Golf-FAQ.com

how can i discharge golf cart battery

by Prof. Murray Collins Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Tilt the golf cart battery to the side and drain about half of the battery acid from the battery to a plastic container. Follow Step 2 of the above procedure. Make a solution by mixing two quarts of warm distilled water with eight ounces of Epsom salts.

Part of a video titled Battery Discharge Test - Customcarts.ca - YouTube
1:40
3:09
We need to take the 84 minutes that our battery's held up at a 56 amp load and divide it by theMoreWe need to take the 84 minutes that our battery's held up at a 56 amp load and divide it by the hundred and two minute reserve capacity.

Full Answer

How do you take the battery out of a golf cart?

The golf cart is used often for long distances and steep hills. Don’t use the cart for distances longer than it’s intended for and on steep surfaces. Open the battery compartment and take out the golf cart battery.

How to tell if a golf cart battery needs recharging?

You can use a hydrometer with a thermometer to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the golf cart batteries. If this value lies between 1.1 and 1.2, you must consider recharging the battery.

How to clean a golf cart battery with Epsom salt?

Tilt the golf cart battery to the side and drain about half of the battery acid from the battery to a plastic container. Follow Step 2 of the above procedure. Make a solution by mixing two quarts of warm distilled water with eight ounces of Epsom salts.

How to charge a golf cart battery while on vacation?

Though due to recent advances in charging technology you can now purchase a Smart charger for your golf cart that will basically baby sit your batteries while you are away on vacation for the summer or whenever.

image

How much can you discharge a golf cart battery?

between 50-80 percent7) Do not discharge golf cart batteries beyond an 80% discharge. We recommended that you discharge your golf cart batteries to between 50-80 percent, do not go beyond 80 percent or to the point where your golf cart batteries are completely dead since this is not beneficial for the battery life.

Should you disconnect golf cart batteries for storage?

It's important to either disconnect the batter- ies from the golf cart while in storage, to re- move any parasitic loads which can discharge the batteries, or based on the type of charger you have, keep the charger plugged into the golf cart.

Can you leave batteries in golf cart over winter?

The best place to store any golf-cart batteries is by looking for a cool and dry area. It shouldn't be cold, such as an exposed area to the elements, but cool. Cool temperatures will slow the battery's discharge rate. You want a slow discharge so that the battery maintains its charge.

Should you keep your golf cart on charge 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.

How do I store my 7 month old golf cart?

7 Tips for Long-Term Golf Cart StorageStep 1: Fully Charge the Battery. The typical golf cart is run by a 6-volt battery. ... Step 2: Disconnect the Battery. ... Step 3: Refill Water Level. ... Step 4: Secure the Cart. ... Step 5: Take Care of The Tires. ... Step 6: Make Sure it's Clean. ... Step 7: Store it in a Secure Place.

How long can golf cart batteries sit without charging?

An electric golf cart can sit for months without charging if the battery is at about 50% and not exposed to temperatures above 100°F during the storage time. If you leave battery power too high or low while parked, this will damage the battery cells and cause them to wear out sooner.

Can you put a trickle charger on a golf cart?

If you tend to use the golf cart during the warmer months and store it during the winter, pick a trickle charger to make the battery last longer. These chargers connect to the battery over weeks or months at a time. They provide enough power to the battery to keep it charged but without harming the internal components.

How cold is too cold for golf cart battery?

Although these fleets may not experience freezing temperatures, the cold temperature increases the resistance in the battery's chemistry and causes a reduction in battery capacity. A general rule of thumb for capacity is for every 15-20 degrees below 80 °F, the battery loses 10% of its capacity.

Can you store an electric golf cart outside?

Golf carts can be stored outside for shorter and even longer periods. But one thing comes under consideration while keeping them outside and without any protection, i.e., they can quickly wear out. Golf carts left outside for weeks can cause severe exterior and surface damage and even sometimes become immovable.

How often should I add water to my golf cart batteries?

DO: You have to get your timing right. After charging your battery is when you want to add water. Adding water after charging prevents acid from spilling over. ... We recommend service once or twice a year. Always use distilled water so you don't add additional minerals into your battery.

Can you overcharge golf cart batteries?

