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why won't my golf cart batteries hold a charge

by Ms. Alia Cummings Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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. In this case, tightening the connections or removing the corrosion can help.

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.Aug 21, 2018

Full Answer

How do you recharge a dead golf cart battery?

You will need:

  • Battery charger
  • Epsom salts
  • Baking soda (and an old paintbrush)
  • Distilled water (and a turkey baster)

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.

More items...

How to replace a golf cart battery?

How To Replace The Batteries In Your Golf Cart

  • a ratchet and socket set, or specifically a 1/2 and 9/16 socket or open ended wrench
  • battery carrying straps
  • long handled scrub brush
  • safety glasses
  • easy access to water and a water hose
  • a good quality corrosion block product or two
  • a few rags to get the job done

How to properly charge a golf cart battery?

When to Charge Golf Cart Batteries:

  1. Charge your golf cart batteries before they get empty.
  2. 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 ...
  3. You should keep charging the batteries even when the golf cart is in rest. ...

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Why is my golf cart battery draining so fast?

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.

Why does my cart battery keep dying?

There are several reason why your e-cig battery might be dying so quickly. Over charging, over discharging, incorrect storage, low resistance atomizer coils and wattage being set too high can all contribute to an e-cig battery not lasting as long as you might expect.

How do you put a golf cart battery back to life?

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.

How long should golf cart batteries hold a charge?

Charge your batteries for 8 to 10 hours with the proper style of golf cart battery charger. The best practice is to charge overnight after you are done using your cart for the day. Even if you only used the cart for 5 minutes, you'll want to give the golf cart batteries a good charge....Our Hours.Mon:CLOSEDSun:CLOSED5 more rows

How do you fix a battery that doesn't hold a charge?

Answer provided by. If jumpstarting your car battery doesn't fix your problem, your battery might be dead. But if it's not, you may be able to repair a car battery that won't hold a charge by performing a few tests, cleaning the cells, and reconditioning the battery.

What would drain a golf cart battery?

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 I know if my golf cart batteries are 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.

How do you trick a golf cart charger to charge a dead battery?

1:233:46Reviving Dead 6v & 8v Golf Cart Batteries FAQ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm going to do is I'm going to hook my positive to the battery one positive. And since thisMoreSo what I'm going to do is I'm going to hook my positive to the battery one positive. And since this is this negative we make this battery six volt I jump to the corresponding.

How often should you add water to golf cart batteries?

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. 3) Always use distilled water so you don't add additional minerals into your battery.

Should you leave your 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 use a trickle charger on golf cart batteries?

If you tend to use the golf cart during the warmer months and store it during the winter, pick a trickle charger to make the battery last longer. These chargers connect to the battery over weeks or months at a time. They provide enough power to the battery to keep it charged but without harming the internal components.

How long do 48v golf cart batteries last?

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

What causes a dead battery?

Common causes of a dead battery include leaving your headlights or interior lights on, charging system failure, corrosion, or just leaving your car parked for a long time.

What causes parasitic drain?

A parasitic battery drain is when an abnormal and continuous discharge of power occurs after having shut off the engine. Usually, this is caused by a short circuit or an electrical device that remains in the "on" position or energized, such as: A trunk. An under-hood or a glove-compartment light.

Why does my battery keep dying in the cold?

Why does the cold drain battery power? Most batteries work through an electrochemical reaction, which sends power signals to your terminal ends. This chemical reaction slows down in colder weather, weakening your battery's power.

How do you check for a parasitic battery drain?

How To Diagnose the Battery DrainStep 1: Remove Negative Battery Cable. Negative Cable Removed. ... Step 2: Check the Draw Across the Negative Cable and Battery Post. ... Step 3: Remove and Replace Fuses. ... Step 4: Isolate and Fix the Issue. ... Step 5: Replace Negative Battery Cable.

How to troubleshoot a golf cart battery charger?

If your batteries get too low, you could be stranded. To avoid this, you have to ensure that your battery charger is working correctly. If your battery charger ever fails, ...

Why is my golf cart not charging?

If your batteries are carrying a minimal load, and your charger will still not charge them, it may be because your golf cart’s onboard computer is confused about how much charge they are currently carrying.

Why does my charger fail?

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.

How many volts does a battery charger need to charge?

When your charger can’t tell that your batteries are hooked up, it often won’t even turn on. A base charge of 25-30 volts is usually sufficient to wake up your charger and begin charging. To get around this problem, specific chargers offer modes that keep your batteries charged even when you’re not using them.

