how to het longer life out of my golf cart batteries

^{Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer.}

1. Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. ...
2. 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 ...
3. 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.
4. 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. ...

How to extend the life of your golf cart battery?

And to extend the life of your golf cart even longer, you can get the sophisticated and dependable dual pro charger. Well, the system is automated, and unlike its counterparts, it delivers optimal charge. As a result, the charging system adds at least a fifth of life to your golf cart battery – good stuff!

Is it bad for a golf cart battery to go dead?

As letting the batteries go completely dead is very bad for the batteries and will definitely cut the life expectancy short. In the golf cart business we use a golf cart battery recovery unit like BatteryPete’s Super Charger to jump start the golf cart in seconds or minutes to get the customers golf cart battery charger to kick on…

How do you stop a golf cart battery from corroding?

Use Anti-Corrosion Lubricants The acid in a golf cart battery is one of the main agents for corroding its internal parts. In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant.

How do I know if my golf cart battery needs replacing?

Check the battery after it has charged for several hours or the next day. If the battery still hasn’t taken a full charge, they cannot be saved and it is time for some new golf cart batteries . 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 long do golf cart batteries normally 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.

Should I leave 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.

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.

Can you bring golf cart batteries back to life?

Can you refurbish Golf cart batteries? Yes, it is reasonably possible to recondition your golf cart batteries. But, there will be a condition for that. If the battery is not fully dead and you can charge it up to a certain extent, it will be possible to refurbish it.

How often should I add water to my golf cart batteries?

DO: You have to get your timing right. After charging your battery is when you want to add water. Adding water after charging prevents acid from spilling over. ... We recommend service once or twice a year. Always use distilled water so you don't add additional minerals into your battery.

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.

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 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.

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.

Can you put vinegar in a car battery?

The chemical components inside the battery will react with the vinegar and cause severe harm to the battery. The battery might even fail to work when the vinegar is added; thus, you should be keen not to damage the battery with your own hands. However, vinegar is useful in cleaning corrosion on alkaline batteries.

Can you use a trickle charger on a golf cart?

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 do you use Epsom salt to bring back a dead battery?

Replace battery cell solution – Mix 4 cups of water with 4 ounces of Epsom salt. Stir until the water is clear. Boiled water speeds up the process but isn't necessary. With the funnel, refill the cells with the new electrolyte solution.

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 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 attach a golf cart battery to a 3 phase 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. Limit the discharge rate:

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.

Does a golf cart battery recharge?

Furthermore, the cart battery doesn’t recharge itself as the vehicle does with their batteries. Constant use all through the day can totally drain the battery of golf carts, where it can shorten battery life. Though with a short lifetime charge, you are required to do reliable service to lengthen their lifetime.

Can you turn off a golf cart if you don't use the battery?

Make sure you turn off golf cart when you are not using the battery. Just like the mobile phones, if you left it for long turned on, there will be a greater chance of the battery being fully discharged. You may require jump-starting the gas-powered cart when this happens.

Can you jump start a golf cart?

You may require jump-starting the gas-powered cart when this happens. Remember to turn off the radio, lights and also other devices if you are done from using it. Do not leave the key there; take it away before you left the cart. A way in which you drive will also create an impact on the life of the golf cart battery.

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.

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.

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….

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.

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 factors determine the life of a cart battery?

We mentioned that various factors determine the life of the battery and among them include the quality, handling, and maintenance. However, your cart battery will eventually die. But which factors underscore a dying battery?

What is the acid water in a battery?

Typically, the acid water is 65% distilled water and 35% acid. During battery discharge, the sulfuric acid finds its way inside the plates to create energy. If you run the cart all day, until the battery goes dead, all the sulfuric acid will be on the plates.

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.

How many volts does a golf cart battery use?

However, there are differences between the two varieties. For starters, golf cart batteries are 6volts while the battery that your truck uses is 12 volts – seems you cannot interchange them. And unlike your truck batteries that recharge as you drive, ...

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.

How often should I water my golf cart batteries?

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.

How many rounds of golf can you use a golf cart battery?

To give you some kind of comparison factor, fleet golf cart batteries, are used for two to four rounds of golf every day ...

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:

Can you recharge a cart with lead acid?

However, fully charging batteries before reusing the cart is recommended. 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.

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.

Do you need to fill batteries if they are discharged?

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. One of the biggest “battery killers” is not properly maintaining them with water, so be sure to check them on a regular basis.

How to check golf cart battery water level?

Start out with an inspection of the golf cart battery water. Grab a jug of distilled water, and top off the battery’s reservoir. Most batteries have a line to indicate the proper level. Always avoid overfilling or neglecting the reservoir. The water protects the internal components from degrading.

What is a golf cart?

Golf carts are used in a variety of different applications, from providing transportation in a gated community to monitoring security on college campuses. Regardless of its purpose, every cart has the same power needs. You don’t want your cart to end up with lackluster power at the beginning of the day. Take a few tips from the pros by learning about the latest golf cart battery charging tips. They can last long with clever care.

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.

How long do golf cart batteries last?

They may last anywhere from months, up to 5-7 years under the right circumstances.

What type of battery does a golf cart use?

These golf carts are commonly powered by lead-acid batteries with a 6, 8, or 12-volt deep-cycle. Unlike the battery in your car, golf cart batteries do not automatically ‘recharge’ themselves during use.

What happens if fluid levels drop below plates?

When fluid levels drop below its plates, or alternatively, is too high/full, it can lead to battery damage or acid leaks. As you no doubt agree, neither of those scenarios is ideal. First up, remove the battery cells’ caps (usually plastic and found atop each cells’ respective reservoir). Check the fluid level.

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.

What to do if golf cart battery is broken?

Again if the golf cart battery cables are broken or corroded they need to be replaced and reconnected accordingly. Also it is recommended to use some type of corrosion preventative on all terminal connections to avoid the elements eating away at your connector, cables or terminals.

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.

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.

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.

Why is my golf cart battery charger not working?

Ok…. So the first guess or main reason why your golf cart battery charger is not working right now is because the batteries in your golf cart are completely dead. ( Not always but usually 90% of the time) This is because the federal government years ago made it mandatory that all manufacturers ...

Can you baby sit your golf cart batteries?

Though due to recent advances in charging technology you can now purchase a Smart charger for your golf cart that will basically baby sit your batteries while you are away on vacation for the summer or whenever.

About The Golf Cart Batteries

Charging Your Golf Cart Batteries

Golf Cart Battery Life Expectancy

Maintenance

Using The Batteries

Replacing The Batteries

Other Best Practices to Extend The Life of The Batteries

Final Word