Golf Cart Battery Maintenance
- Keep the top of each golf cart battery dry, clean and tight. ...
- Charge for 8 to 10 hours with the proper golf cart battery charger. ...
- Fill all golf cart battery cells ONLY AFTER charging, and do not over fill. ...
- Use golf cart batteries often. ...
- Do not over charge your golf cart batteries. ...
- Do not discharge golf cart batteries beyond an 80% discharge. ...
How to clean golf cart batteries?
Fill 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. 4) Use golf cart batteries often.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
9) Record the battery voltage of each golf cart battery cell for future reference. Golf cart batteries should last for 5-6 years. So after 5-6 years if you're finding your golf cart is getting sluggish, it may be time for a new set of batteries.
What should the battery percentage be on a golf cart?
It is recommended that you discharge your golf cart batteries to between 50-80 percent, and not beyond 80 percent or to the point where your golf cart until the batteries are completely dead. 7) Do not charge frozen batteries.
What are the benefits of lithium batteries for golf carts?
Less weight means your cart will be able to haul more weight at a greater speed. And, they are capable of holding a single full charge for a year instead of losing a charge slowly over time. 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.
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.
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 long do lead acid batteries last in a golf cart?
They may last anywhere from months, up to 5-7 years under the right circumstances. But when left idly in high temperatures for long periods of time (such as in a hot garage in the summertime) or when left unused for months, it can really take a toll of the lifespan.
How often do you need to put water in your 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.
How often should I charge my batteries in my golf cart?
4) To keep your golf car batteries at maximum capacity, use golf cart batteries often. Always remember to do a refresh charge every 45 to 60 days, and even more frequently in hotter climates.
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 do you preserve golf cart batteries?
Golf Cart Battery Maintenance1) Keep the top of each golf cart battery dry, clean and tight. ... 2) Charge for 8 to 10 hours with the proper golf cart battery charger. ... 3) Fill all golf cart battery cells ONLY AFTER charging, and do not over fill. ... 4) Use golf cart batteries often.More items...
How do you know when golf cart batteries are dying?
8 Signs You Need to Replace Your Golf Cart BatteriesCharge Times Are Out of Hand. Just like any rechargeable battery, the repeated cycles of draining and charging your battery can take a toll on it. ... No “Get Up and Go” ... You See Visual Signs. ... Driving Until They Die. ... People Are Always Running The Radio.
What happens if you don't use distilled water in golf cart batteries?
The chemical balance inside of a battery will become compromised by adding tap or well water into them. Overtime this lessens the effectiveness of the sulfuric acid inside of the battery cell.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries need water?
2:524:44How to Fill Your Electric Golf Car Batteries | Golf Cart MaintenanceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe proper water level is at the bottom edge of that gauge you want it to be a little gap betweenMoreThe proper water level is at the bottom edge of that gauge you want it to be a little gap between the below the bottom of that gauge in that battery.
What happens if you put too much water in your golf cart batteries?
Over watering is just as bad. As you operate an electric golf car, the electrolyte level in the cells will drop. This is a normal occurrence in the chemical reaction to produce the electrical current. When you charge the batteries the chemical reaction is reversed and the electrolyte level in each cell will rise.
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.
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.
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.
What temperature does a battery freeze?
As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte becomes more like water and the freezing temperature increases. The freezing temperature of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is -92º F (-69º C). At a 40% state of charge, electrolyte will freeze if the temperature reaches approximately 16º F (-9º C).
Why do batteries lose water?
It is completely normal for flooded batteries to lose water. They lose water because of the gassing that they go through with every charge. Gassing is an important part of the recharge process. The gassing allows the electrolyte to mix well and helps the battery get back to a fully charged state at the end of the charge process. Unfortunately, the gassing also causes water to be lost. The addition of water should be only be done once the batteries are fully charged as the electrolyte levels vary as a function of state of charge and are highest once the batteries are fully charged. The correct electrolyte level is about 1/8th of an inch below the bottom of the vent well. Please use distilled water only.
How to clean corrosion off golf cart battery?
But we always suggest a routine cleanup of your golf cart batteries. To start the cleanup process, take some water and baking soda and mix those with equal quantity. Then take some of the mixtures on a toothbrush and scrub at the corrosions.
How to charge golf cart batteries?
There are some rules to charge the golf cart batteries in the right way. Here are those: 1 Do not overcharge the batteries. 2 Charge the batteries in an open well-ventilated area. 3 Do not charge if the battery cells are being dried or have loos terminals. 4 It is not necessary to recharge your batteries after every single use. 5 Do a refresh charge in every 6-8 weeks and more frequently in warmer months.
How to prevent corrosion on battery terminals?
Finally, dry the batteries and extra water with a clean cloth. You can also use an anti-corrosive spray which will coat the metal connectors and prevent future corrosion.
How to get acid out of a battery?
First, take acid-proof goggles and gloves and put it on your eyes and hands. Though there is not any chance to get contact with the battery acid, we always recommend to take precaution. Now, open the vent caps of the batteries. But before doing that unplug the battery.
What causes a battery to shorten its life?
Corrosion on the connections of batteries and the posts is one of the major factors that shorten battery life. So, you need to make sure that the battery will not take more than 70% of its reserve capacity. You can also coat anti-corrosion lubricants on the wire lungs, nuts, and terminals of the batteries.
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.
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.
How much does a lithium battery weigh?
A lead acid battery can weigh as much as 130 pounds and averages around 65 pounds. A lithium-ion battery averages 28 pounds. Less weight means your cart will be able to haul more weight at a greater speed. And, they are capable of holding a single full charge for a year instead of losing a charge slowly over time.
General Maintenance
- 1. What is the shelf life of my battery?
The limiting factor of battery’s shelf life is the rate of self-discharge which itself is temperature dependent. VRLA batteries will self-discharge less than 3% per month at 77º F (25º C). Flooded batteries will self-discharge up to 15% per month at 77º F (25º C). VRLA batteries should not be … - 2. Can I use the specific gravities to troubleshoot my battery?
The specific gravities of batteries are an excellent tool to determine the state of charge of batteries and their ability to accept a charge. Unfortunately, the specific gravities can also lead to an erroneous conclusion if we do not specify the conditions under which the measurements wer…
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.