Why Is It Necessary To Refill Water On A Golf Cart Battery – The Bad Side of Flooded Lead Acid Battery You Should Know

Golf carts are not different from ordinary cars when it comes to using and maintaining batteries. What many people do with their car batteries can also be applied with golf cart batteries.

However, there are still many people who have a lot of questions about using batteries. In fact, some of these questions are basic, but sometimes it may seem hard to find the right answer.

Therefore, we will help you get the right answers without sounding to technical as it’s important to know and understand everything, especially when it comes to your safety.

Why Is It Necessary to Refill Water on Golf Cart Battery?

It’s important for you to be aware that your golf cart battery contains sulfuric acid and electrolytes. These components submerge the plates in order to produce energy.

When the battery is discharged, the water level that contains electrolytes becomes lower. This is normal as the water gets back to its normal level after recharging.

The critical condition is when the water level becomes lower even if the battery is not discharged. This happens during the summer or in places with higher temperatures.

When a golf cart is exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period of time, the water inside the battery tends to evaporate. As the water continues to evaporate, the water level becomes lower and lower.

This makes the plates to get exposed in the air much longer, and because of this, the plates start to dry out and flake off.

This condition is called sulfation, and when this happens, you can no longer recharge the battery. To avoid this, you should refill the water in your golf cart battery regularly.

What Is the Right Way to Fill a Golf Cart Battery?

Just because you need to regularly fill your golf cart battery doesn’t necessarily mean you should keep on filling it every time you see the water level is low. It’s important you know how to fill a battery properly.

Do not refill a discharged battery. Although the water level is low, it will go back to its full state after recharging.

When the battery is already in its full state, that’s the time you should determine whether the water level is low or not. Only refill a battery in its full state.

This is because refilling it in its discharged state can cause the battery fluid to leak after recharging.

On the other hand, not all types of water can be used to refill a battery as only distilled water should be used. This type of water doesn’t contain any chemicals or minerals that may interfere with the normal chemical process inside the battery.

Most importantly, don’t overfill your battery with water. Just give your battery some breathing room because an overfilled battery may cause water to overflow. This can lead to corrosion; moreover, acid leaks may harm you in the process.

How Often Should I Refill a Golf Cart Battery?

Refilling your golf cart battery with water depends on the condition that may affect it. Basically, the more you use your golf cart, the more you should refill the battery.

On the other hand, you should also regularly check the water level in your battery even if your golf cart has not been used for a long time to avoid sulfation.

How to Know Which Level Is Right?

The idea behind refilling your battery with water is to prevent the plates from getting exposed. When you refill, make sure the water level is above the plates.

You might also be wondering what level is right so you don’t overfill it. In your battery, you can use the plastic vent as your gauge. Make sure the level is slightly below the bottom of the vent.

Do I Need to Refill Acid or Electrolyte?

The acid and electrolyte components of a battery are stable. This means they don’t get depleted unless the battery leaks.

However, in the normal process, all you have to do is to refill the water. Even if the water evaporates, the required amount of acid and electrolyte remains the same.

Why Would One Trojan 6 Volt Golf Cart Battery Go Bad?

Every battery can go bad, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a Trojan 6 volt, 12 volt, or any other brand. The truth is that there is still no such thing as a perfect battery.

The most common problem with the Trojan 6 volt is gassing, which is caused by an imbalance spread of the amount of electrolytes and acid. Nevertheless, this can be avoided through keeping the water at normal levels.

Conclusion

Golf cart batteries may seem to be complicated to use, but it’s easy to maintain once you know the proper way of using it as all batteries need to be taken care of. Even the most sophisticated battery may also give you a headache down the road.

What’s important is you are aware of what’s going on with your battery.

Should you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment here, and we can include it in our list of the most frequently asked questions.

Drivers Worst Nightmare – Battery Light Flashes Or Comes On When Starting Your Car

Your car’s battery is one of the most important parts in your vehicle that you shouldn’t neglect. When it’s working well, you may not notice its significance.

However, you will only realize its importance when you try to start your vehicle, and it doesn’t turn over. If your battery stops working, there is no way you can restart your vehicle, and this seems to happen at the worst possible time.

It’s difficult for batteries to drain, but it happens overtime. This is why many people are afraid when the battery light flashes when starting car.

We will help you address similar battery concerns without being too technical, as here are some common concerns people run into with their car battery.

Why Does the Battery Light Flash?

It’s common to see the battery light comes on when starting car. Usually, this disappears after you start your vehicle, and this means there is no problem with your battery.

However, there seems to be a problem if your battery light comes on when starting the car, and the light is still on after the vehicle has started. This is a clear indication that your battery is not recharging.

