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when to put acid in a golf cart battery

by Dianna Bruen Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you add it when the levels are at their lowest, then you run the risk of the solution expanding and/or boiling out of the battery cap and losing electrolyte (which cannot be replaced) and making a big acid mess inside your golf car. After your batteries are fully charged, check the water level in the battery cell.

Do you ever add acid to a battery? Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid. Distilled water is recommended but tap water works just fine if distilled water is unavailable. Once filled, a battery will only need water added periodically.Apr 11, 2018

Full Answer

Do electric golf cart batteries leak battery acid?

If you have an electric golf cart, inevitably, you will eventually have at least some battery acid leakage. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent your batteries from leaking onto your garage floor. Only refill your batteries after they are fully charged.

How to clean 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. 4) Use golf cart batteries often.

How long should you charge a golf cart battery?

Charge your golf cart battery between 8 and 10 hours with the proper charger and plug. Try not to allow your battery to drop below 20% capacity, especially for lead-acid batteries. When charging deep cycle batteries do not let these batteries discharge completely.

How often should I refill my golf cart battery?

It mostly depends on how often you use it. The more you use it, the more often it will need to be refilled. For the average user, who may use their golf cart two or three times per week, it’s recommended that they check their batteries’ water levels once every month or so.

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When should I fill my battery acid?

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.

Should you add water before or after you charge a golf cart?

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. 2) We recommend service once or twice a year.

How do you add acid to 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. ... Related How To articles –

Can you add new acid to an old battery?

You can also try to replace the acid inside a battery and mix a new acid with the distilled water. Then, recharge the battery for a few hours. In any case, you will get a new battery that can last for a long time.

Should I charge golf cart batteries after adding 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.

Should I leave my 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.

What happens when battery water is low?

Underwatering is when you fail to refill the battery when it reaches a low electrolyte level. Each time you charge your battery, the battery cell will experience a further water loss. If the water level reaches as low as to expose the lead plates to oxygen and hydrogen gas in the battery, it can lead to sulfation.

How often should you fill golf cart batteries with water?

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.

How do you bring a dead lead acid battery back to life?

Bring Dead Lead Acid Battery to Live AgainStep 1: Preparing the Battery. ... Step 2: Fill the Water Inside the Battery. ... Step 3: Mix Water With Acid and Charging. ... now pull the wasted water from the top of 3 holes by the syringe and let the battery charging. ... 39 Comments.

How do you check battery acid levels?

Get a small flashlight and look into the vent. You will see the cell plates in the electrolyte. The level of the electrolyte should be enough so that the cell plates are submerged. Some battery manufacturers recommend the water level be 1/4 inch below the fill well.

How do you rejuvenate an old battery?

Stuff you'll need: Goggles, gloves, battery acid pack and a voltmeter.Buy an acid pack.Replace the existing acid and add in fresh distilled water.Charge the battery up for between 10 and 12 hours if your charger is slow. If you have a fast charger, charge your battery for 6 hours.

How long does it take for a battery to recondition?

After reconditioning, a battery needs to be charged for around 24 hours to 36 hours. Including the charging time of the battery, the reconditioning process of a car battery can take up to one and half-day or two days.

How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?

about once every 30 daysAlways 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 add water to a golf cart battery?

2:104:29How To Fill Golf Cart Batteries With Water | Golf Cart Garage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops fillingMoreDown the sides of the nozzle let in air so when the water reaches that point it stops filling automatically. Basically all you have to do is push down on the bottle. Until you hear the bubbling.

What happens if my golf cart batteries run out of water?

As the water level reduces, the cell plate in the battery is exposed, dried, and flake off to cause sulfation. One of the reasons to avoid overcharging or leaving your golf cart plugged all the time is to prevent your battery from an early grave.

How much distilled water do you put in a golf cart battery?

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.

What happens if you add sulfuric acid to a battery?

If you add more acid, you will be changing the chemical makeup of the battery which can lead to an incorrect sulfuric content.

Can you put distilled water in a battery?

