how to get the most out of golf cat batteries

Golf cart batteries can last as long as four to six years, but that's only if you take care of them properly. To get the most life out of your battery follow the steps below. Get the right battery charger - Determine whether your cart uses 6-, 8- or 12-volt batteries and find a charger that's compatible with that system.

Full Answer

How do you charge a golf cart battery at home?

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. When charging deep cycle batteries do not let these batteries discharge completely.

How do you clean the battery in a golf cart?

Use a hand strap that hooks to the batteries, and progressively pull the heavy lead-acid batteries out of the cart. Clean the tray that they were sitting in with a brush and knock off as much debris as possible. Check the main cables to make sure there isn’t any corrosion.

How to make your golf cart batteries last longer?

Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge itself as the vehicle runs like batteries in cars do (cars have alternators). Therefore, regular use will drain the battery which, in turn, may shorten its life. That being said… Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer. 1. Always Use Distilled Water

How to tell how many holes in a golf cart battery?

You will be able to see 3, 4, or 6 holes. 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. A Guide To Golf Cart Batteries: How Much Do Batteries Cost?

How do I get more battery life out of my golf cart?

Tips for Making Your Golf Cart Battery Last LongerDon't Let Your Batteries Lose All Voltage or Run Till Empty. ... Make Sure You Don't Overcharge Your Golf Cart Battery. ... Remember to Turn Off All Electrical Components. ... Don't Push Your Golf Cart to the Limit With Either Distance or Slope.More items...

Should golf cart batteries be charged after every use?

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.

Should you run golf cart batteries all the way down?

Don't: let the battery drain down You'll actually lose out on power if you don't drain it. This typical mistake has killed off a lot of batteries. Golf-cart batteries work better when they're charged after being used. It doesn't matter how long or far you drove either.

Why does my golf cart runs out of batteries 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 often should I add water to my golf cart batteries?

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.

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.

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 long will a 48v golf cart run?

electric golf carts, a common question is, “How far will my electric golf cart go on a full charge?” The average range of the electric golf cart is 8-10 miles on a lead-acid battery. Lithium batteries cover up to 100 miles on a single full charge.

Does it hurt to leave golf cart plugged in?

Final Thoughts. No, it's not recommended that you leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. Although automatic chargers are designed to prevent over-charging, there is still the risk of the circuit breaker tripping, which would result in damage to your battery's cells.

How long should a golf cart run on a full charge?

Typically, an electric golf cart has between 45 and 90 minutes of full-power run time on a fully charged battery. Times depend on the age of the battery, with newer batteries having longer run times.

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 should 12 volt golf cart batteries last?

That all being said, properly maintained battery packs in fleet carts tend to last about 4-6 years while private owners tend to get about 6-10 years out of their battery packs. Other major factors include the type of options on the cart that may increase the draw from the battery pack.

How To Maintain Your Battery

Golf cart batteries can last as long as four to six years, but that's only if you take care of them properly. To get the most life out of your battery follow the steps below.

When Should You Replace Your Golf Cart Battery?

An average golf cart will need between four and six batteries (or, occasionally eight) deep cycle lead acid batteries in order to operate. If you notice that your batteries are having a hard time holding a charge or that your performance is suffering, your battery might be dying. Take note of your battery's average voltage and run time.

How to Replace Your Golf Cart Battery

When purchasing a new battery, the first thing you'll need to know is whether your cart runs on 6-, 8-, or 12-volt batteries. Your owner's manual can provide this information, or you can calculate your cart's voltage using the number of acid holes on one of your current batteries.

What Is an Electric Golf Cart?

An electric golf cart is an electric automobile that traditionally transports golfers and caddies around the course. However, many use them for transportation in places where a car won’t fit. For example, RVers might use them to get around a campground, or staff might use them to travel safely through crowds of people during a big event.

What Is the Range of an Electric Golf Cart?

The range can vary with electric golf carts; however, 30-45 miles is standard. It’s ideal if you only need it for short trips, and most people do. Even if you’re using the cart for a full day of driving around an event venue, you likely won’t use up the entire 30-45 mile range, and you can always just plug it in if you do.

About Electric Golf Cart Batteries

Electric golf carts require different batteries, depending on the type you have. Batteries will depend on the voltage needs. You’ll need to know your golf cart’s battery type and how many you’ll need before buying.

