With a basic digital volt meter we check system voltage first. Whatever the operating voltage is of your golf cart you should check current voltage levels to know if the cart is in fact fully charged , partially charged or completed dead.
Full Answer
How do I know if my golf cart battery charger is bad?
This is usually the first step we perform in the shop to determine possible golf cart battery charger issues. With a basic digital volt meter we check system voltage first. Whatever the operating voltage is of your golf cart you should check current voltage levels to know if the cart is in fact fully charged, partially charged or completed dead.
How do I charge my electric golf cart battery?
Connect charging plug to the cart’s charging outlet – the charging outlet can be located on the exterior of the cart or underneath the seat. Leave the charger connected until the battery is fully charged – not allowing your battery to fully charge might reduce its lifespan.
Why is my electric golf cart not working?
oes not work currently because the batteries are dead or so state of charge is so low it does not move or drive. Hence a golf cart battery charger to keep the batteries fully charged and keep recharging as needed based on usage.
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).
How do you know when your golf cart is fully charged?
1:574:02How Do I Read My Golf Cart Charger? | ASK DAVE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost will flash or blink during charging and present a solid green light when finished.MoreMost will flash or blink during charging and present a solid green light when finished.
What should my golf cart charger read?
If you have a 48 volt system with 8 volt batteries, you'll want to see readings of around 8.2 to 8.3 volts per battery (49.2 to 49.8 total volts). If you are showing something like a 6 volt charge on an 8 volt battery, you have a bad battery and will want to replace it.
How long should it take to charge an electric golf cart?
Charge your batteries for 8 to 10 hours with the proper style of golf cart battery charger. The best practice is to charge overnight after you are done using your cart for the day. Even if you only used the cart for 5 minutes, you'll want to give the golf cart batteries a good charge.
What should a fully charged 48v golf cart read?
The target voltage for a 48 volt charger for AGM or some flooded batteries is 2.4 to 2.45 volts per cell, which is 57.6 to 58.8 volts.
What do the lights on a golf cart charger 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%.
Should I charge my golf cart after every use?
Should you charge new golf cart batteries? Yes. New golf cart batteries should be charged every time they are used as this will extend their lifespan, help them retain their capacity for longer, and prevent discharge. It is vitally important to charge new golf cart batteries, even after their first use.
What should a fully charged 6 volt golf cart battery read?
Healthy batteries will indicate about 50 to 52 volts on the voltmeter. Most battery packs hold around 48 volts. Keep in mind that the high number doesn't mean that the batteries are instantly good. This measured value doesn't take the load or cart's power consumption into consideration.
How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?
about once every 30 daysAlways fill the batteries after charging. The typical schedule is about once every 30 days, but this may vary by several days depending on your specific situation. When filling the batteries, add just enough water to bring it 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch shy of the indicator ring to prevent overfilling.
How far can a 48V golf cart go?
The maximum range of this new battery when powering a 48V E-Z-GO RXV golf cart is approximately 20.5 miles when moving at 12 miles per hour. In golfing terms, this equates to around 3 rounds or 54 holes.
How do you read a golf cart battery meter?
To Read a 36 Volt Golf Cart Battery Meter There are four zones in the display area of this meter. The zones are (from left to right)- red, white, green, and red zones. The white area labeled CHG indicates that your battery is charged. The red zone to the right of CHG indicates that your battery is overcharged.
What should the voltage be on a 48 V golf cart?
However, each of those batteries will have eight volts of power. Or, you may also have a 48-volt system that uses 12V batteries. This means that you'll have four total batteries, but that each of those batteries will have twelve total volts of power. In the end, it's just basic multiplication — so don't be intimidated.
How long does it take to charge a 48v battery?
between 2.5 - 6 hoursFully charging a battery typically takes between 2.5 - 6 hours, depending on the type of battery charger. Here's how to work out how long a charger will take to charge your bike battery: Let's say you have a 48-volt battery with 10 amp hours* and a 2 amp charger.
How many volts should a golf cart charger put out?
Some charges need more than others…. some as little as 5 volts others need approx 75% of the operating systems voltage. 36 volt carts – say 30 volts, 48 volt carts – say 40 volts… If you need to jump start your golf cart batteries to charge.
How many amps should a golf cart charger put out?
