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. Attach the battery to a 3-phase charger, ensuring that the charger’s positive lead is attached to the battery’s red or positive pole and negative ...
- Trickle Charge the Battery. If you’re going to store your battery for a long time, use a trickle charger to keep charging it while it’s being stored.
- Prevent Corrosion. Corrosion of the battery’s connections and posts is a major factor in shortening its life. ...
- Pay More to Last More. Quality matters. Cheaper batteries have much shorter life spans compared to quality golf cart batteries that cost more.
- Use Anti-Corrosion Lubricants. The acid in a golf cart battery is one of the main agents for corroding its internal parts. ...
What is the life expectancy of a golf cart?
The best ways are:
- Keep batteries charged regularly and cleaned.
- Keep tires filled.
- Always look out for oil leaks.
- Check out the brakes and make sure they are well-maintained.
- Have the cart serviced regularly.
- Get any issues or suspected problems checked out by a professional.
How long to charge a golf cart?
- Check the condition of your battery cable. It should be tight, clean, and corrosion-free.
- Ensure the batteries are clean. Never store your battery in a dirty condition before storage; this could destroy the terminals.
- Check the water level and state of the electrolyte. ...
- Fully charged. ...
- Disengage the brake. ...
- TOW Position. ...
How to use a battery tender on a golf cart?
Schauer Golf Cart Battery Maintainer 48 Volt
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Fully maintains 48 volt battery systems, like the ones in your golf cart. NOTE - FOR 48 VOLT SYSTEMS ONLY, CHECK YOUR VOLTAGE BEFORE ORDERING.
- Current limiting, fully automatic maintainer can be left on the battery in maintaining/float mode.
- AC Input: 115 VAC, 50/60Hz. Ships with North American plug.
How to maintain a golf cart battery?
There are a few ways to ensure your battery stays in its best possible condition which include:
- keeping battery cover s and terminals clean, dry, and free of corrosion
- clean battery terminals with biodegradable cleaning solutions that can be safely disposed of
- inspect all battery connections (e.g., cable-to-terminal) and make sure they are tight and uncorroded with no exposed wires
Should I keep 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.
Is there a way to rejuvenate golf cart batteries?
Mix 8 ounces of Epsom salts into 2 quarts of warm distilled water. Stir thoroughly. Use your turkey baster to fill each battery cell with the Epsom salts solution until the cells are completely covered.
Should I charge my golf cart every night?
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 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.
Does Epsom salt help golf cart batteries?
Well, the battery acid in your cells may end up getting old and no longer holding a charge. When this happens, you can remove about half of it – as you have done already – and replace it with an Epsom salt and water mix. Salt is an electrolyte and will distribute electricity cells.
Does aspirin help golf cart batteries?
the battery. It is a reasonably safe approach and usually good for one more engine turn. Be warned that adding aspirin will shorten the battery life, as the aspirin will react with the sulfuric acid to form acetic acid. Good for a boost, but bad for the innards of the battery.
How long can a golf cart sit without charging?
An electric golf cart can sit for months without charging if the battery is at about 50% and not exposed to temperatures above 100°F during the storage time. If you leave battery power too high or low while parked, this will damage the battery cells and cause them to wear out sooner.
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 much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?
Average Price of Golf Cart Batteries The average price of a golf cart battery replacement is going to be in the $800 to $1,500 range. Depending on the type of battery, it could even be in the $2,000 ballpark because powerful golf carts like a 72V need more expensive batteries installed.
Is tap water OK for golf cart batteries?
Do not use Tap Water. When filling your battery, regular tap water isn't going to cut it. Your tap water contains minerals that are harmful to your battery and, even if the amounts are small, adding it consistently over a long period of time can slowly cause damage.
What happens if you don't put water in golf cart batteries?
If the water level in your golf cart battery is too low, the plates inside the battery will dry out and begin to flake off. When this happens, you will lose the ability to recharge your golf cart, and you will have to replace your battery altogether.
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.
