Open up the battery container and detach the connecting wires from the engine. Touch the negative probe of your digital multimeter to the negative ground or terminal of the battery. Do the same process with the positive end. If your golf cart’s battery is healthy, you will receive a 50 to 52 volt reading on that multimeter.
Full Answer
How do I know if my golf cart battery is 12 volt?
For instance, Club Car golf cart batteries and Yamaha golf cart batteries are typically a 6-8 volt system. A 12 volt battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 6 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell.
What size battery should I put in my golf cart?
(This is for those people thinking they can save a few bucks by putting 3x 12 volt batteries in a 36 volt golf cart that usually uses 6x 6 volt batteries.) Wear eye protection when working around batteries. Keep sparks, flames, or cigarettes away from batteries.
How to test a golf cart battery with a multimeter?
After fully charging the cart’s battery rack, use the multimeter (Set it to 200v DC)across the posts of each individual battery. You can do this without disconnecting the batteries from each other as long as you test across one battery’s posts. On a 6-volt battery, you should have slightly over 6 volts, like 6.1 to 6.3.
Are golf cart batteries wired in series or parallel?
seriesElectric golf carts are a good example of an application that use batteries wired in series to increase voltage. Electric golf carts, are powered by drive motors that are typically 36 volt and require six (6-volt) batteries connected in series.
Where is the fill line on a golf cart battery?
3:084:44How to Fill Your Electric Golf Car Batteries | Golf Cart MaintenanceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe top of the cap there's a tab that reaches down in I want to get my fingers in a way. This is theMoreThe top of the cap there's a tab that reaches down in I want to get my fingers in a way. This is the gauge for your battery this tab that reaches into the battery you can you see that.
How are golf cart batteries wired?
The main positive lead for the battery bank coming from the frame of the cart will connect to the positive terminal of the first battery in the bank. Then, connect a cable from the negative terminal of the first battery to the positive terminal of the subsequent battery in the bank.
Do all golf cart batteries need to be the same?
Ensuring your golf cart batteries always have the correct type and a number of volts can be very important in ensuring it works exactly how you want. Not having enough power could make driving difficult and affect other aspects like starting up the vehicle.
How often should you put water in golf cart batteries?
about once every 30 daysAlways fill the batteries after charging. The typical schedule is about once every 30 days, but this may vary by several days depending on your specific situation. When filling the batteries, add just enough water to bring it 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch shy of the indicator ring to prevent overfilling.
What happens if you don't put water in golf cart batteries?
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.
How do you hook up 12 volt batteries in a golf cart?
1:193:39Using 12v Batteries in a 48v Golf Cart, instead of 8 / 6 volt battery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then positive to negative positive to negative positive to negative and then positive to theMoreAnd then positive to negative positive to negative positive to negative and then positive to the motor and by hooking them up in series you simply add up the volts.
How many batteries do I need for a 36 volt golf cart?
6 voltA typical 36 Volt golf cart will have a battery configuration of (6) 6 volt batteries.
Can I put 12 volt batteries in my golf cart?
Can You Use Regular Car Batteries in a Golf Cart? The short answer is yes. Standard car batteries are 12-volts, and you could connect three or four of them in series to provide the required 36 or 48 volts to your golf cart motor. However, the design of car batteries provides a huge surge of current for short periods.
Can you mix new golf cart batteries with old ones?
Generally, mixing old and new batteries is not recommended due to possible issues with performance and safety. No matter what type of battery you use and the brand manufacturer, all batteries will eventually lose their electrical capacity as they age.
Can you mix old and new deep cycle batteries?
Never mix and match batteries from different manufacturers or batteries with different model numbers, amp-hour capacities, or voltages in the same bank. Make sure you've got a reliable battery balancer or BMS you feel good about, because managing batteries of different ages will make its job harder.
How do you reset golf cart batteries?
How to Repair Golf Cart Batteries: A Simple GuideOpen the Battery Compartment. ... Clean Corrosion Off the Battery. ... Wash the Paintbrush and Dip Into Water. ... Inspect the Battery. ... Remove Plastic Caps. ... Charge the Battery. ... Check the Charge. ... Drain the Battery Acid.More items...
Can you put too much water in golf cart batteries?
Golf cart batteries produce electricity using electrolytes and water, which means you will need to occasionally add some more water. But be careful of the amount! Too much water can lead to the electrolytes overflowing. Too little water can cause sulfation, which damages the lead plates.
What happens if you overfill a battery?
What you want is the "right" level, enough to cover the plates in the battery. Overcharging will create gas, often visibly swelling the battery. You don't need to worry about "gases", which would just be hydrogen, just be in a ventilated area.
How do you put water in a golf cart battery?
2:104:29How To Fill Golf Cart Batteries With Water | Golf Cart Garage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops fillingMoreDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops filling automatically. Basically all you have to do is push down on the bottle. Until you hear the bubbling.
How to tell 12 volt golf cart battery?
A 12 volt battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 6 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. A single 12 volt golf cart battery will have the least amperage capacity and is commonly used in 72 volt battery systems which are not terribly common among golf carts. EZGO golf cart batteries are known to be use 4-12 volt battery systems in some of their golf cart models.
How to tell if a golf cart battery is 6 volts?
A 6 volt golf cart battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 3 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. Generally speaking, a single 6 volt battery will have the highest amperage capacity and will allow for the greatest range in an 8-6 volt battery system.
What is the controller in a car?
