{"id":38,"date":"2015-10-12T00:22:09","date_gmt":"2015-10-12T00:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/golfcartsforsale.com\/blog\/?p=38"},"modified":"2019-06-28T19:40:13","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T09:40:13","slug":"how-to-maintain-golf-cart-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.golfcartsforsale.com\/blog\/how-to-maintain-golf-cart-batteries\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Maintain Golf Cart Batteries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electric golf carts are usually regarded as low-maintenance vehicles. As a rule, they do not require much attention to keep going. However, not everyone puts the required amount of time and effort into the batteries. Regular maintenance is needed to maximise their lifespan and keep the cart running smoothly. For most golf cart owners it’s important to know how to maintain golf cart batteries.<\/p>\n

Other than recharging them when needed, most golfers forget or are unaware that golf cart batteries<\/a> require regular maintenance before they begin to fall out of peak condition. Also, poorly operating cells can cause a range of problems to the cart and its electrical systems. Fortunately, maintaining a golf cart battery is a simple task when you know what to do.<\/p>\n

Battery Installation<\/h2>\n

Proper golf cart maintenance begins at the time of installation. A perfect setup reduces the risk of problems down the line, and it can extend the life of the battery by up to seven years. If you are installing the battery yourself, you can increase your chance of success with a few easy-to-follow tips:<\/p>\n

1. Position: Before you remove your old battery, observe how it was installed. Note the location of the cable connectors. The positive cable should connect to the positive terminal, both of which can be identified by a plus sign or red markings. The negative cable should be marked with a minus sign or be black.<\/p>\n

2. Clean: After removing the old battery, clean the wires, the battery carriage and any connectors of corrosion and rust. Spray the cable connectors with baking soda or silicon spray. Then scrub the connectors with a wire brush. For clamp-on terminals, clean inside the connectors until they shine. Click here<\/a> for comprehensive details on cleaning battery terminals.<\/p>\n

3. Inspect: Inspect the new battery to ensure that the water level is adequate, and the covers and terminals are tight.<\/p>\n

4. Secure: Secure the safety straps or brackets that hold the battery to the carriage. The battery should be secured to the chassis so that it does not bounce or move when jostled.<\/p>\n

5. Connect: Connect the cables to the battery terminals with a wrench. After they are connected, apply a non-conductive grease or protective coating to prevent corrosion.<\/p>\n

6. Charge: Charge the battery according to your charger\u2019s guidelines. If you have fitted a new battery, ensure the batteries are full of charge before use.<\/p>\n

Charging a Golf Cart Battery<\/h2>\n

The specific instructions for charging golf cart batteries vary by the manufacturer of the charger<\/a>. Always follow the instructions provided, but be careful to note the average time it takes to charge a battery of your type. Be sure to check the type of batteries in your cart. As lead-acid batteries are being phased out, maintenance-free batteries and lithium-ion batteries<\/a> are becoming increasingly popular.<\/p>\n

If you use your electric golf cart<\/a> for 36 holes or more per day, your charger may not be capable of providing the charge you need. Heavy use may prevent the batteries from reaching full charge. If the batteries do not fully charge several days in a row, you may need a catch-up charge on a day that the golf cart is not in use.<\/p>\n

If your battery has a specific gravity of at least 1.26, then a catch-up charge is not needed. But if the specific gravity is less than 1.26, a catch-up charge should be applied according to the following chart:<\/p>\n