How to Recharge a Car’s Battery?

Recharging a car’s battery isn’t the same as recharging a battery for other devices you might own. Car batteries are automatically recharged when the engine is running.

Inside the engine, the alternator is responsible for generating power. When the engine goes on, the alternator starts working.

When you start your car, your battery will supply most of its power to crank the engine. Afterward, the power that’s consumed will be replenished when the alternator begins to recharge the battery.

While the car is running, your battery stops consuming power because it’s the alternator that then supplies and distributes power to your car’s electrical system, which includes headlights, air-conditioning, and sound system.

This is also the reason why the battery light you can see before you start your car disappears when the car is running.

To recharge your car battery, all you need to do is to start the engine and wait until the battery light to disappear.

Why Is the Battery Light Still on Even When the Car Is Already Running?

Your car battery is primarily used to start the engine. Afterward, the alternator will do the rest.

If your car battery consumes too much power to crank the engine, you may still see the battery light on for a moment as the alternator is recharging your battery, but that shouldn’t take that much time.

If you notice the light is still on after quite some time despite the fact that the engine is already running, the most probably reason is that the alternator isn’t working properly.

To solve this problem, check the alternator belt. Sometimes, a loose belt causes this problem, and if this is the case, then tighten it as this might fix the problem.

Furthermore, check if there may be any cracks on the belt. Although a crack doesn’t cause these problems, this may cause the belt to break soon.

If you notice some cracks, replace the alternator belt immediately.

If the battery light is still on, check the battery terminals. There are times that the reason why a car battery is not recharging is because of corrosion.

If you see some corrosion in your battery terminals, clean them with wire brush to remove the rust. Additionally, check the connections, whether or not they are loose, and tighten them and position the battery properly.

Then, try to start the engine again and let it run for several minutes. If the light is still on, you need to replace either the battery or the alternator.

Can I Still Drive Back Home Even When the Battery Light Is On?

Your car can run even if your battery is already depleted as long as the alternator can still supply the power.

However, if your car battery and the alternator are both not working, your car can still run, but you can no longer use every part of your electrical system.

With this condition, the only thing you have to do is to keep the engine running. If it stops, you can no longer restart it since your battery is not any more able to supply power to crank the engine.

This is possible, especially for older vehicles, which are not so much dependent on the electrical system. However, some new vehicles still need to consume electrical power to keep the engine running.

If you notice the battery light is on when you start the engine even if it disappears after starting, it’s best to go to your nearest automotive shop to have your battery checked to avoid the risk of running down the battery while on the road.

Conclusion

The next time you see your battery indicator is on, you know have some kind of idea what do about it. It’s difficult to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere due to battery problems, so it’s recommended you check your battery every so often to avoid future problems.

Why Use Lithium Ion Battery In A Golf Cart – The Bad Side Of Lithium Ion Battery’s You Should Know About

Why use lithium ion battery in golf cart? Many people know that lithium ion batteries are commonly used in cell phones, but it’s not common for golf carts.

However, some golf cart owners convert golf cart batteries into lithium ion batteries. This is why many people become curious whether or not it’s a better idea to do so.

It’s important to answer such questions because this isn’t just about the convenience of converting to another battery, but the safety of lithium ion as a golf cart battery.

Although it’s not easy to find the exact answer because some information is too complex to explain, we will provide you with the best possible answer that is easy for you to understand.

To help you further, here are the pros and cons of using lithium ion battery in a golf cart.

PROS

1. Longer Life

Traditional golf cart batteries have an average of 500 charge cycles; however, lithium ion batteries can reach up to 5,000 charge cycles. This means that it takes time and enormous energy before it gets depleted.

Wet golf cart batteries can last for many years when maintained properly. Despite that, their lives are usually only 50% of the average life of a lithium battery.

2. Lighter

Most golf cart batteries are big and heavy, and they don’t take up too much space, but also add to the weight of a golf cart. Such a heavy load requires more power, and this brings additional work to the battery.

Lithium ion batteries, on the other hand, are much lighter than traditional golf batteries. This makes the golf cart move quicker and smoother without the need to consume too much power, and the battery is much smaller.

Another benefit of lighter battery is the ease of maintenance as when smaller batteries such as lithium ion batteries need to be checked or replaced, you won’t find it difficult to lift them out and carry them. They can also provide flexibility.

3. No Acid Spillage

Conventional golf cart batteries are acid-based, and their plates are immersed into sulfuric acid and electrolytes in which the interaction among them produces energy.

