what can cause golf cart batteries to go baf

Full Answer

Why do golf cart batteries fail?

The never ending war on corrosion. 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.

Do golf carts have batteries?

Also, it is common for golf carts to be powered by multiple batteries. If this is the case, you will notice how several individual batteries have been “daisy-chained” together to form one large battery. 4.

How to tell if a golf cart battery is dead?

There are four methods of checking whether your golf cart battery is dead. Use a multimeter to check the voltage of each battery in your golf cart. Use a hydrometer to check the gravity of the electrolytes in the batteries. Use the Load Testing method.

How to fix a golf buggy battery that won’t turn on?

Open the battery compartment on your golf buggy and check that the battery terminals are tightly connected. Even slightly loose terminals can cause issues and that could be part of the problem. Give each terminal cable a firm tug where it connects to the battery terminal.

Why do my golf cart batteries go dead fast?

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.

How can you tell if you have a bad battery in a golf cart?

How to Know When Golf Cart Batteries Are Dying or Going BadCharging Issues. First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out. ... Battery Terminal Issues. ... Securely fastened. ... Power Doesn't Seem to Hold Long. ... Decreased Output / Power. ... Age / Warranty.

What is the average life of golf cart batteries?

That all being said, properly maintained battery packs in fleet carts tend to last about 4-6 years while private owners tend to get about 6-10 years out of their battery packs. Other major factors include the type of options on the cart that may increase the draw from the battery pack.

Why are my golf cart batteries not holding charge?

If your batteries aren't hooked up correctly, or the connections between them are weak or frayed, this can quickly lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail. Make sure you check each battery terminal for corrosion; any buildup will impede the flow of electricity, and could likewise cause problems.

How do you know if you need new golf cart batteries?

If you notice that the best golf cart batteries are taking even longer to charge, it's time to replace them. Battery cells will eventually break down over time. The charging power moving through the battery won't be as effective as before. Some batteries may never fully charge at some point.

How do you fix a weak golf cart battery?

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 rejuvenate golf cart batteries?

Let them go through the whole cycle or charge overnight. Epsom salts basically removes the sulfication or deposits on the battery plates which can prevent your battery from taking a full charge. Check the battery after it has charged for several hours or the next day.

Can I replace just one golf cart battery?

Let's discuss in detail. When it comes to changing the golf cart batteries, technically, you can change just one at a time. However, this is not advisable as it can cause permanent damage to each battery. When a battery has gone bad, you should change all of the batteries.

How much does it cost to replace golf cart batteries?

Average Price of Golf Cart Batteries The average price of a golf cart battery replacement is going to be in the $800 to $1,500 range. Depending on the type of battery, it could even be in the $2,000 ballpark because powerful golf carts like a 72V need more expensive batteries installed.

Should you leave your electric golf cart 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 do you fix a golf cart that won't charge?

1:103:54Golf Cart Charger Troubleshooting Guide | ASK DAVE | Golf Cart GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cartMoreTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cart chargers start automatically by receiving voltage from your cart.

What causes hydrogen gas in golf cart batteries?

Lack of appropriate ventilation can cause hydrogen gas produced by the golf cart’s batteries during charging to leak into the home and cause illness or even death for you and/or your family

How to tell if a golf cart battery is bad?

Initial Crank: Another sign of a short or bad battery is when your golf cart is slow to crank or turn over. A short in the plates will not allow the golf cart battery to maintain the appropriate amount of voltage needed to properly start the golf cart

Why is my battery leaking?

Leaking: If you notice your batteries are leaking an abnormal amount of battery acid, it could be caused by an increase in swelling in the batteries from an overproduction of hydrogen gas and overheating, causing the battery acid to seep out and onto the lid

Why does my battery smell like it's burning?

Odor: You notice a smell like something is burning, this could indicate that the batteries and battery charger are overheating and causing the plastic to melt

Why is it important to keep up with the maintenance of a golf cart?

It is important to remember that even though having a battery operated golf cart does not require as much maintenance as a gas powered golf cart, they do still require some and it is important to keep up with the maintenance in order to reduce the risk of an explosion. Overheating creates the perfect environment for a possible explosion as it allows for more production of hydrogen gas, a highly combustible fume created by batteries.

How many batteries are in a golf cart?

There are generally 4-6 batteries in a single pack on a golf cart and even one bad battery can result in the entire pack blowing up; but why do they blow up?

Why do golf cart batteries need vents?

