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how full should i fill my golf cart batteries

by Meghan Sipes Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Fill battery cells (aka water fill holes) with distilled water (not tap water) ¼ to ½ inch above the plates. With ¼ inch of water you'll have to check your batteries more often, but at ½ inch you'll likely have more acid accumulation on the tops of the batteries. Either level is acceptable; it's really your call.

Full Answer

How much water do you put in a golf cart battery?

3) Fill all golf cart battery cells ONLY AFTER charging, and do not over fill. Fill battery cells (aka water fill holes) with distilled water (not tap water) ¼ to ½ inch above the plates. With ¼ inch of water you’ll have to check your batteries more often, but at ½ inch you’ll likely have more acid accumulation on the tops of the batteries.

How long should you charge a golf cart battery?

Charge your golf cart battery between 8 and 10 hours with the proper charger and plug. Try not to allow your battery to drop below 20% capacity, especially for lead-acid batteries. When charging deep cycle batteries do not let these batteries discharge completely.

How to tell how many holes in a golf cart battery?

You will be able to see 3, 4, or 6 holes. By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart. A Guide To Golf Cart Batteries: How Much Do Batteries Cost?

How often should I refill my golf cart battery?

It mostly depends on how often you use it. The more you use it, the more often it will need to be refilled. For the average user, who may use their golf cart two or three times per week, it’s recommended that they check their batteries’ water levels once every month or so.

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Are golf cart batteries supposed to be full of water?

Overwatering and under watering can both be detrimental to your battery. Before attempting to fill your battery, it should be completely charged. Only add water to a discharged battery if the battery plates are exposed, in this instance only add water to cover the plates.

How often should you fill golf cart batteries with water?

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.

Can you put too much water in golf cart batteries?

Golf cart batteries produce electricity using electrolytes and water, which means you will need to occasionally add some more water. But be careful of the amount! Too much water can lead to the electrolytes overflowing. Too little water can cause sulfation, which damages the lead plates.

When Should golf cart batteries be refilled?

You should aim to check the water level in your battery cells every at least once every two months to ensure that your battery isn't ask risk of being ruined due to low water levels. The best time to refill the water in your golf cart batteries is immediately after fully charging your golf cart.

How often do you need to add water to a battery?

A battery should only be watered after it is completely charged. But, you should always check the water level before charging. Before charging, make sure there is just enough water to cover any exposed plates (rectangular metal parts visible when you look inside a battery).

When should I fill my battery with water?

While a battery should only be filled after it is completely charged, you should also check the water level before charging to make sure there is just enough water to cover any exposed plates. After charging, add enough water to bring the level to the bottom of the vent, about ¾ below the top of the cell.

Should you charge your 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.

Can you overcharge your golf cart batteries?

6) Do not overcharge your golf cart batteries. It is best if you have an automatic golf cart charger, in that way, this is not a concern for you! Batteries should be brought up to full charge at the earliest opportunity. Avoid operating batteries in a partially charged condition.

How do golf cart batteries lose water?

Especially in summer, when it's all hot, the water in the battery evaporates. If you don't check and maintain the batteries regularly, you risk the water level getting low. As the water level reduces, the cell plate in the battery is exposed, dried, and flake off to cause sulfation.

Why do my golf cart batteries drain so fast?

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 can I make my golf cart batteries last longer?

Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer.Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. ... Use a Proper Battery Charger. ... Trickle Charge the Battery. ... Prevent Corrosion. ... Pay More to Last More. ... Use Anti-Corrosion Lubricants.

How long does a golf cart battery last?

With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years.

What Are The Best Golf Cart Batteries?

These brands have shown a dedication to creating quality batteries. Quality control and innovation are the main focus of these companies, ensuring that buyers get the latest and greatest. Find out more below!

How to tell if golf cart has 36V or 48V?

By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart.

What voltage do golf carts use?

Outside of specialty carts, most carts operate on a 36V or 48V standard and need a series of cells to supply enough power.

What happens if you charge a battery with an underpowered charger?

An underpowered charger will cause a buildup of sulfation on the negative plate, affecting its performance. An overpowered charger causes an accumulation of corrosion on the positive plate. Ideally, you do not want your batteries to die, as charging a dead lead-acid battery can cause strain.

How to keep batteries clean?

Looking to keep your batteries clean? Use a bristle brush and a mild solution to clean the top of each battery. You can also use anti-corrosive solutions and sprays to prevent corrosion, which can be a problem with lead-acid batteries. Alternatively, you can use battery covers.

What are the two main electrical quantities to consider when replacing batteries?

Two main electrical quantities you will want to focus on when replacing batteries are voltage and current. Voltage is measured in volts, or “ V ,” and Current is measured in amps, or “ A .”

How much distilled water do you put in a golf cart battery?

The actual amount of water you may have to add will vary based upon the current level of water in your golf car batteries, but the end result is that you should add as much as necessary to achieve a water level approximately 1/8 – 1/4th of an inch below the bottom of the vent well when fully charged. See diagram above.

What type of water should I add to my golf cart battery?

Every major battery manufacturer recommends that distilled water be added to flooded lead acid batteries. There are a couple of acceptable alternatives, such as de-ionized (demineralized) water, or reverse osmosis water. But the recommendation is distilled water.

How do I know if my golf cart batteries need water?

When you are checking the water level in the cells of your battery, you want to make sure that the plates in the battery are covered with water, and that the water level is at the correct level when the battery is fully charged.

What happens when golf cart batteries are low on water?

Trojan will periodically request that dealers or golf car distributors send them batteries that are being processed for warranty due to failure so they can perform a “battery autopsy” to determine the cause of failure. Sometimes a battery failure is due to a manufacturing defect, but many times they discover the failure is due to poor maintenance.

Can you use bottled water instead of distilled water in a battery?

Most bottled water has minerals added for taste. You should not use bottled water to fill your golf cart battery. Minerals will be attracted to and accumulate on the plates inside the battery and significantly reduce their capacity and life.

Should I charge golf cart batteries after adding water?

Your golf car should be fully charged before adding water to your batteries, but if you want to charge the golf cart batteries after adding water you can. Your charger may initiate an equalization charge which may cause your batteries to bubble and gas, so you may want to prevent or stop the equalization after charging for an hour or so.

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 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 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 ...

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).

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 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.

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.

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