The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low. When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow.
Full Answer
How do I extend the life of my Trojan golf cart battery?
Making a habit of inspecting your Trojan golf cart battery on a frequent basis will go a long way in extending its life. You can start this habit as soon as you first purchase the battery. Look for cracks in the container, make sure the cables are not frayed, and look for liquids or corrosion on the top of the battery and along the connections.
Should I refill my golf cart battery when water level low?
The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low. When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow.
How do I care for the battery of my golf cart?
Keep your battery charged with the proper charger and charge the battery overnight after you are finished using the cart for the day. Charge even if you only use the cart for 5 minutes as letting the battery lose power can damage it. Consider a high quality automatic battery charger.
How to test a golf cart battery with a resistor?
By pressing a button on the tester, a resistor is brought into the circuit and puts a load on the battery. A healthy battery will only drop in the voltage by about .2 to .4 volts. More than this indicates a possibly faulty or failing battery. How To Test Golf Cart Batteries With Discharge Testing
How full do you fill a Trojan Battery?
Once charging is completed, open the vent caps and look inside the fill wells. Add water until the electrolyte level is 1/8″ below the bottom of the fill well.
How much water should be in Trojan golf cart batteries?
Adding water to a battery before charging may result in overflow of the electrolyte. What is the proper electrolyte level? Liquid levels should be 1/8 inch below the bottom of the vent well (the plastic tube that extends into the battery). The electrolyte level should not drop below the top of the plates.
When should I fill my golf cart batteries with water?
After charging your battery is when you want to add water. Adding water after charging prevents acid from spilling over. You'll want to add water to 1/2 inch from the top of the battery. 2) We recommend service once or twice a year.
What happens if golf cart battery water is low?
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.
Can you overfill a battery with distilled water?
Don't Over Water While a battery is charging, the density of the electrolyte solution will increase. If too much water was added before charging, the electrolyte levels will expand and cause the battery to overflow and damage the battery.
Do you add water to a battery before or after charging?
A battery should only be watered after it is completely charged. But, you should always check the water level before charging. Before charging, make sure there is just enough water to cover any exposed plates (rectangular metal parts visible when you look inside a battery).
Should I charge my golf cart after every use?
Should you charge new golf cart batteries? Yes. New golf cart batteries should be charged every time they are used as this will extend their lifespan, help them retain their capacity for longer, and prevent discharge. It is vitally important to charge new golf cart batteries, even after their first use.
Do you need to put water in golf cart batteries?
Overwatering and under watering can both be detrimental to your battery. Before attempting to fill your battery, it should be completely charged. Only add water to a discharged battery if the battery plates are exposed, in this instance only add water to cover the plates.
What chargers do Trojan use?
Chargers with lower ratings can be used but the charging time will be increased. Trojan recommends using a 3-stage charger. Also called “automatic”, “smart” or “IEI” chargers, which prolong battery life with their programmed charging profile.
How long should a battery be idle?
For accurate voltage readings, batteries must remain idle (no charging, no dis charging) for at least 6 hrs, preferably 24 hrs. Disconnect all loads from the batteries. Measure the voltage using a DC voltmeter. Check the state of charge with Table 1 below. Charge the battery if it registers 0% to 70% charged.
What is a VRLA battery?
In VRLA batteries, the electrolyte is suspended in a gel or a fiberglass-mat (AGM technology), allowing these batteries to be mounted in a variety of positions. Before getting started, be sure to identify the type of battery involved.
How many batteries are needed for a 48 volt system?
For example, you may connect a series of eight 6V batteries, six 8V batteries or four 12V batteries for a 48-volt system.
What is the maximum discharge for a battery?
80% discharge is the maximum safe discharge. Do not fully discharge flooded batteries (80% or more). This will damage (or kill) the battery. Many experts recommend operating batteries only between the 50% to 85% of full charge range.
What is a lead acid battery?
Lead acid batteries are generally classified by application (what they are used for) and by construction (how they are made). Deep-cycle batteries are used for various types of applications specific such as RV, golf cars, renewable energy, and marine.
Does equalizing a battery reduce the capacity?
Equalizing also helps to remove sulfate crystals that might have built up on the plates. If left unchecked, this condition, called sulfation, will reduce the overall capacity of the battery.
What temperature does a Trojan battery need to be charged?
A hydrometer reading of 1.277 or greater indicates full charge for most Trojan batteries. This value is based upon a specified temperature of 80°F (27 °C). For temperature correction values, see the “Temperature” section of this FAQ.
How to determine the charge of a lead acid battery?
The state of charge of a lead acid battery is most accurately determined by measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte. This is done with a hydrometer. Battery voltage also indicates the level of charge when measured in an open circuit condition. This should be done with a voltmeter. For an accurate voltage reading, the battery should also be allowed to rest for a period of one hour minimum in order to let the voltage stabilize.
