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what to add to a golf cart battery for longer life

by Kristina Dicki Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer. 1. Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. 2. Use a Proper Battery Charger. Attach the battery to a 3-phase charger, ensuring that the charger’s positive lead ...

Top up the battery with distilled water first. If the plates are not exposed then fill the batteries after charging. Top them up to 1/4 inch above the plate unless your golf cart battery manufacturer's instructions are different. Always use distilled water and never water from the mains supply.Aug 10, 2018

Full Answer

How to make your golf cart batteries last longer?

Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge itself as the vehicle runs like batteries in cars do (cars have alternators). Therefore, regular use will drain the battery which, in turn, may shorten its life. That being said… Here are 6 Tips to Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer. 1. Always Use Distilled Water

What kind of battery does a golf cart use?

Most golf carts run on lead-acid batteries ( although this is changing ), much like other normal vehicles do. However, the difference is that a battery for a golf cart is usually of 6, 8, or 12 volt deep-cycle lead acid battery, whereas a normal vehicle uses a 12-volt starter or ignition battery.

How do you stop a golf cart battery from corroding?

Use Anti-Corrosion Lubricants The acid in a golf cart battery is one of the main agents for corroding its internal parts. In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant.

How do I know if my golf cart battery needs replacing?

Check the battery after it has charged for several hours or the next day. If the battery still hasn’t taken a full charge, they cannot be saved and it is time for some new golf cart batteries . 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.

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What is the best thing to put in golf cart batteries?

Fill battery cells (aka water fill holes) with distilled water (not tap water) ¼ to ½ inch above the plates. With ¼ inch of water you'll have to check your batteries more often, but at ½ inch you'll likely have more acid accumulation on the tops of the batteries. Either level is acceptable; it's really your call.

Can I put Epsom salt in my golf cart batteries?

Mix 4 ounces of Epsom salts into a quart of warm distilled water and stir. Using a turkey baster fill each battery cell slightly over the lead plates. Do this for a cycle of 4 charges so the Epsom Salts remove the deposits on the battery plates.

What can you put on golf cart batteries to keep them from corroding?

0:413:38Cleaning Your Golf Cart Batteries with Baking Soda and Water - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe acid on the batteries. With the baking soda and water you want to do one cup baking soda perMoreThe acid on the batteries. With the baking soda and water you want to do one cup baking soda per gallon so as you can see here I don't have a lot here so what 8 ounces.

Does aspirin help golf cart batteries?

Be warned that adding aspirin will shorten the battery life, as the aspirin will react with the sulfuric acid to form acetic acid. Good for a boost, but bad for the innards of the battery.

Can you add sulfuric acid to a battery?

It's important to note that battery owners should never add sulfuric acid to their battery. During normal operation batteries will only consume water – and not sulfuric acid. When your battery's electrolyte is observed to be low, filling the battery with water will keep the battery healthy and safe for use.

Does Desulfating a battery work?

If you own a battery desulfator, you can lengthen its lifespan and enjoy even more miles on the road. Plug your car battery into a desulfator and you'll enhance its effectiveness even as it ages.

How often should you put water in golf cart batteries?

about once every 30 daysThe 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.

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.

Can you wax a golf cart?

Consider using a spray wax (we recommend Turtle's Wax and Dry) to make your cart shine. Use microfiber towels to dry your cart. Never use Windex or paper towels to clean your cart's windshield. Instead, use mild, soapy water and a microfiber towel.

How much Epsom salt do I put in my battery?

Ingredients: 1 gallon of distilled water (no tap water due to chemicals added) 1 pound of baking soda. 1 pound of Epsom salt.

Can I use bottled water in a battery?

If your car battery stops working or you get stranded out, bottled water is the first option to use.

How do you rejuvenate a battery with Epsom salt?

7:068:45Is it Possible to Revive a Dead Battery with Epsom Salt - See For YourselfYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not improving much. And there you have it folks so if the question is whether you can revive aMoreIt's not improving much. And there you have it folks so if the question is whether you can revive a dead battery with some epsom salts and baking soda. The answer is maybe you just might be able to

Why is it important to take care of a golf cart battery?

First, because it’s fairly easy to damage your golf cart battery by charging malpractices, and second, because golf cart battery replacement is not exactly cheap.

How high should water be in batteries?

Keep the water levels in your batteries at around 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the plates with distilled water to avoid the impurities in tap water that conduct electricity and can shorten battery life.

What happens if a battery is left half charged?

If left half-charged, batteries can form a "sulphation memory" and may not be able to accept charge beyond that point. Some batteries have built-in features to prevent overcharging and support long-term storage.

Do you unplug a golf cart charger?

If your golf cart charger does not feature automatic shut-off or trickle charging, you should unplug it when charging completes. The best solution is a modern automatic charger that does all of the work for you, worry-free!

