How to Charge Golf Cart Batteries
By Jeff Gordon
How to Charge Golf Cart Batteries. Battery-run golf carts are energy efficient. You never have to drive up to a gas pump and fill your cart with liquid gold, but you must charge the vehicle after each day's use. The typical range on these carts is 30 mil
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Battery-run golf carts are energy efficient. You never have to drive up to a gas pump and fill your cart with liquid gold, but you must charge the vehicle after each day's use. The typical range on these carts is 30 miles.
Charging a golf cart battery isn't difficult, even if you aren't mechanically inclined. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and heed all the safety tips and warnings. Battery maintenance is critical for "flooded" batteries. An overheated lead-acid battery can actually explode.
A charger designed for your cart or a charging system that adapts to battery types
Petroleum jelly or battery terminal anti-corrosion gel
Step 1: Check "flooded" batteries regularly to make sure there is enough water to cover the leaded plates. Before charging, make sure there is just enough water to cover the plates. An overfilled battery can boil over during charging.
Step 2: Inspect the batteries for leaks, cracks in the container and other damage, The smell of rotten eggs is a sign of leakage. Charging a leaking battery can be very dangerous.
Step 3: Clean the top of the battery with a solution of baking soda and water. Don't allow foreign matter to get inside the battery. Keep the area around the battery clean and dry.
Step 4: Inspect and clean all battery cables and posts. Replace any frayed or broken cables. Reconnect the cables, and coat terminals with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or battery terminal anti-corrosion gel.
Step 5: Tighten all water vent caps. Replace any cracked or leaking vent caps.
Step 6: Plug the batteries into the charger.
Step 7: Fully charge the battery. An 80 percent recharge can be accomplished in 2 hours but the last 20 percent can take 6 or more hours. If your device has a manual timer, charge the cart for two to three times longer than you drove it. For an automatic device, charge overnight for best results.
Step 8: Add water after fully charging the cart, since this process causes water to evaporate. Do not fill the water all the way up to the caps.
Some battery chargers are designed to work with multiple brands and types of batteries. Check the list of compatible batteries before charging your golf cart with one of these chargers.
Use only distilled water to fill batteries. Minerals damage the battery plate.
If an automatic charger won't turn off, one of the batteries might not be able to hold a charge any longer.
The solution of water and baking soda will neutralize acid spills.
"Deep-cycle" batteries should be fully charged at least once a week.
Do not run your batteries all the way down. The newer variety of battery chargers will not work on dead batteries.
Do not expose battery plates to air.
Never add acid to batteries.
Remove jewelry before working with the batteries. Wear acid-proof gloves and goggles.
Work in a well-ventilated area. Do not smoke in the vicinity.
Do not use solvents or spray cleaners.