The ammeter on a 36-volt charger should show at least 15+ amps when the charger is plugged into the golf car, even if the batteries have not been used for a short while. A 15+ amp reading shows that the charger is actually charging, not just humming (humming is NOT an indication that the charger actually works).
How many amps should a golf cart battery have?
48-volt golf cart batteries can be arranged in different ways. A 48-volt system of 4×12 volts can deliver approximately 600 amps. Yet a 48-volt system of 8×6 volts can deliver 1,800 amps.
How do you read a battery charger?
7:5910:36How To: Charge a Battery & Read the AMP Meter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn first so we're going to put the leads on remember the minus sign is minus sign is negative. SoMoreOn first so we're going to put the leads on remember the minus sign is minus sign is negative. So you put the black lead on the plus sign is positive. So we put the red lead on then you plug it. Up.
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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).
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.
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 charger making a clicking noise?
If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How to keep a charger from getting hot?
But here are a few general tips to keep the charger from overheating: Make sure that your battery cable connections are correct, clean and tight.
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 golf cart batteries be charged after every use?
Yes. Charging your golf cart batteries after every use – even if you’ve only spent five minutes driving – is crucial for maximising their lifespan. Leaving batteries in a prolonged state of low charge can decrease their capacity over time and wear them out quicker.
Should you charge new golf cart batteries?
Yes. New golf cart batteries should be charged every time they are used as this will extend their lifespan, help them retain their capacity for longer, and prevent discharge. It is vitally important to charge new golf cart batteries, even after their first use.
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 long should golf cart batteries last?
If you play golf twice a week – and use your golf cart for each round – you can expect a standard, brand-new battery to last just under 10 years before needing to be replaced. If you charge your battery correctly after use, you can maximise its shelf life.
What happens if my golf cart is not charging?
If you do not have any voltage in the batteries you will need to get some back into the battery bank before the golf cart charger will charge again .
Where to find battery in golf cart?
You will usually find the batteries to your golf cart under the front seat which opens or folds out towards the golf cart steering wheel on most Club Cars, Ezgo and Yamaha golf carts. Look for the two terminals with the most wires going to them. Usually this is the positive and negative most terminals in the battery bank.
What voltage do golf cart batteries work on?
All golf cart battery chargers usually operate on 110VAC but some have the ability to operate on multiple voltages for other power grids like in Europe vs US. 110/230VAC would reflect this feature on charger. Good DC side connection. This is the wire or cord with a connector that you would plug into the golf cart.
What is the third pin on a golf cart?
Then the third pin is usually a low voltage signal for a lock-out feature on these newer style golf carts. This is so the user cannot drive off with a golf cart “If the charger is still plugged in”.
Is electric transportation good?
Yet you just went to take it for a ride and it doesn’t go.
Do golf cart batteries work the same?
Wiring batteries in a series style circuit is quite simple and always the same. No mater how many golf cart batteries you have it will always work the same.
How to choose a golf cart battery charger?
How to Choose the Best golf Cart Battery Charger. You must choose a battery charger according to the voltage of your cart to prevent the possibility of damage to your batteries. Check the charging receptacle of your golf cart and select your charger accordingly.
How many volts does a golf cart charger have?
There are about 8 different types of charger plugs that you can find across various golf cart models. While some of plugs are exclusively for either 36 volts or 48 volts carts, others will work with both voltages.
How many volts should a wet cell battery be charged to?
A typical wet-cell lead-acid battery should be charged to about 14+ volts. Some manufacturers allow their batteries to support a maximum charging voltage of 14.3 volts. A sealed battery like a gel battery must generally not be charged beyond 14.1 volts. You may want to check whether the manufacturer offers a variation.
How to charge a deep cycle golf cart battery?
The following tips give an insight into the effective charging of a deep-cycle battery. Charge the deep-cycle battery fully between two consecutive uses of the golf cart. The battery must complete at least one full cycle before use. Check the water level periodically.
What is the power of a golf cart generator?
The generator can charge the batteries that supply the power to an electric motor responsible for moving the cart. The 48 volts system in a golf cart usually features an onboard computer (OBC) that controls the battery pack charging process and restricts the charging when the cart is moving.
Why does my golf cart go into tow mode?
Your golf cart usually runs in tow mode when it does not have enough power to get moving on its own. One reason may be that the batteries are old and do not have the same power as new ones. If this happens with new batteries, the most likely reason is that they don’t have enough charge.