A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller. Voltage is great to know, however the true knowledge lies with the total amperage in a battery pack. To get a better idea of what amperage is like in a car, let us discuss the relationship between Horsepower and MPG.
How does amperage affect golf carts?
It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric golf cart. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge.
What to do when buying an electric golf cart?
If you are in the market to purchase an electric golf cart, then the simplest thing to do first and foremost is considering the age of your golf cart batteries. This is important due to many consumers being misled as to the age of the batteries in the cart they are purchasing. At times, a consumer will be told by a private party or dealer ...
How many cycles does a lithium battery last?
Also, some lithium batteries carry a lifetime warranty and can deliver up to 5000 cycles versus the typical 100-500 cycles for a lead acid battery. Even with a 500-cycle lead acid battery cart, that means replacing the power source 10 times more than the lithium-ion model.
What kind of batteries are used in golf carts?
While the aim of this article is to discuss primarily deep cycle batteries used in golf carts, some people are interested about learning the other types of batteries being used in Golf Cars. We have an article for you that discusses differing battery types in detail specifically for you.
How to tell if your golf cart battery is bad?
Symptoms of a failing battery or batteries could include the following: 1 You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. 2 A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage. If this is experienced, your cart may be low on charge, the charger may not be functioning properly or you may have a battery issue. 3 On electric golf carts, the cart refusing to move at all on a charged set of batteries could be the controller not engaging when the voltage falls below a preset value. 4 It takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had them installed. As the batteries age, they will not hold a charge as well as they used to. The charger has no way to know this and will continue to charge the batteries trying to get to a full charge – meaning it will take longer to charge the batteries than normal.
How to tell if your golf cart is low voltage?
You may notice the range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf. A “Shutter” is when the cart feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake in a rapid staccato. This is a classic sign of low voltage.
How to tell if battery life is nearing?
Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to allow the thermometer to adjust to the temperature of electrolyte and note the reading. Observe also the electrolyte color. A gray or brown coloration shows that the end of your battery life is nearing.
What is a golf cart battery charger?
The battery charger is designed to bring a normally discharged battery back to full or nearly full charge in a given time.
What temperature should a battery be when charging?
This will also initiate the equalizing charge. The batteries should begin gassing and bubbling. Keep the battery temperature between 115 degrees and 125 degrees.
What is a Trojan T-105 battery?
Trojan T-105 batteries are the best-known premium battery and have nearly 100 years of manufacturing experience. Trojan Battery Company was founded in 1925 and developed the golf cart battery for the Autoette in 1952. The distinctive maroon color of the T-105 makes it easy to distinguish from its competitors.
How many amps does a golf cart battery take to recharge?
To recharge, the batteries will require 90 ampere-hours + 20% to make up for any charge deficiency.
Identify These Common Problems with Golf Cart Batteries
So, let’s say you currently have a malfunctioning golf cart? What should you do?
How to Test Your Golf Cart Batteries?
One of the common causes of battery failure in golf carts is charging for too long or not charging enough. When you overcharge, you’re making for too much heat that is more likely to dry out the battery.
Final Thoughts
How to check golf cart batteries is another concern that troubles many people. Testing and checking a battery charger is relatively easy. Doing basic tests such as running on the battery charge to determine if the battery is receiving charge may work very well.
Why is my golf cart battery undercharging?
Undercharging: Undercharging caused by using a cheap golf cart battery charging system ( One that does not apply enough amperage in the charging cycle) can cause lead sulfate to gradually build up and crystallize on the plates greatly reducing the. battery’s capacity and ability to be recharged.
What is the specific gravity of a battery?
If the specific gravity measures between 1.100 and 1.220, the battery must be. recharged. If the specific gravity is between 1.225 and 1.265, the battery is ok to test. If the hydrometer has a temperature correction chart, be sure to adjust the reading for the battery’s temperature.
How many volts does a golf cart battery have?
Now, just because a battery pack displays 48 volts or more after a full charge does not mean they’re good. The real test would be to test them after they have been used for a few miles. The reason is that a deep cycle golf cart battery will not exhibit signs of needing replacement until after they are fully discharged.
How far can a golf cart go on a single charge?
Most Golf Carts can travel at least 7 miles or more on a single charge. However, if you are used to playing golf with no battery charge issues, but then one day you start to notice you can barely finish nine holes without having to limp home, then this could very easily be a sign of weak batteries.
How many volts does a battery pack have?
Typically, a charged battery pack will have 2-3 volts higher on a charger than its rated voltage. For example, a 48 volt system will have 51 to 52 volts after a full charge. We can test this by using a Volt Meter. Now, just because a battery pack displays 48 volts or more after a full charge does not mean they’re good.
Why is my electric golf cart not going fast?
3) Your Golf Cart does not accelerate as fast as it used to. Electric Golf Carts are known for being fast and having acceleration power. However, the day you start to feel your electric golf cart being slower to reach top speed is typically a sign of your batteries needing to be replaced. Also, another sign may be that it has trouble climbing hills ...
What happens if a battery goes bad?
Batteries that are going bad will expand and have bulges on the battery cases themselves. Also, batteries will be prone to leaking acid out of the case when they are on their last leg.
Do batteries hold a charge?
As the batteries age, they will not hold a charge as well as they used to. Unfortunately the charger will not know that, so the charger will continue to charge the batteries thinking they will eventually get to a full charge which means it will take longer to charge the batteries than normal.
Can batteries leak acid?
Also, batteries will be prone to leaking acid out of the case when they are on their last leg. RELATED: Symptoms of a Bad Solenoid on a Golf Cart.