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how to get 48 volt golf cart batteries to charge when low

by Kattie Schinner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Use your charger correctly. Charge your golf cart battery between 8 and 10 hours with the proper charger and plug. Try not to allow your battery to drop below 20% capacity, especially for lead-acid batteries.

Part of a video titled How to Charge Dead Golf Cart Batteries Manually - YouTube
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Use your 12 volt automotive battery charger to charge each individual battery in the case of 8 voltsMoreUse your 12 volt automotive battery charger to charge each individual battery in the case of 8 volts or 12 volts.

Full Answer

How do you trickle charge individual golf cart batteries if batteries are dead?

0:545:42How to Charge Dead Golf Cart Batteries Manually | Golf Cart GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNo matter how the batteries ran low if your cart does not have enough power to drive forward it.MoreNo matter how the batteries ran low if your cart does not have enough power to drive forward it. Probably doesn't have enough voltage to activate a charger either.

How do you force a golf cart battery to charge?

Drive the golf car for an extended period of time so the batteries will discharge, plug the golf car charger in again and repeat this cycle for about 3 or 4 times. Each time will increase the battery charge and golf car run time.

What happens if golf cart batteries get to low?

If your batteries get too low, you could be stranded. To avoid this, you have to ensure that your battery charger is working correctly. If your battery charger ever fails, you should have some sense of where the problem might lie and how to mitigate it.

How do you put 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 do you charge a 48 volt battery?

3:064:36Charging A 48V Battery with Two 24V Solar Panels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you're going to need more solar panels. Higher input voltage and then you're going to bring theMoreOr you're going to need more solar panels. Higher input voltage and then you're going to bring the voltage. All the way.

How many volts is a full charge on a 48 volt golf cart?

55.2 to 56.6 voltsThe peak charging voltage for Gel batteries is 2.3 to 2.36 volts per cell, and for a 48 volt charger this works out to 55.2 to 56.6 volts, which is lower than a wet or AGM type battery needs for a full charge.

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.

What happens if golf cart batteries run out of water?

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.

Does aspirin help golf cart batteries?

The acetylsalicylic acid from the aspirin will combine with the battery acid and increase the charge in the battery, and the water will help restore the electrolyte in the battery.

How do you revive a battery that won't charge?

The following are seven unconventional ways to revive a dead car battery:Use Epsom Salt Solution. ... The Hard Hand Cranking Method. ... The Chainsaw Method. ... Use Aspirin Solution. ... The 18-Volt Drill Battery Method. ... Use Distilled Water. ... The Hot Ash Method.

Does Epsom salt help golf cart batteries?

Mix 4 ounces of Epsom salts into a quart of warm distilled water and stir. Using a turkey baster fill each battery cell slightly over the lead plates. Do this for a cycle of 4 charges so the Epsom Salts remove the deposits on the battery plates.

How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?

Adding water after charging prevents acid from spilling over. You'll want to add water to 1/2 inch from the top of the battery. 2) We recommend service once or twice a year. 3) Always use distilled water so you don't add additional minerals into your battery.

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How many batteries does a golf cart have?

Because golf carts can have 6, 8, or 12 Volt batteries, you’ll want to pay attention to match that voltage on your charger if possible by setting it to the correct voltage or connecting it to the right number of batteries at a time to equal its voltage.

What happens if your cart battery isn't hooked up?

If your cart's batteries aren’t hooked up in the correct way, or there's a weak connection between them, it can lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail.

Why does my charger spark?

If the charger is active or plugged in before connecting the batteries, it may cause sparks to occur. Charging of batteries can give off flammable gas… so we want to avoid causing arcing or sparks during this process. Ideally, your charger will match your batteries individual voltage and you can charge them one at a time, just like so.

Why is my golf cart charger not turning on?

This is because golf cart chargers get commands to turn on and off by receiving voltage back from the cart when plugged in. So, if your batteries have been run down all the way or left without charging for a long while, your charger may not activate when plugged in.

Can you charge a battery one at a time?

Ideally, your charger will match your batteries individual voltage and you can charge them one at a time, just like so. There is no need to disconnect battery cables, you’ll simply be sending low amp voltage into one battery at a time. Some owners may have to do some math here.

Can you charge two golf cart batteries?

You can charge two of them using this method, because you’ll be doing it for a short period of time on each battery or pair. We’re not charging the batteries all the way here, we’re just trying to get enough voltage in them to get your normal golf cart charger to do it’s job. Remember to turn the charger off or disconnect it from power each time you move the charger to the next battery.

How to charge a golf cart battery?