BatteryStuff Tech It is only recommend to put distilled water in a battery once the acid is originally added. The only other exception is adding specially made chemicals such as the Battery Equaliser, which is designed to recover batteries on a chemical level.

How to clean battery acid from floor?

To clean your floor from battery acid, you will want to use an alkalizing cleaner that will neutralize the acid. Baking soda can be used in this case. If it is a small spill, you can simply pour the baking soda over the acid and allow some time for it to neutralize the acidic liquid.

What to do if battery acid spills on floor?

If you have battery acid that has spilled onto your floor, you will want to clean it up as soon as possible. First and foremost, before you touch anything that has to do with battery acid, you will want to take precautions and make sure you are wearing safety gear.

How to avoid battery leaking?

The best way to avoid this is to always charge your batteries first and then check the water levels only after they are fully charged.

What to wear when working with batteries?

Always wear proper clothing including gloves and safety glasses anytime you are working with your batteries. You just never know what will happen and it’s always best to be prepared.

Do golf cart batteries leak?

Under normal circumstances, properly functioning golf cart batteries will not leak. These batteries generally leak when they are filled with water before they are fully charged. When they are filled with water when cold, the water will heat up and expand as they are charged.

Can battery acid damage concrete?

What I learned the hard way is that cardboard is not enough to ward off the potentially damaging effects of battery acid. Battery acid will eat right through cardboard and will end up on your floor, causing damage to the concrete beneath the cardboard.

Can you refill golf cart batteries after they are fully charged?

Here are a few tips that will help you prevent your batteries from leaking onto your garage floor. Only refill your batteries after they are fully charged.

How To Add Water To Golf Cart Batteries - Maintain It Safely

The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low. When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow. This will leak battery acid everywhere, which will then cause corrosion. More ›

How to Add Water to Golf Cart Batteries (Steps) - Golf ..

Check if the battery that is low on water is getting charged along with the other batteries. The battery caps may have acid mist accumulated on them after each charge. Replace the caps with new ones or clean the old ones thoroughly. The battery charger is at fault and your battery may not be getting charged properly. More ›

Why Is It Necessary To Refill Water On A Golf Cart Battery

It's important for you to be aware that your golf cart battery contains sulfuric acid and electrolytes. These components submerge the plates in order to produce energy. When the battery is discharged, the water level that contains electrolytes becomes lower. This is normal as the water gets back to its normal level after recharging. More ›

When Should I Add Extra Sulfuric Acid to my Battery?

When you see your battery acid level begin to drop, you may wonder when and if it is appropriate to add acid, or just water. We recommend that unless a battery was tipped over and all the acid spilled out, that you add only distilled water. More ›

Do Golf Cart Batteries Make Noise When Charging? 3 Reasons ..

If your golf cart batteries are producing a hissing or sizzling noise while charging, then it is quite possible that you are having an issue with either overcharging or low water or acid in the batteries. The hissing or sizzling will occur when one or two cells are experiencing a difference in temperature during the charging process due to low ...

How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?

Furthermore, how do you maintain golf cart batteries? Steps. Put on acid-proof gloves and glasses. Open the vent caps on the batteries. Check the electrolyte level in the battery. Fill the batteries partially with distilled water. Charge your golf cart. Open the vent caps again. Add more water until the batteries are almost full. More ›

Golf Cart Batteries Have Gone Dry!

If my charger boiled the water out while charging my golf cart batteries unknown to me and found out later, can I re-add distilled water and the batteries still be good? They're 1 yr old batteries with very minimal use. Hi, AJ - I'd sure give it a try. What have you got to lose? First fill them up, and then charge them up. More ›

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

How to know when golf cart batteries are dying?

When your batteries are starting to die, there will be a few signs to look out for. If you have been taking care of your batteries as we have taught you , then you should be happy with the years of use you have gotten from them.

How much are batteries for a golf cart?

Pricing varies from pack to pack. The general consensus for golf cart battery replacement ranges from $600 on the low end to $1600 on the high end. If you are buying batteries in the lower end of the price range, then they are most likely cheap golf cart batteries that will not last as long (you really do get what you pay for when it comes to batteries). Some packs cost as much as $2500 when you start dealing with 72 Volt systems and sealed for lithium batteries. But, for the typical lead acid battery pack, $900 to $1500 is about the norm. This price range is assuming you are working with a local golf cart dealer.

