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. Changing the voltage regulator can help to retain the battery voltage and in turn prevent the battery from going dead.
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.
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.
Is it important to replace all 6 golf cart batteries at once?
One of the most common questions we receive from our clients requiring service on their golf cart batteries is why it’s important to replace all six golf cart batteries at once, even if it’s only two or three that have gone bad.
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.
What makes golf cart batteries go bad?
The most common issue that typically affects battery carts and causes them to drain more quickly is a low water level. This situation is so common because many cart owners don't take the time to balance the water in their battery or don't know that they even need to perform this step.
Can one bad golf cart battery cause problems?
Poor Battery Life Replacing just one or two batteries in your golf cart battery pack can result in difficulties with charging, as well as a shorter lifespan for the new ones you've purchased.
How long should a 6 volt golf cart battery last?
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.
How do you fix a bad golf cart battery?
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. ... Step 2: Mix 8 ounces of Epsom salts into 2 quarts of warm distilled water: Stir thoroughly. ... Step 3: Put the battery or batteries on a charger.
Is it bad to replace only one battery?
In the world of lead acid batteries (wet cell or sealed lead acid) it's always a bad idea to mix old and new batteries. The reason is as batteries age they take longer to reach full charge. So while the bank is charging, the new battery will come up to full charge long before the older batteries.
Is there a way to test golf cart batteries?
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 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...
Should you leave your 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 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.
Why does my cart battery keep dying?
There are several reason why your e-cig battery might be dying so quickly. Over charging, over discharging, incorrect storage, low resistance atomizer coils and wattage being set too high can all contribute to an e-cig battery not lasting as long as you might expect.
How do I know if my 6 volt battery is bad?
1:373:37Testing For a Bad Battery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen hold the black lead from the voltmeter to the negative battery terminal. The voltage of theMoreThen hold the black lead from the voltmeter to the negative battery terminal. The voltage of the battery will appear reference this chart to determine if a battery has a short cell.
Why is my golf cart not holding a charge?
If you find that your golf cart won't go very far on a full charge, then you probably need new batteries. Test them to make sure that the power on them is low; if indeed it is, then you need new batteries.
How to tell if golf cart battery is bad?
1. Charging Issues. First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out.
Why won't my cart fire up?
But more often than not, your cart suddenly refused to fire up and go due to a dead or bad battery.
How to check if golf cart is charging?
First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out. Plug it back into the charger and follow the instructions. Just in case the charger is the issue, check that the battery charger is turned on. There should be an indicator light to show that it is charging the batteries. In the morning, disconnect ...
What hole does a golf cart stop dead?
It’s a real hassle if your golf cart stops dead and you’re only at the 15 th hole of play. Not only is this an embarrassing event, but it’s a major pain to have to arrange for the cart to be towed back to the parking lot.
Can you top up golf cart batteries?
Only top up your golf cart batteries using distilled water. 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.
Can you top up a golf cart battery with distilled water?
You need to leave enough room for expansion, so the acid should only be filled to just above the lead cells inside. Only top up your golf cart batteries using distilled water. Also, it is common for golf carts to be powered by multiple batteries.
Do golf cart batteries last forever?
Golf cart batteries won’t last forever. In fact, each year they age a little bit closer towards their final use. If your battery is close to its warranty end date you may want to consider simply making the upgrade now.
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 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 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.
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 is my golf cart not running?
Once you begin to notice that your golf cart is not able to keep up with a full day of golf like it used to, it will most likely be due to the batteries. If you have become accustomed to your golf cart running all over the golf course or for several miles during the day without losing charge, and now it can barely get through half of a day, changing the batteries will generally fix your problem.
Why does my golf cart have a low speed?
Once your batteries begin to age and start lose their power and the amount they can exert for your golf cart, this can cause a decrease in acceleration and in speed. Your golf cart requires a certain amount of “juice” aka amperage in order to produce the amount of speed you have grown accustomed to; older batteries will be unable to produce this power due to the amount of resistance placed on the batteries, resulting in a slower golf cart. You may be experiencing a decrease in your acceleration if:
Why do batteries leak?
With age, even in your batteries, comes expansion and sometimes leaking. As your batteries wear down and age they will expand within their casings. This expansion will allow the acid from the batteries to leak out through the cracks in the casings or caps. If you begin to notice liquid around your battery pack or in that general area, it could certainly be battery acid and time to change your batteries. Battery acid also has its dangers and should be taken seriously; these include but are not limited to:
Why replace one battery instead of two?
Replacing only one or two batteries instead of all of them can cause an imbalance in the power released by the batteries. Newer batteries will exert more power, whereas the older batteries will not be able to due to age and the amount of resistance they will experience.
Can you replace batteries in a golf cart?
Replacing just one or two batteries in your golf cart battery pack can result in difficulties with charging and a shorter lifespan for the new ones you just purchased. When it comes time to charge your batteries, the total voltage will be measured instead of each individual battery, which can and will cause the newer batteries to overcharge, resulting in a shortened lifespan and poor performance.
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 drive a golf cart up steep hills?
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.
Why do golf cart batteries work?
The reason for this is simple—golf cart batteries, unlike batteries for many other types of vehicles, work in conjunction as a team. As these batteries start to age, they develop more resistance to charging, which means they’ll release more energy.
How many batteries are in a golf cart?
Again, the main thing to remember with golf cart batteries is that they are really six separate batteries built into a single unit, rather than one solid battery that powers the entire vehicle like in most cars.
How many amps does a series charger use?
In series charging, if the charger rate is 21 amps, all of the batteries will receive 21 amps. This means the newer batteries that have a lower resistance will accept the charge faster, and will finish charging before the other ones.
Why do newer batteries release more power?
During the first time you run the vehicle after you install the three batteries, the newer batteries will release more power, because there’s a lot less resistance on them. The older ones, meanwhile, do not release as much power, because they are dealing with a lot more resistance due to their age and general wear.
Does a charger stop new batteries from releasing juice?
They did not effectively stop the new batteries from releasing all their juice. When you put these batteries in to charge, the charger will look at overall voltage to know how much charge to give, rather than the individual voltage of each battery.
