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The basic difference between regular car batteries and golf cart batteries is that in the later the batteries do not automatically get charged when it is driven. Golf cart batteries are susceptible to frequent discharge. Regular precautionary measures in the maintenance can safeguard the batteries against drastic decrease in the life. There are many simple but vital aspects that need attention here.
The composition of batteries itself is to be done carefully. Generally a cart runs on a voltage of 36 or 48. Battery units of identical voltage like 6 volts x 6 or 12 volts x 4 can be cascaded to get desired power. A fusion of batteries of different voltage units may cause the risk of overcharging or undercharging affecting the performance. The very performance of the battery and its life depends on three major factors – its maintenance, amount of use it receives and the recharge.
Basic maintenance of your golf cart batteries
Check the water level in the individual cell of the battery periodically and maintain the desired level preferably with distilled water using battery watering gun. This ensures enhanced battery life and also discourages corrosion in the electrical components of the cart. Pressure spray the top and sides of the battery with a solution of baking soda and water. Allow the solution to stand for a few minutes and then rinse the area using low pressure spray with clean water. Avoid washing electrical components directly. Corrosion, visible as solidified green foam, is a common problem with batteries. Corrosion is conductive and can drastically decrease the battery life causing self discharge. Scrub such areas with the same solution before rinsing with clean water.
Recharging the golf cart batteries after use is vital. This must be done every day and if possible between rounds. Check if the connectors are good and without any damage and that corrosion is absent, before charging. Maintenance manuals are provided by the manufacturer for their specific carts. A good knowledge of the procedures of recharging of your cart becomes necessary for a trouble free performance of the cart. Battery caps should be off during the charging period to prevent building up of explosive gases. After every recharge check and maintain the water level in every cell as charging may cause water evaporation. Charge overnight. Check the connectors after every charge and tighten them properly.
More important is the recharging methods during the long off-season time. When you don’t intend using the batteries for long, they should fully be charged and stored after disconnecting from the charger. Check the batteries every four weeks, charge them again fully and store after disconnecting from the charger. Batteries should never be connected to the charger during the long periods of storage. Stand loss discharge is a condition that causes rapid self discharge of the batteries, particularly in warmer weather when not charged properly. Choose the right temperature to store the charged batteries for longer life. Keeping the batteries clean and in good condition, with full charge are the basic prerequisites for longer survivability of the golf cart batteries during winter storage time.
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