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. Basically, new batteries love to be charged.
Full Answer
What is the best battery charger for a golf cart?
PROS:
- This product is designed in a fully automatic manner so that it can easily charge a golf cart battery.
- This is great for golf carts – and can be used for many other different batteries, which may be important to some consumers.
- This charger was designed with reverse polarity protection.
- There is a power on, power off, and fully charged indication.
How to properly charge a golf cart battery?
When to Charge Golf Cart Batteries:
- Charge your golf cart batteries before they get empty.
- The cart batteries could get damage permanently if you left them without any charge for a few weeks or a month; because of the self-discharge ability of the cart ...
- You should keep charging the batteries even when the golf cart is in rest. ...
How long does it take to charge golf cart batteries?
Most golf cart chargers will charge at 10-20 amps. If you have a 220 amp hour battery and are charging at 15 amps, it will take about 14 hours to charge. If you are charging 100 amp hours at 10 amps, it will take 10 hours to charge. It really is a simple math equation based on your used up amp hours and your chargers charging amp hours.
How often do you recharge golf cart batteries?
- Do not fully charge a lithium-based battery, unlike a lead-based one.
- Charge the battery when the cart is turned off – this will ensure the cart reaches saturation point as expected
- Do not charge the cart under extreme temperatures, either too cold or too hot.
- Follow manufacturers’ instructions on charging the battery
Why won't my electric golf cart take a charge?
If your batteries aren't hooked up correctly, or the connections between them are weak or frayed, this can quickly lead to a loss of power and cause your charger to fail. Make sure you check each battery terminal for corrosion; any buildup will impede the flow of electricity, and could likewise cause problems.
What do you do if your golf cart won't charge?
Golf Cart Won't ChargeCheck our outlet to make sure that you're getting power to your electrical outlet.Check the water level in your batteries, using distilled water to refill only. ... Check for corrosion or any loose cables on the batteries.Check the condition of your charger's cables (AC and DC cables).More items...
How do I know if my golf cart battery charger is bad?
Bad Charger: IN GENERAL, if the charger kicks on, but doesn't charge fully or kicks off soon after, this is likely a charger issue. If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How do I reset my club battery charger?
Easily Reset the Club Car Golf Cart OBCKey switch to off.Set forward/reverse to neutral.Put tow/run switch to tow.Disconnect the negative battery terminal from the battery pack.Put the tow/run switch to run.Put forward/reverse switch to reverse.Put key switch to on.More items...
How do you reset golf cart batteries?
How to Repair Golf Cart Batteries: A Simple GuideOpen the Battery Compartment. ... Clean Corrosion Off the Battery. ... Wash the Paintbrush and Dip Into Water. ... Inspect the Battery. ... Remove Plastic Caps. ... Charge the Battery. ... Check the Charge. ... Drain the Battery Acid.More items...
What could be draining my golf cart batteries?
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.
How do you check a golf cart charging system?
1:103:54Golf Cart Charger Troubleshooting Guide | ASK DAVE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cartMoreTest good first off the most common issue when a charger doesn't engage is dead batteries golf cart chargers start automatically by receiving voltage from your cart.
How do I know if my golf cart controller is bad?
X Common Symptoms of Controller FailureTop Speeds Not Appropriate for Your Cart. Golf carts are designed to reach pretty specific speeds and to not go over them or beneath them. ... Sudden and Unexpected Slowing. ... Shuttering or Shaky Driving. ... Stalling Out and Refusing to Start. ... Surges in Speed When Driving.
Where is the reset button on a Club Car golf cart?
It should have a small reset button (Usually it will be red) located near the main battery supply. Hit the reset button and then put the cover back on the motor. The next step would be to recharge your cart and try turning it on again.
How do I know if my battery charger is working?
Running a test on your battery charger is an easy process.Plug in your charger to an electrical outlet. ... Turn on your voltmeter unit. ... Take a battery or battery pack that's compatible to your battery charger. ... Check the readout on the voltmeter and see where the pointer is indicating to.More items...
Can you leave golf cart charger 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 do you test a 48 volt golf cart charger?
Turn on the Charger – Once you have the voltmeter attached to your battery charger, turn on the charger to read the electrical output. Typically, the needle on the voltmeter will move from left to right – with right being higher – to gauge the amps produced. A reading of about 36 amps is typical for a battery charger.
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How to choose a golf cart battery charger?
How to Choose the Best golf Cart Battery Charger. You must choose a battery charger according to the voltage of your cart to prevent the possibility of damage to your batteries. Check the charging receptacle of your golf cart and select your charger accordingly.
How to charge a deep cycle golf cart battery?
The following tips give an insight into the effective charging of a deep-cycle battery. Charge the deep-cycle battery fully between two consecutive uses of the golf cart. The battery must complete at least one full cycle before use. Check the water level periodically.
How many volts should a wet cell battery be charged to?
A typical wet-cell lead-acid battery should be charged to about 14+ volts. Some manufacturers allow their batteries to support a maximum charging voltage of 14.3 volts. A sealed battery like a gel battery must generally not be charged beyond 14.1 volts. You may want to check whether the manufacturer offers a variation.
How many volts does a golf cart charger have?
There are about 8 different types of charger plugs that you can find across various golf cart models. While some of plugs are exclusively for either 36 volts or 48 volts carts, others will work with both voltages.
What is the power of a golf cart generator?
The generator can charge the batteries that supply the power to an electric motor responsible for moving the cart. The 48 volts system in a golf cart usually features an onboard computer (OBC) that controls the battery pack charging process and restricts the charging when the cart is moving.
Why does my golf cart go into tow mode?
Your golf cart usually runs in tow mode when it does not have enough power to get moving on its own. One reason may be that the batteries are old and do not have the same power as new ones. If this happens with new batteries, the most likely reason is that they don’t have enough charge.