However, the fluid becomes saturated with acid is dangerous if there is spillage. Sadly, this is common occurrence in using golf carts, especially when the cart is heavily used.

With lithium ion batteries, you won’t have to worry about such spillage as this battery does not use sulfuric acid. In other words, there is no risk of any fluid leaks that may harm you.

4. No Maintenance

Lithium ion batteries in golf carts don’t have to be maintained the way you maintain your lead acid battery. You don’t have to check whether the fluid is at a high level or low level as it doesn’t require you to fill in any fluid.

On top of that, you don’t have to keep on cleaning or removing any rust since it doesn’t corrode. In other words, lithium ion battery is maintenance free.

5. High-Power Battery

Despite its small size, lithium ion batteries are more powerful than lead-acid battery. It can discharge energy faster than any other battery.

This is the reason why this type of battery is still popular among cell phone manufacturers.

CONS

1. Risk of Explosion

It’s true that lithium ion batteries have more advantages; however, it’s not the number of advantages that count. It’s how severe a single disadvantage every buyer should consider.

Let’s say lithium batteries are near to perfection except one thing – the risk of an explosion. For sure, you might be turned off because of this safety hazard as every battery should achieve a safety level in which the lithium ion battery falls short.

Overheating is very common for this battery, especially when overcharging. In addition, it’s also vulnerable to changes in outdoor temperatures. In a hot summer day, lithium ion batteries are more likely to overheat.

2. Charging

Just like cell phone batteries, you need to charge the lithium battery in golf carts more frequently. Although it’s virtually maintenance free, the hassle of frequently charging it’s almost equal to maintaining a conventional battery.

Furthermore, the risk happens when charging it, since this battery is temperature-sensitive. Any mistake in the step you need to follow in the charging process can cause it to overheat or explode.

3. Expensive

Prices of lithium ion batteries for golf carts may vary from time to time, but they do not fall below the price level of conventional batteries. As a matter of fact, their price is four times higher than lead-acid batteries.

Lithium ion batteries are expensive because of the high cost of producing them.

4. Factory Defects

Factory defects may happen from time to time for lithium ion batteries which are very rare with lead acid batteries. Some lithium ion batteries die even before reaching 50% of their normal battery life, and this usually happens beyond the warranty period.

The worst thing is that the other possible defects may cause a sudden explosion even without overheating them based on their specifications.

Conclusion

Every battery has advantages and disadvantages when using in a particular device or vehicle. This is also true with lithium ion batteries in a golf cart.

One thing is for sure, and that is lithium ion batteries are still new for golf carts. This is more compatible with smaller electronic devices; however, it also brings several issues when used in mobile devices.

Nevertheless, the above answers may enlighten you to make the right decision about choosing the right battery for your golf cart.

The Nightmare of Buying Battery: What Is the Difference between Marine Battery and Car Battery?

Mechanic using booster cables to start-up a car engine

Batteries are important aspects of both automotive and marina uses. Most of the time there are shops around that take the guess work out of which battery is which, according to the model of our vehicle or boat, so we stay on track.

However, you may be one of those people that has always been curious about what the difference is between a marine battery and car battery.

It’s important that we are aware what batteries we are using and why. The main reason behind this is safety concerns as lack of knowledge results in unnecessary accidents.

Today, we will go deeper into the difference between these two batteries. Let’s get started!

What Is the Difference Between Marine Battery and Car Battery?

It may be a surprise that in some instances these two batteries may interchangeable; however, the size may be a tad different, and there are a few variables you will have to take into consideration.

Going straight into the differences between the two batteries, we can see the following:

1. Power

In terms of voltage, the two are quite similar as both of them can produce 12 volts of power. But in terms of discharge, they differ in their supply of power.

Car batteries are designed to release a huge amount of power when starting an engine. When the engine starts, all the power used to start or to crank the engine will be replaced by the alternator.

The alternator is the engine’s power generator that supplies electrical power without using the car’s battery. While the engine is running, the alternator generates power to recharge the car’s battery and to supply it to electrical devices that are also running such as lights, horn, and other parts of the car’s electrical system.

Basically, car batteries don’t work that much when the engine is already running. It’s the alternator that works to supply power to all of the electrical components.

What car batteries really do is to start the engine only. This is why they are also called crank batteries as their ultimate purpose is to crank the engine.

On the other hand, marine batteries work differently. They can also start the boat’s engine, but they do not produce as much power to that of what car batteries release when cranking a car’s engine.

However, the good thing about marine batteries is that they can still supply power to other electrical devices that are running while the boat is moving even for a prolonged period of time.

This means that marine batteries produce more power, which can last longer while having enough power to start a boat’s engine.