Golf cart batteries require a vent in order to release the gases and fumes that form inside the pack, if the vent plugs or caps become clogged or blocked from dirt, corrosion, or dust, the accumulation of hydrogen gas is highly combustible. The smallest spark anywhere near the golf cart batteries during this clogging issue can cause the battery pack to blow up. Be sure to keep the battery vent plugs or caps clear and to always remove the vent plugs while charging a flooded battery. In order to properly keep your battery vents clean follow these steps:

How long do golf cart batteries last?

At the very least, your golf cart battery should easily last you for 18 holes. Most batteries last even longer than this, with some lasting for as long as 36 holes, and more.

Can you abandon a golf cart battery?

Pushing it all the way to the parking lot wouldn’t really be an option, and you can’t just abandon it – so you’d have to arrange for it to be towed. This would be annoying, expensive, and, let’s face it, embarrassing.

Can a golf cart battery go bad?

When not in use, golf cart batteries will naturally discharge – slowly. If a battery is going bad, then this may start to happen faster than it should. This would create problems when, say, you leave your cart unplugged overnight, and then come to use it in the morning, only to find that the battery has fully discharged.

Do deep cycle batteries charge?

Deep-cycle batteries are designed to go through regular cycles of discharging and charging. For the most part, the amount of time it takes to fully charge your batteries will be consistent, assuming that you always use the same charger. Over time, however, the constant charging will inevitably take its toll on the chemical processes of the batteries, causing them to charge up slower than before.

Why does my golf cart battery drain so quickly?

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.

Why does my golf cart battery keep going dead?

The reason why your golf cart battery keeps going dead may be due to loose connections, incorrect battery wiring, or having a faulty voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is at fault and tends to affect the starter solenoid.

How to check if a golf cart battery is dead?

There are four methods of checking whether your golf cart battery is dead. Use a multimeter to check the voltage of each battery in your golf cart. Use a hydrometer to check the gravity of the electrolytes in the batteries. Use the Load Testing method.

How many amp hours does a golf cart battery last?

A bigger voltage drop is a sure sign of a failing or faulty battery. A golf cart battery comes with a specific amp hour rating at 20 hours. This is usually mentioned in the battery information sticker.

How to check the specific gravity of a golf cart battery?

Using a Hydrometer. You can use a hydrometer with a thermometer to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the golf cart batteries. If this value lies between 1.1 and 1.2, you must consider recharging the battery. Alternatively, if the value is between 1.225 and 1.265, you can continue testing your battery.

How much sulfuric acid is in a battery?

It’s worth keeping in mind that the sulfuric acid to water concentration for a fully charged battery is 1.28 while it’s 1.145 for a discharged battery. It’s highly recommended that you wear a pair of safety gloves and safety glasses when you use a hydrometer. Pour the electrolyte into the hydrometer.

Why are my batteries getting overcharged?

The batteries are getting overcharged because the charger is continuously on. Consider using an automatic charger that turns off the charging once the desired charge has been achieved. Similarly, you should not wait to charge them until they have become very low.

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.

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.

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 to protect battery terminals from corrosion?

Connect the terminals back to the post and then use your coating solution somewhat liberally to protect the area from future corrosion. You can use any store bought battery protection product you like, or just petroleum jelly, dielectric grease, or even bearing grease. As long as it will stay there and keep the metals insulated from the atmosphere.

How to clean a battery with corrosion?

First, you’ll want to clean off all of the corrosion. You’ll need corrosion cleaner and a stiff wire brush. You can get any type of battery cleaner in a store to perform this job, or you can use hot water and baking soda in a pinch.

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.

Why do golf cart batteries corrode?

Golf cart batteries corrode by releasing acid due to incorrect water levels, overcharging, over-discharging, and general lack of battery maintenance. Additional products like a corrosion inhibitor spray to treat the terminals will greatly reduce corrosion.

What causes a golf cart battery to shorten?

Corrosion on your battery cables can cause extreme resistance causing additional heat which then can shorten the life of your golf cart batteries.

How to make sure your golf cart battery lasts?

One extra step to make sure your battery lasts for years to come is to find optimal parking for your golf cart, especially during harsh temperatures. A golf cart parked in extreme cold or hot temperatures will greatly damage your battery. Choosing a location that is covered will help prolong the life of both your battery as well as your golf cart.

How to keep golf cart battery from charging?

Keeping your golf cart water level lower than it should be will keep your battery from charging fully whereas over filling your battery will create more corrosion on the outside of your battery. Filling your battery directly in between the max and min markers will be perfect to fill your battery effectively.

What happens if you keep your golf cart battery low?

If you keep your battery low, you will often see more corrosion on your golf cart batteries.