How long does it take for a 5 year old battery to charge?
On the other hand, a 5 year old battery may take up to 10 hours to fully charge. With a good charger, you should be able to get your cart on the move with a few hours of charging. The charging time depends on various factors and following the right steps can help you get the best out of your battery.
Golf Cart General Introduction
The popular definition for a golf cart is that it is a small vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around the golf course or desert pathways to avoid walking effort.
Electric Golf Carts
The two main types of golf carts driven at the golf courses are gasoline and electric golf carts. Both of them function on the principle of a regular, less powerful gasoline or electric car, with some insignificant differences. Electric golf cars are popular with their environmentally friendly mode of operation.
Common Things That Can Go Wrong With An Electric Golf Cart
Buying and driving an electric golf cart, you should be aware that, just like other cars, it has a lifespan, and its parts also wear out. Some golfers perceive their carts as small, funny vehicles that can drive them around the golf course forever.
How To Avoid Or Mitigate The Issues
The key to avoiding or mitigating possible electrical golf carts malfunctioning is, as already mentioned a few times above, proper and regular maintenance. Golf cart owners should perceive their small electric vehicles as regular cars with a more restricted use range.
The Elite Of The Electrical Golf Carts
Pointing out so many common issues with the electrical golf carts may leave you with the wrong impression that they are pretty problematic vehicles. Let’s clarify that technical issues are typical for the used carts but are quite unusual for new carts with a warranty.
Electric Golf Carts FAQ
To determine whether your electric golf cart motor is bad or not, you need to test it first. Sometimes the problem is easy to detect, but sometimes you need to check the entire electrical system.
Sources
Wikipedia, “Golf Cart.” Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_cart Assessed June 8, 2021
How many volts does a golf cart have?
There is a major difference between 36 volt up to 48 volt systems, impacting both performance and potential upkeep and maintenance costs. Hint: some batteries are much more expensive ...
What is the amperage of a golf cart?
Golf Cart Battery Amps. Amperage can be considered akin to the fuel in a gas-powered engine. Similar to a tank of gas, the amount of amperage will dictate how far you can drive your cart on a single electric charge.
What does voltage mean in a battery pack?
Voltage represents how much power your system will be delivered, resulting in increased ability to tow, carry more weight, and accelerate faster.
Does a golf cart battery need to be recharged?
In this regard, a higher voltage (although more powerful) often comes at a cost. That cost is that it can burn through more amps faster, draining the golf cart battery quicker, and requiring you to recharge more frequently.
What size batteries are used in golf cars?
Golf car batteries are generally build in three different sizes. 6V, 8V, and 12V. Usually, the run time on the battery is inversely related to the battery voltage rating. Meaning, that a 48V golf car with 4 x 12V batteries will have a shorter run time than a 48V golf car with 6 x 8V batteries.
What factors should be considered when driving a golf car?
Any terrain that limits the amount of work the golf car has to do will also limit the amount of power consumed from the batteries. Terrain that has steep hills will require more power from the motor and from the batteries.
What will increase the drag on a golf car?
Terrain that has steep hills will require more power from the motor and from the batteries. Wet, soft ground will increase the drag on the golf car and limit the efficiency, causing the motor and batteries to supply more power. Hard, flat terrain will extend the driving time of the batteries.
What is the most common golf car battery?
Historically, the most common golf car battery was the “wet cell” FLA. The price and quality of this type of battery can vary significantly due to manufacturing materials and processes.
How much pressure should a golf tire be?
The tire pressure on a standard golf car tire should be inflated to 22 psi. Under-inflated tires causes significantly more friction and drag, causing the golf car electric motor to work harder and pull more power from the batteries, thus reducing the driving time.
How fast can a golf car go?
Consumer golf cars or personal transport vehicles (PTVs) often can have a top speed of 19.5 mph. This speed comes at the expense of the run time of your batteries. Golf courses usually have the speed of their fleets set at 12 – 15 mph.
Do Yamaha golf cars have AGM batteries?
They are maintenance free batteries, which is nice, unfortunately, they do not perform well as an electric golf car’s source of power. In 2020, Yamaha Golf Cars announced that they are outfitting their electric golf cars with AGM batteries. Early tests are not encouraging.