A boat’s motor requires less power to start. This is why marine batteries for a trolling motor doesn’t have any problems starting despite the fact they can’t do the same with a car’s engine.

Nevertheless, you can also use marine batteries at home or in your outdoor activities such as camping in order to power your lights and even power a sound system.

2. Plates

Both car batteries and marine batteries have differences in battery construction in which plates are immersed into sulfuric acid and an electrolyte solution. The reaction among plates, electrolytes, and acid produces an electrical discharge.

The differences in the size of the plates also affect the level of power supply they produce. Thinner plates can quickly release power but only for quick moment while thicker plates slowly release power, but they can continue producing power for a much longer time.

Such differences may provide you with a clue about the differences between car batteries and marine batteries in terms of plate size.

Car batteries have more and thinner plates while marine batteries have thicker ones.

3. Discharge Limit

It’s important to know the discharge limit of a battery, so that you are aware if your battery can no longer provide more power. Another reason is to optimize your usage.

When you always use your battery beyond its discharge limit, its battery life is more likely to shorten. In addition, overuse can cause safety issues down the road.

For car batteries, the discharge limit is 20% of its full capacity. For marine batteries, it’s 50%.

Why Would a Marine Battery Crackle?

Marine batteries are very powerful, but they are also stable because they are shock-proof. This means you can use it in a boat that is running on rough water conditions, which makes the battery itself safe and durable.

Ironically, it’s common for marine batteries to produce some crackling sound. If you are a beginner, this may be alarming. Nevertheless, the crackling sound is a sign that you are going beyond the discharge limit.

When you hear such noise, try to reduce the discharge. Furthermore, monitor the temperature of the battery because overheating may also cause a crackling sound.

Conclusion

Apparently, marine batteries are more expensive than car batteries. This is because their plates are thicker, and thicker plates produce more power, and marine batteries are sturdier than car batteries.

The only drawback is that marine batteries have less battery life than that of car batteries. The reason for this is that car batteries don’t work that much compared with marine batteries.

We hope you’ve learned the difference between the two batteries, and all your questions have been answered.

The Nightmare of Lithium Battery: Why Would A Golf Cart Battery Explode

Why would a golf cart battery explode? You might have questions like these about the safety and the dangers of battery-powered golf carts. This is because there have already been a number of cases of golf cart explosions.

It’s important to find the right answers for your questions as this matter is something that shouldn’t be neglected. It’s about your safety, and your life may be at risk if your questions go unanswered.

However, it’s not easy to find the right answers. Although the internet seems to have all the answers for your questions, especially those questions about golf cart safety, there is a possibility, we could get the wrong information.

This is why we want to help you get the simple answers to your questions without being too technical or intimidating. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about golf carts and their batteries.

We will also provide you with tips on how to maintain your golf cart to keep you safe.

What Causes Golf Cart Explosions?

There are many possibilities of why a golf cart may explode. The most common of which is a battery-related issue.

Improper maintenance may lead to corrosion between battery terminals and wires connected to them. The corrosion may produce air gaps, which may cause sparks and thus the sparks may reach the battery terminal, and this will cause the battery to explode.

This happens when air is in friction with the wires and the energy that flows along with them causes sparks.

Is it Safe to Convert Golf Cart Batteries from Traditional to Lithium Type?

Explosions may occur while the battery is being overcharged, and this typically happens when a golf cart uses a lithium battery. It also happens when the battery is being charged with a different charger other than its recommended charger.

What Causes Lithium Battery to Explode?

Typically, this type of battery explodes because of manufacturing defects. Not all lithium batteries tend to explode, but such occurrences are common for this type of battery.

Lithium batteries are designed to charge quickly. As a result, overcharging and overheating can cause explosions, especially for a golf cart which requires a lot of power and prolonged use.

On the other hand, lithium batteries are prone to short circuit. When the connection to its terminal is exposed then an abnormal supply to its power may cause sudden sparks depending upon the battery’s temperature.

In addition, the metal and chemical components of this type of battery can become unstable. This means they are subject to change, which may affect the performance and safety of the battery.

Therefore, beware of converting your golf cart battery to a lithium battery.

Is There Any Way to Make Conventional Golf Cart Batteries Safe?

Golf carts are traditionally powered by Wet Deep Cycle (WDC) golf cart batteries. If properly maintained, these batteries remain safe. However, maintaining this type of battery is not an easy task as this requires close monitoring and careful usage.

This battery needs to be constantly refilled with distilled water in order to submerge the plates for the battery’s electrolyte.

If you fail to regularly keep its required level, the battery will dry, and its temperature will rise. This is what actually causes the explosion with this type of battery.

