Equalizing is just one of several procedures you should be adding to your maintenance schedule every time you service the batteries. This regular service, including watering, should be performed at least once a month, or more frequently during periods of heavy use.
How do you equalize a golf cart battery?
Simply put, on an off day when the cart is not in use, use the hydrometer to take a reading on the charge state and use the following chart to determine how many hours are needed to “catch up”. Equalizing is performed on batteries that have become over-sulfated and are less effective as they get older.
How much should you discharge a golf cart battery?
Use your golf cart and batteries often…avoid long periods of storage. 50% (or less) discharges are recommended. 80% discharge is the maximum safe discharge. Do not fully discharge lead-acid batteries (80% or more). This will damage (or kill) the battery.
How often should I have my electric car batteries equaled?
Equalizing is just one of several procedures you should be adding to your maintenance schedule every time you service the batteries. This regular service, including watering, should be performed at least once a month, or more frequently during periods of heavy use.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
Your batteries could last up to ten years (note: this is not very common) – and as few as three – if your cart is privately owned, which implies that you will use your cart less than, say, the average cart on a popular public golf course.
Do you need to equalize golf cart batteries?
0:233:06Trojan Tips 5 - Equalization is Key to Extending Battery Life ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should be aware that you should only equalize flooded batteries and not AGM or gel batteries asMoreYou should be aware that you should only equalize flooded batteries and not AGM or gel batteries as it will cause excess gassing and premature battery dry.
Should I equalize my batteries?
Equalizing your deep-cycle batteries is a great way to extend battery life and lower operational costs over time. It will also help to remove a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the battery's plates, a condition called sulfation.
Can you equalize a battery too much?
It is possible to over-equalize! The process of equalization can lead to aging of the lead plates inside the batteries, so over-equalizing will reduce battery lifespan.
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.
How often is battery equalization?
Many experts recommend that batteries be equalized periodically, ranging anywhere from once a month to once or twice per year. However, Trojan only recommends equalizing when low or wide ranging specific gravity (>0.030) are detected after fully charging a battery.
How long should I equalize my battery bank?
Some manufacturers recommend monthly equalizations for 2–16 hours. Most VRLAs vent at 34kPa (5psi), and repeated venting leads to the depletion of the electrolyte, which can lead to a dry-out condition. Not all chargers feature equalizing charge.
How often should AGM batteries be equalized?
Our batteries should be equalized at 15.5-16.3 volts for 6-8 hours. Depending on the level of sulfation, you may need to perform this process 2-3 times. You must perform an equalizing charge after you have gone through a regular charge first and the batteries have reached float charge.
Will batteries in parallel equalize?
With a series/parallel array of cells, it is generally safe to assume the cells connected in parallel will auto-balance with respect to each other. That is, over time, the state of charge will automatically equalize between parallel connected cells as long as a conducting path exists between the cell terminals.
How long does equalization charge take?
Equalization charges should be performed as suggested by the battery manufacturer, but many companies equalize their batteries over the weekend due to the long charging cycle. A full charge cycle is around eight hours for a standard lead-acid battery and the equalization charge can be around an additional three hours.
How often should you fill golf cart batteries with water?
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.
What is the proper way to charge golf cart batteries?
-Charge in a well-ventilated area to avoid gases that build up during charge time. -Take a pass on charging your golf cart in high temperatures. -Understand that ion batteries needn't be fully discharged to take a new charge. -Double check voltage settings and compensate for temperatures above 80-degrees F.
How long can a golf cart sit without charging?
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.
How long does it take to equalize a battery?
as the working principle of equalizing, this time can be varied from days to weeks, usually the equaling can be automated finished in 2 days. At this time, you don’t need to remove or disconnect the equalizer.
How to equalize battery bank?
Battery equalizer is easy to use, plug and play. First, select the appropriate equalizer according to the voltage of the battery. Second, follow the manual steps to correctly connect the equalizer. 1.
What is equalizer for RV batteries?
The ultimate guide to understanding what battery equalizer and equalization is, equalizing the battery with an added equalizer for your solar batteries or RV batteries is a must when you want to achieve a long time usage , battery balancer is a perfect solution when you facing this pain and can save added money without replacing an imbalanced or died battery.
What is a battery equalizer?
battery equalizer also called battery balancer, uses an active energy transfer method to keep each battery with the same voltage level. It can be widely used in solar batteries, RV batteries, Golf Cart Batteries, and any other battery bank.
