Introduction to Golf Cart Battery Chargers To put it simply, battery chargers are exactly what you would expect them to be. They are the life source to the cart. Most chargers work by feeding electric current through a battery, in hopes that the cells inside will hold the energy that just passed through it.
How do electric golf carts work?
Answer: Pretty much the same way all battery chargers work: the charger puts an appropriate DC voltage across the battery, and it recharges. There are some pretty important chemical changes going on inside the battery, but that’s a lot for a simple answer. A charger for the batteries in …
How does a golf truck battery 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 won’t my golf cart Charger charge?
Modern automatic golf cart battery chargers monitor the voltage in the battery pack and react accordingly. If the voltage gets too low it can cut on and provide some charge. When the voltage stops rising in the batteries, then the charger will cut off.
How much voltage does an automatic golf cart battery charger need?
The OBC is a small device that is wired into the golf cart that's purpose is to regulate the batteries charge. As you use and drive your golf cart, the OBC records the amount of energy consumed and then directs the charger to replace exactly the amount of …
How do I know if my golf cart charger is working?
Check the battery charger transformer by listening for a humming sound. Also check to see if the AC power cord is plugged in to a working outlet. If the battery is getting electrical current then you should hear the transformer humming.
Can you leave golf cart charger plugged in all the time?
No, it's not recommended that you leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. Although automatic chargers are designed to prevent over-charging, there is still the risk of the circuit breaker tripping, which would result in damage to your battery's cells.Sep 6, 2021
What should my golf cart charger read when fully charged?
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 does a golf cart charge its battery?
Gas golf cart accessories will also rely on battery power. However, they feature a starter/generator that will charge the battery on its own while the gas pedal is depressed. This doesn't mean a gas golf cart battery is invincible – any accessories left on while the cart isn't running will eventually kill your battery.Aug 18, 2019
Can you overcharge a golf cart?
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.May 29, 2013
Can I charge my golf cart with a regular battery charger?
These batteries are designed to be discharged almost completely and repeatedly with low loss in performance. Golf carts usually come with their own charger, however a car charger can also be used to charge a golf cart. The trick is matching the voltage of the charger to the voltage of the batteries.
How do I know if my battery charger is working?
To test the charger's output, connect the battery to the charger and turn on the charger. The meter should read near or equal to the battery's rated voltage. If it doesn't, the charger fails. It is also a good idea to test the charger's current output.Dec 13, 2021
How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
It takes 8 to 14 hours to charge a fully discharged battery pack whether you have an old or new battery. Factors that can determine charging time are depth of discharge, how many amp-hours you have used, as well as how many amp hours your charger can charge.Sep 25, 2020
Why is my golf cart charger not working?
If your batteries aren't hooked up correctly, or the connections between them are weak or frayed, this can quickly lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail. Make sure you check each battery terminal for corrosion; any buildup will impede the flow of electricity, and could likewise cause problems.Aug 21, 2018
Find A New Golf Cart Battery Charger Or Batteries
1. All Golf Cart Chargers 2. Club Car Chargers 3. EZGO Chargers 4. Yamaha Chargers 5. Buyer's Guide - Picking the Best Golf Cart Charger. 6. Golf C...
Troubleshoot An Old Golf Cart Battery Charger & Batteries
1. Why is my golf cart battery charger not working? 2. I manually charged my batteries, that did not work, now what? 3. Do I have a battery or a ch...
Golf Cart Charger Questions
1. How do I choose a replacement charger for my Powerdrive, Powerwise, etc.? 2. What's the difference between the Links & Summit charger? 3. How lo...
Golf Cart Battery Questions
1. Do I have 6v, 8v or 12v golf cart batteries? 2. Do I have a 36 volt or 48 volt golf cart? 3. How long do golf cart batteries last? 4. How can I...
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.
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.
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).
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.
Club Car On-Board Computer (OBC) Frequently Asked ..
