What happens if my golf cart battery runs out of water?
What Happens If Golf Cart Batteries Run Out Of Water? The plates of a deep-cycle battery must be submerged in a solution of sulfuric acid and electrolytes (water) in order for the electrochemical reaction to occur, which is what delivers voltage to your cart.
How long can you leave a golf cart battery in storage?
Parking your golf cart in a storage shed or garage and leaving it alone for up to three months will likely end with a golf cart that just won't start come spring. We'd like to walk you through what steps to take when preparing a golf cart battery for winter storage today.
How to check the water level of a golf cart battery?
To check the golf cart battery water level, you should know what the right water level is. This can help you avoid underwatering or overwatering the batteries, both of which can cause damage to them as mentioned above. The general suggestion is to ensure that the water is above the battery plates by only a quarter to half an inch.
Why is the water level in my golf cart low?
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. This happens particularly in the summer, or in places with regularly high temperatures.
Are golf cart batteries supposed to be full of water?
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.
How often do I need to put water in my golf cart batteries?
Always fill the batteries after charging. The typical schedule is about once every 30 days, but this may vary by several days depending on your specific situation. When filling the batteries, add just enough water to bring it 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch shy of the indicator ring to prevent overfilling.
How do you know when your golf cart battery needs water?
According to most battery experts, your golf cart water should be about one-quarter inch below the top of the fill well. Another way to gauge this level is to make sure the water covers your battery cell plates but doesn't go too high above them. It should just cover them up without making them disappear.
What happens if a battery runs out of water?
What Happens If A Lead-Acid Battery Runs Out Of Water? If that happens, the lead plates will be exposed to the existing oxygen and hydrogen gas in the battery. This exposure will cause an exothermic reaction with the battery terminals, emitting huge amounts of heat. The heat will further evaporate the water.
When should I fill my battery with water?
While a battery should only be filled after it is completely charged, you should also check the water level before charging to make sure there is just enough water to cover any exposed plates. After charging, add enough water to bring the level to the bottom of the vent, about ¾ below the top of the cell.
How often do you need to add water to a battery?
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).
How high should the water be in a golf cart battery?
1/2 inch1) You have to get your timing right. 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.
How do you bring a golf cart battery back to life?
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.
How do I check the water level in my electric golf cart?
2:504:44How to Fill Your Electric Golf Car Batteries | Golf Cart MaintenanceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe proper water level is at the bottom edge of that gauge you want it to be a little gap betweenMoreThe proper water level is at the bottom edge of that gauge you want it to be a little gap between the below the bottom of that gauge in that battery. Now each each cell of the battery is individual.
How do you know if your battery is low on water?
Signs of Low Battery Water. ... Reduced Capacity. ... Corrosion Build Up. ... Slow Cranking. ... How to Fix Low Battery Water. ... Access the battery. ... Clean Before You Open. ... Pop The Ports And Check The Fluids.More items...•
Can you refill a dry battery?
So-called “dry batteries” contain sulfuric acid, but it is bound in an absorbent medium and sealed. For this reason you should not try to refill it yourself.
Can a dry battery be recharged?
A dry cell battery is one that cannot be recharged and is also known as a primary battery. Rechargeable batteries are also known as secondary batteries and can be recharged a limited number of times. A primary or dry cell battery is a one that is designed to be used once and then discarded.
How do I know if my golf cart batteries need water?
When you are checking the water level in the cells of your battery, you want to make sure that the plates in the battery are covered with water, and that the water level is at the correct level when the battery is fully charged.
What type of water should I add to my golf cart battery?
Every major battery manufacturer recommends that distilled water be added to flooded lead acid batteries. There are a couple of acceptable alternatives, such as de-ionized (demineralized) water, or reverse osmosis water. But the recommendation is distilled water.
How much distilled water do you put in a golf cart battery?
The actual amount of water you may have to add will vary based upon the current level of water in your golf car batteries, but the end result is that you should add as much as necessary to achieve a water level approximately 1/8 – 1/4th of an inch below the bottom of the vent well when fully charged. See diagram above.
