Fill all of the battery cells to the proper levels. Remove the battery tops and use distilled water to raise the water levels in the battery cells to cover the plates. Electrolyte levels in your golf cart batteries are critical, especially when cold weather hits and you need to maintain a full charge to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
How to winterize your golf cart batteries?
Winterize your golf-cart batteries with help from the experts. It should work like a dream with the right steps in place. Any debris left on the battery terminals turns into a conductive environment, including dust and corrosion. Create a neutralizer with these ingredients, such as: Mix these two items together.
How do I choose the best golf cart batteries?
The best golf cart batteries require water to cover the internal plates. Reattach the fill covers afterward. Avoid the temptation of overfilling the battery because this action only dilutes the electrolyte, which leads to a decline in charging power. Never add any acid to the battery either.
Do Trojan golf cart batteries lose charge in the winter?
It’s natural for Trojan and Club Car golf cart batteries to slowly lose some charge over the winter months. Keeping up with maintenance will only save you time in the spring. Every brand, including Trojan golf cart batteries, won’t perform well when they’re stacked.
Can I store my Electric golf cart over winter break?
Your electric golf cart is now ready to be stored over the winter break. We have now checked and maintained all the important parts of your cart. We have also performed all the steps to optimize our battery and ensure it’s going to perform well once the spring and summer months arrive.
How do you take care of golf cart batteries in the winter?
Keep them in a cool area and stay away from areas that are near heat sources such as radiators or heaters, since hot temperatures accelerate battery self-discharge. In addition, al- ways avoid areas where freezing temperatures are expected during the storage pe- riod.
Should I leave my electric golf cart plugged in all winter?
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.
Should I take the batteries out of my golf cart for the winter?
Simple, regular maintenance of your 6 volt golf car batteries during the off-season ensures that your car is ready to run when the time comes, but neglecting to care for them will leave you with a car that can't make it out of the garage, let alone 18 holes.
What do you do with an electric golf cart in the winter?
0:000:473 Winter Storage Tips for Your Electric Golf Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHey everybody this is Carrie down Kalka cars unlimited with a few quick winter storage remindersMoreHey everybody this is Carrie down Kalka cars unlimited with a few quick winter storage reminders feeders electric golf cart. Important before you store your car you're gonna want to make sure that the
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.
Will electric golf cart batteries freeze?
Yes, golf cart batteries can freeze. There are a few factors that are going to affect how the golf cart battery freezes, and we will help try to explain that. A battery that is not charged is going to freeze at a much higher temperature than a battery that is charged.
How do you store batteries for the winter?
Winter battery storage checklistCharge the batteries one final time. ... Disconnect the negative cable and wait a few hours before checking specific gravity or voltage. ... Disconnect terminals to remove all electrical loads from your batteries. ... Remove batteries, storing them in a cool, dry place where they won't freeze.More items...•
Can you put 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.
What temperature do golf cart batteries freeze?
around 20 °FA fully charged battery has a freezing point around -80 °F while a discharged battery has a freezing point around 20 °F. By keeping the battery fully charged during the winter months, the electrolyte is less likely to freeze.
How do you store an electric golf cart outside in the winter?
Important Tips for Golf Cart Winter StorageClean the Vehicle. Before storing, it is imperative that you clean your golf cart, inside and out. ... Drain the Fuel. ... Perform a Full Check Up. ... Prepare the Battery. ... Enflate the Tires. ... Make Sure the Cart Doesn't Move. ... Park the Cart in the Proper Postition. ... Store in a Cool and Dry Space.More items...
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.
How to charge a golf cart battery?
Fill all of the battery cells to the proper levels. Remove the battery tops and use distilled water to raise the water levels in the battery cells to cover the plates. Electrolyte levels in your golf cart batteries are critical, especially when cold weather hits and you need to maintain a full charge to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. ...
How to revive a frozen battery?
First, bring the battery inside and thaw it out, then hook it to an automotive charger that is equipped with clamps to put on the terminals. Set the charger on the lowest charge rate setting and charge the battery for around an hour.
