Jan 27, 2021 Pageview:608
Golf carts are becoming a part of daily routine, whether it’s for the purpose of golfing or for the purpose of picking the morning newspaper at the front part of the house. Either way, it has become so attached to our daily activities that having a golf cart is becoming something common.
Since we have purchased our golf cart, we have to maintain its condition regularly, or else it will become immovable. In this article, we will talk about a specific part of golf carts ? batteries. Everything about the battery, from the causes of its “death” to the tricks to take care of it, will be discussed thoroughly here.
Golf cart batteries are meant to last for 4 to 6 years, and we can use it for at least four rounds. If the batteries run out before the said amount of rounds, one thing is clear: there are factors that cause the energy to run out quickly. There are many reasons why golf cart batteries die so fast, but here are the most common reasons:
Using the Battery Until It’s Completely Empty
This is one of the most common mistakes many golf cart owners do. They tend to use the carts until the carts are completely dead. Batteries’ nature obligates us to charge them when they are extremely low, not when they are completely dead. Doing so will damage the battery, shortening the running time of the battery and eventually lead to the end of the lifespan.
Overcharging
Overcharging is another common mistake, as people tend to charge the batteries when they are asleep. Yes, you will be welcomed by a fully-charged battery when you take up, but it will come at the cost of the battery’s condition. It is a fact that overcharged batteries will be damaged if they keep being overcharged, shortening the time of the usage.
If you want to charge the battery when you’re asleep, you should purchase an automatic battery charger. An automatic charger will turn off as soon as the battery is fully charged. Of course, the best way is still turning off the charger manually once it’s done.
Excessive Steep Hills
Although golf carts are built to run for a long distance, they still have their limits, especially when the road is steep. The expected distance is usually shortened when the road is very steep, so it is best not to do more than the supposed distance. If you are planning to go on a loing distance, it’s best to use a truck or a trailer.
Running the Radio After Usage
Running the radio when the engine is off, no matter what the transportation is, is always a bad move. Yes, this also applies to golf carts. Running the radio, light, or any electric part of the cart will result in the drainage of your battery. Of course, doing this continuously will result in a shorter lifespan and usage time too.
Drained Energy When the Engine Is Off
There are times when the engine itself is faulty. An example of a faulty engine is when the battery’s power is being drained despite the engine being off. Such cases can be caused by several reasons, such as shorts at some parts of the engine.
You can check this by yourself by using a voltmeter. First, you will need to set the voltmeter in DC amps. Then, attach the voltmeter to the battery. Only then you can use it to check the engine.
In order to charge the battery before they run out of energy, you will need to know the signs of a dying battery. The signs are, surprisingly, simple and easy to spot. Here are some examples of a dying battery sign, both in shelf life and daily usage:
Longer Charging Time
Overcharging and using the battery until it’s completely empty will not only damage the battery but also mess up with the charging time. It will eventually take longer to charge the battery until it’s completely full, and you'll find yourself spending more time waiting for the charging to be done.
Dull Performance
A golf cart is supposed to start right away when it’s turned on, and the speed should be consistent. Sure, there will be time when everything slows down, but it will take a while to do so. When the golf cart cannot start up right away, something is definitely wrong with the inside of the golf cart. Of course, the same with the speed. If the speed is not accelerating that much despite the amount of power we use, there must be some errors happening within the engine, and a dying battery might be one of those errors.
Physical Damage
There are signs that can be seen right away instead of having to feel or experience them, and the same goes with golf cart batteries. There are some physical signs that can show that the battery is in need of dire attention. Some of those physical signs are bulking compartments, expanded battery, or even cracks.
There are times when a leak might be happening, and the traces of the leakage can be seen around the battery. When this happens, make sure you clean the battery as soon as possible and fix the battery, or else the gamage will worsen.
From the information above, we can conclude that leaving the golf cart batteries dying for a long period of time is a bad idea. It is important to charge the battery before it is completely dead. The owner should also use it properly according to the manuals. Or else, he might need to purchase a new golf cart battery sooner than expected.
Don’t be afraid to purchase a golf cart battery though. As long as it’s being taken care regularly, the battery will last according to its proper lifespan, even more than it’s supposed to.
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