Overcharging your golf cart batteries may damage them. It is best to use an automatic charger that turns itself off when a battery is fully charged. Some older models lack this important feature. If you must use a manual charger, don't forget to turn it off.

Can I charge my golf cart in my garage?

0:432:32How much should I charge my cart? | ASK DAVE | Golf Cart GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnline can help you know how capable it may be or how often you should use it deep cycle batteriesMoreOnline can help you know how capable it may be or how often you should use it deep cycle batteries that power golf carts are best maintained when they're kept fully charged during downtime.

How to check if a golf cart battery is dead?

There are four methods of checking whether your golf cart battery is dead. Use a multimeter to check the voltage of each battery in your golf cart. Use a hydrometer to check the gravity of the electrolytes in the batteries. Use the Load Testing method.

How to check the specific gravity of a golf cart battery?

Using a Hydrometer. You can use a hydrometer with a thermometer to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the golf cart batteries. If this value lies between 1.1 and 1.2, you must consider recharging the battery. Alternatively, if the value is between 1.225 and 1.265, you can continue testing your battery.

Why does my golf cart battery keep going dead?

The reason why your golf cart battery keeps going dead may be due to loose connections, incorrect battery wiring, or having a faulty voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is at fault and tends to affect the starter solenoid.

Why does my golf cart battery drain so quickly?

The reason why your golf cart battery keeps losing charge or drains quickly, may be due to loose wires, corroded connectors or an insufficient amount of water in the battery. The battery connections may have become loose or the connectors are corroded.

How many amp hours does a golf cart battery last?

A bigger voltage drop is a sure sign of a failing or faulty battery. A golf cart battery comes with a specific amp hour rating at 20 hours. This is usually mentioned in the battery information sticker.

How much sulfuric acid is in a battery?

It’s worth keeping in mind that the sulfuric acid to water concentration for a fully charged battery is 1.28 while it’s 1.145 for a discharged battery. It’s highly recommended that you wear a pair of safety gloves and safety glasses when you use a hydrometer. Pour the electrolyte into the hydrometer.

Why are my batteries getting overcharged?

The batteries are getting overcharged because the charger is continuously on. Consider using an automatic charger that turns off the charging once the desired charge has been achieved. Similarly, you should not wait to charge them until they have become very low.

How to keep a golf cart battery charged?

Should use a Perfect Charger: To keep good the cart battery they must use a high quality charger for charging. They should use an automatic battery charger to charge the golf cart battery so that it will stop automatically when it is fully charged. Using this automatic charger they can avoid overcharging easily. So try to use an automatic charger while charging a golf cart battery. Otherwise, they should aware to check the battery while charging with a normal charger. If it is charged fully then they should disconnect the charger line as soon as possible.

What are the Disadvantages of Overcharging a Golf Cart Battery?

There are so many more disadvantages of overcharging a golf cart battery. We put some short list of demerits about overcharging a golf cart battery.

Why is a golf cart important?

It is the most essential type of equipment for golf. It helps to take away the golfers with their all playing instruments from one place to another in the green side of the golf courses. So this golf cart should be kept well charging while driving in the golf courses. Otherwise, the golfer can face trouble riding with this golf cart.

What is the most important part of a golf cart?

A battery is the most important part of any golf cart. If the battery will not fit well or will not charge up properly a golfer cannot ride this golf cart comfortably. So people should take proper care of this golf cart battery. All of the new golf cart batteries are good enough to drive for a long time. But day by day the battery of the golf cart ...

Should a golf cart be charged until it dies?

Should Charge until It Dies: Some people or owners of any golf cart think that the battery would be charged when it has become low. Then they may drive their cart with a low battery. But this is totally wrong thinking. They should not drive their golf cart with a low battery. They must keep charged up their golf cart before driving it on any golf courses. They should charge every day their golf cart before starting it.

Can you charge a golf cart with an automatic charger?

Using this automatic charger they can avoid overcharging easily. So try to use an automatic charger while charging a golf cart battery. Otherwise, they should aware to check the battery while charging with a normal charger. If it is charged fully then they should disconnect the charger line as soon as possible.

Can a golf cart battery be damaged?

