How long should you charge a golf cart battery?
Charge your golf cart battery between 8 and 10 hours with the proper charger and plug. Try not to allow your battery to drop below 20% capacity, especially for lead-acid batteries. When charging deep cycle batteries do not let these batteries discharge completely.
How do you calculate battery voltage on a golf cart?
Multiply the golf cart battery voltage by the total number of golf cart batteries. This will help you arrive at the golf cart voltage. Yes, a 36 volt golf cart that uses the original six 6 volt batteries can be replaced with three 12 volt batteries.
Can you replace a 36 volt golf cart battery with 12 volt?
Yes, a 36 volt golf cart that uses the original six 6 volt batteries can be replaced with three 12 volt batteries. However, keep in mind that when you do this replacement, your golf cart may not run as much time as it did with the 6 volts batteries. The cart will also not be able to cover all 18 holes of a golf course.
How does a 48 volt generator charge a golf cart?
The generator can charge the batteries that supply the power to an electric motor responsible for moving the cart. The 48 volts system in a golf cart usually features an onboard computer (OBC) that controls the battery pack charging process and restricts the charging when the cart is moving.
Can you leave golf cart charger 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.
How long does it take a 5 amp charger to charge a 36 volt golf cart?
Recharge time can be approximated by dividing the amp hours to be replaced by 90% of the rated output of the charger. For example, a 100 amp hour battery pack with a 10 % discharge would need 10 amps replaced. Using a 5 amp 36 volt charger, we have 10 amp hours/(. 9x5) amps = 2.22 hour recharge time estimate.
How do you know when a golf cart is fully charged?
1:574:02How Do I Read My Golf Cart Charger? | ASK DAVE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost will flash or blink during charging and present a solid green light when finished.MoreMost will flash or blink during charging and present a solid green light when finished.
How many amps should my golf cart charger show?
The ammeter on a 36-volt charger should show at least 15+ amps when the charger is plugged into the golf car, even if the batteries have not been used for a short while. A 15+ amp reading shows that the charger is actually charging, not just humming (humming is NOT an indication that the charger actually works).
How long does it take to fully charge golf cart batteries?
Charge your batteries for 8 to 10 hours with the proper style of golf cart battery charger. The best practice is to charge overnight after you are done using your cart for the day. Even if you only used the cart for 5 minutes, you'll want to give the golf cart batteries a good charge.
Can you overcharge golf cart batteries?
Overcharging your golf cart batteries may damage them. It is best to use an automatic charger that turns itself off when a battery is fully charged. Some older models lack this important feature. If you must use a manual charger, don't forget to turn it off.
How do I know if my golf cart battery charger is working?
Turn on the Charger – Once you have the voltmeter attached to your battery charger, turn on the charger to read the electrical output. Typically, the needle on the voltmeter will move from left to right – with right being higher – to gauge the amps produced. A reading of about 36 amps is typical for a battery charger.
How do I know if my battery charger is working?
Running a test on your battery charger is an easy process.Plug in your charger to an electrical outlet. ... Turn on your voltmeter unit. ... Take a battery or battery pack that's compatible to your battery charger. ... Check the readout on the voltmeter and see where the pointer is indicating to.More items...
How often should you charge your golf cart batteries?
Still, golf cart batteries should be recharged after four hours of use. Nobody likes to be stranded. It takes several hours to re-charge golf cart batteries that have gone completely dead. To lengthen the lifespan of batteries, make sure they are fully charged before each use.
How many amps is a 12 volt golf cart battery?
The Five Most Common Golf Cart Battery PacksBattery System TypeVoltageAmps (Estimated)4-12 Volts48 Volts6006-8 Volts48 Volts1,0208-6 Volts48 Volts1,8006-12 Volts72 Volts9001 more row•Nov 3, 2020
How many amp hours is a 48v golf cart?
On average, electric golf motors operate at 36 or 48 volts and draw between 50-70 amps of current while cruising at about 15 miles per hour. Keep in mind that the current draw during acceleration or while going up a hill is much higher.
Does the AMP matter on a golf cart charger?
Well, Amperage in a golf cart is like the gas tank in your car. It will determine how far you can travel on a single charge in an electric Golf Car. The more amperage in a battery pack, the further you can drive before having to charge.
Find A New Golf Cart Battery Charger Or Batteries
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Golf Cart Battery Questions
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Where is my User’s Manual for my golf cart battery charger?
