Full Answer
Why do golf cart batteries blow up?
1. Excretion of Hydrogen Gas: When it comes to the main reason why golf cart batteries blow up, the answer is simple; golf cart batteries excrete a flammable and combustible fume known as hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is a by-product of batteries that occurs during a chemical reaction involving the water and sulfuric acid solution and lead plates.
Can You charge a golf cart battery with a car charger?
Even if you are able to drive your golf cart and even if you just got brand new batteries, we'd suggest getting a 6V OR 12V CAR BATTERY CHARGER AND MANUALLY CHARGING UP THE GOLF CART BATTERIES FOR A COUPLE MINUTES EACH. This process should give the batteries enough voltage so that your golf cart battery charger can then take over.
Why does my golf cart Charger keep Tripping the breaker?
Why does my Golf Cart Charger keep tripping the Breaker? A golf cart charger can trip the breaker if the batteries are connected in reverse polarity, the wires of the charger are damaged, or when a connection is overloading the breaker. If the wire of the charger is damaged or cut, it may short the circuit and trip the breaker.
Do you carry fuses and circuit breakers for golf carts?
We carry fuses and circuit breakers to work with E-Z-GO, Club Car, Yamaha and many other brands of golf carts. Many of those same fuses and circuit breakers are also used as replacements on Lester, Lestronic, Mac, PowerWise, PowerDrive brand chargers as well as as many others.
What would cause a golf cart not to 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 can you tell if a golf cart fuse is bad?
You're getting ready for a day on the course, when you notice that the lights on your golf cart don't seem to be working. If the engine still turns over and everything else is working right, you probably have a blown fuse on your hands.
Does battery charger need fuse?
The ABYC recommends fuses for the output leads on battery chargers, but sometimes those fuses can be hard to locate.
Why does my golf cart keep blowing fuses?
A golf cart fuse can blow for many reasons such as a faulty relay switch, loose connections or a naked wire.
How do you tell if a fuse is blown?
Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
Do all golf carts have a reset button?
Electric golf cart motors have a reset button on their chassis which is designed to put your motor back into its original factory state. While it doesn't repair damage that may have occurred to the motor over the years, obviously, it does help to overturn any changes to the operation which may have occurred.
Why would a battery charger stop working?
We went over three major reasons for the battery not charging and their solutions, the first being the poor input source or the charger being in protection mode, the battery temperature being outside of normal charging range, and the safety timer expirations.
What size fuse goes in a battery charger?
Battery Charger Fuses A replacement fuse should be rated for 30A at a minimum of 32V and should be UL listed.
How do you trick a battery charger?
If you take a pair of jumper cables and connect a good battery to the bad battery in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and then connect the charger to the good battery, it will trick the charger into seeing a good voltage, and charge both batteries.
What to do if a fuse keeps blowing?
Confirm the Right Fuses Are Installed If the panel fuse blows, call an experienced electrician immediately. For your own safety, don't go near the fuse box. Getting rid of the fuse panel or swapping it for a modern circuit breaker is the wisest thing to do.
Why does my 15 amp fuse keep blowing?
Having too many devices plugged into a circuit is the most common cause of fuses blowing. This is particularly true of power-hungry devices, such as toasters. Most homeowners assume this is what is causing the problem and work around the issue by limiting plugged-in devices.
Why does fuse keep popping?
A short circuit should always cause a breaker to trip or a fuse to blow and may also cause sparks, popping sounds, or smoke. It may also be caused by issues like loose connections, a slipped wire, or even from damage caused by animals (mice or squirrels) chewing on wires.
Do golf carts have fuses?
The fuses on a golf cart are critically important for protecting your cart from electrical damage and ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. However, these fuses can blow at various types and leave your cart unable to run.
How do I know if my electric golf cart motor is bad?
You have enough going on in your life without your golf car refusing to start when you turn the key in the ignition. If your golf car won't start, is slower than it used to be, or is experiencing other technical problems, you could have a bad motor on your hands.
Why are my golf cart lights not working?
A blown-out headlight fuse is the main reason that your EZGO RXV golf cart lights are not working. An incorrect circuit connection to the headlight fuse can also cause the lights to stop working. There are times when the circuit wires are torn or worn out.
How do you troubleshoot an EZ Go golf cart?
Things to Keep in Mind Before TroubleshootingEZGO golf cart batteries aren't perfect right away.Sticky accelerators are perfectly normal and can be fixed easily.Keep your cart stable.Make sure your charging wall socket isn't faulty.Keep your tire pressure stable.Troubleshooting the speed controller.
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How long does it take for a golf cart charger to charge?
The charger is no longer showing voltage at the plug until it is plugged into the Golf Cart. The charger starts charging about 10 seconds after being plugged into the golf cart. It looks like it is charging fine now.
Why is my charger cord shorted?
The cord is only shorted when it is plugged into the charger. The charger is only shorted when the diodes are connected. I will replace both diodes and hope the charger is no longer shorted. If that is the case I will power it ON and then OFF and recheck for a short.
Does a charger start charging when plugged in?