In order to maintain the WDC battery properly, always check the water level in the battery by removing its filler cap. The water level must always be just below the filler cap, and if it gets too low, then refill it with distilled water.

If the battery doesn’t charge any more, replace it with a new one. However, if you regularly refill this type of battery with distilled water, the battery life will last longer.

Is There Any Other Golf Cart Battery’s Better than Lithium or the WDC Battery?

Yes, there is as you can convert your golf cart battery to another type of battery known as an Absorbed Glass Mat or AGM. This battery is more expensive, but it has a lot more advantages than that of any other type of battery used for golf carts.

The AGM battery is a maintenance-free battery, which means you don’t have to refill it with distilled water any more. It does not have any filler cap or discharge tubes that may cause leaks. As a result, it does not cause any corrosion that leads to sudden sparks.

Moreover, AGM battery does not overheat because its heat resistant. Even if you use your golf cart for a prolonged period of time under the sun, it stays cool.

Another good thing about AGM battery is its battery life, as it lasts much longer than that of WDC batteries and lithium batteries. It also doesn’t have issues when it comes to charging.

The only drawback to AGM battery is that it’s very expensive. Nevertheless, you can offset the cost overtime as you don’t have to keep replacing your battery.

Is There Any Risk for AGM to Cause Explosion, Too?

Basically, all types of batteries may explode depending upon their condition, and the AGM battery is not an exemption. However, this is likely when your golf cart is also not properly maintained.

Factory defects may also become reasons, but they are not common for the AGM battery the way they are for other batteries, especially for lithium type batteries.

Conclusion

It’s normal to have some questions about anything that makes us worry. With regard to golf cart safety, the above questions and tips will help to put your mind at ease.

We have tried our best to make the answers as simple as we can, so they won’t appear too complex to satisfy your curiosity. Nevertheless, it’s recommended you use a safer battery not only for golf carts but for all other battery-operated devices and equipment.

Battery FAQ

Just like with any other product, consumers also have many questions about batteries. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

What can cause a battery to drain? When you leave your headlights on or if the under hood lights do not turn off, it causes the battery to drain fast. Not turning your alarm systems off and leaving the cooling fan or convenience lights on can also drain the batteries overnight.

If I don’t use my batteries and just store it, will it lose its charge? Batteries have their own internal self-discharge. The rate varies depending on the type of battery and the temperature of where it’s stored. Generally, the battery’s self-discharge process is faster when stored in higher temperatures.

If I store my batteries on a concrete floor, will it lose its charge? All batteries will naturally self-discharge, though the rate varies depending on the temperature where it’s stored and the battery type. Heat or higher temperatures speed up the self-discharge process so it’s best not to store your batteries in a hot garage. Some people think that putting the batteries on a concrete floor can slow down its self-discharge process because the concrete floor absorbs the heat and therefore, cools the battery.

How long does a regular battery last? The lifespan of a battery depends on several factors like temperature, how it’s used and how it’s maintained. The useful life of a deep cycle battery is affected when it is overcharged or undercharged. It will also be affected if the battery is used on a deep cycle application that it was not designed for.

Can batteries be recycled? Lead acid batteries are recyclable. The process and guidelines vary per state or country. You may contact your local government office or local sanitary provider for information.

What should I keep in mind when charging or discharging deep cycle batteries? Number one, use the right charger – size, type, and setting. If you’re unsure, contact the battery manufacturer. Don’t flatten or over-discharge the battery, too. If ever you flatten or over-discharged the deep cycle battery, make sure to immediately charge it back up.

What is a deep cycle battery? It is a lead acid battery that is designed to have thick plates with less available surface area. This is the reason why deep cycle batteries produce less amount of energy. Compared to the starting battery, deep cycle batteries generate current for longer periods of time.

What is the difference between a deep cycle battery and a regular car battery? The regular lead acid car battery is designed to surge current or energy in a short period while a deep cycle battery is specifically-designed to generate a fair amount of current in a longer period.

What is a marine battery and how does it differ with deep cycle and starting batteries? A Marine battery is a hybrid of deep cycle and starting batteries. Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates and the plates are solid lead pates. Starting batteries, on the other hand, have thin plates that are made of lead sponge.

How to Care for Golf Cart Batteries

Introduction

Frequent replacement of your golf cart batteries is not only expensive but also time consuming. It is also frustrating to realize that you have to charge your golf cart batteries after every short duration.
Fortunately, here we provide you with different tips on how to care for golf cart batteries to make them last longer.