So the battery can fully damage. It also increases the cost of the battery will be damaged fully. Overcharging the golf cart battery also affects the golf cart too. People also need more electricity while overcharging the golf battery. So we see that many problems will happen while overcharging the golf cart battery.

How to know when golf cart batteries are dying?

When your batteries are starting to die, there will be a few signs to look out for. If you have been taking care of your batteries as we have taught you , then you should be happy with the years of use you have gotten from them.

How much are batteries for a golf cart?

Pricing varies from pack to pack. The general consensus for golf cart battery replacement ranges from $600 on the low end to $1600 on the high end. If you are buying batteries in the lower end of the price range, then they are most likely cheap golf cart batteries that will not last as long (you really do get what you pay for when it comes to batteries). Some packs cost as much as $2500 when you start dealing with 72 Volt systems and sealed for lithium batteries. But, for the typical lead acid battery pack, $900 to $1500 is about the norm. This price range is assuming you are working with a local golf cart dealer.

How to tell 12 volt golf cart battery?

A 12 volt battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 6 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. A single 12 volt golf cart battery will have the least amperage capacity and is commonly used in 72 volt battery systems which are not terribly common among golf carts. EZGO golf cart batteries are known to be use 4-12 volt battery systems in some of their golf cart models.

How to tell if a golf cart battery is 6 volts?

A 6 volt golf cart battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 3 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. Generally speaking, a single 6 volt battery will have the highest amperage capacity and will allow for the greatest range in an 8-6 volt battery system.

How powerful is a golf cart battery?

Let’s take a close look at Voltage in a battery pack. For comparison, we like to take a look at cars since we are familiar with horsepower and miles per gallon (MPG). Therefore, voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric golf cart has to do with power. It does not have to do with fuel. Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car. With this knowledge in place, we can determine a 72 volt system can be more powerful than a 48 volt system, and a 48 volt system can be more powerful than a 36 volt system. If you took notice, we said that it “can” be more powerful. The reason for this is due large in part to the controller inside the vehicle. A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller.

Why are golf cart batteries so expensive?

Simply put, Golf Cart Batteries are expensive because you aren’t visiting the gas station every week. When you purchase them, you are essentially pre-paying for fuel. Yes, you still have to charge the vehicle, however the electricity cost usually breaks down to pennies per mile. In some studies, it was shown a golf cart costs less than $.02 per mile to operate in terms of electricity cost. Buying higher quality batteries versus cheaper ones will be better in the long run and will actually cost you less since you are replacing them less frequently.

What to do when buying an electric golf cart?

If you are in the market to purchase an electric golf cart, then the simplest thing to do first and foremost is considering the age of your golf cart batteries. This is important due to many consumers being misled as to the age of the batteries in the cart they are purchasing. At times, a consumer will be told by a private party or dealer ...

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.

How do I keep my golf cart batteries from dying or corroding?

To ensure long-lasting life for your golf cart batteries, make sure you: keep them fully charged at all times; keep the water level in your battery cells at an optimum level; and keep the terminal connections on your battery clean. Doing these three things will prevent your battery from corroding or dying.

How often should you charge golf cart batteries?

Golf cart batteries should be kept fully charged at all times – this means hooking them up to a charger as soon as you are finished using the cart. Regular charging will prevent damage to the battery and give it longer-lasting life.

Should your golf cart be turned on when charging?

No. You should turn your golf cart off when charging its batteries. Trying to charge a golf cart while it is running is a pointless exercise, as the battery will be draining while you’re trying to charge it. A golf cart should only be turned on once its batteries are fully charged.

Should golf carts be plugged in all the time?

No, you should not leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. While automatic battery chargers are designed to shut-off once at full capacity, leaving a battery connected to power for long periods leaves it susceptible to damage should the electrical circuit be overloaded.

Should golf cart batteries make noise when charging?

If your golf cart uses a standard 12 volt flooded lead acid battery, then it is quite normal to hear a bubbling sound when it’s charging. However, if your cart uses a sealed battery (such as a gel or AGM battery), then a hissing or bubbling sound may indicate damage.

How many volts does a golf cart battery use?

