How to Store Electric Golf Carts in the Winter
- The Battery. The most important part of an electric golf cart is the battery. ...
- Check the Battery Cables. Your battery cables should be clean, tightly connected to the terminals and free of corrosion. Corrosion is the battery’s worst enemy.
- Clean the Battery. During normal operation, acid accumulates on and around the battery cables. ...
- Parting Shot. Manufacturers, such as Bintelli Electric Vehicle s, provide that a golf cart battery drains 1% of charge every 24 hours.
- Clean the vehicle.
- Park the vehicle in a covered, dry location.
- Fully charge the battery.
- Disconnect battery cables.
- Check the tire pressure.
- Turn the key switch to the OFF position and remove the key.
- Turn the power switch under the seat to the TOW position.
How to store your electric golf cart for the winter?
Preparing Your Golf Car Battery for Storage
- Start by moving your car wherever it is going to be stored. ...
- Leave the forward/reverse switch in the neutral position.
- Depending on your golf car, it will have either a tow/run or a maintenance/run switch. ...
- Fully charge the battery and water it with distilled water. ...
- Check terminals and cords for damage and corrosion. ...
How to winterize your golf cart?
Things You Should Clean
- Rust
- Dirt & grime
- Bird poop
- Cut and polish any scratches
- Remove any rugs/carpet
- Clean mirrors
- Cables and connectors
- Fuel, oil and air filters
- Replace spark plugs if required
How often should I charge my golf cart batteries?
Tips For Maximizing Your Battery Life
- Charge your batteries fully after each period of use. Charge your batteries for 8 to 10 hours with the proper style of golf cart battery charger. ...
- Cleaning. Proper golf cart battery maintenance is essential to the proper operation of your car. ...
- Water your batteries regularly. ...
How to troubleshoot an electric golf cart?
Troubleshooting Your Electric Golf Cart Motor
- Check Batteries. Test each battery with a voltmeter to see if it is depleted. ...
- Listen for Solenoid. The solenoid should make a clicking sound when you turn the key to start the golf cart. ...
- Inspect Charger. Test the outlet the charger is plugged into and examine the charger connections. ...
- Inspect Potentiometer. ...
- Reset Motor. ...
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.
How do you store an electric golf cart for 6 months?
7 Tips for Long-Term Golf Cart StorageStep 1: Fully Charge the Battery. The typical golf cart is run by a 6-volt battery. ... Step 2: Disconnect the Battery. ... Step 3: Refill Water Level. ... Step 4: Secure the Cart. ... Step 5: Take Care of The Tires. ... Step 6: Make Sure it's Clean. ... Step 7: Store it in a Secure Place.
Can 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 winterize a 48 volt golf cart?
How to Winterize a Golf CartThoroughly clean the golf cart with soap and water as well as a degreaser or other recommended cleaning products to remove dirt and grime. ... Inspect the brakes. ... Verify that the tires are properly inflated. ... Tune up the engine if you own a gas-powered golf cart. ... Disconnect the battery cables.More items...•
Should I take the batteries out of my golf cart for the winter?
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.
How long can golf cart batteries sit without charging?
Still, golf cart batteries should be recharged after four hours of use.
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.
Should I disconnect golf cart batteries for storage?
If you only have the standard charger, you will want to make sure you fully charge the batteries up prior to storage. All electrical accessories and anything that might draw off the battery pack should be disconnected. The TOW/RUN switch should be set to TOW in order to fully shut the cart down.
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 store an electric golf cart outside?
Golf carts can be stored outside for shorter and even longer periods. But one thing comes under consideration while keeping them outside and without any protection, i.e., they can quickly wear out. Golf carts left outside for weeks can cause severe exterior and surface damage and even sometimes become immovable.
How do you maintain electric golf cart batteries?
Golf Cart Battery Maintenance1) Keep the top of each golf cart battery dry, clean and tight. ... 2) Charge for 8 to 10 hours with the proper golf cart battery charger. ... 3) Fill all golf cart battery cells ONLY AFTER charging, and do not over fill. ... 4) Use golf cart batteries often.More items...
How do you store golf cart batteries long term?
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 disconnect golf cart batteries for storage?
If you only have the standard charger, you will want to make sure you fully charge the batteries up prior to storage. All electrical accessories and anything that might draw off the battery pack should be disconnected. The TOW/RUN switch should be set to TOW in order to fully shut the cart down.