Installation

To ensure proper installation of your new batteries, you first need to check polarity to determine how the old set of batteries was installed. Apart from helping you know the position of the cable connectors, checking the polarity also helps you avoid installing the new batteries in a reverse position.

Remove Corrosion

Before installing the new batteries, clean the battery carrier to get rid of all rust and corrosion. After that, use a corrosion resistant paint to paint the clean parts.

Visual Scrutiny

Scrutinize new batteries before you install them to ensure terminals, containers and covers are still in good condition after transit.

Is it Possible to Reuse Old Cable Connectors?

Reusing old cable connectors is not a bad idea. However, you need to follow the procedure below to make them clean before you consider reusing.

Place them in a bucket of water to which one cup of baking soda has been added and allow them to soak.
Remove them and wipe them clean and dry.
Wire brush the ends of the connectors until they look shinny.

Before reinstalling, check and replace the cable connectors that are broken.

Charging

Make sure your new batteries are fully charged before you start using your golf cart. This is because you cannot tell how long the batteries were in storage before being charged.
Keenly follow the instructions provided by the manufacturers of the chargers you are using when charging the batteries. Most chargers available in the market today are designed to fully charge a battery within a given period of time.
The type of play and the number of holes determine the state of charge in your batteries. If for instance you use your golf cart for 36 holes or more each day, there is a likelihood that the charge will not be able to keep up with the rate of discharge from the battery.
In cases like that, a low state of charge begins to set in in your batteries. How do you take care of this?
If you engage your cart in a hard use, like for 36 holes per day, you should charge it for a minimum of eight hours to keep up with the rate of discharge.

Can a Catch-Up Charge Help?

If your cart is continuously in hard use, it may begin falling behind. This is the time you need to consider a catch-up charge. During off days, when your cart is not in use, you should check it for state of charge and recharge batteries that are not in good state of charge.

How to Avoid Getting Your Batteries into a Low State of Charge.

Put your golf cart on charge early enough in the evening to give it a full-time schedule of the charger before you go for your next trip. Charging your cart everyday even when it is not in use will only lead to overcharging.
If you regularly overcharge your golf cart batteries, they may experience damages such as positive grids corrosion.

Why do You Need to Rotate Your Carts?

Rotating your golf carts is of great significance as it helps you keep your fleet as well as your batteries in balance. Otherwise, some of your carts could fail to get enough charge as others become overcharged.

How to Care for Golf Cart Batteries in winter.

Proper care for your golf cart batteries during winter is important since batteries are prone to freezing during winter seasons. Keeping your batteries fully charged is the best defense against freezing.
When you expect extremely cold temperatures, move the batteries into a warmer environment to avoid frequently replacing them.

Conclusion.

If you follow these tips on how to care for golf cart batteries, your batteries should be durable enough to serve you for at least 5 years. Also, you will be able to take a longer time before you charge the batteries again.
In case your golf cart batteries stop functioning, recycle them and buy quality set of new batteries for replacement. Units that have high capacities of amp are more efficient and durable.

How To Clean Golf Cart Batteries

Know anybody who’s got a spare $1,800? With a little prep work and some simple maintenance, you can save yourself some serious cash. One brand-new 6 Volt Battery for an electric golf cart runs about $300. To power an electric golf cart, you’ll need six of these batteries. It doesn’t take long to learn how to increase the life of the batteries you’ve got.

How To Prepare To Clean Golf Cart Batteries

WEAR HEAVY RUBBER GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION.
Batteries work because they contain acid, and if the battery explodes, you’ll get a face full and be covered in it. If you can’t find your safety goggles or face shield, buy another set. Never put your eyes at risk.

Keep running water nearby. Overheated or over-charged batteries can blow, and if the top blows off the battery, you may be spattered in acid.

Wear clothes that you can get (or already have) grease stains, tears or hole damage. (Note: This may not seem like a safety concern now, but if you ruin good clothes, it can make for a lot of trouble later.)

How To Clean Golf Cart Batteries

Special chemicals are not needed for this cleanup job. You just need to raid the spice cupboard.

1) Once you’re protected, mix half a gallon of water with one quarter cup of baking soda and spray the wiring, the racks and the tops and sides of the batteries. Be generous with the spray.

2) If weather conditions cause the spray to evaporate rapidly, work the spray across the top of the battery with an old paint brush to loosen the dirt, then rinse it away.

3) If the spray doesn’t evaporate right away, let the mixture stand on the batteries for at least five minutes, then rinse with a low pressure spray of clean water. Never use high pressure on electrical components.

4) If needed, you can work the baking soda mixture around the top of the battery with a soft scrub brush to reduce gunk and build-up caused by corrosion and dirt.

