Full Answer
How long to charge a golf cart battery?
The charging should not take place for over six hours. The charging voltage or the voltage of the charger must be greater than or equal to the terminal voltage of your golf cart battery. Since golf cart batteries are usually of 6V, 8V, or 12V type, you can charge golf cart batteries with a 12 volt charger.
How does a 48 volt generator charge a golf cart?
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.
What voltage should a golf cart Charger be?
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.
Should I keep my 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.
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.
Can you charge a golf cart too long?
Charging at this point would typically be excessive and could damage the battery. It also increases the risk of overcharging, which puts undue strain on the cart's battery that could severely damage it and decrease its lifespan over a lengthy period.
How do I know when my Club car golf cart is fully charged?
2:224:02How 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.
How long should I charge my 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.
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.
How often should I add water to my golf cart batteries?
Always 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 overcharge your 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.
What is the proper way to charge golf cart batteries?
6:037:14How to Charge Dead Golf Cart Batteries Manually - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse your 12 volt automotive battery charger to charge each individual battery in the case of 8 voltsMoreUse your 12 volt automotive battery charger to charge each individual battery in the case of 8 volts or 12 volts.
How often should you charge a Club car golf cart?
Still, golf cart batteries should be recharged after four hours of use. Nobody likes to be stranded. It takes several hours to re-charge golf cart batteries that have gone completely dead. To lengthen the lifespan of batteries, make sure they are fully charged before each use.
What does the orange light mean on a golf cart?
Warning Lights The warning light on an electric golf cart is the battery light. True to its name, this light gets illuminated to warn you of a low battery or low batteries. It serves as a signal for you that it's time for battery recharge.
What does a blinking green light mean on a battery charger?
The blinking LED lights indicate different status of charge: Short green flash = less than 80% charged. Long green flash = more than 80% charged. Solid green light = 100% charged.
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.
How do I know when my EZ Go golf cart is fully charged?
The charger will begin charging as soon as it is plugged into the cart. Allow the charger to complete the full charging cycle; unplugging the charger before the cycle is complete will result in damaged batteries. When the LED displays long red flashes, the battery is fully charged.
Can you overcharge your 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.
How do you read a battery charger?
5:2810:36How To: Charge a Battery & Read the AMP Meter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUntil it gets to the green and that'll let you know that the battery is fully charged i know thatMoreUntil it gets to the green and that'll let you know that the battery is fully charged i know that sounds weird it seems like it would start here and then move this way towards 100.
How to determine how long it takes to charge a golf cart battery?
Basically devide the amp hour rate of your charger by how many amps you have used. That is easier said than done because golf carts don’t have a meter telling you how many amps you have used.
How long does it take for a golf cart charger to charge?
Most golf cart chargers will charge at 10-20 amps. If you have a 220 amp hour battery and are charging at 15 amps, it will take about 14 hours to charge. If you are charging 100 amp hours at 10 amps, it will take 10 hours to charge. It really is a simple math equation based on your used up amp hours and your chargers charging amp hours.
How many amps should a 100 amp battery pack charge?
Batteries should only be discharged to 50% capacity. If you have a new 100 amp battery pack you can use 50 amp hours before you need to recharge. If you have an old battery pack that had degraded to only 80 % capacity, then you would need to charge when you have used 30 amps. On the same charger, it will be quicker to charge 30 amps than the newer 50 amp charge.
How to tell if a golf cart is 36V or 48V?
To know whether your golf cart is a 36V golf cart or a 48V golf cart, you will need to read the number of cells (holes) present in the battery. A cell has 2 volts (2 holes). Hence, if the golf cart contains 6 batteries, a 48V golf cart would be one with 4 cells (4 holes) in each battery.
How many volts does a golf cart battery need?
The voltage from your golf cart charger should correspond to the number of volts of your golf cart battery. As a 48V golf cart would make use of a 48-volt charger, so also goes for a 36V golf cart and 36-volt charger.
How to determine how many amp hours a golf cart battery will last?
If you do have a voltage meter, you can determine how many amp hours you have used by finding the capacity of your golf cart batteries and divide by the amp hours on your charger to get an approximate idea. The following factors will also determine the length of time it take to charge.
How long does a golf cart battery last?
A golf cart battery, with proper battery charging and discharging cycle alongside regular maintenance, can last for six to seven years. With a proper charging process, the charging time is less likely to rapidly increase over the years.
How far can a golf cart go with a new battery?
An electric golf cart with new batteries will go anywhere between 25 to 40 miles depending on the battery configuration, the model, and voltage of the cart.