What is the process of transferring energy from one battery to another?
Battery Equalization Process refers to the process of transferring energy from one battery to another until all the batteries are unified equalizing.
What is the most widely used battery?
The lead-acid battery is the most widely used battery type. And for various reasons, lead-acid batteries will slowly vulcanize until they are scrapped.
How many voltages are in a battery bank?
There are 6 battery bank voltages suit for implemented a battery equalizer, 12 volts, 24 volts, 48v, 60V, 72V, and 96V. Higher voltage batteries bank can use multiple equalizers.
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 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 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.
Can you put too much water in golf cart batteries?
You can add too much water to your golf cart battery cell. This should be avoided at all costs. You do NOT want to fill your golf cart battery to the cap. This will result in battery acid spilling out of the top of your battery, causing a mess and losing electrolyte and resulting in your battery losing capacity.
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.
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.
When should you equalize a battery?
Equalizing should be performed when a battery is first purchased (called a freshening charge) and on a regular basis as needed . How often this might occur with your battery will vary depending on your application. You will need to monitor your battery voltage and specific gravity to determine when equalization is needed. For example, it is time to equalize if the measured specific gravity values are below manufacturer’s recommended values after charging (recommended value for Trojan Deep Cycle batteries is 1.285 +/- .007 at 80º F (27º C)). Equalizing is also required if the specific gravity value of any individual cell varies 30 points or more. In addition, reduced performance can also be an indicator that equalizing is necessary. Equalization should be performed when individual battery voltages in a battery pack range greater than 0.15 volts for 6-volt batteries or 0.30 volts for 12-volt batteries.
When to water batteries?
The best time to water your batteries is always at the end of the charge cycle however, if the plates are exposed to air, add just enough water to cover the plates before starting the charge cycle. When the charging process is complete, re-check the electrolyte and top off as needed.
What happens when a battery is discharged?
Continually operating the battery in a partial state of charge, or storing the battery in a discharged state results in the formation of lead sulfate compounds on the plates. This condition is known as sulfation. Both of these conditions reduce the battery’s performance and may cause premature battery failure. Undercharging will also cause stratification.
How far down should the liquid level be from the battery?
Liquid levels should be 1/8 inch below the bottom of the vent well (the plastic tube that extends into the battery). The electrolyte level should not drop below the top of the plates. See Battery Watering Diagram.
What temperature should lead acid batteries be charged at?
When charging lead acid batteries, the temperature should not exceed 120ºF. At this point the battery should be disconnected from all charging sources and loads in order to cool before resuming the charge process.
Why is it important to water a battery before charging?
Additionally, watering the battery before charging may result in electrolyte overflow and unnecessary additional maintenance.
How long can a vrla battery be stored?
Flooded batteries will self-discharge up to 15% per month at 77º F (25º C). VRLA batteries should not be stored for more than 6 months at 77º F (25º C) without recharged. The specific gravity or voltage of flooded batteries should be monitored every 4 – 6 weeks and should be given a boost charge when they are at 70% stat of charge (SOC). When batteries are taken out of long storage, it is recommended to recharge before use.
How to fix sulfate in batteries?
Equalizing the batteries solves this problem by “boiling” the batteries at higher voltage to break the sulfate loose from the lead plates, and putting it back into suspension, where it belongs.
What happens when batteries discharge?
During the normal operating process, the batteries discharge and re-charge over and over again. This can cause sulfation, which is the process of sulfates in the electrolyte (acid) coming out of suspension (suspended in the liquid electrolyte) and attaching to the lead plates instead.
Why is it important to equalize batteries?
To prevent stratification, it’s important to regularly perform an equalizing procedure to your batteries. Equalizing adds an extended charge at the end of the normal charging process necessary to promote gassing of the electrolyte in order to “re-mix” the acid and water. THE EQUALIZING PROCESS.
What happens when you recharge a deep cycle battery?
Recharging deep-cycle batteries with a charger using a constant voltage or a fixed charge algorithm can, over time, lead to a condition called stratification. Stratification occurs when the acid in the electrolyte separates from the water and settles to the bottom of the battery causing damage to the bottom area of the battery plates.
How to lose golf cart batteries?
Another obvious way to lose your batteries quickly is by not properly maintaining them. Golf cart batteries need to be watered on a regular basis. By regular basis, I mean checking them AT LEAST once a month and then adding DISTILLED water if needed (Do not use tap water. It will hurt your batteries.). When checking them, make sure they are fully charged. You do not want to fill them if they are discharged as this could cause overfilling.
