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how much voltage does a golf cart charger need to read to charge

by Mr. Jerad Cormier DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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They require a minimal number of volts to begin charging. At least 20-25 volts across the set will be required for a 36 volt golf cart. At least 30-35 volts across the set will be required for a 48 volt golf cart.

Full Answer

What should my golf cart charger read?

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 do you test a golf cart battery charger with a multimeter?

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 many amps should a golf cart charger put out?

Any 36-volt battery charger should initially start by providing at least 15+ amps to the batteries. The amps may drop down very quickly if the batteries are fully charged but the ammeter should show at least 15 amps to start off.

What should a 36 volt golf cart read at full charge?

The target voltage for a 36 volt charger for AGM or some flooded batteries is 2.4 to 2.45 volts per cell, which is 43.2 to 44.1 volts.

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 you check a golf cart charging system?

1:103:54Golf Cart Charger Troubleshooting Guide | ASK DAVE | Golf Cart GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cartMoreTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cart chargers start automatically by receiving voltage from your cart.

What should a fully charged 6 volt golf cart battery read?

A 6V battery is actually fully charged when it reads slightly over 6V on a multimeter. A 6 volt charger is typically designed to produce about 7 volts so that it can attain a full charge.

How do I know if my battery charger is working?

Running a test on your battery charger is an easy process.Plug in your charger to an electrical outlet. ... Turn on your voltmeter unit. ... Take a battery or battery pack that's compatible to your battery charger. ... Check the readout on the voltmeter and see where the pointer is indicating to.More items...

Can you leave 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.

How do I know if my golf cart battery charger is bad?

Bad Charger: IN GENERAL, if the charger kicks on, but doesn't charge fully or kicks off soon after, this is likely a charger issue. If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.

What voltage is a Club Car golf cart?

The standard electric golf cart will have four, six, or eight batteries in total. The voltage will be either 36 volts or 48 volts. These batteries will be contained in a single system, that looks a bit like a large block/box.

How long should it take to charge a 36 volt 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.

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Where is my User’s Manual for my golf cart battery charger?

Our manufacturer does not provide owner’s manuals. Here are the links to the Lester charger manuals (they are also linked to on our product pages):

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 to check golf cart battery voltage?

To determine your golf cart voltage, check the battery compartment below your golf cart seat. Count the number of holes on the battery then multiply that number by 2 to know its golf cart battery voltage. The last step would be to multiply the golf cart batter voltage by the total number of golf cart batteries, ...

How much energy does a golf cart use?

Another study done by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority evaluated the energy use of electric golf carts per hour. The report indicated a 3.3 kWH for its daily energy consumption, while gas carts consumed much more at 1.13 L or 10 kWh of energy.

How long do golf cart batteries last?

A well-maintained golf cart battery would be able to last up to six years. The minimum predicted lifespan would be at four years. Golf carts typically contain 6 volt batteries, 8 volt batteries, or 12 volt batteries.

What is a golf cart battery?

The Types of Golf Cart Batteries. A golf cart battery is actually a deep cycle battery. This type of battery is also referred to as “wet” or “flooded” batteries because of the electrolytes they contain. These electrolytes are comprised of a water and acid solution that produces an electrical current over long periods of time.

How long does it take to charge an empty battery?

It actually just takes five hours to charge an empty battery. The saved costs depend on how many kilowatts are consumed to charge the battery. For this case, let’s take into account a 120 volt charger that draws 10 amps. Volts multiplied by amps yields watts as the product, so the result is 1,200 watts.

What is electric golf cart?

Electric golf carts offer an environment friendly alternative for short distance transport. These vehicles have also become the preference of more golf players and enthusiasts. Compared to gas carts, electric golf carts yield lower fuel costs by 85 percent and only produce a quarter of fuel emissions. Plus these vehicles’ quiet run and mechanisms make them an even better companion to such a solemn game.

Is electric golf cart sustainable?

Whether you’re looking at daily consumption or long-term benefit, electric golf carts are one step to a more sustainable future. The environment isn’t the only thing taken care of, as you can also enjoy more annual savings in the long run.

What should my golf cart charger read when fully charged?

Your golf cart’s battery charger should read about 12.72 volts when fully charged. A good sign of battery functionality is how much voltage it has.

How to test a 36-volt golf cart battery charger?

Here, we’ll tell you all about the process of testing your battery reconditioning charger!

Why are the Golf cart battery chargers essential?

It is also needed for the Golf Cart Battery Reconditioning. They not only make sure that your batteries are always charged and ready to go, but they also protect the life of your batteries by automatically shutting off when it is time for them to cool down and rest.

How will you test a Golf cart battery charger: step by step guide?

Usually, the charger doesn’t take up the charge if the product is not original. But, the automated chargers require minimum voltage.If you are using a charger, it will have some indicator that indicates when the battery has been charged up or discharged. Read this and understand what needs to be done so that your golf cart can have an efficient charging process.

How to fix club car charging problems?

