Last Updated on January 13, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a golf cart owner, I want to make my batteries last as long as possible as far as run time on a full charge and the overall life of the batteries. Proper charging is a best practice to improve battery life. Maximizing the life of the batteries will save you money. There is no question about it: replacing lead-acid batteries or lithium batteries is costly. Additionally, as a member of a golf club, you’ll want to maximize battery performance so that you can get through a round of golf without an issue. Learn the best golf cart battery charging tips to make your batteries last longer.
Why Is It Important To Maximize Golf Cart Battery Life
One of the primary means of transportation in golf cart communities across the country is electric golf carts. I previously owned an EZ-Go before selling it and purchasing a Club Car. As a resident in a golf cart community, I use my cart for more than just golf. In addition to playing a round of golf, I head to the grocery store, stop at the club for dinner, and cruise the golf cart trails. With that said, I rely heavily on the health of my batteries.
From my personal experience, you’re going to want to push off the need for new batteries. New batteries are high in cost, no matter if they are 36 volts or 48 volts. A new set of lead acid batteries will run at a cost of over $1,200. However, over time, and typically around the five-year mark, despite regular maintenance and proper care, you’ll need to swap them out.
Techniques To Properly Charge Lead Acid Batteries
Without a doubt, deep cycle batteries are durable, but you need to keep a few things in mind during the charging process. Here are the best practices for charging a set of lead acid batteries.
Monitor The Weather
Depending on your location, the weather in the United States can range from extremely high temperatures to freezing cold. Importantly, weather when it comes to battery health associated with charging must be considered.
One of the common issues when it comes to charging golf cart batteries properly is temperature. High temperatures reduce efficiency during the charging process. For this reason, it is likely that they will take longer to charge when temperatures soar. When possible, do your best to charge the cart in a climate controlled environment. However, this is challenging to come by as a homeowner. More than likely, your garage will be the same temperature as the outside air.
Conversely, freezing temperatures also impact the charging process. Keep in mind that I am talking about extreme cold. In the event that the water in the batteries freezes, you’re going to have to move the cart indoors and allow the batteries to reach room temperature before charging.
Ensure The Battery Cables And Terminals Are Tight And Clean
In order to receive a good charge, the battery terminals and cables must be clean and tight. With regular use, cable nuts become loose as a result of vibration. Additionally, corrosion forms when hydrogen gas mixes with air, salt, and moisture. The combination of loose cables and corrosion reduces or prevents the flow of energy from automatic chargers into the batteries.
To properly charge golf cart batteries, they must be free of corrosion in combination with well-snugged cables to prevent permanent damage. Although the batteries will receive some flow of electricity, the charge time will be longer and potentially restrict ever becoming fully charged.
With that said, battery maintenance is critical. On a monthly basis, I recommend tightening the cables and removing any corrosion. This is one of the most critical golf cart charging tips.
Avoid Over Discharging The Battery Bank
Without a doubt, whenever the golf cart is used, it should be placed back on the charger. Running the cart for an extended period and allowing the depth of charge to drop below 20% is detrimental to the set of batteries. No question about it; you’ll want to plug the cart back in after each use.
Unfortunately, the life span of the batteries is reduced when they are not connected to the power source before they have become discharged beyond the acceptable range. Monitor your batteries while you’re driving around the community or playing more than one round of golf.
Monitor The Battery Water Levels
Unfortunately, one of the most commonly overlooked issues with charging golf carts is improper water levels. In the event that the water levels drop beneath the battery plates, it will fail to charge properly when connected to the charger.
For this reason, it is imperative to check water levels on a monthly basis. Simple steps allow your batteries to receive the proper charge that they require to move you around on the golf course. In the event that the electrolyte levels are low, it is essential to add distilled water. Absolutely avoid using tap water. Add enough water so that they reach full capacity either with a watering system or manually with a funnel.
Once the batteries are full of distilled water, connect the golf cart to the charger and allow it to complete the charge cycle before using the cart again.