The battery tops should be clean. If you see any green corrosion, spray again with the baking soda solution. Let it sit for five more minutes, then use a sturdy bristle brush to scrub away any remaining corrosion, dipping the brush in the baking soda solution.

Alternate Option For A Single Cart

If you’re only cleaning one cart and don’t need to mix up that much baking soda, another suggestion for the best way to clean golf cart battery is just to sprinkle making soda over the top of the batteries and rinse it away with water. (Note: If you forget the baking soda outside and it rains overnight do not try to sneak it back in the house the next day. Just go buy some. This is almost as much trouble as ruining new clothes.)

How To Maintain Golf Cart Batteries

Once the batteries are cleaned, check the water level and fill as required with distilled water. This will reduce the risk of corrosion and early battery failure.

Charge golf cart batteries at least daily, and between rounds when possible. Undercharging batteries leads to sulfation, which will destroy the plates and ruin the battery if allowed.

Conclusion

Golf cart batteries will leak acid as they lose their charge, so they need to be cleaned and re-watered with distilled water as well as charged often to reduce the risk of battery destruction by sulfation. Any time you’re working with batteries, you’re working with acid and electricity. ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND SKIN PROTECTION, AND ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO RUNNING WATER.

How to Test a Golf Cart Battery

Introduction

Battery is a term that simply refers to two different metals dipped in an acid. Batteries do not offer electrical storage as many people think. However, batteries are able to generate electricity as a result of a chemical reaction which gives out stored potential chemical energy in the form of electrical energy.
The longer a golf cart battery lasts, the less its capacity gets. Capacity refers to the time a battery can continue to provide its intended amperes after being fully charged.

How do you tell that your golf cart batteries are failing?

The following are possible symptoms that may act like warning signs for a failing battery or batteries.

If your electric golf cart experiences “shuttering”, you can take it to mean that it has low voltage. “Shuttering” could also be an indication that your chargers are not functioning properly.
Failure by the cart to start is also an indication of low battery voltage. Most golf carts will not move or start if voltage drops below a pre-programmed level.
Fully charged batteries should be able to help your golf cart run for at least two full rounds of golf per charge. Therefore, your batteries could be having issues if you notice that your range has been significantly reduced.

How to Test a Golf Cart Battery Using a Hydrometer.

A hydrometer is used to test the state of charge of battery cells. It gives the measurement of electrolyte density through a specific gravity reading. A greater concentration of sulfuric acid means a denser electrolyte. The higher the density, the higher the state of charge. You need to correct the temperature of the hydrometer reading to 27°C before you begin using it. Sulfuric acid to water concentration in a new golf cart battery is 1:280. A battery that is fully charged will be around 1:277, while a battery that has been discharged will read in the range of 1:140. Different brands have different procedures for reading and using a hydrometer. However, the following general procedure applies.

Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to allow the thermometer to adjust to the temperature of electrolyte and note the reading. Observe also the electrolyte color. A gray or brown coloration shows that the end of your battery life is nearing.
Draw the minimum quantity of electrolyte into the hydrometer that can allow the float to float freely without making any contact to the bottom or top of the cylinder.
Hold the hydrometer vertically at eye level and take note of the reading where the scale of the float meets the electrolyte.
For every 6°C the electrolyte is above or below 27°C, subtract or add four points to the reading. Make adjustment to the reading to fit in with the temperature of the electrolyte.
Test each cell and determine the readings. A disparity of 50 points of reading between any two cells is an indication of a problem with the cells showing the low reading.

How Can I Test a Golf Cart Battery Using a Load Tester?

A load tester gives a more accurate result within a short period of time. A load tester for a battery is a heating coil of a simple DC that is connected to a volt meter. When connected to one battery, it indicates the battery’s voltage. It is provided with a button that you can depress if you want to complete a circuit for the heating coil making it to generate heat from resistance. This makes the battery loaded. Watching the behavior of this voltage under this load can give you insights regarding the conditions of the batteries.
A fully charged battery that is in good condition should only drop about 3 volts when loaded and remain at that level. Observation of a voltage drop greater than 5 volts is a symptom of a failing battery.

Using a Discharge Machine

Another method of testing a golf cart battery is the use of a discharge machine. This method is not very common because of how expensive discharge machines are. The discharge machine joins the main positive and negative leads of your battery bank. It consists of a heating coil just like the load tester to provide a seventy-five amp load throughout the batteries during discharge. The machine tells you the time, in minutes, the golf cart could move under a typical load of this level before reaching a depth of seventy-five percent.