Does Desulfating a battery work?
If you own a battery desulfator, you can lengthen its lifespan and enjoy even more miles on the road. Plug your car battery into a desulfator and you'll enhance its effectiveness even as it ages.
How do you Desulfate golf cart batteries?
How to Desulfate Golf Cart Batteries (Step-by-Step)Open Up the Battery. Start out by locating your battery on your golf cart. ... Examine Your Cells. Look inside of the cover of your battery at the metal cells on the bottom of the battery interior. ... Add Distilled Water. ... Charge Your Battery.
How do you rejuvenate a battery?
You will need: distilled water, voltmeter, battery charger and syringe.Remove the battery and remove the rubber that protects the caps. ... Fill a battery with the distilled water and recharge it. ... You can also try to replace the acid inside a battery and mix a new acid with the distilled water.
How do you know if your golf cart batteries are bad?
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 long do golf cart batteries last?
Cheaper batteries have much shorter life spans compared to quality golf cart batteries that cost more. The latter may last up to 10 years if maintained properly. So, you end up gaining in the long run even if your initial investment is high. Also, be on the lookout for tax cuts from time to time.
What is the best way to protect a golf cart battery?
In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant. A thin layer of pure Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the battery’s terminals also provides extra protection. Finally, sealing any exposed wires at the terminal lugs with submersible rubber tape also extends the battery life. These products can typically be found at your local auto parts store.
What type of battery does a golf cart use?
Most golf carts run on lead-acid batteries ( although this is changing ), much like other normal vehicles do. However, the difference is that a battery for a golf cart is usually of 6, 8, or 12 volt deep-cycle lead acid battery, whereas a normal vehicle uses a 12-volt starter or ignition battery. Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge ...
How to keep a battery charged while stored?
If you’re going to store your battery for a long time, use a trickle charger to keep charging it while it’s being stored. Using a solar charger also works and prolongs the battery’s life. For a good trickle charger , we recommend a Battery MINDer produced by VDC Electronics.
How to charge a golf cart battery?
Attach the battery to a 3-phase charger, ensuring that the charger’s positive lead is attached to the battery’s red or positive pole and negative lead is joined with the negative pole. It’s also prudent to charge the battery after every time the golf cart is used.
Why is it important to keep a battery charged for longer than its rated reserve?
That’s why you need to ensure that the battery is never discharged for more than seventy percent of its rated reserve capacity. This is because the longer it takes to recharge, the more it creates heat and destroys itself gradually by eroding its plates.
How to maintain a battery?
1. Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. After removing the battery cells’ plastic caps, top off each cell’s reservoirs with distilled water. Never use plain or tap water. Also, never allow the cell’s fluid level to dip below its plates.
Why is it important to take care of a golf cart battery?
First, because it’s fairly easy to damage your golf cart battery by charging malpractices, and second, because golf cart battery replacement is not exactly cheap.
What happens if a battery is left half charged?
If left half-charged, batteries can form a "sulphation memory" and may not be able to accept charge beyond that point. Some batteries have built-in features to prevent overcharging and support long-term storage.
How high should water be in batteries?
Keep the water levels in your batteries at around 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the plates with distilled water to avoid the impurities in tap water that conduct electricity and can shorten battery life.
Do you unplug a golf cart charger?
If your golf cart charger does not feature automatic shut-off or trickle charging, you should unplug it when charging completes. The best solution is a modern automatic charger that does all of the work for you, worry-free!
Can you drive a golf cart uncharged?
Avoid driving your golf cart, or allowing it to sit uncharged, until the batteries are almost empty or totally dead. This can shorten battery life significantly and risk damage to other expensive parts.
Does a golf cart tire wear down?
Pushing your golf cart over the limits or adding more weight than its capacity will wear down your batteries fast. The quality of your battery has a significant role and this is one area where investing in good equipment will get you the best performance out of your golf cart. Note that adding larger, heavier golf cart tires can also affect battery life.
How long does a golf cart battery last?