Our manufacturer does not provide owner’s manuals. Here are the links to the Lester charger manuals (they are also linked to on our product pages):
What is “Storage Mode” on my golf cart battery charger?
"Storage Mode" is a feature that comes with every Lester Electrical golf cart battery charger that we sell (except for the 48V Club Car Charge r - That battery charge r is ONLY automatic, meaning it will charge to full charge and then shut off. It will not come back on like the new Summit II battery chargers). When you plug in your charger to your cart it will fully charge the batteries. Once fully charged, the charger goes into its "storage mode" feature so long as it is connected to the golf cart and the wall. When in storage mode, it will charge your batteries only when the following two situations occur (1) the battery voltage drops to a certain predefined voltage AND (2) 10-15 days have elapsed. Once these two criteria are met, the charger will do a refresh charge to bring up the volts again to 100% fully charged. So, unlike a trickle charger that charges non-stop, the Lester charger charges only when the batteries need a good charge.
How Do I Troubleshoot My Golf Cart Battery Charger if It Isn't Working?
Just so you know, this situation happens EVERYDAY. The first question we always ask is, how long has it been since you've charged your batteries? We ask this because often times if it has been a while (a couple weeks or more), or if you just got brand new batteries, or if your batteries have been really run down recently, it is possible that the batteries may not have enough voltage in them for the charger to start working. An automatic golf cart battery charger needs a minimal amount of voltage in the golf cart battery to even start working. They need somewhere in the range of 20-35 volts in the batteries to allow the chargers to know that they are connected up to batteries and to kick on.
What are some symptoms of a bad golf cart battery charger vs. bad batteries?
Bad Batteries: IN GENERAL, if the charger doesn't kick on or show any signs of life when you plug it into your cart, this is most likely a battery/connection issue. Learn more about the signs of a bad golf cart battery.
Will the golf cart charger automatically stop charging once the batteries are fully charged?
Yes. All automatic chargers are designed to charge your batteries until they are fully charged and then stop charging. So you do not need to manually shut off the charger or worry about overcharging your batteries. All Lester chargers are made with a number of internal safety mechanisms that ensure that they will never overcharge batteries.
What if I charge my batteries until my battery charger stops charging, but my golf cart won’t drive very far?
You probably need to test your batteries and likely will need to get new golf cart batteries.
How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
It depends on three factors, 1) the quality of your batteries, 2) how discharged your batteries are and 3) the quality of your charger. If you have 5 year old batteries that are very discharged and you have a lightweight 2-5 amp charger, it may take a very long time (10 hours or more). If you have brand new batteries, they are 20-30% discharged and you've got a heavy-duty charger, it can be pretty quick (1-3 hours). Again, it depends on all of the above factors, so it really could vary quite a bit.
How many volts does a golf cart battery use?
Most modern-day golf cart batteries come in either 6, 8 or 12 volts (the voltage being the force needed to create an electrical current, indicating the strength of the battery).
How often should you charge golf cart batteries?
Golf cart batteries should be kept fully charged at all times – this means hooking them up to a charger as soon as you are finished using the cart. Regular charging will prevent damage to the battery and give it longer-lasting life.
Should your golf cart be turned on when charging?
No. You should turn your golf cart off when charging its batteries. Trying to charge a golf cart while it is running is a pointless exercise, as the battery will be draining while you’re trying to charge it. A golf cart should only be turned on once its batteries are fully charged.
Should golf carts be plugged in all the time?
No, you should not leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. While automatic battery chargers are designed to shut-off once at full capacity, leaving a battery connected to power for long periods leaves it susceptible to damage should the electrical circuit be overloaded.
Should golf cart batteries make noise when charging?
If your golf cart uses a standard 12 volt flooded lead acid battery, then it is quite normal to hear a bubbling sound when it’s charging. However, if your cart uses a sealed battery (such as a gel or AGM battery), then a hissing or bubbling sound may indicate damage.
How do I keep my golf cart batteries from dying or corroding?
To ensure long-lasting life for your golf cart batteries, make sure you: keep them fully charged at all times; keep the water level in your battery cells at an optimum level; and keep the terminal connections on your battery clean. Doing these three things will prevent your battery from corroding or dying.
What type of lead acid is used in golf cart batteries?
Golf cart batteries do come in different types and models – including Flooded Lead Acid; Gel Lead Acid; and AGM Lead Acid – so it’s important to seek clarification if you’re uncertain about which replacement to buy.