Can you drive a golf cart uncharged?

Avoid driving your golf cart, or allowing it to sit uncharged, until the batteries are almost empty or totally dead. This can shorten battery life significantly and risk damage to other expensive parts.

Does a golf cart tire wear down?

Pushing your golf cart over the limits or adding more weight than its capacity will wear down your batteries fast. The quality of your battery has a significant role and this is one area where investing in good equipment will get you the best performance out of your golf cart. Note that adding larger, heavier golf cart tires can also affect battery life.

So, How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

Golf cart batteries can last up to 10 years, but it is a very rare occurrence. The average lifespan can vary greatly depending on how often you use it.

Making Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer

Here are a few handy tips to make your golf cart batteries last longer:

When to Replace Your Golf Cart Battery

It is best to replace your golf cart battery at the right time rather than wait for it to stop working completely.

Wrapping Up

Golf cart battery life is an important consideration for golf cart owners. It is one of the biggest factors in maintenance cost and everyone wants to get their money’s worth when it comes to vehicles.

How to prevent a golf cart battery from corroding?

In order to prevent this, coat its wire lugs, terminals, nuts, and bolts with any quality non-hardening sealant.

What type of battery does a golf cart use?

Most golf carts run on lead-acid batteries ( although this is changing ), much like other normal vehicles do. However, the difference is that a battery for a golf cart is usually of 6, 8, or 12 volt deep-cycle lead acid battery, whereas a normal vehicle uses a 12-volt starter or ignition battery. Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge ...

How long do golf cart batteries last?

Cheaper batteries have much shorter life spans compared to quality golf cart batteries that cost more. The latter may last up to 10 years if maintained properly. So, you end up gaining in the long run even if your initial investment is high. Also, be on the lookout for tax cuts from time to time.

How to maintain a battery?

1. Always Use Distilled Water. Battery maintenance is best done in a well-ventilated area on a plain and level surface. After removing the battery cells’ plastic caps, top off each cell’s reservoirs with distilled water. Never use plain or tap water. Also, never allow the cell’s fluid level to dip below its plates.

Does a cart battery recharge itself?

Moreover, the battery for a cart does not recharge itself as the vehicle runs like batteries in cars do (cars have alternators). Therefore, regular use will drain the battery which, in turn, may shorten its life. That being said….

Do golf cart batteries work?

Though vehicular batteries are made similarly and out of similar materials, when used in golf carts, the way they are used is different. The maintenance of golf batteries will be somewhat similar to maintaining other batteries. However a couple of things are different. Follow the above mentioned tips to keep your golf cart batteries, in turn your golf cart, in prime working condition.

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.

What type of battery does a golf cart use?

These golf carts are commonly powered by lead-acid batteries with a 6, 8, or 12-volt deep-cycle. Unlike the battery in your car, golf cart batteries do not automatically ‘recharge’ themselves during use.

How long do golf cart batteries last?

They may last anywhere from months, up to 5-7 years under the right circumstances.

How many rounds of golf can you use a golf cart battery?

To give you some kind of comparison factor, fleet golf cart batteries, are used for two to four rounds of golf every day ...

How often should I water my golf cart batteries?

Golf cart batteries need to be watered on a regular basis. By regular basis, I mean checking them AT LEAST once a month and then adding DISTILLED water if needed (Do not use tap water. It will hurt your batteries.). When checking them, make sure they are fully charged.

What is the best way to not overcharge a battery?

This refers to a charger that does NOT sense when the battery is becoming fully charged and either shuts down at the right time or slows down to a trickle charge as the battery approaches saturation point. Newer battery chargers either close down or slow down as the battery becomes fully charged since they have a built in algorithm that knows when the batteries are fully charged. A lot of the time a manual charger will come with a built in timer that you set. However if this is not the case, it is highly recommended you get a kitchen timer or set an alarm clock, because over-cooking your batteries is a sure way to sacrifice longevity.

How long do batteries last?

In the worst case scenario, your batteries may only last you three years. In the best case scenario, they may last you ten years. If your batteries only last three years or less, then it means a combination of factors. It usually entails a few of the following items:

Can you recharge a cart with lead acid?

However, fully charging batteries before reusing the cart is recommended. That said, lead-acid batteries don’ t last as long if you let them drain down to zero before recharging them. And, remember, top quality chargers are recommended, so that recharging is safer and the charging is steady and fully automated.

Is battery life important for golf carts?

In a nutshell, battery duration is certainly a major concern and a major expense for golf cart owners. Taking the recommended maintenance steps very seriously will lead to extended life and keep costs down. author- Timothy Baler.

Do you need to fill batteries if they are discharged?

When checking them, make sure they are fully charged. You do not want to fill them if they are discharged as this could cause overfilling. One of the biggest “battery killers” is not properly maintaining them with water, so be sure to check them on a regular basis.

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