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how low to run golf cart batteries

by Novella Breitenberg Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

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.

Full Answer

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.

What kind of battery do I need for a golf cart?

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 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?

Should I refill my golf cart battery when water level low?

The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low. When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow.

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What level do you fill golf cart batteries?

¼ to ½ inchFill 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.

Should golf cart batteries be charged 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.

Should you leave your electric golf cart 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.

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 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.

How often should you water 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.

Can you use a trickle charger on golf cart batteries?

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.

Is it OK to charge a golf cart overnight?

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 extend the battery life on my golf cart?

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.

What happens if you put too much water in your 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.

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).

What happens when golf cart batteries are low on water?

If the water level in your golf cart battery is too low, the plates inside the battery will dry out and begin to flake off. When this happens, you will lose the ability to recharge your golf cart, and you will have to replace your battery altogether.

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.

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.

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 ...

Why do people use electric golf carts?

Most communities prefer the electric version over gas powered carts for several reasons: Zero pollution. Low operating noise. Safety for pedestrians and other carts (due to slow speeds). This article talks about the electric variant of golf carts and the maximum range this vehicle can get on a single charge.

What is the controller in a car?

A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller. Voltage is great to know, however the true knowledge lies with the total amperage in a battery pack. To get a better idea of what amperage is like in a car, let us discuss the relationship between Horsepower and MPG.

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 does amperage affect golf carts?

It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric golf cart. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge.

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 cycles does a lithium battery last?

Also, some lithium batteries carry a lifetime warranty and can deliver up to 5000 cycles versus the typical 100-500 cycles for a lead acid battery. Even with a 500-cycle lead acid battery cart, that means replacing the power source 10 times more than the lithium-ion model.

What kind of batteries are used in golf carts?

While the aim of this article is to discuss primarily deep cycle batteries used in golf carts, some people are interested about learning the other types of batteries being used in Golf Cars. We have an article for you that discusses differing battery types in detail specifically for you.

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.

Can you drive a golf cart up steep hills?

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.

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 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.

How many holes does a golf battery pack play?

In other words, a battery pack with a 60-minute discharge rating will usually run two rounds (36 holes) of golf before the pack needs to be re-charged. A pack that is rated at 15 minutes would normally play a 9-hole round; a 105-minute pack would play 3 18’s and a 9 before it would need to be re-charged, etc.

How many minutes of discharge time is a golf round?

The industry standard is that 30 minutes of discharge time = 1 normal, 2-person, 18-hole round of golf.

How many holes can you rent a golf car in one day?

The “30-minute rule” for one 2 person 18-hole round is an average, but it is used by golf courses to judge whether a golf car can be rented twice in one day, and by golf car manufacturers for warranty replacement purposes.

Can a golf car run below the cut off point?

Modern golf cars with electronic speed controllers will normally not allow the car to run below its cut-off point. If voltage in the battery pack drops below its cut-off point the controller will normally shut the car down until the voltage comes back up above the cut-off point.

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