Golf Cart Battery Testing Methods
- Digital Volt Meter Test. A digital volt meter is only going to get you so far in the event you want to check the health...
- Testing Your Batteries With A Hydrometer. Check the electrolyte specific gravity with a hydrometer. ... If the specific...
- Battery Load Test. For example – On a full charge a good set of golf cart batteries will...
How to test golf cart batteries?
How To Test Golf Cart Batteries With Load Testing. A load tester will give you more insight as to the health of your battery. By putting a dummy load on the battery, you can see how the battery performs when actually being used. The load tester hooks to the terminals of the battery and displays the voltage.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
How Long Do Batteries Last In A Golf Cart? 4-6 years is the average life of a battery. Simply put, after a few years the plates lose enough substance to stop working properly. If you are unsure of the age of your battery, check the labeling on the top or look at the stamp on the battery post.
How far can you Drive on a golf cart battery?
However, if you have determined your Golf Cart use will be driven less than 5 miles per day, than you can have your pick of battery packs. Keep in mind though that a standard 18 holes of golf ranges between 5-7 miles per round depending on your handicap ;). How to charge your batteries?
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 do I know if my golf cart battery is low?
Here are six signs to look for when batteries need replacing.Charge 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.
How many volts should a fully charged 48 volt golf cart have?
The target voltage for a 48 volt charger for AGM or some flooded batteries is 2.4 to 2.45 volts per cell, which is 57.6 to 58.8 volts.
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.
What is the average battery life for a golf cart?
between five and ten yearsWhen you drive a battery-powered golf cart model, it's important to charge it correctly and maintain your cart so that your battery will last as long as possible. When you take care of your golf cart's battery, you can expect it to last anywhere between five and ten years.
What should a fully charged 48V battery read?
2=42V for 36V battery fully charged, 13x4. 2=54.6V for 48V battery fully charged and 14x4.
How do I test my golf cart batteries with a battery?
1:186:18How to Test Golf Cart Batteries - Troubleshooting Batteries - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're gonna watch these battery voltage hold as we pull the amps off of the battery. On a loadMoreAnd we're gonna watch these battery voltage hold as we pull the amps off of the battery. On a load test I'm gonna rate the load about half of the CCA's. That the battery has brand-new which is 650.
What should the voltage be for a 6 volt golf cart battery?
Healthy batteries will indicate about 50 to 52 volts on the voltmeter. Most battery packs hold around 48 volts.
At what voltage is a 6 volt battery considered dead?
A Specific Gravity of about 1.200 or a voltage of 12.25 to 12.3 means the battery is about 50% discharged. By the time it's down to 11.8 or 12 volts, it's almost dead.
What should a 6 volt AGM battery read when fully charged?
A battery is made up of a number of cells, and the lead acid chemistry dictates a fully charged voltage of about 2.12 volts per cell. Thus, a nominal 6 volt battery has three cells with a full charge voltage of 6.3 to 6.4 volts, and a 12 volt battery has six cells, and a full charge voltage of 12.7 volts.
How long does a 48V golf cart last?
How Long Will a Cart Last Fully Charged? # Typically, an electric golf cart has between 45 and 90 minutes of full-power run time on a fully charged battery.
How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?
about once every 30 daysThe 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.
Why are my golf cart batteries dying so fast?
The reason why your golf cart battery keeps losing charge or drains quickly, may be due to loose wires, corroded connectors or an insufficient amount of water in the battery. The battery connections may have become loose or the connectors are corroded.
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 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.
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.
What is a golf cart battery charger?
The battery charger is designed to bring a normally discharged battery back to full or nearly full charge in a given time.
What temperature should a battery be when charging?
This will also initiate the equalizing charge. The batteries should begin gassing and bubbling. Keep the battery temperature between 115 degrees and 125 degrees.
What is a Trojan T-105 battery?
Trojan T-105 batteries are the best-known premium battery and have nearly 100 years of manufacturing experience. Trojan Battery Company was founded in 1925 and developed the golf cart battery for the Autoette in 1952. The distinctive maroon color of the T-105 makes it easy to distinguish from its competitors.
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.
What causes a battery to fail?
Batteries are subject to all manner of wear and tear, and any of the following things can cause them to fail: 1 Battery Age: This one is obvious; the older the battery is, then the more likely the failure is due to normal wearing from long-term use. 2 Overcharge : When people swap out chargers for more powerful units or just use another more convenient charger, the result can be heat and water loss. 3 Undercharge : Conversely, if someone has replaced the proper charging equipment with a cheaper lower-power alternative, then this causes problems. Specifically, you get a buildup of lead sulfate that crystallizes on the plates and reduces recharging capacity. 4 Overtaxing : Do you make heavy use of your golf cart’s additional electronic features? These might include radio, headlights, and other things. If you are using the golf car onboard electronics a lot, you will tax the battery more. 5 Corrosion : When the electrolytic fluid gets low, corrosion can occur on the battery connections. This easily and quickly reduces the battery’s life. 6 Incorrect Battery : Your golf cart will come with a recommended configuration of battery units. For example, it may require six 6-volt units. Some attempt to circumvent this by using three 12-volt units. The math works, but the performance ratings do not.