Avoid Overcharging Lead Acid Batteries
Lead acid batteries are susceptible to overcharging. In the event a battery cells become overcharged, it will show signs of damage, including swelling. For the most part, overcharging is a result of mixing new batteries with older batteries. With that said, you should never mix and match new and old batteries in the same bank. I have done this before and watched all of my new batteries swell. The new batteries were more capable of receiving a charge compared to they old batteries. For this reason, they expanded in size.
Fortunately, battery care will be minimal because the vast majority of chargers are automatic. Automatic golf cart battery chargers shut down after they have charged electric vehicles. With that said, you’re only at risk of overcharging if you mix new and old batteries.
Allow Lead Acid Batteries To Charge Completely
When charging a golf cart, you’ll want to make sure it is in a well-ventilated area. In the situation where lead acid batteries are nearly depleted, the charge time will run between 8 and 12 hours. It is best to allow the batteries to become fully charged so that you do not risk dropping beneath a 20% charged state.
However, understand that a fast charger will reduce the charging time by up to 50%. If you’re looking for a quick charge option to get you back on the course, pick a specific charger that is designed to be fast.
Techniques To Properly Charge Lithium Ion Batteries
One of the benefits of lithium ion batteries compared to lead acid batteries is the reduced amount of maintenance. However, this comes with a catch: lithium ion batteries are significantly more expensive compared to lead acid batteries. Here are lithium golf battery charging tips.
Charge And Store Lithium Batteries Under The Correct Temperature Ranges
Not much is to be said about charging techniques associated with lithium ion batteries. However, it is best to charge and store lithium batter at temperatures above freezing and below 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Charging outside of these ranges is likely to cause damage to the battery.
Without a doubt, you will want to avoid damaging a lithium battery because a new battery replacement will be significant in cost.
Connect The Charger After Each Use
Despite the driving a short distance with the golf cart the lithium ion battery should be charged after each use. Often, golfers are rained out before teeing off, forcing them to head home and park the cart in the garage.
In any situation where the cart is driven for a minimal amount of time, similar to that of lead acid batteries, it should be placed on the charger until full. However, remember to unplug the charger after the cart has become fully charged.
Do Not Leave The Golf Cart Connected To The Charger At All Times
For the most part, you won’t need to worry about overcharging a lithium battery in a golf cart because the charger is equipped with a battery management system. The battery management system will cut off the flow of electricity from the charger to the battery.
Keep in mind that overcharging a lithium battery is dangerous. To prevent any risk of overcharging a lithium battery, it should be removed from the charger after it has been fully charged to avoid potential damage.
Maintain A Full Battery Charge At All Times
One of the often misunderstood golf cart battery charging tips is the duration in which lead acid or lithium batteries can sit without recharging. In order to preserve the life of lithium ion or lead acid batteries, they should be charged despite the cart resting motionless.
In a situation where you’re a seasonal resident or are traveling for vacation for an extended period of time, I recommend asking a friend or family member to plug in the cart periodically. Avoid allowing golf cart batteries to go uncharged if the cart will not be used for three or more weeks. Remember you want your battery pack to last a long time. The misconception is that the batteries are under less stress when they are used compared to sitting unused and charged for extended periods.
Trust me, the last thing you want is to need to source is golf cart batteries and charging near me because you left the cart unattended to while out of town.
Use These Golf Cart Charging Tips
If you’re the owner of a golf cart, you’re going to want to maximize the life of your batteries. One of the best ways to do so is by following these golf cart charging tips. Golf carts are highly beneficial to country club members and residents of golf cart communities. Take it from me: I use my cart for both golf and pleasure cruising. Following the same charging process each and every time will develop a habit. Ensure that you’re following the proper charging tips to maximize the life of your batteries.
Lastly, know that lead acid batteries will require replacement once they near the 5-year mark. However, in order to reach five years, you’re going to need to charge the battery bank properly, thus maximizing the lifespan.