How much are batteries for a golf cart?
Pricing varies from pack to pack. The general consensus for golf cart battery replacement ranges from $600 on the low end to $1600 on the high end. If you are buying batteries in the lower end of the price range, then they are most likely cheap golf cart batteries that will not last as long (you really do get what you pay for when it comes to batteries). Some packs cost as much as $2500 when you start dealing with 72 Volt systems and sealed for lithium batteries. But, for the typical lead acid battery pack, $900 to $1500 is about the norm. This price range is assuming you are working with a local golf cart dealer.
How powerful is a golf cart battery?
Let’s take a close look at Voltage in a battery pack. For comparison, we like to take a look at cars since we are familiar with horsepower and miles per gallon (MPG). Therefore, voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric golf cart has to do with power. It does not have to do with fuel. Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car. With this knowledge in place, we can determine a 72 volt system can be more powerful than a 48 volt system, and a 48 volt system can be more powerful than a 36 volt system. If you took notice, we said that it “can” be more powerful. The reason for this is due large in part to the controller inside the vehicle. A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller.
How to know when golf cart batteries are dying?
When your batteries are starting to die, there will be a few signs to look out for. If you have been taking care of your batteries as we have taught you , then you should be happy with the years of use you have gotten from them.
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.
Why are golf cart batteries so expensive?
Simply put, Golf Cart Batteries are expensive because you aren’t visiting the gas station every week. When you purchase them, you are essentially pre-paying for fuel. Yes, you still have to charge the vehicle, however the electricity cost usually breaks down to pennies per mile. In some studies, it was shown a golf cart costs less than $.02 per mile to operate in terms of electricity cost. Buying higher quality batteries versus cheaper ones will be better in the long run and will actually cost you less since you are replacing them less frequently.
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 long does a golf cart battery last?
With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years.
What voltage do golf carts use?
Outside of specialty carts, most carts operate on a 36V or 48V standard and need a series of cells to supply enough power.
What Are The Best Golf Cart Batteries?
These brands have shown a dedication to creating quality batteries. Quality control and innovation are the main focus of these companies, ensuring that buyers get the latest and greatest. Find out more below!
How to tell if golf cart has 36V or 48V?
By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart.
What happens if you charge a battery with an underpowered charger?
An underpowered charger will cause a buildup of sulfation on the negative plate, affecting its performance. An overpowered charger causes an accumulation of corrosion on the positive plate. Ideally, you do not want your batteries to die, as charging a dead lead-acid battery can cause strain.
How to keep batteries clean?
Looking to keep your batteries clean? Use a bristle brush and a mild solution to clean the top of each battery. You can also use anti-corrosive solutions and sprays to prevent corrosion, which can be a problem with lead-acid batteries. Alternatively, you can use battery covers.
What are the two main electrical quantities to consider when replacing batteries?
Two main electrical quantities you will want to focus on when replacing batteries are voltage and current. Voltage is measured in volts, or “ V ,” and Current is measured in amps, or “ A .”
How many batteries does a golf cart need?
How many batteries are in the average golf cart? The average golf cart needs 4 to 6 batteries to operate correctly. In rare cases, you’ll find 8 batteries in a golf cart. Golf carts are powered by a total of either 36 volts or 48 volt. A typical golf round requires the golf cart to run for about 40 minutes.
How big is a 6 volt golf cart battery?
A 6 volts golf cart battery is almost as big as a 12 volts marine deep cycle battery. However, it is designed with a purpose, in a different style, with bigger lead plates and so on. This prevents the golf cart battery from decaying fast, like a marine deep cycle battery.
What are the advantages of lithium batteries?
Advantages of Lithium Batteries. Lithium batteries have about 10 times the charge cycle and 50% more life than the normal golf cart batteries. This means that you will not have to replace them as often as a standard cart battery. Lithium batteries are much lighter than lead-acid batteries.
How long does a golf cart run?
A typical golf round requires the golf cart to run for about 40 minutes. While buying a lesser number of batteries, each with a higher voltage can lessen upfront costs, the depth of discharge must also be taken into consideration. Most golf carts use six x 8-volt batteries instead of four x 12 volts.
How to put 3 12V batteries in a row?
Place the three new 12 volts batteries in a row inside the compartment such that the jumper cable covers the distance between the positive terminal of one battery and the negative terminal of the adjacent battery.
