Cables are considered the nervous system and life-line for a golf cart. Even though the batteries are of excellent quality, if the cables used are not proper, the performance of golf cart may reduce drastically causing several maintenance issues. The operational power from the vehicle’s power source, battery, will have to be distributed to every electrical component. The golf cart battery cables are these distributors. Thus, the efficacy of a golf cart battery completely depends on the quality of the golf cart battery cables.
The general understanding is that every golf cart battery when purchased comes with its own set of cables and virtually there is no need for any attention to this aspect. In a way, it is right, and in addition the User Manual provides enough information as to how the cables should be properly maintained. But the issue acquires greater dimension when the time for replacement of the cables becomes imperative. Cables are also susceptible to wear and tear, deterioration, corrosion, fractures and discontinuity. The problem is replacement of such worn out cables and the connected accessories with the correctly sized and designed cables that suit your vehicle properly. The performance of the cables depends on at least three major considerations – the gauge and the length of the cable and the connecter type used.
The gauge of the cable is an important consideration. It determines the maximum power load, measured in amps, that the cable can handle. Usually, there are two gauges used in golf cart batteries – a 4 gauge cable capable of carrying up to 95 amps and a 6 gauge handling about 75 amps. If you use a cable of wrong specification, such as using a 6 gauge cable in place of 4 gauge wire, it may become hot and even catch fire. This excessive heating may damage and even melt the terminals leading to connection problem. The overall effect is a reduced performance of the vehicle. Every manufacturer’s manual provides you the correct code for the cables and prefer only such cables. Many people neglect the importance of the length of the cables and think it wise to go for longer cables than necessary. Power loss due to added resistance may occur because of this additional length. Every type of battery has its own specifications as to the length of the wire to be used. Longer cables may come into contact with other sensitive parts and other electrical wires and may cause sparks, short circuits and fire. Connecters are another crucial aspect of the golf cart battery cable. The correct connecter type must be used to connect the cables with the terminals. When replacing the connecters check if the old cables are usable. Otherwise you will have to replace the wires also along with the connecters. Check the compatibility of the new cables arriving in the market now, if your golf cart batteries are old.
Indiscreet mixing and forcible matching of cables can be disastrous to the vehicle and the owner. Numerous problems such as power loss, diminished battery performance and risks of short circuits and fire can result out of a mismatch in the cables and the battery. Choose the correct cable set with correct gauge and length and properly insulated, for increased safety and efficiency of your battery.
If you follow these tips for choosing and maintaining your golf cart battery cables you’ll get a lot more milage out of the golf cart.
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