What factors affect the longevity of a golf cart battery?
A lesser factor – but a viable one, at that – is how many features your golf cart has. If you have headlights, a horn, fog lights, upgraded motor and speed, then your battery’s longevity could well be diminished.
What is the best way to not overcharge a battery?
This refers to a charger that does NOT sense when the battery is becoming fully charged and either shuts down at the right time or slows down to a trickle charge as the battery approaches saturation point. Newer battery chargers either close down or slow down as the battery becomes fully charged since they have a built in algorithm that knows when the batteries are fully charged. A lot of the time a manual charger will come with a built in timer that you set. However if this is not the case, it is highly recommended you get a kitchen timer or set an alarm clock, because over-cooking your batteries is a sure way to sacrifice longevity.
How long do batteries last?
In the worst case scenario, your batteries may only last you three years. In the best case scenario, they may last you ten years. If your batteries only last three years or less, then it means a combination of factors. It usually entails a few of the following items:
Do lead acid batteries last longer?
That said, lead-acid batteries don’t last as long if you let them drain down to zero before recharging them. And, remember, top quality chargers are recommended, so that recharging is safer and the charging is steady and fully automated. So, now that we have covered a lot of ground….
Is battery life important for golf carts?
In a nutshell, battery duration is certainly a major concern and a major expense for golf cart owners. Taking the recommended maintenance steps very seriously will lead to extended life and keep costs down. author- Timothy Baler.
Can you charge a cart before reusing?
That means, make sure, if possible, that you allow enough time for the batteries to get fully charged between trips. If you must interrupt a charging without completing the charge , so be it. However, fully charging batteries before reusing the cart is recommended.
How many amps does a golf cart battery take to recharge?
To recharge, the batteries will require 90 ampere-hours + 20% to make up for any charge deficiency.
When do golf cart batteries discharge?
The state of charge or discharge golf batteries are in at the end of the day depends upon the type of play and the number of holes the golf cart was used for. The battery charger is designed to bring a normally discharged battery back to full or nearly full charge in a given time. When charging, allow enough time for a complete charge cycle.
How to tell if battery life is nearing?
Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to allow the thermometer to adjust to the temperature of electrolyte and note the reading. Observe also the electrolyte color. A gray or brown coloration shows that the end of your battery life is nearing.
How to tell if your golf cart battery is bad?
Symptoms of a failing battery or batteries could include the following: 1 You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. 2 A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage. If this is experienced, your cart may be low on charge, the charger may not be functioning properly or you may have a battery issue. 3 On electric golf carts, the cart refusing to move at all on a charged set of batteries could be the controller not engaging when the voltage falls below a preset value. 4 It takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had them installed. As the batteries age, they will not hold a charge as well as they used to. The charger has no way to know this and will continue to charge the batteries trying to get to a full charge – meaning it will take longer to charge the batteries than normal.
How to tell if your golf cart is low voltage?
You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage.
Why disconnect battery bank?
Disconnect any loads from the battery bank to protect any sensitive electronic components.
What to wear when driving a golf cart?
Long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and protective eyewear are a must. I would even have a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. There are different types of batteries used in newer style golf carts (Absorbed Glass Mat, Lithium, Gel) that require different testing procedures.
General Maintenance
Charging My New Golf Cart Batteries
- 1. When do I need to perform an equalization charge?
Equalizing should be performed when a battery is first purchased (called a freshening charge) and on a regular basis as needed. How often this might occur with your battery will vary depending on your application. You will need to monitor your battery voltage and specific gravity to determine … - 2. Does my deep cycle battery develop a memory?
Lead acid batteries do not develop any type of memory. This means that you do not have to deep discharge or completely discharge a battery before recharging it. For optimum life and performance, we generally recommend a discharge of 20 to 50% of the batteries rated capacity …
Additives & External Components
- 1. Can I use battery additives?
Trojan Battery, along with other battery manufacturers, do not recommend that you add anything to your batteries other than distilled water. Extensive testing has shown that most of these additives do not work as advertised; in fact, some may do more harm than good. Be aware that … - 2. Do you recommend the use of desulfators?
We don’t recommend the use of desulfators or any other external device, as they tend to do more harm than good. No external device or chemicals need to be added to our products – only distilled water.