Can you put too much water in golf cart batteries?
You can add too much water to your golf cart battery cell. This should be avoided at all costs. You do NOT want to fill your golf cart battery to the cap. This will result in battery acid spilling out of the top of your battery, causing a mess and losing electrolyte and resulting in your battery losing capacity.
Can you use bottled water instead of distilled water in a battery?
Most bottled water has minerals added for taste. You should not use bottled water to fill your golf cart battery. Minerals will be attracted to and accumulate on the plates inside the battery and significantly reduce their capacity and life.
Should I charge golf cart batteries after adding water?
Your golf car should be fully charged before adding water to your batteries, but if you want to charge the golf cart batteries after adding water you can. Your charger may initiate an equalization charge which may cause your batteries to bubble and gas, so you may want to prevent or stop the equalization after charging for an hour or so.
What happens when golf cart batteries are low on water?
Trojan will periodically request that dealers or golf car distributors send them batteries that are being processed for warranty due to failure so they can perform a “battery autopsy” to determine the cause of failure. Sometimes a battery failure is due to a manufacturing defect, but many times they discover the failure is due to poor maintenance.
How to add water to golf cart batteries?
To add water to golf cart batteries, you need to fill the battery cells with distilled water. Fill the water above the battery plates by 1/4 – 1/2 an inch, but below the level of the vents.
Why does my golf cart battery water boil?
This can be due to several reasons as given below. The charger used for your golf cart batteries is malfunctioning or is not working properly.
Why do you need to refill golf cart batteries?
This is one reason why you must always refill water in your golf cart batteries only when they are fully charged. Overfilling batteries with too much water can also result in boiling. Water from other sources may have been used instead of distilled water for refilling the batteries.
What are golf cart batteries made of?
Golf cart batteries consist of sulfuric acid and several other electrolytes. The battery plates must be submerged in them so that the required energy is produced to get the cart in motion. When the batteries are discharged, the level of the water that contains these electrolytes goes down.
Why does my golf cart have a problem with water?
The biggest problem that your golf cart will face if the batteries run out of water is sulfation. This happens because a lack of water in the batteries exposes the battery plates to the air for a much longer period than usual. As a result, the plates begin to start drying out and it starts flaking.
Why is my battery water level low?
Some of the reasons for a low level are as follows. The battery was not filled to the required water level last time when it was refilled. The ideal water level is just below the battery vent and above the battery plate. The battery has not had distilled water poured into it for a long time.
Why is distilled water bad for batteries?
This is because distilled water is the purest form of water and is free of contaminants, minerals, or chemicals that can hamper the chemical process that takes place inside the batteries. The presence of contaminants, minerals, or chemicals in the water can damage the batteries.
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.
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.
How to charge a 6 volt battery overnight?
Connect the battery to a three-phase charger that can charge 6 volts batteries and let it charge overnight. Check the charger status in the morning. If it indicates a full charge, check the battery cells once again and add some more distilled water to the cells with exposed battery plates.
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.
What is the 'Run/Tow' switch on a golf car?
If your golf car is an electric RXV, make sure the 'Run/Tow' switch is set to the 'Run/Storage' position. Remember, if it's left in the 'Tow" position, it will continue to drain the batteries over time.
Do golf cart batteries self discharge?
Before leaving your golf cart, ensure that the battery is clean, fully charged, and has been disconnected from any source of electrical drain. Batteries will continue to self-discharge, even during periods where they are not used or are being stored away. If you don't disconnect your battery's wires, you may find yourself with a golf cart battery ...
Can you put away a golf cart in winter?
If you're the type to put away your golf cart or ATV for winter storage, there are a few steps you'll need to take to ensure that your battery stays in peak condition, even if you're not heading out on the course or into the woods during the colder months. We've spoken before about winterizing your ATV, but we haven't really taken a close look ...