The OBC is a small device that is wired into the golf cart that's purpose is to regulate the batteries charge. As you use and drive your golf cart, the OBC records the amount of energy consumed and then directs the charger to replace exactly the amount of energy needed to fully replenish the batteries. Do all golf carts have OBC's? More ›
Golf Cart Battery Charger Troubleshooting & FAQs
As a result, golf cart battery chargers for 48 volt Club Cars need a working OBC to get them to start charging. So, it is possible that your OBC is malfunctioning and it is not the golf cart charger. Again, th is is only for 48 volt Club Car golf carts (Not for Yamaha or EZGO golf carts). More ›
Club Car 48 Volt Golf Cart Battery Charger - Lester 48V ..
0:00 / 5:13 •. Live. •. This Lester Links 48 volt golf cart battery charger is made for 48V Club Car DS, Precedent, Carry All, Villager & Transporter golf carts with WORKING OBC installed (all PowerDrive / IQ & IQ Plus systems). Plug the battery charger into your Club Car and once your golf cart batteries fully charge, the Club Car's ... More ›
Service & Support-SCR - Lester Electrical
The 26610-21 Is the only aftermarket charger that will work with a Club Car cart with an active OBC; How do I choose a replacement charger for my Power Drive Charger? What is an OBC By-pass kit? The OBC By-pass kit de-activates the carts OBC, so a standard charger can be used to charge batteries and Club Cart cars More ›
How to Charge Golf Cart Batteries (Complete Guide) - Golf ..
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. You can adjust the connections to override the OBC. More ›
Why Does My Golf Cart Charger Not Shut Off? (Overcharging ..
The OBC of golf carts is responsible for the cart's charging. It should be fully functional to maintain your cart's critical functions. Check all the terminals and make sure they are not damaged. EZGO overcharging problems These are the reasons why a EZGO golf cart can overcharge: Bad voltage regulator Charger Pins Relay OBC Batteries More ›
How to Test and Reset a Club Car Controller (OBC) - Golf ..
It is the controller that controls the acceleration and deceleration of a golf cart. The speed controller helps the rider adjust the current going to the golf cart motor, therefore adjusting the speed. This adjustment is performed by modulating voltage by the controller such that the user has full control over their club car golf cart. More ›
How does an electric golf cart work?
How Does a Golf Cart Work. In the most basic sense, your electric golf cart works by providing electric power from a battery pack to a motor that turns your wheels. Everything else involved is just a way of controlling when and how much of that power is being delivered. The battery pack is pretty basic.
How do golf cart batteries work?
Batteries work by changing chemical energy into electrical energy. Different types of batteries use different types of chemical reactions to do this, but for the most part they’re all very similar. We did a whole article on golf cart batteries ...
What is a golf cart solenoid?
We did a write up on golf cart solenoids if you want to get deeper knowledge, or learn how to test them. Like I said before, a solenoid is basically a switch, but more specifically, it’s a relay, meaning that it’s a switch that uses one circuit to control another.
What is an inductive throttle sensor?
What that really means is when you push down your electric golf cart accelerator, you’re actually pushing a rod through an inductive sensor coil. The sensor coil uses this to tell the speed controller how much voltage to consume.
How many volts does a golf cart battery pack have?
The battery pack is pretty basic. It could be anywhere from 6 to 48 volts, but it’s usually 36 or 48 volts on most newer electric golf carts. The battery pack’s power is routed to the motor, but along the way, it is changed by a solenoid and a speed controller to give you only the power you’re asking for and only when you’re asking for it.
What is a speed controller?
The speed controller is essentially a variable resistor. You have them in most electrical systems. They’re a pretty simple concept. Depending on some type of input, the variable resistor will consume different amounts of energy. In the case of your golf cart speed controller, the input is the signal from your accelerator pedal.
What is a DC motor?
A DC motor is the most basic, and a lot of entry level golf carts still use them. They can easily reach the speed demands of fleet golf carts, and are a lot cheaper to manufacture. A DC motor consists of three parts: a stator, rotor, and commutator.
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 .
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”.
What is a DC side connection?
Good DC side connection. This is the wire or cord with a connector that you would plug into the golf cart. DC stands for “Direct Current” as AC stands for Alternating Current” – and basically what a golf cart battery charger does. It converts AC power to DC power to charge or replace the electricity in your golf carts batteries.
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.
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 do electric golf carts work?
Electric carts use golf cart batteries voltage to turn the electric motor and it begins moving on its own. The batteries for these carts are charged from a battery charger using household outlets or solar panels energy and they do not need gasoline as fuel.