This is a problem which you need to fix. First, check the voltage output. If you find it is weak, follow the below steps:

What are the varieties of Golf cart batteries?

Lead-acid batteries are by far the cheapest option on this list, but it doesn’t last nearly as long as most other options.

How long do golf cart batteries last?

Instead, they are typically only used when necessary, and the average lifespan for an AGM battery is between two to five years depending upon how often they’re being charged, but that can vary from model to model.

How many volts does a golf cart battery have?

A standard golf cart battery will have between 38 and 46 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the golf cart’s battery will last, and the more power you’ll get out of that cart – that depends on the speed you’re using on the golf cart and how you use that cart over its terrain.

Why won't my golf cart battery charge?

Putting too much or too little water in your golf cart batteries can be detrimental to the battery’s lifespan. Too much water and you can flood or overflow the acid tanks inside the battery as you charge it. Too little water and you’ll find the battery won’t charge as there is not enough water to allow the electrolysis charging process inside of the battery to take place.

Can You Overcharge An Electric Golf Cart?

You can overcharge an electric golf cart. Overcharging can damage the cells in your golf cart’s battery, reducing the battery’s longevity, making your cart more likely to lose its charge faster than if you used an automatic charger that turns itself off when the battery is full. Don’t drive a golf cart until the battery dies; lead-acid batteries won’t last as long when drained to 0.

How to prevent golf cart batteries from overcharging?

My best advice to prevent overcharging your golf cart batteries is to set a timer while you charge the battery. You will also want to ensure that you check the battery’s heat and charge at regular intervals to ensure the battery doesn’t overheat and hasn’t finished charging too soon.

How long does it take for a GPS golf cart to charge?

It also has the capability of being fully charged in approximately five hours. As it was designed for multiple golf games, the battery will take you up and down the straights of the course and help you improve your golfing game.

How to ensure electric golf cart longevity?

One other way to ensure the longevity of your electric golf cart is not to overwork its battery when out on the course. Stick to pathways and flat terrain as much as possible and don’t over-rev or work the cart as you move up and down the course’s undulation s.

Why is it bad to leave a golf cart plugged in?

Leaving your cart plugged in for too long can increase electricity consumption, which will inevitably cost you more money the longer you charge your cart. So when not in use, it’s wiser to avoid overcharging your golf cart to the extent that you are overloading the battery’s voltage.

How many volts are in a golf cart battery?

Now that we understand the differences between Amperage and Voltage, we can begin to break this down so we can locate the differences between various battery packs. For standard golf carts, we will typically see a Six Eight Volt Battery System. This can be visually determined by locating six batteries with 8 cells per battery. A cell is distinguished by a battery cap that is used for watering the batteries. With batteries used in Golf Carts, each cell will represent 2 Volts. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common battery packs we see in the market:

How does amperage affect golf carts?

It determines how far you can travel before having to fill up the tank. Well, Amperage in a golf cart is like the gas tank in your car. It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric Golf Car. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge. Click here to learn how ...

What is the relationship between horsepower and MPG?

To get a better idea of what amperage is like in a car, let us discuss the relationship between Horsepower and MPG. Horsepower within a car determines the acceleration and power of your car . If there is no fuel in the car though, then the vehicle is not going to go anywhere. That is the importance of MPG and also how big your gas tank is in your ...

Why is it important to know the difference between golf cart batteries?

The reason understanding their differences is so important is due to the large expense of replacement batteries. By knowing their differences ahead of time, you will be able to decipher which battery pack is suitable for you when making your golf cart purchase.

Is voltage in a golf cart battery similar to horsepower?

Therefore, Voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric vehicle 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.

What golf carts require different chargers?

This will depend on the golf cart model you own. For example, popular brands like Club Car, Yamaha, and E-Z-Go might require different chargers for their respective carts.

How long does it take to charge an electric golf cart?

It can take anywhere from 3 to 10 hours to fully charge your electric golf cart. This is assuming the battery is nearly discharged. The exact time it will take depends on the age of your batteries and the type of charger you use. Generally, you can expect older batteries to take longer to charge (5+ hours).

What happens if you run a cart until the battery is dead?

If you frequently run your cart until the battery is nearly dead, it will damage the battery and can significantly shorten its lifespan.

What does a red light on a battery charger mean?

Others have indicator lights to let you know. For example, a red light might mean that the battery still needs to be charged while a green light usually indicates it is fully charged.

Where is the charging port on a golf cart?

For example, some carts will have the charging port located on the exterior of the cart near the fwd/rev controls. For others, the port will be located underneath the seat.

Can you charge a golf cart with a generator?

Most people choose to use a simple wall outlet from their home. If your golf cart is usually stored somewhere where this is not an option, you can also use a generator. ***Make sure you charge your cart in a well-ventilated area.

Is equalization a controlled overcharge?

The key takeaway from this that equalization is a controlled overcharge to be done periodically. You shouldn’t make a practice of regularly overcharging your battery because this will damage it.

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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