How to get battery back to pristine condition?

Once your area is prepped and ready, grab some baking soda and water as well as a wire brush and scrub away. The action of the baking soda and water mixed with the scrubbing should get your battery back to pristine condition. You can also purchase a terminal protector to protect your battery from corrosion in the future.

How to check water level on a car?

You can check the water level simply by lifting up your seat where the batteries are located and you can take off the caps with a pair of gloves. Once the caps are taken off, look inside and see if the water rises above the plates, if it doesn’t you need to add more distilled water.

Can you turn off the radio on a golf cart?

Any lights, radio, or electric components in your cart should always be turned off when you stop using it. Leaving the radio or lights running on an idle golf cart can run down the battery incredibly quickly. In the case of a gasoline-powered golf cart, you may end up having to jump-start the cart to get it working again if this happens.

Can you use an automatic battery charger when it is fully charged?

It's important to make sure you're using an automatic battery charger that will stop being active as soon as the battery is fully charged. We've had clients come in with what they felt were "bad" batteries, only to have to explain to them that the battery had simply been damaged by being overcharged too many times.

Can you use a bad boy golf cart for long distances?

Many of our great E-Z-Go, Cushman, and Bad Boy options are designed for longer-distance use, but even they have their limits. Forcing your golf cart up very steep hills or to go longer distances than it is made for will run the battery down and could leave you stranded. Just keep a careful eye on distance traveled and consider using a truck or trailer when transporting your golf cart longer distances.

Should golf cart batteries be charged?

Another common issue is golf cart owners who think that golf cart batteries should only be charged when they've become very low. If you drive your golf cart that day? Charge the battery. Letting golf cart batteries run down until near-empty or totally dead will damage them over time just as much as overcharging them.

What happens if a golf cart battery leaks?

If you have a leaking battery, then corrosion is inevitable and it will affect the battery terminals. This will eventually seep into the posts and melt them. Check out for a battery terminal protector from your golf cart parts store. This is usually available in the form of a spray.

Why does my golf cart battery melt?

The main reason why golf cart battery cables will melt is because of too much current passing through the jumper cable; resulting in overheating and melting. A poor contact connection or a missing ground strap between the chassis and the engine may also result in the melting of your golf cart battery cables. Alternatively, corrosion of either of ...

Why do battery cables melt?

Alternatively, corrosion of either of the above two can also be a reason for the battery cables to melt.

What causes a battery to melt down?

A stalled motor can cause the terminals of a battery to have a meltdown. It happens when a motor receives enough power to get started but it fails to turn. This is common when the cart is over a steep incline or a curb. It may be time to charge your battery and replace the melted terminals with new ones.

Why do the bolts on my cable terminals melt?

The bolts on the terminals often melt because of excess heat and even tend to break. When this happens, the terminals are also affected. One main reason for the heat generation is a corroded connection. This corrosion increases the cable resistance and thereby the heat, which leads to melting.

How to keep golf cart motor from overheating?

Get your golf cart’s motor cleaned from time to time and keep it dust-free as far as possible. This will not only ensure the maximum efficiency of the motor but also prevent overheating of the battery cables to an extent.

Why does my golf cart get hot?

If you find a particular cable getting hotter than the other cables, check for the connection made with that cable. A bad or loose cable connection can cause it to get hot.

Why is my golf cart not accelerating?

When your electric golf cart does not accelerate, the first thing you need to keep in mind is that it is not a regular vehicle like your car . That's why the methods and solutions you use to get your car to start are not the same as the solutions you can apply to your cart.

What happens if your golf cart doesn't accelerate?

Bad Solenoid. If your golf cart does not accelerate, there is a possibility of the damaged solenoid. The solenoid is basically an electrical switch that enables the battery's flow from the battery into the motor. Check out the signs of the bad solenoid.

Why is my golf cart speed controller not working?

There are many reasons behind a speed controller malfunction. The most common problem that happens in the controller has aged due to infrequent use. These are just some of the issues that could be affecting your vehicle's acceleration. If you have trouble finding the issue of your golf cart accelerator, don't be afraid to take it to the mechanic.

How does a golf cart solenoid work?

The golf cart speed controller and solenoid are both controlled by the accelerator. The pedal is connected to the potentiometer. That means when you are pressing the pedal for acceleration, you are actually going through the potentiometer by pushing a rod. The potentiometer works as a communicator and tells the speed controller how much voltage it ...

What does it mean when your cart doesn't start?

If your cart does not start smoothly, hesitates before starting, or does not gain speed properly, these are all signs of a bad or damaged accelerator.