What is a golf cart?
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 carts. A golf cart is a type of vehicle that has been used on golf courses for many years. Golf carts are not allowed to use public roads unless they are converted to comply ...
How long does a gas golf cart last?
An electric cart has an average life of 5 to 7 years for deep cycle batteries, and the deep-cycle type of battery is expensive. While gas carts have their own maintenance ...
What is the difference between electric and gas golf carts?
What Is The Difference Between The Gas And Electric Type Of Golf Cart? A gasoline-powered cart uses a battery to actuate a solenoid switch that causes a starter to turn the engine over until the ignition begins. Push the gas pedal and the vehicle moves on its own.
Is a golf cart better than a gas engine?
The electric-powered golf carts may be better when it comes to environmental impact, but they will not always have as much power as a gas engine and can cost more upfront.
Can you use a golf cart on a public road?
A golf cart is a type of vehicle that has been used on golf courses for many years. Golf carts are not allowed to use public roads unless they are converted to comply with local ordinances governing speed and safety equipment.
Do electric golf carts have water levels?
While gas carts have their own maintenance points, electric carts must have the golf cart batteries’ water levels checked and maintained. Electrical components such as the golf cart speed controller, inductive sensor coil, and electric golf cart motor are not cheap either.
What is a starter generator for a golf cart?
A golf cart starter generator plays a vital role in running a golf cart. It helps to start the cart, to on the lights of the cart, and also helps to charge the battery of the cart and to supply power to the cart. If there is any problem with the starter generator, you cannot run the cart.
What is the starter part of a coil?
The starter part of the component is a combination of a stator, windings, armature, and brushes. The armature is joined to wires wound in a circular motion making a field coil.
What is the generator section of a starter generator?
The generator section of the starter generator components provides voltage to all the electrical components of the cart. Each electric feature of a cart requires some amount of voltage to run.
Why does my starter generator get overheated?
If the brushes wear too much and the interior instruments get out of the round, the brush can bounce, because of a break in the electric flow .
What happens when the gas pedal is depressed?
When the gas pedal gets depressed, the starter cranks the engine over, and it starts to move on its own. The generator section of the unit begins to charge the 12-volt battery. The starter generator brushes are vital for this process.
What is starter generator?
A starter generator is a mixture of two different engine components. The components can be found in lawn tractors, garden tractors, and aircraft. The starter component generates the initial agitation, starting the vehicle, and the generator maintains the voltage while the cart is being operated.
What does it mean when a starter pulley is not moving?
Pulley of starter not moving freely or rusted: On looking at the starter generator, if the pulley looks rusted or does not move freely on moving by hand, this is a clear sign of your start going bad. You will have to change its pulley, and the starter should work.
How to troubleshoot a golf cart battery charger?
If your batteries get too low, you could be stranded. To avoid this, you have to ensure that your battery charger is working correctly. If your battery charger ever fails, ...
Why is my golf cart not charging?
If your batteries are carrying a minimal load, and your charger will still not charge them, it may be because your golf cart’s onboard computer is confused about how much charge they are currently carrying.
Why does my charger fail?
If your batteries aren’t hooked up correctly, or the connections between them are weak or frayed, this can quickly lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail. Make sure you check each battery terminal for corrosion; any buildup will impede the flow of electricity, and could likewise cause problems.
How many volts does a battery charger need to charge?
When your charger can’t tell that your batteries are hooked up, it often won’t even turn on. A base charge of 25-30 volts is usually sufficient to wake up your charger and begin charging. To get around this problem, specific chargers offer modes that keep your batteries charged even when you’re not using them.
What to do if battery charger fails?
You can’t address every problem with a simple DIY repair, but a sound diagnosis can save hours of frustration. In many cases, the solution is simple, and you’ll be able to handle it with minimal expense.
Why won't my battery turn on?
Make Sure the Batteries have Some Charge. In the scenario that it doesn’t turn on, it might mean you waited too long to recharge them, and now the charge that they currently carry is too low for the charger to detect them. When your charger can’t tell that your batteries are hooked up, it often won’t even turn on.
What to do if battery is stuck at no charge?
However, if you’re stuck at no charge, a small, manual charger should provide each battery with enough juice to activate your regular charger.