But, the charger does not start charging when it is plugged in either. So the only thing left is really the circuit board or the transformer. So I have ordered a new charger but I may still look into repairing the old one and use it as a backup charger if it is not to costly.
Why is my golf cart battery charger not working?
Bad connections will cause any battery charger to not function properly. After you've charged up your batteries and checked every connection and you are still having issues, it's probably safe to say you've got a golf cart battery charger problem and may need to service it or buy a new one.
Why is my golf cart charging red?
Occasionally a red fault light on a golf cart charger can mean that the batteries do not have enough voltage in them to allow the charger to kick on (see Charging Dead Golf Cart Batteries above).
What is an OBC on a club car?
When you plug the charger into your Club Car, the OBC will tell the battery charger when to start and stop charging based on the voltage levels in your batteries.
What voltage do you need for a 36V golf cart?
You must match volts to volts. A 36V cart requires a 36 volt golf cart charger. A 48V cart requires a 48 volt golf cart charger. You can burn up your batteries if you do not charge with the proper voltage.
How many volts does a golf cart battery need?
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.
Why is my charger making a clicking noise?
If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How to keep a charger from getting hot?
But here are a few general tips to keep the charger from overheating: Make sure that your battery cable connections are correct, clean and tight.
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 golf cart batteries be charged after every use?
Yes. Charging your golf cart batteries after every use – even if you’ve only spent five minutes driving – is crucial for maximising their lifespan. Leaving batteries in a prolonged state of low charge can decrease their capacity over time and wear them out quicker.
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.
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 long should golf cart batteries last?
If you play golf twice a week – and use your golf cart for each round – you can expect a standard, brand-new battery to last just under 10 years before needing to be replaced. If you charge your battery correctly after use, you can maximise its shelf life.
1. Excretion of Hydrogen Gas
When it comes to the main reason why golf cart batteries blow up, the answer is simple; golf cart batteries excrete a flammable and combustible fume known as hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is a by-product of batteries that occurs during a chemical reaction involving the water and sulfuric acid solution and lead plates.
2. Poor Quality Chargers
If you are using a charger that is poor in quality, you will be taking the risk of causing an overcharge to occur (which will be discussed further later in the article) and ultimately producing an explosion. Overcharging, along with blocked or clogged vent plugs, can cause the by-product hydrogen gas to accumulate within the cell.
3. Clogging in Vent Caps
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.
4. Frayed or Corroded Battery Cables
A very important part in proper maintenance for your golf cart batteries is ensuring that all cables connected to the battery have no fraying or corrosion.
5. Wet Battery Lids
At some point, your batteries will secrete some battery acid while charging. Hydrogen gas is produced at a rapid rate and causes bubbling and boiling as the acid spills over onto the lid of the batteries.
6. Sparks or Fire
Due to the combustibility of hydrogen gas, when it accumulates within the battery pack, a single spark or flame can cause the batteries to blow up. Once the amount of hydrogen gas inside a room reaches 4 percent, it becomes highly combustible.
7. Overcharging
Poor quality chargers can continue to charge your batteries past their initial stopping point, especially if you need to replace any of the batteries in the pack; it is always recommended that you change every battery within the pack in order to reduce the risk of unbalanced charging.
Why does my golf cart keep tripping the breaker?
Why does my Golf Cart Charger keep tripping the Breaker? A golf cart charger can trip the breaker if the batteries are connected in reverse polarity, the wires of the charger are damaged, or when a connection is overloading the breaker.
What happens if a charger is cut?
If the wire of the charger is damaged or cut, it may short the circuit and trip the breaker. You must ensure that the wire is insulated properly throughout its length to prevent it from tripping the breaker.
What to check before charging a golf cart?
Before checking for faults, while charging the golf cart, you must ensure that the batteries are in good condition. If either of the battery has low water levels or reversed polarity, it can draw extra load from the charger and end up tripping the breaker. Check Thermal Breaker.
What happens if a battery is connected in reverse polarity?
Battery. If any of the batteries are connected in reverse polarity, the charger will draw a heavy load and trip the circuit breaker. To avoid this from happening, ensure that the connections on all batteries are correct in terms of polarity. All connections should be firm and tight.
Can a Powerdrive 2 charger trip the AC circuit breaker?
A Powerdrive 2 golf cart charger can trip the AC circuit breaker in case the AC cord is shorted, due to a failed transformer, or if the wiring on the charger is done incorrectly. An AC Continuity test should be conducted to identify the problem and get it fixed by a technician. Given below are the steps for conducting the AC Continuity test for an MS, 2005 Powerdrive External Charger.
Can a golf cart charger trip a GFCI?
The golf cart charger can often have faulty ground connections which can trip the GFCI once connected. You can identify the faulty connection with the help of your user manual. If your golf cart charger didn’t come with a user manual, you can check with a technician or call the manufacturer.
Does a club car charger tripping a breaker?
Club Car Charger Keeps Tripping Breaker. Ensuring that the batteries are well maintained can help avoid the Club Car Charger from tripping the breaker. The water level inside both batteries should not be very low and there should be no damaged connections.