How to tell 12 volt golf cart battery?

A 12 volt battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 6 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. A single 12 volt golf cart battery will have the least amperage capacity and is commonly used in 72 volt battery systems which are not terribly common among golf carts. EZGO golf cart batteries are known to be use 4-12 volt battery systems in some of their golf cart models.

How to tell if a golf cart battery is 6 volts?

A 6 volt golf cart battery can be identified by seeing batteries with 3 cell caps on top of the battery indicating 2 volts per cell. Generally speaking, a single 6 volt battery will have the highest amperage capacity and will allow for the greatest range in an 8-6 volt battery system.

How powerful is a golf cart battery?

Let’s take a close look at Voltage in a battery pack. For comparison, we like to take a look at cars since we are familiar with horsepower and miles per gallon (MPG). Therefore, voltage in a battery pack inside of an electric golf cart has to do with power. It does not have to do with fuel. Therefore, voltage in a battery pack within a golf cart will be comparable to the horsepower in a car. With this knowledge in place, we can determine a 72 volt system can be more powerful than a 48 volt system, and a 48 volt system can be more powerful than a 36 volt system. If you took notice, we said that it “can” be more powerful. The reason for this is due large in part to the controller inside the vehicle. A controller determines how much amperage is delivered from the batteries to the controller.

Why are golf cart batteries so expensive?

Simply put, Golf Cart Batteries are expensive because you aren’t visiting the gas station every week. When you purchase them, you are essentially pre-paying for fuel. Yes, you still have to charge the vehicle, however the electricity cost usually breaks down to pennies per mile. In some studies, it was shown a golf cart costs less than $.02 per mile to operate in terms of electricity cost. Buying higher quality batteries versus cheaper ones will be better in the long run and will actually cost you less since you are replacing them less frequently.

What to do when buying an electric golf cart?

If you are in the market to purchase an electric golf cart, then the simplest thing to do first and foremost is considering the age of your golf cart batteries. This is important due to many consumers being misled as to the age of the batteries in the cart they are purchasing. At times, a consumer will be told by a private party or dealer ...

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.

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 Add Water To Golf Cart Batteries?

The first thing to be aware of is that you should not necessarily refill your golf cart battery every time the water level is low. When a battery is discharged, the water level will be low by design. If you refill it, and then charge the battery, it will overflow. This will leak battery acid everywhere, which will then cause corrosion. Never add water to a battery when it is discharged.

What Happens If Golf Cart Batteries Run Out Of Water?

When the batteries are discharged, they will consume the electrolytes, causing the water levels to drop. This water evaporation is a normal part of deep-cycle battery functionality, and when you recharge the battery, the water quantity is usually restored to its optimal amount.

What to do with golf cart batteries in 2021?

June 1, 2021. by Nick Lomas. In terms of maintenance, the most important thing you can do for your golf cart battery is to ensure that its water levels are good. Without enough water, your batteries will eventually dry out and suffer irreversible damage. Fortunately, adding water to your batteries is pretty easy and won’t take too much of your time.

Why do you need to refill a battery with water?

You are only required to refill your battery with water in order to maintain the chemical makeup of the battery. However, accidents can happen, and a battery may be tipped or dropped, causing the acid to spill out. If this happens, you will need to replace the sulfuric acid that has been lost.

Why do batteries dry out?

The heat causes the water to evaporate, diminishing your batteries’ access to the crucial electrolytes. When the water levels are low, the battery plates will be exposed to the air for longer than they should be, which will cause them to dry out and flake off. This results in a condition called sulfation.

Why do you need distilled water for batteries?

Instead, you must use distilled water. This is because distilled water is essentially pure water, free of any contaminants that will harm your battery. Now for the process.

What happens when you recharge a battery?

This water evaporation is a normal part of deep-cycle battery functionality, and when you recharge the battery, the water quantity is usually restored to its optimal amount. 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.

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