Rough driving and crashing into trees around the course can result in the battery case cracking. A crack in the battery case will cause the water inside to leak out. Your battery may also leak if you leave the golf cart in extremely cold weather for long periods of time.
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 fix a leaking battery post on a golf cart?
Spray a protectant on the terminals and reconnect the power connections. The golf cart battery cables, terminals, and posts are all interrelated. So, it is almost certain that if either the cables, terminals, or both leaks, your battery post is likely to leak soon. A few reasons that could trigger a battery post leak are given below.
Why won’t my golf cart fire up?
But more often than not, your cart suddenly refused to fire up and go due to a dead or bad battery. Before taking it to the dealer and getting hit with a large bill, there are a couple of simple checks you can perform in order to determine if a bad battery is indeed at fault.
How to clean corrosion off golf cart batteries?
Steps to clean corrosion off Golf Cart Batteries: 1 Mix equal parts baking soda and water 2 Spray on corrosion 3 Let sit 5 minutes 4 Scrub with a wire brush 5 Rinse with water well 6 Apply terminal protector
Why would a golf cart battery explode?
The average cart is powered by lead acid batteries which are positioned underneath the seat. It isn't uncommon to fold back the seat of the cart and find all 6 batteries desperately in need of fluid. When batteries run dry, they can smoke and even explode.
Can cart batteries break?
Golf cart batteries often have what is called a "break-in period" when you first bring them home, in which following a few simple steps can up their overall lifespan. Here's what you should do: Plug in your charger and leave everything alone until the charger shuts off on its own.
How can you tell if a golf cart battery is bad?
Here are six signs to look for when batteries need replacing.Charge Times Are Out of Hand. Just like any rechargeable battery, the repeated cycles of draining and charging your battery can take a toll on it. ... No “Get Up and Go” ... You See Visual Signs. ... Driving Until They Die. ... People Are Always Running The Radio.
What causes a battery terminal to melt on a golf cart?
The main reason why golf cart battery cables will melt is because of too much current passing through the jumper cable; resulting in overheating and melting. A poor contact connection or a missing ground strap between the chassis and the engine may also result in the melting of your golf cart battery cables.
Can you replace just one battery on a golf cart?
Let's discuss in detail. When it comes to changing the golf cart batteries, technically, you can change just one at a time. However, this is not advisable as it can cause permanent damage to each battery. When a battery has gone bad, you should change all of the batteries.
How long should golf cart batteries 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 know if you need new golf cart batteries?
If you notice that the best golf cart batteries are taking even longer to charge, it's time to replace them. Battery cells will eventually break down over time. The charging power moving through the battery won't be as effective as before. Some batteries may never fully charge at some point.
Should you leave a 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 the batteries in a golf cart?
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 would battery cables melt?
There is a large amount of electrical current trying to travel from one battery to the other. So whenever a connection isn't snug and made complete, that electricity causes the cables to become exceedingly hot, thus melting the line.
How do you fix a melted battery post?
5:477:06Melted Battery Terminals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut you don't need a lot just a couple just a drop or two put it up into that battery terminal andMorePut you don't need a lot just a couple just a drop or two put it up into that battery terminal and tighten it down and don't over tighten it but get it good and snug.
What happens if a golf cart overheats?
Motor burnout happens when your engine gets too hot and overheats, frying the wiring and other components inside. One common cause of golf cart motor burnout is continually pressing the pedal to the metal like you're trying to drive a race car.
How long should Trojan golf cart batteries last?
According to the team at Golf Carts Plus, the short answer is 7 – 9 years. However, to achieve that you need to carry out the routine maintenance and watering of your battery.
How do you break in a deep cycle battery?
New Battery Break-in Procedures After the first charge, drive the cart 6 miles round trip and then recharge. Next, go 12 miles round trip for the next 5 charges, recharging after each trip. After the above steps, you should notice the distance starting to increase.
Do golf cart batteries need to be broken in?
Never leave the batteries in a state of discharge for extended periods of time. Recharge the pack every 2 weeks if the cart is sitting idle or in storage. And when in doubt, recharge it.
Do I need to break in a new car battery?
Now that you understand why the break in period is so important, you will know that you should not panic if it seems like your brand new battery is not performing exactly the way you expected out of the box. Give it a couple weeks to get broken in and you should find that the battery has opened up the rest of the way.
Why does my golf cart battery leak?
One reason why your cart battery leaks is due to not using the golf cart correctly. Rough driving and crashing into trees around the course can result in the battery case cracking. A crack in the battery case will cause the water inside to leak out.
Why do electric golf carts have batteries?
This is because liquid levels will increase during the charging process and result in a leak.
Why does my golf cart keep bubbling?
Extensive usage of the golf cart can trigger bubbling when charging because of the battery discharge. Because of this, water may leak through the top vents. Take care to see that the batteries are not overfilled.
Why do golf cart batteries need water?
Why Golf Cart Batteries Need Water. Golf cart batteries need water for storing their energy along with the acid. Lead acid battery operated cart needs water to prevent the battery from getting overheated. When the battery is charged, the acid level tends to move up and release energy via the battery plates.
What kind of batteries do golf carts use?
Often, they use either lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries. Occasionally you may find your golf cart batteries leaking. In this article I will tell you why they leak, and the next step you should take to fix the issue.
How old is a battery to leak?
Water will then start leaking out which is never a pleasant sight. This scenario is more likely to happen if the battery is at least 12 months old however. A battery acid leak is likely to occur when you pour acid into the battery along with water. This is a very common mistake.
What are the two types of battery leaks?
Types of Battery Leakage. There are 2 main types of battery leaks; water and acid. This is because both water and battery acid is stored inside the battery. Both water and acid together provide the energy for the battery to operate.
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 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 golf cart battery is bad?
1. Charging Issues. First, check to ensure that your golf cart was charged before you took it out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What happens if a golf cart battery leaks?
If you have a leaking battery, then corrosion is inevitable and it will affect the battery terminals. This will eventually seep into the posts and melt them. Check out for a battery terminal protector from your golf cart parts store. This is usually available in the form of a spray.
Why does my golf cart battery melt?
The main reason why golf cart battery cables will melt is because of too much current passing through the jumper cable; resulting in overheating and melting. A poor contact connection or a missing ground strap between the chassis and the engine may also result in the melting of your golf cart battery cables. Alternatively, corrosion of either of ...
What causes a cable to overheat?
Excessive internal resistance. The internal resistance of the cables used to connect to the terminals may be very high, leading to overheating followed by melting. Check the resistance of the cables with the help of an ohmmeter. The resistance between both ends should ideally be zero or as negligible as possible.
What causes a battery to melt down?
A stalled motor can cause the terminals of a battery to have a meltdown. It happens when a motor receives enough power to get started but it fails to turn. This is common when the cart is over a steep incline or a curb. It may be time to charge your battery and replace the melted terminals with new ones.
Why do the bolts on my cable terminals melt?
The bolts on the terminals often melt because of excess heat and even tend to break. When this happens, the terminals are also affected. One main reason for the heat generation is a corroded connection. This corrosion increases the cable resistance and thereby the heat, which leads to melting.
How thick should a golf cart cable be?
When you replace a heated high current cable, you can consider replacing all such cables with at least 4 Gauge thickness.
Why does my golf cart get hot?
If you find a particular cable getting hotter than the other cables, check for the connection made with that cable. A bad or loose cable connection can cause it to get hot.
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.