You just hook up the red wire (the positive) to the positive terminal on the first battery in the set, and then hook the black wire (the negative) to the negative terminal on the last battery in the set. So, positive to positive, negative to negative. Forget about the blue wire (for more on the blue wire read What's the Blue Wire? ). The ring terminals on the leads are universal and will fit on all batteries. Because all of the golf cart batteries are connected with battery cables, all batteries will be charged in series.

How many volts does a golf cart battery need?

An automatic golf cart battery charger needs a minimal amount of voltage in the golf cart battery to even start working. They need somewhere in the range of 20-35 volts in the batteries to allow the chargers to know that they are connected up to batteries and to kick on.

What voltage do you need for a 36V golf cart?

You must match volts to volts. A 36V cart requires a 36 volt golf cart charger. A 48V cart requires a 48 volt golf cart charger. You can burn up your batteries if you do not charge with the proper voltage.

Why is my golf cart battery red?

Every golf cart battery charger is different with respect to indicator lights, but in general the red light is a fault light that indicates something is wrong with the charging process. Occasionally a red fault light on a golf cart charger can mean that the batteries do not have enough voltage in them to allow the charger to kick on (see Charging Dead Golf Cart Batteries above). However, most of the time, especially with EZ-GO Powerwise chargers, this is the "red light of death" or an internal charger failure indicating that the charger needs to be serviced or replaced.

Why is my golf cart battery charger not working?

Bad connections will cause any battery charger to not function properly. After you've charged up your batteries and checked every connection and you are still having issues, it's probably safe to say you've got a golf cart battery charger problem and may need to service it or buy a new one.

How long do golf cart batteries last?

If golf cart batteries are properly maintained they generally will last for around 5-6 years.

Why do you need to clean a golf cart battery?

You will need to clean it off because if it builds up it may cause the battery cables to lose contact with the battery and keep your cart from running. Again, please see our Golf Cart Battery Maintenance article for further details.

How to save a golf cart battery from overcharging?

To save your battery from overcharging, you can use an automatic golf cart charger that will shut off once the batteries are fully charged.

What affects battery life of golf cart?

One of the most important things that affect battery life is your purchasing power. Do not buy a charger simply based on lowest cost. Consider the quality of the golf cart charger before buying.

How to save batteries from damage?

Avoid direct heat exposures such as radiators to save your batteries from damage.

Why is water important for batteries?

Add water when the batteries are completely charged. It's important to add water at the right time and in the right amount for optimal performance.

Can changing batteries affect the battery?

However, improperly changing the batteries can surely affect the batteries. The wrong charger can break down the internal battery cells, so make sure to use the charger designed for your batteries.

Can you drive a golf cart on a steep hill?

Driving your golf cart forcefully on the steep hill could leave you stuck and damage your batteries.

Can you leave a golf cart inactive?

Leaving the golf cart inactive for an extended period reduces battery life. Using the batteries in a partial state of charge or storing the discharged batteries may damage them badly.

How to charge a 12 volt golf cart battery?

For these systems you can just use a 12 volt battery charger to charge each battery individually by placing the charger connections on the positive and negative terminals of each individual battery. You can again speed up the process if you happen to have that heavy duty battery charger with a 12v/24v adjustable output feature. ( Usually common on car lots and dealerships back in the day) Then you can charge up the bank even faster ( limited by charger output) place the charger connections on the positive terminal of the first battery and then the negative connection on that of the second battery that make up 24 volts. This will cut charge time down as you have less connections to make and depending on the charger output could decrease charge times. See Illustrations and images above.

How many volts does a golf cart battery need?

Others require a little less. So for example a 36 volt battery charger would require approx. 25-30 volts to activate, whereas a 48 volt charger would require 30-35 or even 40 volts present to activate.

How does a 12 volt battery charger work?

So being in a pinch a 12 volt battery charger will work to get some energy back into your dead golf cart batteries and revive them. The sole purpose here is to just get some energy back into the batteries so the golf cart battery charger itself can do the brunt of the charging and charge the batteries properly.

What type of battery is used in a golf cart?

Systems comprised of 6x 6 volt batteries… Usually found in older golf carts ( Pre-1990’s) across the board Club Car, Ezgo and Yamaha Brands but also Columbia, Harley Davidson ( Yep – Harley used to make a golf cart as they also made boats under AMF) other carts include Fairplay, Par Car or Western. For this system you will need either a 6 volt battery charger to charge individually by placing the charger connections on the positive and negative terminals of each individual battery. Or you can use a 12 volt battery charger and place the charger connections on the positive terminal of the first battery and then the negative connection on that of the second battery. This will cut charge time down as you have less connections to make and depending on the charger output could decrease charge times. See Illustrations and images above.

Why does my golf cart beep?