What to do if battery charger fails?

You can’t address every problem with a simple DIY repair, but a sound diagnosis can save hours of frustration. In many cases, the solution is simple, and you’ll be able to handle it with minimal expense.

Why won't my battery turn on?

Make Sure the Batteries have Some Charge. In the scenario that it doesn’t turn on, it might mean you waited too long to recharge them, and now the charge that they currently carry is too low for the charger to detect them. When your charger can’t tell that your batteries are hooked up, it often won’t even turn on.

What to do if battery is stuck at no charge?

However, if you’re stuck at no charge, a small, manual charger should provide each battery with enough juice to activate your regular charger.

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.

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 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.

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 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 check if golf cart battery charger is faulty?

The charger may be faulty. Check this by plugging the charger into the golf cart and see how much it charges the battery pack using a digital voltmeter. Alternatively, you can use another charger to do the charging and see if there is a difference. Allow the charger to charge the pack fully and shut down on its own.

Why won't my Ezgo golf cart charge?

Some reasons why an EZGO RXV golf cart will not charge could be because of a dirty charging port, loose or broken wire, a blown-out fuse or a problem with the auxiliary contact. Clean the charging port so that it’s free of dust and dirt accumulation. Sometimes, dust and dirt can prevent proper charging.

How many volts does an EZGO 2012 hold?

Check the battery pack voltage using a multimeter. For a 48-volt cart, this should be between 46 to 50 volts based on the charge level.

How many volts should a golf cart battery pack have?

Charge two batteries at a time with a 12-volt charger and then use the auto golf cart charger to resume the charging. The battery pack must have at least 28 volts for the cart charger to be able to kick in. Also, ensure that the battery plates have at least 1/4 inch of distilled water above them before charging.

Why is my Ezgo cart not charging?

It could be due to a lack of battery voltage, a faulty charger or a lack of hydrogen in the batteries. A charger problem can also be associated with the charger making a loud clicking noise, failing to stop charging after the batteries have attained full charge ...

How many volts should a 48 volt battery be?

Depending on the charge level, it should read between 46 to 50 volts for a 48-volt cart. If the reading is abnormally low such as 16 volts or 24 volts, check the voltage of each battery individually by hooking on to a regular charger. Also, check the water level in each battery.

How to check if a voltage regulator is faulty?

To check if the regulator is defective, remove the green wire connecting the generator and the stator at the generator end. Get the engine running, ground the disconnected end and check the voltage rating using a voltmeter.

How often should you charge golf cart batteries?

Golf cart batteries should be kept fully charged at all times – this means hooking them up to a charger as soon as you are finished using the cart. Regular charging will prevent damage to the battery and give it longer-lasting life.

Should golf cart batteries be charged after every use?

Yes. Charging your golf cart batteries after every use – even if you’ve only spent five minutes driving – is crucial for maximising their lifespan. Leaving batteries in a prolonged state of low charge can decrease their capacity over time and wear them out quicker.

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.

Should your golf cart be turned on when charging?

No. You should turn your golf cart off when charging its batteries. Trying to charge a golf cart while it is running is a pointless exercise, as the battery will be draining while you’re trying to charge it. A golf cart should only be turned on once its batteries are fully charged.

Should golf carts be plugged in all the time?

No, you should not leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. While automatic battery chargers are designed to shut-off once at full capacity, leaving a battery connected to power for long periods leaves it susceptible to damage should the electrical circuit be overloaded.

Should golf cart batteries make noise when charging?

If your golf cart uses a standard 12 volt flooded lead acid battery, then it is quite normal to hear a bubbling sound when it’s charging. However, if your cart uses a sealed battery (such as a gel or AGM battery), then a hissing or bubbling sound may indicate damage.

How long should golf cart batteries last?

If you play golf twice a week – and use your golf cart for each round – you can expect a standard, brand-new battery to last just under 10 years before needing to be replaced. If you charge your battery correctly after use, you can maximise its shelf life.

What happens if there is no voltage in the battery?

If there is no voltage in the batteries, the logic board does not even activate. In a normal situation, the logic board gets its current from the cart through the small red wire in the DC power cord. That current powers up the board and the board determines if the voltage is within a certain range.

What is a battery charger?

Battery chargers have a logic circuit that determines the voltage of the battery before turning on. In the case of an E-Z-GO Powerwise charger, the logic board is actually powered by the DC voltage from the golf car. If there is no voltage in the batteries, the logic board does not even activate.

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.

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