The cheaper battery has a shorter life span when compared to the excellence cart battery which cost more. This can last for up to ten years if properly maintained.
What is the best way to protect a golf cart battery?
To stop this, wire lugs, nuts, terminals, and bolts are coated with quality non-hardening sealant. The thin layer of petroleum jelly or pure Vaseline on a battery’s terminals provides added protection. Sealing any wires which are exposed at terminal lugs with the submersible rubber tape will extend its longevity. These products can generally be found at the local auto store parts.
How to attach a golf cart battery to a charger?
You need to attach the golf cart battery to the 3-phase charger by ensuring that a charger’s positive lead has been connected to a positive pole or battery red and the negative lead has been joined with a negative pole. It is also wise to charge a battery each time a golf cart has been used.
What type of battery does a golf cart use?
Many golf carts usually run on the lead-acid batteries, much more like the normal vehicles do. Nevertheless, the difference which is there is that the batteries of golf cart are typically 6, 8, or 12-volt deep-cycle acid lead battery, whereas the normal vehicle uses the 12-volt ignition or starter battery. Furthermore, the cart battery doesn’t ...
How to remove sulfur deposits from golf cart battery?
In this, you are required to remove sulfur deposits which are through removing plastic caps from the cells. You can also use the turkey baster to approximately remove half of a liquid from every cell of a battery.
How to determine battery discharge rate?
You can determine a 50% DOD (Depth of Discharge) by applying the full charge to a battery, and run time increase. Often check the charge’s state with the simple hydrometer. The battery usually manufactures the particular gravity chart which shows what a hydrometer can read at the full charge, and identify once it reaches particular percentages of the discharge. Occasionally checking hydrometer readings can give you the right idea of how much the run-time of the golf cart battery can work before you reach 50% discharge. Charging the battery at 50% DOD, or before, significantly promotes the longer service life.
Why do you need a trickle charger?
Choose trickle charge battery: If you want to store the battery for a long time, then you need to use the trickle charger which keeps it charging when it is stored.
How long does it take for a golf cart battery to discharge?
A good quality golf cart battery should successfully do at least 55minutes of discharge minutes at temperatures of around 26 degrees.
How to extend battery life?
Other Best Practices to Extend the Life of the Batteries 1 Always make sure to top off any low battery levels with distilled water, not tap water. Tap water may contain chemicals that may easily damage the battery. Make sure that the fluid levels don’t go beneath the plates. 2 Make sure to attach a 3-phase battery charger and be extra careful when connecting the leads to the poles. The negative lead should connect to the negative pole and the positive lead to the positive pole. 3 Always fully charge the battery. The majority of chargers feature an indicator light to alert you when it’s full. Charging time varies between an hour and the whole night depending on the level of discharge. 4 As much as possible, don’t let the battery discharge more than 70%. Typically, the longer it takes to charge, the more it will overheat, reducing its life. Too much heat is not good for the life of the battery.
What causes sulfur in golf cart batteries?
Sulfuric acid, especially when the golf cart battery gets fully discharged can cause the sulfur to form on lead plates, which in turn can act as a barrier for effective charging. Typically, the acid water is 65% distilled water and 35% acid.
Why is a golf cart important?
A golf cart is an important part of the golf game as it offers a convenient way of moving around the golf course. Even more important is the quality of the battery and its efficiency.
How long do private cart batteries last?
In private carts, the batteries can last as much as ten years while fleet carts can last for around six years, but with the right maintenance habits. Other factors include the additional options the cart has; for example, entertainment, headlights, and sometimes acceleration.
What kind of batteries are used in golf carts?
Your golf cart batteries are similar to your car batteries – they are lead-acid batteries.
How to deal with manual charger?
A better way to deal with the manual charger is to determine how long it would take to charge fully, and time it appropriately. You can use an alarm to alert you when it’s time to disconnect the charger to avoid overcharging and eventual damage to the battery. Ideally, you should charge the batteries every time you use the cart.
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.
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 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.