How long does it take for a 5 year old battery to charge?
On the other hand, a 5 year old battery may take up to 10 hours to fully charge. With a good charger, you should be able to get your cart on the move with a few hours of charging. The charging time depends on various factors and following the right steps can help you get the best out of your battery.
Why is my golf cart battery charger not working?
Bad connections will cause any battery charger to not function properly. After you've charged up your batteries and checked every connection and you are still having issues, it's probably safe to say you've got a golf cart battery charger problem and may need to service it or buy a new one.
How many volts does a golf cart battery need?
An automatic golf cart battery charger needs a minimal amount of voltage in the golf cart battery to even start working. They need somewhere in the range of 20-35 volts in the batteries to allow the chargers to know that they are connected up to batteries and to kick on.
What is an OBC on a club car?
When you plug the charger into your Club Car, the OBC will tell the battery charger when to start and stop charging based on the voltage levels in your batteries.
What voltage do you need for a 36V golf cart?
You must match volts to volts. A 36V cart requires a 36 volt golf cart charger. A 48V cart requires a 48 volt golf cart charger. You can burn up your batteries if you do not charge with the proper voltage.
Why is my golf cart charging red?
Occasionally a red fault light on a golf cart charger can mean that the batteries do not have enough voltage in them to allow the charger to kick on (see Charging Dead Golf Cart Batteries above).
Why is my charger making a clicking noise?
If the charger makes a loud clicking noise, this is likely a battery charger issue.
How to keep a charger from getting hot?
But here are a few general tips to keep the charger from overheating: Make sure that your battery cable connections are correct, clean and tight.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
How to save a golf cart battery from overcharging?
To save your battery from overcharging, you can use an automatic golf cart charger that will shut off once the batteries are fully charged.
What affects battery life of golf cart?
One of the most important things that affect battery life is your purchasing power. Do not buy a charger simply based on lowest cost. Consider the quality of the golf cart charger before buying.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
Golf cart batteries generally last for 4 to 5 years. After 4 to 5 years, if you find your batteries not working correctly, it may be time to replace them with new batteries. For a new set of batteries, browse through our wide selection here: https://www.golfcartgarage.com/golf-cart-batteries/. #Batteries. #Troubleshooting.
Why is water important for batteries?
Add water when the batteries are completely charged. It's important to add water at the right time and in the right amount for optimal performance.
Can you leave a golf cart inactive?
Leaving the golf cart inactive for an extended period reduces battery life. Using the batteries in a partial state of charge or storing the discharged batteries may damage them badly.
Can changing batteries affect the battery?
However, improperly changing the batteries can surely affect the batteries. The wrong charger can break down the internal battery cells, so make sure to use the charger designed for your batteries.
Can you drive a golf cart on a steep hill?
Driving your golf cart forcefully on the steep hill could leave you stuck and damage your batteries.
Why is a golf cart important?
It is the most essential type of equipment for golf. It helps to take away the golfers with their all playing instruments from one place to another in the green side of the golf courses. So this golf cart should be kept well charging while driving in the golf courses. Otherwise, the golfer can face trouble riding with this golf cart.
What is the most important part of a golf cart?
A battery is the most important part of any golf cart. If the battery will not fit well or will not charge up properly a golfer cannot ride this golf cart comfortably. So people should take proper care of this golf cart battery. All of the new golf cart batteries are good enough to drive for a long time. But day by day the battery of the golf cart ...
Can a golf cart battery be damaged?
So the battery can fully damage. It also increases the cost of the battery will be damaged fully. Overcharging the golf cart battery also affects the golf cart too. People also need more electricity while overcharging the golf battery. So we see that many problems will happen while overcharging the golf cart battery.
Can overcharging a golf cart cause damage?
Overcharging may damage your golf cart battery. It ruins the lifespan of the cart battery. The battery cannot give enough power to start the engine properly. Sometimes for overcharging batteries may heat up exceed level. So the battery can fully damage. It also increases the cost of the battery will be damaged fully.
Can you overcharge a golf cart battery?
People cannot overcharge a golf cart battery. This is seriously damaged the battery. This affects the worst impact on the golf cart battery. People think that overcharging a battery is helpful to hold more charges in the battery, maybe it will run for a long time with this battery.
Do you turn the lights on a golf cart when you stop driving?
Do not turn the Lights after they have Stopped Driving: They should avoid turning lights or radios of the golf cart when it is keeping on idle time. Leaving LED indicators light or radio also running on any idle golf cart it will affect the battery. The battery can run down quickly.
Can you charge a golf cart with an automatic charger?
Using this automatic charger they can avoid overcharging easily. So try to use an automatic charger while charging a golf cart battery. Otherwise, they should aware to check the battery while charging with a normal charger. If it is charged fully then they should disconnect the charger line as soon as possible.
Overview of Golf Cart Battery Charging
If you are wondering about why golf cart batteries smell while charging then we are here with an answer! Golf cart batteries smell due to the gas emitted from certain chemicals present in the batteries while charging them. The chemicals present in the golf cart batteries are hydrogen sulfide, a product of heavy charging batteries.
Kinds of Odors Discharged By Golf Cart Batteries While Charging
The hydrogen sulfide gas which is released while charging the batteries gives a foul smell. The bad smell usually lasts for about the first 10 charges, but that does not mean that no smelly gas will be discharged in the subsequent charges. A typical golf cart also contains different acids, due to which a foul smell may be discharged.
Conclusion
All sorts of odors discharged by golf cart batteries are caused due to some gases, chemicals, and acids. The article has mentioned all the reasons for batteries smelling bad while charging. Now that you know about the significant reasons for that awful foul smell, it is suggested that the batteries used must be replaced.
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.