The best way to get a REAL feeling for how the batteries are doing when trying to run the cart, is to use the cart as the load tester. Simply put a meter from B- to B+ and drive the cart while observing the meter. B- means the lowest point of voltage potential in the battery pack and B+ means the highest.
How to load test the batteries in a golf cart?
Lots of people ask about load testing the batteries in a golf cart. You can use a generic load tester (the kind you would get at an auto supply store) but it will only do so much. It only tests one battery at a time, and the battery is tested with a 100 amp load for the duration of the test.
How to test a golf cart motor for a short?
How To Test Your Golf Cart Motor For A Short Begin by labeling the cables going to your electric motor and put a corresponding label on the motor itself if it does not already have one. Assuming that we’re using a multimeter and not just a continuity tester, set your tester to the continuity setting and if it doesn’t have one, set it for ohms.
Why is my electric golf cart not going as far?
Your electric golf cart isn’t going as far on a full charge anymore, or begins to “shutter”. This could indicate a problem with one or more of the batteries. How do you test the battery in a golf cart? You can easily run preliminary tests on your batteries using either a voltmeter or a hydrometer. Here we will discuss the procedures.
How does a hydrometer charge a golf cart battery?
In a golf cart battery, a hydrometer will measure the charge of the battery by measuring the weight of the water. You can tell if the charge is acceptable for the batteries if all of the cells have a similar reading.
How do you use a golf cart multimeter?
1:244:08Golf Cart Power Testing | ASK DAVE | Golf Cart Garage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPositive and the black lead to the negative terminal on the last battery. Or test each batteryMorePositive and the black lead to the negative terminal on the last battery. Or test each battery individually. This will give us surface charge readings meaning the charge the batteries.
How do you test a gas golf cart battery?
0:391:32How to Test your Gas Golf Cart's Battery | Golf Cars UnlimitedYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen it's running so we're going to take a DC voltmeter. And we're gonna attach it to our batteryMoreWhen it's running so we're going to take a DC voltmeter. And we're gonna attach it to our battery initially. It's gonna show us our battery voltage right here is twelve point four three volts.
Why is my golf cart not going full speed?
Low Battery Usually, the most common reason golf carts slow down is when they don't get enough power output from the battery. If the battery pack charge is very low and your cart is out of power, your cart will run slow.
Why does my golf cart struggle up hills?
A golf cart is designed to carry two golfers and their equipment around the course with less effort than walking. When you're electric golf cart struggles on inclines for a variety of reasons, including weak batteries, incorrect tires, or worn-out motor or wiring, you could be in for a long day.
What charges the battery on a gas golf cart?
Gas golf cart accessories will also rely on battery power. However, they feature a starter/generator that will charge the battery on its own while the gas pedal is depressed. This doesn't mean a gas golf cart battery is invincible – any accessories left on while the cart isn't running will eventually kill your battery.
What does the battery do in a gas golf cart?
Likewise, the battery in your gas golf cart is designed to provide power to your starter which turns the engine and recharges the battery to provide power for accessories and keep the battery charged for the next time of use.
Why is my gas golf cart losing power?
A faulty or broken carburetor is likely the most common triggering factor for serious issues with your cart's power problems. The carburetor helps to keep your cart cleaner in operation and manages many elements of your fuel in your cart.
What causes a golf cart to slow down?
Perhaps the most common reason that a golf cart slows down is when it doesn't have enough power output from your battery. Often, this occurs if the battery pack charge is too low and your cart is out of power. However, if your cart is fully charged and has no problems there, the voltage output may be to blame here.
How do you test a speed sensor on a golf cart?
What is this? Activate the Run/Tow switch of the golf cart by keeping it in Run position and try to push the cart. If your speed sensor is good, you should hear a beep and experience resistance to the pushing action by slowing down. If the sensor is bad, your cart will start rolling.
How can I make my gas golf cart climb hills better?
Tires are too small An older cart can be upgraded to perform better up hills. Adding larger 20"- 23" all terrain tires will help.
How do I make my golf cart faster uphill?
Tire Size. The size of your cart tires is another factor that may be impacting your speed uphill. The larger your tires are, the more work your cart needs to do to get uphill.
How do you make a golf cart go faster?
6 Ways You Can Make a Golf Cart FasterAdd More Torque to Your Golf Cart.Upgrade Your Golf Cart's Motor.Improve the High-Speed Controller of the Cart.Add Better Golf Cart Tires.Use a Higher Powered Golf Cart Battery.Watch the Weight in Your Golf Cart.
How do you know if your golf cart batteries are bad?
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.
Why does my gas golf cart battery keep dying?
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.
What setting do you put a multimeter on a golf cart battery?
0:044:17Testing Golf Cart Batteries with a multimeter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey should read about four point eight one. Let me look at it 8 volt because the eight folds.MoreThey should read about four point eight one. Let me look at it 8 volt because the eight folds.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries are good?
0:426:18How to Test Golf Cart Batteries - Troubleshooting Batteries - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe battery voltage can be buy tested by probing with a simple voltmeter by pushing the probesMoreThe battery voltage can be buy tested by probing with a simple voltmeter by pushing the probes deeply into the lead not in not into the stainless steel put into the lead.
How to check if electric golf cart is running?
It sounds absurd, but if your electric golf cart is not running, the very first thing I would check is the reset button on the side of the motor, if your cart is so equipped. Check around the outside of the motor and see if you can find a small button to press. This is usually a safeguard against overheating.
