How To Charge An Electric Golf Cart – Step-By-Step
- Purchase the right type of charger
- Connect the charger to the appropriate power source in a well-ventilated area
- Connect charging plug to the cart’s charging outlet
- Leave charger connected until the battery is fully charged
- Perform an equalization charge once every 4-6 weeks
How often should you charge a golf cart battery?
Use only golf cart batteries and opt for a refresh charge once in 45 to 60 days. You may have to do this charge more often in hot weather. Remember that as batteries become older, their water requirement and charging time increases accordingly.
Do electric golf carts need to be charged?
Remember, it’s a good idea to charge your cart after every round of golf because consistently allowing the charge to get too low can damage your batteries. The method used for charging your electric golf cart will vary depending on its particular make and model. However, the following steps can be applied to most carts:
How long can you leave a golf cart charger plugged in?
Most modern golf cart chargers are programmed to shut off automatically once the battery is fully charged and you can leave them plugged in for as long as you want. However, if you have an older charger or one that doesn’t automatically shut off, leaving it plugged in after the cart is fully charged may damage the battery.
What are the club car guidelines for charging my cart?
The Club Car guidelines for charging such a cart are as follows: If you leave the battery chargers plugged in for an extended amount of time, the electrolytes in the battery pack should be checked monthly and distilled water should be added.
Should an electric golf cart 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.
When should I charge my golf cart?
Charge Your Batteries After Every Use The best way is to charge overnight after you are done using the golf cart for the day. Even if you have only used the cart for 10 minutes, you still need to charge your golf cart batteries.
How long does a charge last on an electric golf cart?
Typically, an electric golf cart has between 45 and 90 minutes of full-power run time on a fully charged battery. Times depend on the age of the battery, with newer batteries having longer run times.
Can you overcharge an electric 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.
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.
How long should a 48v golf cart run?
The average range of the electric golf cart is 8-10 miles on a lead-acid battery.
Should I leave my 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.
How long can golf cart batteries sit without charging?
Still, golf cart batteries should be recharged after four hours of use.
How many miles will a 48V golf cart go?
The maximum range of this new battery when powering a 48V E-Z-GO RXV golf cart is approximately 20.5 miles when moving at 12 miles per hour. In golfing terms, this equates to around 3 rounds or 54 holes.
How do I extend the battery life on my golf cart?
Although golf cart batteries are designed to be deeply discharged and re-charged the battery life is improved if they are charged at about 50% discharge. Keep your golf cart battery in the top 50% of charge so that it takes less time to re-charge it.
What is the best way to charge golf cart batteries?
6:057:14How to Charge Dead Golf Cart Batteries Manually - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo charge each individual battery for a half-hour. And then plug. In your old charger your regularMoreSo charge each individual battery for a half-hour. And then plug. In your old charger your regular golf car charger. And if it clicks on and starts to register voltage.
How do you maintain an electric golf cart?
9 Essential Golf Cart Maintenance TipsCharge Your Batteries When Your Golf Carts Aren't In Use. ... Check the Water Levels in Your Batteries Regularly. ... Clean the Connections in Your Batteries. ... Fill Up Your Tyres Whenever They're Low on Air. ... Inspect Your Brakes At Least Once Every Year. ... Watch Out for Oil Leaks.More items...•
Should golf carts be 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.
Is it OK to charge a golf cart overnight?
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. Allowing your batteries to sit in a low state of charge for extended periods will decrease their capacity and life.
How do you keep golf cart batteries charged in the winter?
Find an Indoor Storage Area The best place to store any golf-cart batteries is by looking for a cool and dry area. It shouldn't be cold, such as an exposed area to the elements, but cool. Cool temperatures will slow the battery's discharge rate. You want a slow discharge so that the battery maintains its charge.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
What happens if golf cart batteries are not charged?
If batteries are not charged over a storage period of several months, they can deteriorate and provide less capacity. When there are experienced and inexperienced owners asking the same question, you have to wonder if this question is being addressed by golf cart manufacturers and where the confusion surrounding the questions is sprouting from. ...
How cold should a golf cart battery be?
As we know, it is a pain to uninstall and reinstall golf cart batteries, my recommendation would be to make sure your golf cart is stored above 32 degrees F and keep them charged and maintained throughout winter. This will prolong their life and keep older batteries running for a long time.
Why do golf cart batteries deteriorate?
The main reason would be a concern for the golf cart battery. Manufacturers recommend leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time, but only if using an automatic battery charger. This will keep the batteries topped off and ready to go. If batteries are not charged over a storage period of several months, they can deteriorate ...
What type of batteries does a club car use?
They have produced carts with 48V lead-acid configurations and lithium ion batteries. However, the 48V lead acid carts are the most common. The Club Car guidelines for charging such a cart are as follows:
Can you leave a golf cart plugged in?
In conclusion, the answer to the question at hand is most likely: No, you shouldn’t always leave your cart plugged in when you are not using it. However, depending upon which type of golf cart you have, the proper guidelines from your manufacturer will differ. According to Club Car, you should leave your cart plugged in during storage and let the computer detect when the batteries need a charge. According to E-Z-GO, you can leave your cart charging during storage, but you should consistently check on your power source. And, according to Yamaha, you should remove your batteries from the cart completely.
Can you leave RXV on charger?
We throw our RXV on this charger and are able to leave it plugged in and it will automatically top off the batteries if need be.
Can you leave a battery charger plugged in?
The battery chargers can be left plugged in during prolonged storage, if the charger is plugged into an active electrical source. If the electrical source is not consistent, you should not leave the battery chargers plugged in , for the battery charger will automatically continue to address the battery pack.