A Golf Cart Battery Charger

How to test a golf cart battery charger is another question that troubles many people. Testing a battery charger is pretty simple. Simple tests like just turning on the battery charge to see if the battery is getting any charge work really well. You can also check the amount of power your battery generates by connecting a voltmeter to the positive and negative clamps of the charger. There is a needle on the voltmeter that moves from left to right to show the amps available. The extreme left means the battery has no power while the extreme right indicates maximum amperage.
Conclusion
Testing your golf cart batteries and chargers are important since you need to be aware of any issues that are present and possible solutions.

What is CCA on a starting battery, what is a dual purpose/starting battery

If your boat, automobile or recreational vehicle needs a battery there are a few special considerations that newer batteries have been built to address. One question we often get asked is: What is a dual purpose/starting battery?

We answer this question below as we suggest you look at dual purpose/starting batteries and their uses for your application. We also answer another question that may arise when shopping: What is CCA on a starting battery?

If you are shopping for a battery, you need to decide if you want to look at cold cranking amps. Our answer below should help you decide if you want to spring for the extra benefits that are offered. To make the most out of your hard earned dollars you will want to consider important features like these.

What is a dual purpose/starting battery?

Dual purpose batteries do the work of two batteries. The traditional starter battery on a car or boat with a standard fuel engine needs to provide short, powerful amperages to turn an engine until it fires.

On a car, after the engine fires the motor turns an alternator which continues to charge the electrical system of the vehicle as well as recharging the battery for next start.

Boats with gas or diesel engines also require high amperages to start the engine, but typically don’t have adequate charging capabilities. This is where a dual purpose battery comes in handy.

One of the drawbacks of starting batteries is that they don’t handle long periods of use at low amps without charging. Deep cycle batteries can handle longer use at low amps, but don’t offer the higher cranking amps for starting a motor.

The solution to the need for two separate batteries or suffering with a misused battery can sometimes comes in the form of a dual purpose battery.

Why might I want a dual purpose battery?

The dual purpose battery offers the cranking amps to start a boat or car, but also has deep cycle capabilities. This means that the battery can operate for extended amounts of time offering a low amp electricity supply without the need for an on-board charging system.

Dual purpose batteries also appeal to car and truck owners that have a lot of electrical accessories or advanced electronic systems that they want to use after they turn the car off.

The dual purpose battery offers a better solution to the two battery problem in certain cases on boats. There are specific uses for dual purpose batteries:

Smaller boats with lower battery requirements
Boats that require two of the same batteries
Boats with electrical systems designed for just one battery

Common uses in automobiles include vehicles that are equipped with winches, cranes or other accessories that use electricity.

How do I know if a dual purpose battery is right for my application?

If you are interested in the features of both starting and deep cycle batteries, dual purpose batteries can consolidate both into one.

The benefits may be worth the extra cost if you have no on-board charging system. You may also find they offer security knowing the battery has deep cycle advantages.

These batteries have some limitations. As dual purpose batteries they are usually not as capable as dedicated starting or deep cycle batteries can be.

It is important to check specifications to make sure you are getting enough cranking amps and cold cranking amps as well as enough battery run time to suit your needs.

The dual purpose battery may cost slightly more than just a standard battery, but you may also reap more rewards. Choose wisely when considering dual purpose batteries.

What is CCA on a starting battery?

CCA stands for cold cranking amperage. If you live in an area where temperatures drop considerably in the winter you may consider pursuing a higher CCA rating when choosing a battery.

What is the rating actually indicating?

Cold cranking amp ratings refer to how many amps a fully charged battery can deliver at zero degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds. The testing for this rating also requires a 12 volt battery to maintain 7.2 volts for the duration of the 30 second test.

Do I need a battery with high CCA’s?

Batteries lose power and generally do not perform as well at low temperatures. This rating often provides better information for people who are buying batteries and are concerned about dependability in colder weather.

How many CCA’s do I need?

It is important to remember that required cranking amps for starting a motor vary depending on the vehicle. There are moderate differences and you should classify which application you want to service.

The cranking amps differ between applications like:

Cars
Light Trucks
Boats
All Terain Vehicles

Be sure to check the requirements of your specific vehicle to determine how many CCA’s you should have.

Conclusion:

As you may have figured out by now, these two topics go hand in hand.

Firstly, if you determine that you want to try a dual purpose battery, we want you to understand what they actually are. They offer advantages of both starting batteries and deep cycle batteries in one.

We know choosing a good battery can be a tough decision. If you are interested in dual purpose batteries, looking at CCA’s may help you find the one that will work well for your application.

Buying the right battery is crucial in making sure you maximize longevity. Don’t sacrifice function over availability or price.