If you can get enough voltage and energy back into the batteries to make the golf cart move, beep or lights to work usually means there is enough voltage present at this point for the original golf cart battery charger to be plugged in and it will turn on to charge the batteries completely.

Why does my golf cart charger not know if it's plugged in?

So basically if the batteries in your golf cart are dead then the charger does not know it is plugged into a golf cart because it does not sense any voltage.

What does it mean when a golf cart battery is bad?

So being if the golf cart battery cable lug connector or connection between two batteries is bad the cart will usually not work, drive or charge. So check all the connections and cables for signs of corrosion or wear or completely broken off battery.

How to keep golf cart batteries charged?

Another good thing to have for your golf cart batteries is a watering system. Make sure you check the water level in your golf cart batteries monthly to make sure they are still saturated. ( always do this after your batteries are fully charged because if you check them and fill them before you charge them 100% you could over fill them and acid will leak out the top of the batteries while they charge and get all over your cart and in the garage or where ever you store the golf cart. Which is not good because battery acid will eat away at your concrete floor in the garage. Checkout Pete’s great deals on a new One point golf cart watering system to avoid over filling them and making a mess or getting battery acid on your cart, clothes or garage floor and do it with ease. ( In minutes – not an hour or more… weekends are meant to be spent with the family or watching the game not in the garage filling batteries… so get yours today!)

What to do if your golf cart battery hasn't taken a full charge?

If the battery has taken a charge, replace the cell caps and use your golf cart for a long ride and see how long the charge lasts.

How to clean a battery with acid?

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. Clean the battery with your paintbrush dipped in a baking soda solution. Rinse your battery with plain water, making certain none of the water gets into any of the cells.

Can you replace a golf cart battery?

If the ride and power is short lived it is still likely you will need to replace your golf cart battery. It is also quite possible that your golf cart battery charger is not charging properly. You will need a volt meter to check the power output of your battery charger.

What voltage do golf carts use?

Outside of specialty carts, most carts operate on a 36V or 48V standard and need a series of cells to supply enough power.

How to tell if golf cart has 36V or 48V?

By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart.

How long does a golf cart battery last?

With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years.

What is amps in a car?

Amperage is akin to a gas tank in a car. Amps will determine how far the cart travels, and for how long, on a single charge. The more amps a battery generates, the further you’ll be able to drive. If you take your cart out for extended periods, this may be problematic.

What happens if you charge a battery with an underpowered charger?

An underpowered charger will cause a buildup of sulfation on the negative plate, affecting its performance. An overpowered charger causes an accumulation of corrosion on the positive plate. Ideally, you do not want your batteries to die, as charging a dead lead-acid battery can cause strain.

How to keep batteries clean?

Looking to keep your batteries clean? Use a bristle brush and a mild solution to clean the top of each battery. You can also use anti-corrosive solutions and sprays to prevent corrosion, which can be a problem with lead-acid batteries. Alternatively, you can use battery covers.

What are the two main electrical quantities to consider when replacing batteries?

Two main electrical quantities you will want to focus on when replacing batteries are voltage and current. Voltage is measured in volts, or “ V ,” and Current is measured in amps, or “ A .”

How many volts does a golf cart charger need?

Tip #3: you can connect the 12-volt charger across the 48-volt battery bank and produce enough power to let the regular golf cart charger kick in. When it does, disconnect the charge right away.

How to charge dead golf cart batteries?

How to Charge Dead 8 Volt Golf Cart Batteries: One way to recharge dead golf cart batteries is to use a smaller 6 volt battery charger. Once you get enough power in them, you should be able to hook up the golf cart charger and take the batteries the rest of the way.

How long does it take for a golf cart to charge?

Tip #4: You only need about a 25 to 30 minute charge time to see if enough power has entered the battery or batteries to switch to the normal golf cart charger and go the rest of the way

How many times does 3 8 volt batteries equal 24?

That is why one of our tips talks about placing 3 8 volt batteries in a series and using 2 12 volt chargers to handle the recharge. 3 times 8 equals 24 and 2 times 2 equals 24 so the voltages match and you should be successful.

Why do you put 8 volt batteries in series?

That is why some people say to put the batteries in a series so that your 12 volt battery chargers can bring power to those dead batteries.

What voltage does a gold cart come with?

Some will come with 8-volt batteries and others will come with 6-volt units. Do not assume which one your gold cart has. Double-check before you start your charging process or series set up. Then double-check to see if you have the right charger to handle the voltage required.

How many volts does an 8 volt battery need?

If you said 8, you would be incorrect. For an 8-volt battery to be fully charged, you need to have 9.2 volts inside it. This is not the only discrepancy when it comes to total volts needed in a battery.

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