Common Issues with Electric Golf Cart Lead-Acid Batteries

Although lead-acid batteries have been the industry standard for decades, there are a few key issues. Voltage drop, water level maintenance, range, and overcharging are some of the most harrowing.

Get More Out of Your Electric Golf Cart By Upgrading to Lithium

Many electric golf carts come with lead-acid batteries, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep them. You can convert your golf cart to the more reliable option of lithium batteries and enjoy virtually maintenance-free battery life.

Benefits of Lithium Batteries for Electric Golf Carts

We’ve already mentioned some of the best things about using lithium batteries for your electric golf cart, but we wanted to go into greater detail for you. Here are some things you can look forward to when you make the conversion.

Other Tips to Get the Most out of Your Electric Golf Cart

While your cart’s power source is among the vehicle’s most important features, it’s not the only one. Taking care of every part of the vehicle will help ensure a long and productive life for your golf cart. Here are a few other areas to maintain during the life of the cart.

How to prevent a golf cart battery from corroding?

In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant.

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 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 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.

Does a cart battery recharge itself?

Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge itself as the vehicle runs like batteries in cars do (cars have alternators). Therefore, regular use will drain the battery which, in turn, may shorten its life. That being said….

Can you use tap water on a cell phone?

Never use plain or tap water. Also, never allow the cell’s fluid level to dip below its plates. In addition, never let the level of water in the battery be too high. As in, it should never be touching the plastic lip that goes down into the battery from the plastic cap.

Do golf cart batteries work?

Though vehicular batteries are made similarly and out of similar materials, when used in golf carts, the way they are used is different. The maintenance of golf batteries will be somewhat similar to maintaining other batteries. However a couple of things are different. Follow the above mentioned tips to keep your golf cart batteries, in turn your golf cart, in prime working condition.

What type of batteries are used in golf carts?

Lead-acid batteries are the most common and lowest-cost deep-cycle batteries for golf carts. They consist of lead plates suspended in a sulfuric acid solution which creates a chemical reaction allowing energy to be stored.

What is a golf cart battery?

Golf cart batteries are deep-cycle batteries designed and built with additional durability to sustain prolonged current draw and frequent deep discharging. They usually come in 6, 8, and 12-volt configurations that can be wired in series to provide the required voltage.

How does lithium battery work in golf carts?

Lithium batteries are about half the weight of lead-acid deep-cycle batteries. Reducing the weight of the golf cart increases your runtime, allowing you to spend more time driving and less time charging.

How many amps does a Battle Born golf cart battery draw?

Governors limit the speed of the golf cart, which, in turn, limits the current draw. Battle Born Batteries have a continuous discharge current limit of 100 amps and can discharge at up to 200 amps for 30 seconds. Exceeding these limits will cause the battery to shut off. Battle Born Batteries are all 12-volts.

What is the difference between 8 volt and 6 volt batteries?

For example, if you wanted to provide 48 volts to your golf cart motor, eight 6-volt batteries would have more capacity and run longer than six 8-volt batteries. This is because you are using more batteries overall.

How long do lithium batteries last?

Lithium batteries typically last for five to ten times as long as lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries are true deep-cycle batteries with minimal impact on their lifespan as they go through repeated charge and discharge cycles. Battle Born lithium batteries generally come with a 10-year warranty.

How many amps does an electric golf motor draw?

On average, electric golf motors operate at 36 or 48 volts and draw between 50-70 amps of current while cruising at about 15 miles per hour. Keep in mind that the current draw during acceleration or while going up a hill is much higher.

How long does a golf cart battery last?

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

How to clean lead acid batteries?

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. Check battery wiring.

How many batteries are in an electric cart?

Your electric cart will accommodate either 6, 8, or 12V batteries. Its volt electrical drive system will have a 36V or 48V system. If you are not able to determine if it’s a 36V or a 48V electrical drive system, lift the cart seat so you can bring the battery compartment into view. You will be able to see 3, 4, or 6 holes.

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.

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 .”

What are AMG batteries?

Also called absorbent glass mat batteries, these are different from their lead-acid counterparts – the electrolyte is held in the glass mats as opposed to it free floating. These tend to hold their charges better than lead-acid batteries. Deka Solar Batteries.

Do you need to maintain a standard for a 36V cart?

To ensure effective and safe pass-through of power, you will need to maintain a standard. For example, if you own a 36V cart that requires a pair of 6v batteries, it’s essential to use that same combination when finding a replacement. While you can “upgrade” batteries, it’s not for the faint of heart.

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.