What is a golf cart?
Golf carts are also known as golf cars. The term "cart", in its purest sense, refers to a vehicle that does not travel under its own power. Golf cars, however, are most commonly referred to as golf... link to Club Car DS Wiring Diagrams 1981 To 2002.
What is wrong with my electric golf cart?
Electric golf carts are usually trouble-free and do their job efficiently and with no fuss, but sometimes you suspect your golf cart is experiencing a problem. If the speed seems to be off, or your cart gives off a burning wire smell, your golf cart motor might have a problem. Using a multimeter, a jumper wire, and a 12-24 volt power source, ...
Why is it important to test a motor before replacing a controller?
This is an important test to do on your motor before replacing the controller because a short could damage the new controller irreparably. Please note that this test will not find a short in the armature. Note that continuity testing is not directional, so it doesn’t matter if the red and black are reversed.
When did golf carts start having separate excited motors?
In 1999, some golf cart manufacturers started offering Separately Excited Motors. Sepex (Regenerative) Motor carts have a toggle switch F&R device as opposed to the lever-action. In addition to this identifier, they have a tow/run or tow/maintenance switch which cuts power to the controller. Most of the modern-day carts are equipped ...
What to do if battery is too low?
If your batteries are too low for the charger to detect and it will not switch on, you’ll need to individually charge the batteries with a standard 12-volt battery charger. Once the batteries are at the minimum that the charger needs to see, there should be no problem charging them normally.
How To Test A Golf Cart Battery In The Most Efficient And Effective Way
When a golf cart doesn't start or stop, the battery is often. To find out if it is just your battery that needs to be recharged or another problem, you can use a different cart's battery and see if it works.
With a Multimeter, You Can Test Your Golf Cart Batteries
Before starting the battery-testing process, make sure that you wear safety clothing such as gloves or eyewear. The battery can get very hot and produce sparks. Make sure that you have a no-smoking area with enough ventilation. Do not use any metal tools on the battery when testing it.
How to Test A Golf Cart Battery with a Load Tester
A battery tester is an excellent way to see how your golf cart battery performs. It shows you the performance of the battery while it is being used.
How to Check Golf Cart Batteries With a Hydrometer
The specific gravity of a battery can be measured by a hydrometer. A battery with 1.28 parts sulfuric acid for every part water is charged. In comparison, one with 1.14 parts sulfuric acid for every part water is discharged.
How to Conduct Discharge Testing on Golf Cart Batteries
Discharge testing is expensive unless you run a commercial repair shop. The unit needs to hook up across all the batteries and put them under resistance load for a few minutes to do discharge testing. The test will show you how much time it will take to deplete three-quarters of the battery charge.
How Much Do Golf Carts' Batteries Cost To Replace?
A golf cart can be either electric or gas-powered. Whether electric or gas, they need batteries to start the engine. The battery of a gas-powered golf cart is smaller than the battery of an electric one, but all batteries wear out eventually.
How Do I Recognize When My Golf Cart Battery Is Dead?
Replacing golf cart batteries is expensive. You will have to do it at some point. If you see that the lights on your golf cart are dim, you need to replace your battery.
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 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 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.
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.
What to wear when driving a golf cart?
Long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and protective eyewear are a must. I would even have a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. There are different types of batteries used in newer style golf carts (Absorbed Glass Mat, Lithium, Gel) that require different testing procedures.
What is load tester in golf cart?
A load tester assesses how the voltage in a battery is effected when there’s a lot of current running through the battery. It’s possible that your golf cart battery’s voltage is fine when it’s not being used but has a ton of resistance or struggles to handle high currents, causing the battery to die.
How to test golf cart battery?
To test the quality and power of a golf cart battery, you’ll need a voltmeter, a load tester, and a hydrometer. The voltmeter will connect to the terminals at the top of the battery to read its voltage. The load tester uses the same terminals to pump the battery full of current and assess how the it handles high levels of amperage.
How to keep golf cart batteries from arcing?
1. Stay safe by putting on protective eyewear, gloves, and clearing your area. Golf cart batteries can arc, spark, or emit dangerous gasses while you’re testing them. Stay safe by putting on protective eyewear and wearing gloves to keep any gases from condensing on your skin.
How many volts does a golf cart battery use?
If it still doesn’t work, you need to replace the battery. Almost every golf cart uses multiple smaller batteries to achieve a total power of 36 or 48 volts. You probably have a series of 4 volt, 8 volt, or 12 volt batteries that combine to reach 36-48 volts. Test each battery separately.
How do hydrometers work?
Inside, there are separate cells filled with water that cover a plate, which uses the electrolytes in the water as a conduit. Pop the top off of each cell and get a hydrometer that will fit in the opening for each cell.
Is it safe to load test a battery?
It doesn’t matter if the pressure is good if the hole is too small to let water out! Warning: Load testing a battery is actually kind of dangerous. The high level of current will generate a lot of heat in the load tester and battery. Only test a battery on a concrete or heat-resistant surface that won’t burn.
Can you smoke golf cart batteries?
Always attach the correct probe on your multimeter or voltmeter to the proper terminal or you may create a spark. Warning: Never smoke when you’re working around golf cart batteries and keep the area clear from any open flames. The hydrogen and oxygen in golf cart batteries can explode if they’re ignited.
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.
