see where the pointer is indicating to.More items...
How do you know when your cart is fully charged?
Your vape pen will have a light indicator on the LED to let you know what the battery needs. The low battery signals with a red light or flashing white light (depending on the model), meaning you need to charge it. Once the light on your screen turns green you know it is fully charged and ready to be used.
How do you tell if EZ GO charger is bad?
Use your voltmeter to test the positive end of the charger handle. Press the other end to the negative line coming in (near the fuse). This is just one last check to be sure, since often the handle of the E-Z-Go Powerwise Charger is where people tend to have issues.
How do I reset my golf cart motor?
First, you'll want to reset your motor. It should have a small reset button (Usually it will be red) located near the main battery supply. Hit the reset button and then put the cover back on the motor. The next step would be to recharge your cart and try turning it on again. If it starts up then you're in luck!
How many volts is a full charge on a 48 volt golf cart?
55.2 to 56.6 voltsThe peak charging voltage for Gel batteries is 2.3 to 2.36 volts per cell, and for a 48 volt charger this works out to 55.2 to 56.6 volts, which is lower than a wet or AGM type battery needs for a full charge.
Why is my golf cart battery light flashing?
Weak batteries are one of the main reasons why the battery light flashes even when the cart is turned off and the key removed. Low battery voltage is also another reason for this type of flashing. If the batteries are fully charged, there should be no flashing.
How do you change a battery meter on a golf cart?
0:444:13How to Install a Battery Meter on a Golf Cart by Everything CartsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe driver side on the passenger. Side these are headed back towards the motor. So we know if weMoreThe driver side on the passenger. Side these are headed back towards the motor. So we know if we take this and just probe it at both ends our meter should be over 48 volts.
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How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
It depends on three factors, 1) the quality of your batteries, 2) how discharged your batteries are and 3) the quality of your charger. If you have 5 year old batteries that are very discharged and you have a lightweight 2-5 amp charger, it may take a very long time (10 hours or more). If you have brand new batteries, they are 20-30% discharged and you've got a heavy-duty charger, it can be pretty quick (1-3 hours). Again, it depends on all of the above factors, so it really could vary quite a bit.
Where is my User’s Manual for my golf cart battery charger?
Our manufacturer does not provide owner’s manuals. Here are the links to the Lester charger manuals (they are also linked to on our product pages):
How Do I Troubleshoot My Golf Cart Battery Charger if It Isn't Working?
Just so you know, this situation happens EVERYDAY. The first question we always ask is, how long has it been since you've charged your batteries? We ask this because often times if it has been a while (a couple weeks or more), or if you just got brand new batteries, or if your batteries have been really run down recently, it is possible that the batteries may not have enough voltage in them for the charger to start working. 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.
What are some symptoms of a bad golf cart battery charger vs. bad batteries?
Bad Batteries: IN GENERAL, if the charger doesn't kick on or show any signs of life when you plug it into your cart, this is most likely a battery/connection issue. Learn more about the signs of a bad golf cart battery.
Will the golf cart charger automatically stop charging once the batteries are fully charged?
Yes. All automatic chargers are designed to charge your batteries until they are fully charged and then stop charging. So you do not need to manually shut off the charger or worry about overcharging your batteries. All Lester chargers are made with a number of internal safety mechanisms that ensure that they will never overcharge batteries.
What if I charge my batteries until my battery charger stops charging, but my golf cart won’t drive very far?
You probably need to test your batteries and likely will need to get new golf cart batteries.
Should I charge the golf cart after each use?
Yes. It is healthy for the batteries to be fully charged at all times. So, you should charge your golf cart every night. Automatic golf cart chargers will shut off once the batteries are fully charged, so there isn't a concern that they will be over charged.
How to install a golf cart battery meter?
Steps to install a golf cart battery meter are: Select and obtain your battery gauge meter. Once you have the meter of your choice, select the mounting location. Disconnect the positive terminal on the battery bank. Prepare the opening if you are mounting in the dash. Run the wires from the meter location to the battery terminal points.
What is a golf cart?
Golf carts are also known as golf cars. The term "cart", in its purest sense, refers to a vehicle that does not travel under its own power. Golf cars, however, are most commonly referred to as golf... link to Club Car DS Wiring Diagrams 1981 To 2002.
What is the C terminal on a battery meter?
Typical battery meters come with either two or three contacts on the back. One of these is a common or a “C” signal terminal and the other two are the positive terminal and the negative terminal (See illustration below). the “C” provides power to the meter to operate and doesn’t involve measurement input voltage at all. It is best to wire this terminal to the Power contact on the ignition switch. This will allow the key to switch the meter on and off when the cart is in use.
What is a battery meter?