Does Trojan Premium Line have SG?
Yes, Trojan changed SG values of the Premium Line in March 2012 to avoid confusion over correct SG values for the Premium Line compared to the Signature Line. However, this change does not have any impact on life cycle performance. Trojan Premium Line batteries manufactured prior to March, 2012 have nominal SG of 1.260 while those produced after March 2012 have nominal SG of 1.280. To determine the date of manufacture, refer to the date code on the negative terminal which consists of a letter and a number. The letter refers to the month and the number refers to the year. A2 = January 2012, B2 = February 2012 and C2 = March 2012 etc…
Do Trojan Golf Cart Batteries Need Water?
Batteries that have flooded need water to function. When the battery is fully charged, it is always a good idea to add water. The plates should be covered in water before charging. A water level above the plates should also be present if the battery has been fully discharged (partially or fully).
How Long Should Trojan Golf Cart Batteries Last?
Golf Carts Plus estimates that it will take 7 – 9 years to complete the project. In order to achieve this, however, you must perform regular battery maintenance and watering.
How Often Do You Add Water To Trojan Batteries?
Adding water to your battery after it has been charged is when you want to add it. Acid can’t be released if it’s left in the water after charging. If you want to add water to the battery, place it 1/2 inch from the top. Service should be recommended once or twice a year, depending on the situation.
Can Dead Golf Cart Batteries Be Restored?
It is inevitable that your golf cart batteries will die out or reduce their capacity over time. It would cost you between $800 and $1,500 to replace all those 4 to 8 power packs. In the event that the batteries are not damaged, you can still recondition them, which will save you from buying new ones.
How Do You Rejuvenate Golf Cart Batteries With Epsom Salt?
Stir 4 ounces of Epsom salts into a quart of warm distilled water. The lead plates should be slightly covered by a turkey baster. If you do this for four charges, Epsom Salts will remove the deposits on the battery plates.
Do You Add Water To Trojan Golf Cart Batteries?
When the battery is fully charged, it is always a good idea to add water. The plates should be covered in water before charging. A water level above the plates should also be present if the battery has been fully discharged (partially or fully).
Do Golf Cart Batteries Need Water?
It may not seem like it, but your golf cart batteries need to be maintained throughout their lifetime. In the case of a battery below the plates, you should add water since consistently low levels of water can cause damage and require replacing.
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.
What to do with golf cart batteries in 2021?
June 1, 2021. by Nick Lomas. In terms of maintenance, the most important thing you can do for your golf cart battery is to ensure that its water levels are good. Without enough water, your batteries will eventually dry out and suffer irreversible damage. Fortunately, adding water to your batteries is pretty easy and won’t take too much of your time.
Why do you need to refill a battery with water?
You are only required to refill your battery with water in order to maintain the chemical makeup of the battery. However, accidents can happen, and a battery may be tipped or dropped, causing the acid to spill out. If this happens, you will need to replace the sulfuric acid that has been lost.
Why do batteries dry out?
The heat causes the water to evaporate, diminishing your batteries’ access to the crucial electrolytes. When the water levels are low, the battery plates will be exposed to the air for longer than they should be, which will cause them to dry out and flake off. This results in a condition called sulfation.
Why do you need distilled water for batteries?
Instead, you must use distilled water. This is because distilled water is essentially pure water, free of any contaminants that will harm your battery. Now for the process.
What happens when you recharge a battery?
This water evaporation is a normal part of deep-cycle battery functionality, and when you recharge the battery, the water quantity is usually restored to its optimal amount. However, after a number of charge cycles, or if the cart has not been used for a while, you might notice that the water levels are low even when the battery is not discharged.
Can you add water to golf batteries?
Fortunately, adding water to your batteries is pretty easy and won’t take too much of your time. In this guide, we’ll provide some more information on the importance of water maintenance, before explaining how to add water to golf batteries. Contents [ show]
Can you refill a golf cart battery?
The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low . When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow. This will leak battery acid everywhere, which will then cause corrosion.
What happens if your golf cart battery fails?
Obviously, for electric golf carts, the battery is what provides power to your motor. If your batteries start to quit on you, the golf cart won’t move, or will drastically decrease in range. With a gas motor, the battery is what starts the motor and keeps it running by providing electricity to the spark plugs. Without it, your motor won’t crank.
Why is my golf cart battery failing?
The most common thing that leads to early golf cart battery failure is corrosion. The problem goes deeper, too. It will ruin your cables, terminals, and even cause damage to battery trays and tie downs. Replacing a whole battery cable can be costly and difficult, so it’s best to avoid that problem.
How to clean corroded battery posts?
Undo the terminals from the battery posts and soak the corroded area in the cleaner or baking soda solution for about 5 or so minutes, then put on some gloves, grab your wire brush, and keep scrubbing until it’s all gone. Repeat as necessary, then rinse with a lot of water.