How to clean battery terminals?
Clean the battery terminals posts using 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with a 1 quart of water. Use a wire scratch brush to remove the larger deposits. Keep any of the baking soda water from entering the battery. Rinse the battery thoroughly dry with a paper towel. 2.
What is a tow/run switch on a golf cart?
The Tow/Run switch is only installed on a golf car with a separately excited motor that produces regenerative braking. This uses a small amount of power even when the key is off and can take a full charge If your cart has this switch, Set it to “Tow” and set the parking brake.
How do batteries self discharge?
Batteries need to be dry and cleaned of any corrosion and dirt. Batteries can self-discharge by a small trickle of current slowly discharging your batteries through conductive debris.
What happens to electrolytes in cold weather?
Electrolyte expansion during cold weather can crack the battery case, causing complete battery failure. At a 40% state of charge, the electrolyte will freeze. As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte solution gets to be more and more like water.
Can you store golf cart batteries in cold weather?
Also, note that golf cart batteries will take longer to charge in colder temperatures than they will in warm weather.
Where you should store your golf cart for winter
You should store your electric golf in a covered dry area, away from any water exposure. A golf cart storage shed would be the best place, but if you don’t have a small storage building with a door, make sure you place it under a shelter, and away from where the elements can get to it. In milder climates, it should be ok to use a golf cart cover.
Will your batteries lose charge by sitting for long periods of time in cold weather?
Batteries naturally self-discharge. Lithium batteries have a much better discharge rate than lead-acid. They will only discharge at about 2% of the charge per month. During the winter months when you won’t be using the cart, you would have to charge your batteries once every 2 weeks.
Will leaving your charger connected all winter hurt your batteries?
It is acceptable to leave our batteries connected to the charger over the winter. However, it is best practice to leave the batteries off the charger and the vehicle in TOW mode. It may be obvious but you’ll be surprised by the number of people who will disconnect but forget to turn the vehicle switch to the TOW position.
How often you should check your batteries during winter storage
Considering lithium golf cart batteries have a much lower rate of discharge than lead-acid, it’s a general rule of thumb to check them once every 3 months. Lead-acid batteries would need to be checked every 2-3 weeks to make sure they stay at a sufficient charge capacity.
Should you charge your batteries before storing them for winter?
The best practice is to leave the batteries partially charged during storage (between 50-80% SOC). The next good practice is to charge the batteries fully before putting them in storage. It is discouraged to store batteries that are very discharged (<50% SOC).
Can you disconnect the batteries to avoid monthly maintenance?
Yes, disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle or other loads, and turning them completely OFF during extended periods of non-use is the best practice.
What is the best battery for electric golf carts?
Lithium batteries outperform lead-acid in every way and have boosted the overall experience of driving a golf cart. Lithium has a long list of advantages over lead-acid but comes with a higher retail price.
When to prep a golf cart for winter?
Prepping The Cart (End Of Fall) During the end of fall season is when you will want to wind up your use of your electric golf cart. The leaves are dropping, the temperature is falling, and you can feel the end is near. Fall is a critical time to start preparing the storage of golf cart for the coming winter months ahead.
When to start preparing golf cart storage?
Fall is a critical time to start preparing the storage of golf cart for the coming winter months ahead. A small amount of cleaning and maintenance is required in order for your cart to survive being locked up in the freezing winter conditions.
What is the best way to clean a battery?
A clean cloth, warm water and baking soda is perfect to clean the battery. The baking soda will neutralize any acid corrosion found.
What is the run/tow switch on a cart?
If the Run/Tow switch is found on your model of cart, it’s very important that you set it to the Run/Storage switch instead. Keeping your cart stored and set to Run/Tow is a great way to drain your battery completely!
Can you store an electric golf cart in the cold?
There comes a time each year when mother nature deems your electric golf cart unusable. The wet weather turns your otherwise enjoyable ride, into an off road journey into the unknown! When the weather turns cold, it’s time to store your golf cart in a safe place.