How far can a golf cart go on a single charge?
You can also see golf carts go beyond 50 miles on a single charge, although you might not want to do that since it can shorten the battery life and can leave you stranded if the battery depletes beyond its power usage. Check out our golf cart maintenance and troubleshooting checklist for other tips.
Why do golf cart batteries need to be charged?
Charging. Batteries need to get fully charged between uses. Using your golf cart when your batteries aren’t fully charged leads to hard sulfation and can affect battery performance and the range of your batteries. Make sure your batteries have enough time to complete a charge cycle before using your cart.
What type of motor is used in a golf cart?
Golf carts are powered by either a 4-stroke internal combustion engine or a 36V or 48v electric AC or DC motor. Originally, these vehicles were only electrically powered, but with time, gasoline-powered variants started to emerge. Most communities prefer the electric version over gas powered carts for several reasons:
How does driving affect golf cart batteries?
Things like going uphill or carrying a large load for a long period can reduce the batteries function quickly .
How many amps does a golf battery use?
A typical round of golf will require about 40 minutes of run time while discharged at 56 amps. With all three configurations, the batteries have more than enough capacity to get through two rounds. But you’ll also want to look at the battery’s depth of discharge or DOD.
How does extra weight affect golf cart speed?
This is because the extra weight of the body and other operating parts put more strain on the drivetrain, requiring more power to move as compared to the lighter 2-seater cart. If you’re looking for ways to make your golf cart go faster, just know the extra weight also effects the golf cart speed as well. A typical round of golf will require about ...
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Golf Cart Battery?
A new golf cart battery that is fully discharged will take 2-4 hours to completely charge. On the other hand, a 5 year old battery may take up to 10 hours to fully charge.
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 to turn off golf cart battery?
Turn the ignition key of the golf cart to the OFF position. Although there is no battery draw when the key is left on, doing this is considered to be a safe practice.
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.
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.
How to keep golf cart from accumulating?
Keep the golf cart where there is good ventilation to prevent gases from accumulating during the charging process.
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 does a golf cart battery charger work?
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 to keep battery charger running?
Cleanliness is an obvious tip to keep that charger running for a long time. Make sure your charging plugs are always clean of dust, and that your charger is stored in a dry area. The last thing you want is your battery charger sitting in a pool of water in your garage.
What is an off board golf cart charger?
Off-board chargers are essentially portable chargers for your golf cart batteries. A charger sitting in your garage plugged into the wall would be considered an off-board charger.
What voltage do you need for a charger?
Your charger will need the right voltage and plug to match your battery. Each battery runs off a certain amount of voltage. You want to choose a charger that matches this voltage. For example, if you cart has a 24-voltage then you need a charger that is meant for 24 volts. In addition, make sure your charger has the right plug to fit your cart.
Why do batteries have fluids on top?
Fluids on the top of your batteries could mean that your batteries are over filled. If that’s the case, you’ll want to remove some of the water from the over-filled compartments.
What is the cycle life of a battery?
When purchasing a battery you want to consider cycle life and maintenance. Cycle life is how many charge and discharge cycles the battery has in its life. Having a battery that has a cycle of around 750 is optimal. Search for batteries with good reviews on the cycle life.
How to fix flooded battery?
These chargers require water maintenance. Over the life time of the battery the water level may lower. It is a simple fix however. Adding distilled water to refill to desired water level will fix this problem.
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.
What is “Storage Mode” on my golf cart battery charger?
"Storage Mode" is a feature that comes with every Lester Electrical golf cart battery charger that we sell (except for the 48V Club Car Charge r - That battery charge r is ONLY automatic, meaning it will charge to full charge and then shut off. It will not come back on like the new Summit II battery chargers). When you plug in your charger to your cart it will fully charge the batteries. Once fully charged, the charger goes into its "storage mode" feature so long as it is connected to the golf cart and the wall. When in storage mode, it will charge your batteries only when the following two situations occur (1) the battery voltage drops to a certain predefined voltage AND (2) 10-15 days have elapsed. Once these two criteria are met, the charger will do a refresh charge to bring up the volts again to 100% fully charged. So, unlike a trickle charger that charges non-stop, the Lester charger charges only when the batteries need a good charge.
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 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.
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).
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.
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 the owner manual on a golf cart tell you?
If uncertain, referring to your golf cart’s owner manual will provide guidance as to the type of battery your make and model was made to handle. As always, if you have questions or need further assistance, our talented and highly trained staff is standing by to assist and make sure you get just what you need to enjoy the trails or links worry-free.
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.