Is it safe to use a voltmeter or a hydrometer?
Batteries use a lot of hazardous ingredients and components, especially when you put the wrong things together. Using a voltmeter is arguably safer than using a hydrometer, but there are things you should do as a precaution in any event.
How to tell if golf cart battery is bad?
Signs That Your Golf Cart Battery Is Going Bad. Sometimes, batteries can fail completely out of the blue. But more often than not, a battery will exhibit warning signs that it may be approaching failure. These tend to develop slowly, over time. And if you catch them early, you can easily prevent the damage from becoming too great.
How many points should a battery read?
Take a reading of each cell, and adjust the reading to the temperature as necessary. Compare the readings of each cell. A healthy, fully charged battery should read between 12.60 to 12.74. Each of your readings should be within 50 points (0.050) of each other.
How does a load tester work?
You will be able to see the voltage of your battery as it is put under a load. It works by generating heat through the resistance of electrical current.
How to tell if a battery is bad?
Visible Wear and Tear. More often than not, the signs of a failing battery walk hand-in-hand with visible evidence of wear and tear. Upon a simple inspection of your battery, you could quickly determine whether or not there is a problem. First, you should check to see if the battery has bulged and bulked up.
How to tell if battery is deteriorating?
One of the most obvious signs of a battery deteriorating is when its charge depletes faster than normal. This could be either when you are using it, or when it is parked away for the night.
What test is used to test a battery?
Hydrometer Test. If the voltmeter has shown that your batteries are fine in terms of voltage, then that’s great! Now we need to test the chemistry of your batteries. A hydrometer test will provide a more accurate means of testing the condition of your battery. To conduct this test, you’ll need:
Is it normal for a golf cart battery to go bad?
It’s normal for a golf cart battery to eventually go bad after a certain amount of time. They have a limited lifespan, and there’s not much you can do to prevent the inevitable. But if you suspect that your battery is going bad before its time, you can carry out these tests to be sure. Just make sure you have the necessary safety equipment, ...
Electric Golf Cart General Overview
Technically, electric golf carts fall into the category of electric cars because they are self-propelled. The small vehicle is designed to carry golf players and their golf clubs around the golf course, but its application nowadays goes far beyond the field of golf.
Electric Golf Cart Batteries
All-electric vehicles use so-called traction batteries to power their electric motors. Traction batteries are usually rechargeable and differ from ordinary light batteries in their deep power cycle. The total electrical charge available in batteries is measured in ampere-hours or kilowatt-hours. (2)
Type Of Electric Motor
The type of electric motor that batteries power reflects on their range too. Providing that Alternating Current (AC) electric motors are more powerful and more efficient than Direct Current (DC) motors, their batteries also differ.
Golf Cart Controller
The effect of the golf cart controller on batteries is just the opposite of the effect of the AC motor. The more powerful controller is, the faster it drains the batteries. Powerful controllers reduce the battery range of an electric golf cart significantly.
Speed
Speed is another major factor that affects the golf cart range. Manufacturers often construct their carts with a speed capacity higher than the common for a golf course 12-15 mph. However, driving at a higher speed comes at the expense of the runtime of the batteries.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is the next significant factor that affects the golf cart range. Lower tire pressure while driving causes more friction and drag, which consequently makes the motor work harder and drain the batteries faster. The appropriate tire pressure for a standard golf electric golf cart should be 22 psi.
State Of Charge
Research studying the options of an additional power source attached to an electric golf cart offered a different approach to the golf cart range.
How to test golf cart battery?
To test the quality and power of a golf cart battery, you’ll need a voltmeter, a load tester, and a hydrometer. The voltmeter will connect to the terminals at the top of the battery to read its voltage. The load tester uses the same terminals to pump the battery full of current and assess how the it handles high levels of amperage.
How many volts does a golf cart battery use?
If it still doesn’t work, you need to replace the battery. Almost every golf cart uses multiple smaller batteries to achieve a total power of 36 or 48 volts. You probably have a series of 4 volt, 8 volt, or 12 volt batteries that combine to reach 36-48 volts. Test each battery separately.
How to keep golf cart batteries from arcing?
1. Stay safe by putting on protective eyewear, gloves, and clearing your area. Golf cart batteries can arc, spark, or emit dangerous gasses while you’re testing them. Stay safe by putting on protective eyewear and wearing gloves to keep any gases from condensing on your skin.
What is load tester in golf cart?
A load tester assesses how the voltage in a battery is effected when there’s a lot of current running through the battery. It’s possible that your golf cart battery’s voltage is fine when it’s not being used but has a ton of resistance or struggles to handle high currents, causing the battery to die.
Is it safe to load test a battery?
It doesn’t matter if the pressure is good if the hole is too small to let water out! Warning: Load testing a battery is actually kind of dangerous. The high level of current will generate a lot of heat in the load tester and battery. Only test a battery on a concrete or heat-resistant surface that won’t burn.
Can you smoke golf cart batteries?
Always attach the correct probe on your multimeter or voltmeter to the proper terminal or you may create a spark. Warning: Never smoke when you’re working around golf cart batteries and keep the area clear from any open flames. The hydrogen and oxygen in golf cart batteries can explode if they’re ignited.
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 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 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.
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 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.
