As a general rule, distilled water goes into a golf cart’s battery. If distilled water is unavailable, deionized water is acceptable. Regular tap water can corrode the inside of the batter.
Full Answer
How do you maintain a golf cart battery?
In terms of maintenance, the most important thing you can do for your golf cart battery is to ensure that its water levels are good. Without enough water, your batteries will eventually dry out and suffer irreversible damage. Fortunately, adding water to your batteries is pretty easy and won’t take too much of your time.
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.
Can you ride an electric golf cart in the wet?
Keeping your brakes in good working condition will ensure your safety while riding your golf cart in wet conditions. In case your electric golf cart is pulling on one side while trying to stop, it can be an indication that the brake liner is worn out unevenly. A brake modification is required for your golf cart to be safe during wet conditions.
How to maintain your golf cart’s water level?
Make sure you use distilled water, not tap water. Fill it to a level above the plates, but below the vents. The more you use your cart, the more you’ll have to refill it – the average golf cart user should be fine doing it once a month. If the weather’s been particularly hot, consider checking your water levels more often.
How often do I need to put water in 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.
What happens if a battery runs out of water?
What Happens If A Lead-Acid Battery Runs Out Of Water? If that happens, the lead plates will be exposed to the existing oxygen and hydrogen gas in the battery. This exposure will cause an exothermic reaction with the battery terminals, emitting huge amounts of heat. The heat will further evaporate the water.
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 do I know if my golf cart batteries need water?
According to most battery experts, your golf cart water should be about one-quarter inch below the top of the fill well. Another way to gauge this level is to make sure the water covers your battery cell plates but doesn't go too high above them. It should just cover them up without making them disappear.
What do you do when golf cart batteries are dry?
If you find dry cells in your cart, fill them back up with distilled water to cover the plates and then recharge the batteries. After the charge, top off the water. Use the cart and see how long it runs. run time may increase a bit over time, but you won't see much improvement after few charge cycles.
How do you revive a dry cell battery?
How to Revive Dead Drycell BatteriesEnsure the NiCad batteries are in the device. Power on the device. ... Allow the device to remain off for several minutes. Switch the device back on and again allow the batteries to drain completely. ... Remove the batteries from the device. ... Reinsert the batteries into the device.
What happens if you don't use distilled water in golf cart batteries?
Distilled water is recommended but tap water works just fine if distilled water is unavailable. Once filled, a battery will only need water added periodically. Common Golf Cart Battery Mistakes Undercharging: • Leaving the golf car inactive for over 2 months will reduce the battery life.
How do you bring a golf cart battery back to life?
Step 1: Tip the battery on its edge: Allow approximately half the battery acid to run out of each cell and into a plastic container. ... Step 2: Mix 8 ounces of Epsom salts into 2 quarts of warm distilled water: Stir thoroughly. ... Step 3: Put the battery or batteries on a charger.
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).
Should you leave a 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 do you put water in an electric golf cart battery?
2:104:29How To Fill Golf Cart Batteries With Water | Golf Cart Garage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops fillingMoreDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops filling automatically. Basically all you have to do is push down on the bottle. Until you hear the bubbling.
Can you use bottled water for golf cart batteries?
The battery contains ionized electrolytes that need water to dilute. Only use distilled (deionized) water to refill the battery water level because tap water or bottled drinking water contains minerals and natural content that causes corrosion.
Can you take a golf cart out on a golf course?
After adverse rainfall, golf courses can become saturated, and the ground can become boggy. The majority of golf courses will prohibit players from taking troll eys and golf carts out on their rounds if there’s been a lot of precipitation.
Do you need to have clear vision to drive in wet conditions?
As a safety precaution, if you know you’ll be driving in wet conditions, you’ll need to have a clear vision. That means you need to check the wipers are working and have enough grease and padding on them so they can effectively wipe the rain off the front of your cart.
Should you test your breaks when driving in the rain?
The same goes if you’re driving your golf cart in wet weather. You don’t want your breaks to fail if you’re coming down a slippery wet hill, so it’s important to keep checking them when driving in the rain.
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.
