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what to expect from golf cart batteries with age

by Norwood Feest MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here are 4 signs you need to replace your golf cart batteries: 1) 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.

Older golf cart batteries will damage parts internally resulting in under voltage required for your speed components. The date code is displayed in different locations depending on the brand of batteries in your golf cart. This date code is generally marked by a letter, followed by a number.

Full Answer

How long do golf cart batteries last?

With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years. After that, its’ performance has become compromised, and it may be time for a new set. As you can see, understanding and taking care of your golf cart batteries can determine how long they will last.

How can I tell how old my golf cart battery is?

You can find out the golf cart battery age by looking at the golf cart battery itself. You can find the code on one of the battery terminals.

Can I delay buying new batteries for my golf cart?

This is an old fashioned way to possibly delay the purchase of new batteries for your golf cart. This is hit or miss depending on how long your batteries have sat without a charge or how long they last after they are charged, or if they take a charge at all.

What are the symptoms of a failing golf cart battery?

Symptoms of a failing battery or batteries could include the following: 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.

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How do you know when your golf cart batteries need to be replaced?

4 Signs You Need to Replace Your Golf Cart Batteries It takes twice as long to charge your batteries as it did when you first had them installed. ... Your Golf Cart loses power very quickly. ... Your Golf Cart does not accelerate as fast as it used to. ... The batteries are leaking acid and are beginning to bulge.

What is the average lifespan of batteries in a golf cart?

about 6-10 yearsThat 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.

How often should you replace your golf cart batteries?

Properly maintained golf cart batteries will last on average about 6-10 years for private owners. For properly maintained fleet golf cart batteries that get used for 2-3 rounds of golf everyday, you can expect them to last 4-6 years. Fleet golf carts are generally used for golf courses or in maintenance facilities.

How long should 12 volt golf cart batteries last?

between five and ten yearsWhen you take care of your golf cart's battery, you can expect it to last anywhere between five and ten years.

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.

How do you refresh golf cart batteries?

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.

Should you charge your golf cart after every use?

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.

Do golf cart batteries lose charge over time?

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 long does a golf cart battery last?

With proper maintenance, a golf cart battery should last anywhere between 5-6 years.

What Are The Best Golf Cart Batteries?

These brands have shown a dedication to creating quality batteries. Quality control and innovation are the main focus of these companies, ensuring that buyers get the latest and greatest. Find out more below!

How to tell if golf cart has 36V or 48V?

By multiplying these holes by two, you will determine the battery’s voltage. Multiply this number by the total number of batteries installed in your golf cart.

What voltage do golf carts use?

Outside of specialty carts, most carts operate on a 36V or 48V standard and need a series of cells to supply enough power.

What is amps in a car?

Amperage is akin to a gas tank in a car. Amps will determine how far the cart travels, and for how long, on a single charge. The more amps a battery generates, the further you’ll be able to drive. If you take your cart out for extended periods, this may be problematic.

What happens if you charge a battery with an underpowered charger?

An underpowered charger will cause a buildup of sulfation on the negative plate, affecting its performance. An overpowered charger causes an accumulation of corrosion on the positive plate. Ideally, you do not want your batteries to die, as charging a dead lead-acid battery can cause strain.

How to keep batteries clean?

Looking to keep your batteries clean? Use a bristle brush and a mild solution to clean the top of each battery. You can also use anti-corrosive solutions and sprays to prevent corrosion, which can be a problem with lead-acid batteries. Alternatively, you can use battery covers.

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 factors affect the longevity of a golf cart battery?

A lesser factor – but a viable one, at that – is how many features your golf cart has. If you have headlights, a horn, fog lights, upgraded motor and speed, then your battery’s longevity could well be diminished.

How to lose golf cart batteries?

Another obvious way to lose your batteries quickly is by not properly maintaining them. 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. You do not want to fill them if they are discharged as this could cause overfilling.

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:

Do lead acid batteries last longer?

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. So, now that we have covered a lot of ground….

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.

Can you charge a cart before reusing?

That means, make sure, if possible, that you allow enough time for the batteries to get fully charged between trips. If you must interrupt a charging without completing the charge , so be it. However, fully charging batteries before reusing the cart is recommended.

How many volts does a golf cart battery have?

Now, just because a battery pack displays 48 volts or more after a full charge does not mean they’re good. The real test would be to test them after they have been used for a few miles. The reason is that a deep cycle golf cart battery will not exhibit signs of needing replacement until after they are fully discharged.

Why is my electric golf cart not going fast?

3) Your Golf Cart does not accelerate as fast as it used to. Electric Golf Carts are known for being fast and having acceleration power. However, the day you start to feel your electric golf cart being slower to reach top speed is typically a sign of your batteries needing to be replaced. Also, another sign may be that it has trouble climbing hills ...

How many volts does a battery pack have?

Typically, a charged battery pack will have 2-3 volts higher on a charger than its rated voltage. For example, a 48 volt system will have 51 to 52 volts after a full charge. We can test this by using a Volt Meter. Now, just because a battery pack displays 48 volts or more after a full charge does not mean they’re good.

How far can a golf cart go on a single charge?

Most Golf Carts can travel at least 7 miles or more on a single charge. However, if you are used to playing golf with no battery charge issues, but then one day you start to notice you can barely finish nine holes without having to limp home, then this could very easily be a sign of weak batteries.

What happens if a battery goes bad?

Batteries that are going bad will expand and have bulges on the battery cases themselves. Also, batteries will be prone to leaking acid out of the case when they are on their last leg.

Do batteries hold a charge?

As the batteries age, they will not hold a charge as well as they used to. Unfortunately the charger will not know that, so the charger will continue to charge the batteries thinking they will eventually get to a full charge which means it will take longer to charge the batteries than normal.

Can batteries leak acid?

Also, batteries will be prone to leaking acid out of the case when they are on their last leg. RELATED: Symptoms of a Bad Solenoid on a Golf Cart.

How long does a golf cart battery last?

A lead-acid battery should last somewhere between 500 and 1,000 charging cycles. That’s quite the range. The reason for the wide range is because there are different factors that will affect your golf cart battery lifespan. The amount of daily or weekly use will determine how quickly your battery wears out.

Where Can I Buy Golf Cart Batteries?

The best place to buy golf cart batteries is from the dealership you purchased your golf cart from. If you purchased used or from someone not at a dealership, you can look into online shopping. Here are some of the most reputable online shops to buy a golf cart battery:

What voltage do you need for a golf cart?

It is important to know that golf cart batteries come in three voltages: 6V, 8V, and 12V (V stands for Volts). Often, you will need to use multiple 6V batteries to meet the golf cart’s 36V power requirement. For example, if your golf cart requires 48V of power, you can use 6 8 volt batteries or 4 12 volt batteries.

Why is weight important in golf carts?

Weight is important because it determines the stability, power and duration capabilities of your golf cart.

How many categories of golf cart batteries are there?

There are two categories of golf cart batteries, each with some subsets.

How much does a golf cart weigh?

A golf cart will typically weigh between 650 and 1100 lbs total, including the battery. A gas-powered golf cart will typically weigh more than an average electric golf cart.

What are the different types of golf carts?

There are two types of golf carts: gas and electric. If you own an electric golf cart, you have probably wondered about the battery. Electric golf carts run on a rechargeable battery. Recharging the battery might be more convenient than refilling a gas tank every week, but it also will eventually need to be replaced.

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