A battery meter (or battery gauge) is a device you add to your electric golf cart to read the state of charge level for your battery bank. They come in either analog or digital, square or round, surface or in-dash mount. Battery meters indicate the voltage level of your battery bank and inform you when it is time to recharge.
How many wires are needed for a battery meter?
LED and digital style battery meters only come with about 6 to 12 in of wire pigtails, so you will need to add extra wire to reach the terminals necessary to power the meter.
How does a battery meter work?
Battery meters indicate the voltage level of your battery bank and inform you when it is time to recharge. They act as a battery charge indicator as well and give a visual confirmation that the batteries are charging. The input voltage comes directly from the battery bank through the signal wires, and in the case of analog meters, move the needle from empty on the far left too full on the far right. The digital meters will give you a number or a moving bar display a partial charge to a full charge.
Where do the positive and negative wires go on a switch?
Watch closely to make sure the positive wires go to positive terminals, and negative wires go to the negative terminal or ground. A lug connector crimped on the terminating end of the wire makes a professional connection on the switch and battery connection terminals.
Can you turn off the radio on a golf cart?
Any lights, radio, or electric components in your cart should always be turned off when you stop using it. Leaving the radio or lights running on an idle golf cart can run down the battery incredibly quickly. In the case of a gasoline-powered golf cart, you may end up having to jump-start the cart to get it working again if this happens.
Can you use an automatic battery charger when it is fully charged?
It's important to make sure you're using an automatic battery charger that will stop being active as soon as the battery is fully charged. We've had clients come in with what they felt were "bad" batteries, only to have to explain to them that the battery had simply been damaged by being overcharged too many times.
Can you use a bad boy golf cart for long distances?
Many of our great E-Z-Go, Cushman, and Bad Boy options are designed for longer-distance use, but even they have their limits. Forcing your golf cart up very steep hills or to go longer distances than it is made for will run the battery down and could leave you stranded. Just keep a careful eye on distance traveled and consider using a truck or trailer when transporting your golf cart longer distances.
Should golf cart batteries be charged?
Another common issue is golf cart owners who think that golf cart batteries should only be charged when they've become very low. If you drive your golf cart that day? Charge the battery. Letting golf cart batteries run down until near-empty or totally dead will damage them over time just as much as overcharging them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you use lithium ion batteries in a golf cart?
However, they are really expensive to install, as your golf cart charger will most likely have to be replaced with one compatible to lithium-ion, and you may even have to make modifications to your cart for it to be able to run on lithium-ion batteries. Lead-acid has a lot of advantages as well. They’re much cheaper, and are what your golf cart was ...
What could be causing my golf cart to lose power? In the morning, it barely goes up the hills. It seems to run normally at night, but when I hit the gas pedal the lights go completely out
Have the battery checked. Especially make sure they do a shunt regulator test on the cells. Sounds light a shorted cell in the battery.
My Star 48L golf cart has good battery voltage but about 4 hours of driving has some sort of power loss without affecting voltage that causes cart to not move when accelerator pressed
has a short wiring going on grounding out somewhere.. trace your hot wires and make sure their is not bare spots anywhere.
How do I connect a 36V Analog Battery Charge Indicator on EZ-GO golf cart. Does it just connect to the neg. and poss. ?
The indicator has a very low draw so you can put it anywhere. It would be best to wire it into the ignition switch. Power to it will not say on and will only come on when the switch is turned on.
My 2000 Yamaha golf cart has 6-4cell 8 volt batteries. I did not leave the cart plugged in during the winter months. When I attempted to charge yesterday, the charger lights sequenced but stayed on..
Yes to both questions. the charger must sense 41.5 volts to activate the relay inside the charger. Being a repair shop, I have a charger that is rigged to charge even DEAD batteries. I do not recommend this for the novice. A charger set on 12 volts will bring the batteries back up to 8.2-8.6 volts.
NO CHARGE GETTING TO BATTERIES
If your batteries aren't holding a charge then they might need to be replaced. When batteries are used seasonally their life span is generally shorter. You can check them using a voltmeter. If you need a replacement you can check out www.batteryinternational.com or call 1-877-28-BATTERY if you are having difficulty finding the battery you need.
Where to read battery voltage?
Read voltage at the charger connection on the cart side. Should read battery voltage, 36 .
How often does a car beep when put in reverse?
When car is put in either drive position. Car lunges in reverse about 2 inches and an alarm starts sounding. Beeps about every 2 sec … read more
Can a 36 volt battery move?
Electric 36 volt with good batteries will not move. After
Does the Ez Go cart move?
Ez go cart will not move, if I keep pressing the foot petal 1 out of 25 times it will move a inch or so ,, batteries are. Electric Vehicles.