Can a golf cart rust in the winter?
Winters especially in the US, can reach extremely cold temperatures. If not careful, moisture from the cooler weather can cause havoc on your golf cart. The moisture from rain, ice and snow will exacerbate the amount of rusting if the issue isn’t taken care of beforehand.
Do you have to clean a golf cart?
Just like washing your car, washing a golf cart is much the same. You’ll want to clean both the outside and inside of your cart. Remember moisture will be produced during storage. Any markings will worsen under extreme temperatures. Therefore everything must be cleaned, to ensure optimal life of your cart.
What is the gravity of a golf cart battery?
Every golf-cart battery should have a specific gravity of 1.265. Use the hydrometer’s probes to verify this value. You’ll know for sure that the charge is perfect for storage.
Why use a trickle charger for golf cart batteries?
Use a trickle charger in order to give the battery a power source without hindering its storage capacity. It’s natural for Trojan and Club Car golf cart batteries to slowly lose some charge over the winter months. Keeping up with maintenance will only save you time in the spring.
How to clean battery terminals?
Create a neutralizer with these ingredients, such as: 1 cup baking soda. 1 gallon water. Mix these two items together. Apply it to the battery terminals by using a wire brush. Gently clean off the terminals.
Do golf cart batteries have water?
Golf cart batteries, including models from the Trojan Battery Company, usually have water within their individual cells. Batteries with anything less than a perfect level will break down over the colder months.
Can golf cart batteries be discharged in the winter?
With a clean bill of health, golf cart batteries won’t have any conductive pathways to discharge during the winter. In the spring, the battery will be practically ready to go. Corrosion buildup will only cause problems over time.
Can you add acid to a battery?
Avoid the temptation of overfilling the battery because this action only dilutes the electrolyte, which leads to a decline in charging power. Never add any acid to the battery either. Its electrolytes are perfectly balanced during the manufacturing process.
Can you put a golf cart battery back on?
As an alternative, some people simply put the battery back into its respective spot on the golf cart itself. If you do store the battery on the cart, be sure that it’s not exposed to vibrations. Unnecessary movements of the battery will cause discharge and poor energy storage in the springtime.
What is the Proper Way to Charge an Electric Golf Cart?
If your electric golf cart batteries are in good shape, the proper way to charge an electric golf cart is to plug it into the electric network using the charger that came with your golf cart. If your golf cart didn’t come with a charger, you should find one that matches your vehicle’s charging socket and voltage specifications.
How to Charge an Electric Golf Cart Step by Step
If your golf cart didn’t come with a battery charger, try to buy a charger from the same brand as your golf cart. If that option is not available, buy a battery charger that meets your golf cart’s specifications.
Can I Charge Golf Cart Batteries with a Regular Charger?
You can charge most golf cart batteries with a regular charger. However, there are some things you should keep in mind. There are different types of car battery chargers, and there are different types of golf cart batteries.
Can You Overcharge Golf Cart Batteries?
Overcharging golf cart batteries is dangerous and can cause damage so it’s not recommended. Batteries have many chemical components that heat up every time you charge them. Overcharging a battery will overheat these chemicals, ruining the battery and the heat buildup may make it catch fire.
What Should My Golf Cart Charger Read when Fully Charged?
Modern cart battery chargers have LED lights to show the charge status. Most of these chargers will have a light displaying that the charger is plugged into the wall and another light indicating that the charger is working. Once the charge is complete, another light will turn on, generally in green next to a sign “charge complete”.
How Do You Charge a 36 Volt Golf Cart Battery?
If your golf cart has a 36-volt battery pack, it will probably have three 12v individual batteries or six 6v batteries. If you don’t have the charger that came with your golf cart, or if you need to run a maintenance charge, you can charge each battery in the pack individually and charge it.
How Do You Trick a Golf Cart Charger?
When your golf cart’s batteries are completely discharged, you will have to “trick” your golf cart charger by using an automotive battery charger to manually charge them, at least to the point where your cart charger will read some voltage. That’s how you trick a golf cart charger.