Can you store an electric golf cart outside?
Golf carts can be stored outside for shorter and even longer periods. But one thing comes under consideration while keeping them outside and without any protection, i.e., they can quickly wear out. Golf carts left outside for weeks can cause severe exterior and surface damage and even sometimes become immovable.
How do you store golf cart batteries in the summer?
How To Store Your Golf Cart During The SummerCharge Batteries Completely. a. Turn Key OFF and Remove Key. ... Refill Water Levels. a. Refill water levels to 1/4" above plates, using DISTILLED WATER ONLY. ... Disconnect Battery Charger. a. ... Disconnect Main Positive and Negative Connections. a. ... Lift Golf Cart Of The Floor. a.
Efficient Ways of How to Store Electric Golf Cart for winter
As the leaves fall and temperatures dip, you should wind up your electric golf cart. The end of the fall season means it is time to say goodbye to your electric golf cart because winter is on your door.
Storing Your Electric Golf Cart
You don’t want your cart to get wet, so store it in a cool, dry place. A golf shed is a good spot for this type of storage, but not everyone has the luxury – at least make sure you put some protection over your electric golf cart.
Frequently Asked Questions Golf Cart Storage
Who knew leaving your golf cart plugged all the time could be so harmful? The minimum maintenance of any lead-acid cell is recharging it soon after use; unplug when charged.
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.
What is the 'Run/Tow' switch on a golf car?
If your golf car is an electric RXV, make sure the 'Run/Tow' switch is set to the 'Run/Storage' position. Remember, if it's left in the 'Tow" position, it will continue to drain the batteries over time.
Do golf cart batteries self discharge?
Before leaving your golf cart, ensure that the battery is clean, fully charged, and has been disconnected from any source of electrical drain. Batteries will continue to self-discharge, even during periods where they are not used or are being stored away. If you don't disconnect your battery's wires, you may find yourself with a golf cart battery ...
Can you put away a golf cart in winter?
If you're the type to put away your golf cart or ATV for winter storage, there are a few steps you'll need to take to ensure that your battery stays in peak condition, even if you're not heading out on the course or into the woods during the colder months. We've spoken before about winterizing your ATV, but we haven't really taken a close look ...
How to keep electric golf cart battery in good condition?
To keep your electric golf cart's battery in prime condition during months of non-use, charge its battery fully prior to placing it in storage. For healthy battery performance all golfing season, charge the battery completely after each use. Fill the Tires. Temperatures affect the air pressure in your electric golf cart's tires.
When to inflate golf cart tires?
In the summer the rubber in your tires expands, and in the winter it constricts. This means you need to inflate your tires in the winter prior to storage to ensure they are at the right PSI. As a general rule, for every 10 degrees temperatures drop change, the PSI in your golf cart's tires change as well.
Golf Cart Shelter
Although driving a golf cart in the snow is possible, golf is not a Winter sport, so you rather store your cart for the cold period. However, do not wait for the snow to fall but prepare your electric golf cart for long-term storage when the leaves start falling and temperatures drop significantly.
Basic Winterizing Maintenance
After finding a shelter for long-term winter storage, it is time to maintain and prepare your golf cart just as if you would do that with your family car or SUV, for example. Of course, procedures are different and more straightforward, especially if you drive a gas automobile. One thing is common for sure – the complete detailed cleaning.
Battery Care
Many specialists highlight that when you winterize your electric golf cart, the most critical maintenance is battery care. The battery pack for the electric motor in the cart is like a blood source for the heart in the human body.
Safety Measures
Golf cart winterizing is related to some maintenance operations that require taking special safety measures. It is not a secret that working with electricity and acid is not safe if you do not follow some safety requirements. A careless approach to any power source can cause fire or even death, while acid can burn you seriously.
Golf Cart Covers
Once the preventive maintenance is done and you double-checked your golf cart batteries, wiring, and connections, plugs, tire pressure, braking system, etc., you may think it is time to leave your small electric vehicle in peace for the winter. Of course, you are ready to do that.
Rodent Prevention
Some people may consider this information irrelative, but in fact, lessons learned from golf and any other vehicle long-term storage prove that rodent menace is real. Golf cart wiring is a favorite dish for rodents, such as mice and rats.
