In general, the battery of your golf cart lasts for about 10 years under steady use. This lifespan increases with frequent use and less care. The amount of use and care you give your golf cart can greatly affect the longevity of your battery. Besides the amount of care you take, extreme temperatures and other factors can shorten the battery’s lifespan. The hottest weather has the most impact on the longevity of your golf cart battery.
Lithium batteries have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries
When it comes to battery life, lithium-ion batteries are the clear winner over lead-acid batteries. They recharge faster, last longer, and require fewer maintenance costs. Additionally, they are lighter and more environmentally friendly. While lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than lead-acid batteries, their cost is expected to drop as more manufacturers compete for market share. That’s good news for golf cart owners.
In addition to their longer lifespan, lithium golf cart batteries are easier to install. They require less installation time than lead-acid batteries and are cheaper to buy. However, lithium-ion batteries cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. That’s a pretty big difference when compared to lead-acid batteries. While lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, their lifespans are far greater than lead-acid batteries.
One important thing to remember with lithium-ion golf cart batteries is to charge them completely after use. The common misconception is that fully-discharged batteries last longer. The truth is that fully-charged lithium batteries retain their charge even after being switched off. If left partially discharged, the battery continues to lose power, and this can be dangerous for the battery. Lithium-ion batteries are more efficient when it comes to charging, and they can charge back up in two to three hours.
While lead-acid batteries are still the standard in the golf cart industry, lithium-ion batteries are starting to gain ground in the consumer electronics market. These lightweight, powerful batteries are used in a wide variety of consumer products, including smartphones, iPods, power tools, and watches. While the transportation industry has been slow to adopt lithium batteries, some people have already made the switch and have enjoyed better performance and longevity.
Avoid bumpy rides
To avoid bumpy rides, you must ensure your golf cart has a healthy battery. Among the most popular golf cart batteries are lead acid-based batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and the latest lithium-ion technology. If you choose to purchase a lithium-ion battery, you will need to follow some special maintenance tips. Among the most popular brands, Trojan is one of the best choices. This is because this brand has been in the industry for a long time, and they provide long-term power for your golf cart. They also last longer and perform better.
Aside from checking the battery, you should also check the suspension bushings. These pads are square-shaped and displace pressure from the suspension system. If they’re rubbing on the floor, your golf cart will feel bumpy. Replace them once a year to prevent a bumpy ride. You should also check the battery charging rate for a better performance. In addition to replacing the battery, you should also check the condition of the suspension bushings every so often.
Pregnant women should also avoid bumpy rides in golf carts. Not only will bumpy rides affect their health, but they can also cause falls. Women who are pregnant should postpone their cycling, horseback riding, and downhill skiing plans until after giving birth. Those activities can be hazardous for the unborn baby. In addition to causing bumpy golf cart rides, they may also cause the mother to miscarry.
To avoid bumpy rides with golf cart batteries, check the age of the battery. Older batteries can reduce the life of new batteries by draining them too quickly. This can also lead to a bumpy ride when you take it out for the first time after a long storage period. To avoid this situation, remember to check the batteries regularly. You can also try putting 200g of Epsom salts in 2L of water before it charges overnight. Epsom salts are rich in magnesium sulphate, which helps clear the plates and reduce internal resistance of the battery. By following these simple steps, you can easily prolong the life of your golf cart battery.
Avoid overcharging
To maintain the health of your golf cart’s batteries, you must avoid overcharging them. The batteries should be charged every 45 to 60 days, and discharged with a charge percentage between 50 and 80 percent. To ensure that the batteries are performing at their optimal level, record the voltage and water levels of the cart’s batteries. Overcharging golf cart batteries can damage them. In addition, automatic chargers may malfunction, leading to more harm.
To avoid overcharging golf cart batteries, always check the connections between your battery and your charger. Make sure that the wires are in good condition, and the battery terminals are clean. If you notice that the connections are loose, it may be because your voltage regulator is not working properly. If you have to unplug the charger, check to make sure that the circuit breakers are not overloaded, and that the switch is positioned properly. If the key switch or throttle is faulty, it can trick the voltage regulator.
Always recharge your golf cart battery after every use. Leaving them low for a long time can damage them and decrease their capacity. This leads to premature failure of the batteries. Golfers often play a nine-hole round by themselves or with friends, and in their hurry, they overlook the battery. While this is fine, it is risky because the battery may corrode faster than you expected. It’s best to use distilled water rather than tap water to avoid overcharging the batteries.
Inspecting the battery every month is essential to ensure that the battery is performing optimally. Remember that new batteries need to be fully charged 20 to 50 times before reaching their maximum capacity. Overcharging will lead to corrosion and oxidation, which will reduce the battery’s life. To avoid overcharging golf cart batteries, you can install an automatic charger that will prevent overcharging. And don’t forget to change the battery water level as required by the manufacturer.
Avoid overheating
Inspect the cables of your golf cart before using it. They are often susceptible to overheating and melting if you are not careful. Some of the causes of this include improper connection, poor copper plating, and poorly made wire connectors. Check all cables for these common causes and replace if necessary. Make sure to connect all batteries and cables tightly, as long as the connection is secure. Incorrect wiring can result in an overheating cable.
Tighten connections on your golf cart battery. Don’t overtighten them. Tighten the connections to avoid excessive heat and stretch threads. If you notice loose connections, replace them with a stronger gauge cable. If you can’t find the specific battery’s torque specification online, do a Google search to find the specifications. Using the proper connections will extend the life of your batteries.
Test batteries regularly. Check the voltage of individual batteries every couple of months. A new battery will have a high acid level and will release gas during the charging process. You can avoid this problem by ensuring that your batteries are charged regularly. The correct voltage should be the same back to back. Using an electronic voltage tester can help. Avoid overcharging golf cart batteries. If you find that your batteries are losing voltage after only a short time, replace them.
Ensure the water level of your golf cart battery is correct. A battery with an inadequate level of water will cause the batteries to overheat and damage themselves quickly. If the battery is too dry, you should refill the battery before using it. Overcharging can also lead to overheating, so it’s important to maintain the correct water level. It’s also important to make sure the battery connections are secure.
Proper maintenance is key to a long battery life
There are several key tips for extending the life of golf cart batteries. First, avoid overcharging the battery. Doing so will shorten its life and result in premature battery failure. Additionally, overcharging the battery can damage its internal parts, resulting in a dead battery. Therefore, proper charging is the key to long golf cart battery life. Listed below are some tips for proper charging of golf cart batteries.
Regularly clean the terminals on the battery and make sure they are tightly attached. You can clean these terminals by sprinkling a baking soda solution and water. If the battery terminals are not clean, you can use a garden house to remove the corrosion. Tighten the battery terminals, as loose cables can melt the post of the battery, which will cause the golf cart to stop working.
If you plan to use your golf cart every day, make sure you recharge the battery at least twice a week. It is recommended that you buy a US Battery or Trojan brand of batteries. Also, avoid using oversized chargers for your golf cart battery. These chargers can cause excessive gassing and heat, which could damage the battery and the golf car. Lastly, store your golf cart batteries in a cool, dry place.
Regular maintenance of golf cart batteries includes checking the level of water in each cell. The water line should be a half inch or higher above the lead plates of each cell. If the water level is not enough, you can add distilled water to the battery. Tap water is not suitable as it contains trace amounts of chemicals that can damage the golf cart battery. Always make sure you check the water level on the batteries at least twice a month.