What happens if golf cart batteries run out of water?
If the electrolyte solution “water” falls too far, the lead plates in your batteries can become exposed to the air and start to sulfate and become inactive. This drastically reduces the life and performance of your battery. Let’s look into what you can do to prevent this from happening.
How often should I check the water level in my golf car batteries?
The biggest determining factor to answering this question is how much your golf car is used.
When should I add water to my batteries?
Once you notice that your golf car batteries are low, you need to determine how low. Follow these guidelines:
What kind of water is safe for my golf car batteries?
You’ve determined that your batteries need some water added to them and you’ve charged them. What kind of water should you use?
How do I add water to my golf car batteries?
Adding water to golf car batteries isn’t complicated, but there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when working with batteries.
How much water should I add to my golf car batteries
If you inspect your batteries regularly you should not have to add much water on each occasion which will make the entire process faster. Generally, you only want to fill them until the solution is about ¼ inch above the lead plates.
Golf Cart General Introduction
The popular definition for a golf cart is that it is a small vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around the golf course or desert pathways to avoid walking effort.
Electric Golf Carts
The two main types of golf carts driven at the golf courses are gasoline and electric golf carts. Both of them function on the principle of a regular, less powerful gasoline or electric car, with some insignificant differences. Electric golf cars are popular with their environmentally friendly mode of operation.
Common Things That Can Go Wrong With An Electric Golf Cart
Buying and driving an electric golf cart, you should be aware that, just like other cars, it has a lifespan, and its parts also wear out. Some golfers perceive their carts as small, funny vehicles that can drive them around the golf course forever.
How To Avoid Or Mitigate The Issues
The key to avoiding or mitigating possible electrical golf carts malfunctioning is, as already mentioned a few times above, proper and regular maintenance. Golf cart owners should perceive their small electric vehicles as regular cars with a more restricted use range.
The Elite Of The Electrical Golf Carts
Pointing out so many common issues with the electrical golf carts may leave you with the wrong impression that they are pretty problematic vehicles. Let’s clarify that technical issues are typical for the used carts but are quite unusual for new carts with a warranty.
Electric Golf Carts FAQ
To determine whether your electric golf cart motor is bad or not, you need to test it first. Sometimes the problem is easy to detect, but sometimes you need to check the entire electrical system.
Sources
Wikipedia, “Golf Cart.” Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_cart Assessed June 8, 2021
How to tell if a golf cart is not working?
If the motor of your golf cart is not working properly, the cart will display it by running incorrectly, or by not driving at a steady velocity. When your cart begins to show these signs, your speed controller is the first thing that you should observe and then avoid puddles the next time you take a ride.
Why does my electric golf cart pull on one side?
In case your electric golf cart is pulling on one side while trying to stop, it can be an indication that the brake liner is worn out unevenly. A brake modification is required for your golf cart to be safe during wet conditions.
What happens when a golf cart tire is worn out?
Worn out tires increase the hydroplaning threat. Once a water layer gets between the tire and the surface of the road, hydroplaning takes place. When this happens, the tire drops its capacity to grip on the golf path and causes your cart to lose control.
Why does my golf cart brake vibrate?
A brake pedal vibrating is usually indicative of distorted rotors. The vibration is noticed because brake pads are not capable of uniformly grabbing the surface. Keeping your brakes in good working condition will ensure your safety while riding your golf cart in wet conditions.
What happens when you brake a golf cart?
When you attempt to brake your cart will vibrate. The solenoid is among your golf cart’s most significant parts. It’s one of your golf cart’s key parts for the movement. It doesn’t matter if it’s an electronic or gas golf cart, you need a well-functioning electronic or gas solenoid to get anywhere.
How fast can a golf cart go?
The speed controller usually retains a golf cart speed not to exceed a maximum of 6 mph (10 km/h). Normally it is found below your golf cart’s seat.
How to tell if a cart engine is water damaged?
Signs that water has destroyed your cart engine. Improper functioning engine. The engine needs to be powered by electricity. The spark that ignites your cart engine is supplied by your battery. If the water soaks your engine, then there are high chances that it might not crank well.