Most modern-day golf cart batteries come in either 6, 8 or 12 volts (the voltage being the force needed to create an electrical current, indicating the strength of the battery).

What type of lead acid is used in golf cart batteries?

Golf cart batteries do come in different types and models – including Flooded Lead Acid; Gel Lead Acid; and AGM Lead Acid – so it’s important to seek clarification if you’re uncertain about which replacement to buy.

How to keep golf cart batteries charged?

Another good thing to have for your golf cart batteries is a watering system. Make sure you check the water level in your golf cart batteries monthly to make sure they are still saturated. ( always do this after your batteries are fully charged because if you check them and fill them before you charge them 100% you could over fill them and acid will leak out the top of the batteries while they charge and get all over your cart and in the garage or where ever you store the golf cart. Which is not good because battery acid will eat away at your concrete floor in the garage. Checkout Pete’s great deals on a new One point golf cart watering system to avoid over filling them and making a mess or getting battery acid on your cart, clothes or garage floor and do it with ease. ( In minutes – not an hour or more… weekends are meant to be spent with the family or watching the game not in the garage filling batteries… so get yours today!)

What to do if your golf cart battery hasn't taken a full charge?

If the battery has taken a charge, replace the cell caps and use your golf cart for a long ride and see how long the charge lasts.

How to clean a battery with acid?

Step 1: Tip the battery on its edge: Allow approximately half the battery acid to run out of each cell and into a plastic container. Clean the battery with your paintbrush dipped in a baking soda solution. Rinse your battery with plain water, making certain none of the water gets into any of the cells.

Can you replace a golf cart battery?

If the ride and power is short lived it is still likely you will need to replace your golf cart battery. It is also quite possible that your golf cart battery charger is not charging properly. You will need a volt meter to check the power output of your battery charger.

What to do if golf cart battery is broken?

Again if the golf cart battery cables are broken or corroded they need to be replaced and reconnected accordingly. Also it is recommended to use some type of corrosion preventative on all terminal connections to avoid the elements eating away at your connector, cables or terminals.

How to charge a 12 volt golf cart battery?

For these systems you can just use a 12 volt battery charger to charge each battery individually by placing the charger connections on the positive and negative terminals of each individual battery. You can again speed up the process if you happen to have that heavy duty battery charger with a 12v/24v adjustable output feature. ( Usually common on car lots and dealerships back in the day) Then you can charge up the bank even faster ( limited by charger output) place the charger connections on the positive terminal of the first battery and then the negative connection on that of the second battery that make up 24 volts. This will cut charge time down as you have less connections to make and depending on the charger output could decrease charge times. See Illustrations and images above.

How does a 12 volt battery charger work?

So being in a pinch a 12 volt battery charger will work to get some energy back into your dead golf cart batteries and revive them. The sole purpose here is to just get some energy back into the batteries so the golf cart battery charger itself can do the brunt of the charging and charge the batteries properly.

What type of battery is used in a golf cart?

Systems comprised of 6x 6 volt batteries… Usually found in older golf carts ( Pre-1990’s) across the board Club Car, Ezgo and Yamaha Brands but also Columbia, Harley Davidson ( Yep – Harley used to make a golf cart as they also made boats under AMF) other carts include Fairplay, Par Car or Western. For this system you will need either a 6 volt battery charger to charge individually by placing the charger connections on the positive and negative terminals of each individual battery. Or you can use a 12 volt battery charger and place the charger connections on the positive terminal of the first battery and then the negative connection on that of the second battery. This will cut charge time down as you have less connections to make and depending on the charger output could decrease charge times. See Illustrations and images above.

Why does my golf cart beep?

If you can get enough voltage and energy back into the batteries to make the golf cart move, beep or lights to work usually means there is enough voltage present at this point for the original golf cart battery charger to be plugged in and it will turn on to charge the batteries completely.

Why does my golf cart charger not know if it's plugged in?

So basically if the batteries in your golf cart are dead then the charger does not know it is plugged into a golf cart because it does not sense any voltage.

How many volts does a golf cart battery need?

Others require a little less. So for example a 36 volt battery charger would require approx. 25-30 volts to activate, whereas a 48 volt charger would require 30-35 or even 40 volts present to activate.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9