How does a battery work?
Your battery works by having two metals, a cathode and anode, react to each other to create chemical energy that we harness as electrical energy. With wet cell lead-acid batteries, these metals are kept in a liquid electrolyte, a liquid solution comprised of pure water and hydrosulphuric acid mixed to a set specific gravity. Other types of batteries typically use a gel, mat, or solid electrolyte to perform the same function. For the purpose of this topic however, the only battery we’ll be discussing is the traditional lead-acid battery, as this is the only type of battery for which you will have to worry about electrolyte levels.
Why is my battery puddled?
If your battery gets dirty, muddy, grimy, or anything else, make sure to clean that off too. These things can cause extra resistance in your electrical system, putting an unnecessary drain on your battery and shortening its life.
How long do batteries last?
All joking aside, every battery is different, but most properly maintained batteries will last about 4 to 6 years depending on usage, charge cycle, and a bunch of uncontrollable variables. Lead acid batteries will require a lot of maintenance to do so, however.
What happens when hydrogen gas is released from a battery?
Look for corrosion often, and neutralize it immediately. It’s a long and never ending war, but your wallet will thank you. Corrosion happens when hydrogen gases, released from your battery, mix with other chemicals and gasses in the atmosphere, and then bond to the metals of cables, terminals, and battery posts.
How to keep golf cart batteries charged?
Another good thing to have for your golf cart batteries is a watering system. Make sure you check the water level in your golf cart batteries monthly to make sure they are still saturated. ( always do this after your batteries are fully charged because if you check them and fill them before you charge them 100% you could over fill them and acid will leak out the top of the batteries while they charge and get all over your cart and in the garage or where ever you store the golf cart. Which is not good because battery acid will eat away at your concrete floor in the garage. Checkout Pete’s great deals on a new One point golf cart watering system to avoid over filling them and making a mess or getting battery acid on your cart, clothes or garage floor and do it with ease. ( In minutes – not an hour or more… weekends are meant to be spent with the family or watching the game not in the garage filling batteries… so get yours today!)
What to do if your golf cart battery hasn't taken a full charge?
If the battery has taken a charge, replace the cell caps and use your golf cart for a long ride and see how long the charge lasts.
How to clean a battery with acid?
Step 1: Tip the battery on its edge: Allow approximately half the battery acid to run out of each cell and into a plastic container. Clean the battery with your paintbrush dipped in a baking soda solution. Rinse your battery with plain water, making certain none of the water gets into any of the cells.
Can you replace a golf cart battery?
If the ride and power is short lived it is still likely you will need to replace your golf cart battery. It is also quite possible that your golf cart battery charger is not charging properly. You will need a volt meter to check the power output of your battery charger.
How to tell if a golf cart battery is bad?
Symptoms of a failing battery or batteries could include the following: 1 You may notice the battery power and range decreasing over time. The range should be about 2 rounds of golf after charging back to the advertised voltage using a full trickle charge cycle. 2 A “Shutter” feels like you are running across a corduroy road or someone is tapping the brake rapidly. 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. Use a volt meter to measure each battery individually to isolate individual battery health. 3 On electric golf carts, the cart refusing to move at all on a charged set of batteries could be the speed controller not engaging, a faulty maintenance switch, or when the voltage falls below a preset value. 4 A deep cycle battery charge time takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had a battery bank installed. As the battery bank ages, it will not hold a charge as well as it used to. The automatic charger has no way to know this and will continue to charge the battery bank trying to get to a full charge – meaning it will take a longer charge time for the batteries than normal.
What does it mean when your cart is low on charge?
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.
How to clean battery terminals?
Clean the battery terminals posts using 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with a 1 quart of water. A Wire scratch brush does the job nicely (it looks like a metal bristle toothbrush). Do not allow any of the baking soda water to enter the battery. Rinse the battery thoroughly and air dry or use a paper towel.
How long does a deep cycle battery last?
Battery charging is performed when you are parked for the day. With proper maintenance, a deep cycle battery only lasts a set number of years before the plates get corroded over and are no longer efficient. Some cart batteries are not too far gone and can be rejuvenated using Epsom salts.
How many volts should a 6 volt battery charge?
If you do not have a hydrometer, use a multimeter instead. Measure across the terminals on each individual battery. On 6-volt batteries, you should have a battery charge of slightly over 6 volts, like 6.1 to 6.3. If you get a reading of something like 4.1, then one of the battery cells in this unit is bad or shorted.
What to do if battery is cracked?
If a battery is cracked and leaking acid, it should be replaced. With the cell caps removed, check the water level and ensure the battery plates in each battery cell are covered and not exposed. Add distilled water to any that are low. Replace the battery caps. Step 4.
What color is a fully charged battery?
Observe also the electrolyte color. A gray or brown coloration shows that the end of your battery life is nearing. If you do not have a hydrometer, use a multimeter instead.