Why do lithium batteries overheat?
Lithium batteries tend to overheat due to overcharge and changes in the outdoor temperature. This makes them prone to the risk of exploding.
Where are battery electrolytes housed?
As the name indicates, these batteries come completely sealed in an enclosure. The battery electrolytes are housed in between the battery plates. There is a liquid that helps to keep the mat and the electrolytes wet. The liquid will not ooze out even if there is a crack or a break in the battery.
Why do golf cart batteries need to be charged?
Charging. Batteries need to get fully charged between uses. Using your golf cart when your batteries aren’t fully charged leads to hard sulfation and can affect battery performance and the range of your batteries. Make sure your batteries have enough time to complete a charge cycle before using your cart.
How far can a golf cart go on a single charge?
You can also see golf carts go beyond 50 miles on a single charge, although you might not want to do that since it can shorten the battery life and can leave you stranded if the battery depletes beyond its power usage. Check out our golf cart maintenance and troubleshooting checklist for other tips.
How far can a golf cart go with a new battery?
An electric golf cart with new batteries will go anywhere between 25 to 40 miles depending on the battery configuration, the model, and voltage of the cart.
What type of motor is used in a golf cart?
Golf carts are powered by either a 4-stroke internal combustion engine or a 36V or 48v electric AC or DC motor. Originally, these vehicles were only electrically powered, but with time, gasoline-powered variants started to emerge. Most communities prefer the electric version over gas powered carts for several reasons:
How does driving affect golf cart batteries?
Things like going uphill or carrying a large load for a long period can reduce the batteries function quickly .
How many amps does a golf battery use?
A typical round of golf will require about 40 minutes of run time while discharged at 56 amps. With all three configurations, the batteries have more than enough capacity to get through two rounds. But you’ll also want to look at the battery’s depth of discharge or DOD.
How does extra weight affect golf cart speed?
This is because the extra weight of the body and other operating parts put more strain on the drivetrain, requiring more power to move as compared to the lighter 2-seater cart. If you’re looking for ways to make your golf cart go faster, just know the extra weight also effects the golf cart speed as well. A typical round of golf will require about ...
How does a Lester golf cart battery charger work?
The Lester Electric Golf Cart Battery Charger you purchased is a transformer style charger that is designed to apply amperage and voltage for a length of time that replaces the energy used from last discharge. This is fairly old technology but very effective to charge your golf cart batteries. Depending on the battery chargers output (Amperage), the batteries size (Capacity), and DOD (depth of discharge), all this will determine the amount of time required to fully charge the battery bank in question. In the process as they reach maximum capacity the more electricity that is forced into the batteries the more it excites the electrolyte and gets electrons moving in the battery itself… (That is the boiling sound you hear)
Why is the Ah rating of a new battery 80%?
any new battery pulled off the line at the manufacture will only test out at about 80% advertised Ah rating because the lead hasn’t been cured (still too soft). Something that is really impossible for the manufacturer to do in house because of the process involved.
Why are AGM batteries so picky?
AGM and Gel style batteries are even more picky than traditional lead acid batteries because they like more voltage and amperage to complete the same process. Hopefully this was helpful and insightful to ease your worries about your golf cart batteries and the golf cart battery charger.
Why do Trojan batteries get hit harder?
So no worries as the charger is just doing its thing… Trojan batteries actually like to get hit harder ( More Amperage applied) than others thru the bulk phase and finishing phase of a charge cycle because the lead plates are thicker than most competitors.
How high does a 48V battery run?
No worries … I have seen 48v systems run as high as 58-60v when charging, but it is normal to see voltages around 50v-52v when sitting static for several days after a fresh charge cycle. Most common size lead acid batteries will be from .6 volts to .8 volts over advertised voltage on battery when fully charged. Always good to re-charge cart at the end of the day, never let it sit 1/2 -3/4 charged. re-charge then store when not in use.
How long does it take for a lead acid battery to cure?
It takes on average 15-20 cycles at 50% DOD “Depth of Discharge”, to completely cure the new lead plates in a new lead acid battery and allow the battery to reach full capacity (That will be the advertised Ah rating at the 20hr rate.)
Why do lead acid batteries make noise?
Make no mistake lead acid batteries will always make noise in the charge process and finishing phase because of the specific chemistry and design that make a lead acid battery. It is also an important part to insure good battery health as well.