Life Expectancy of a Golf Cart Battery: How Long Does It Last?
Your golf cart battery is vital to you getting around the golf course without issue. It's no different from your car's battery in that you should have a good understanding of how long you've had it and what it's been through. Let's take a look at some maintenance and factors that play into how long your golf cart battery should last.
Lifespan of a Golf Cart Battery
Batteries that are maintained and treated well will inevitably last longer. If the cart is part of a golf course's fleet, it should have a life of around five to six years based on wear and tear. If the battery in question is for your own personal golf cart, you could expect that battery to last up to eight years or more.
Things to Consider
Is your cart only for golf? If so, there are years of rounds ahead on a new battery. If you cart is for transportation and recreational use within a community, it obviously sees much more use.
Always take into account the extremes that your golf cart sees. If you live in a climate that has extremely high temperatures on a consistent basis (Arizona, Nevada, etc.) your battery will need some additional maintenance. The same can be said for climates that are high in humidity (Florida, Carolinas, etc.) as well as areas like the midwest which has variable temperatures.
Is your golf cart part of a maintenance fleet? If so, your hard work will also be hard on the vehicle and battery.
Proper Charging
Always charge your electric golf cart when you're done using it, whether you played nine or 18 holes. If possible, leave it charging overnight. Short-charging can make your batteries unbalanced and shorten their lifespan.
Water
Check your battery water level and add distilled water when needed. Don't use tap water, which contains minerals that will reduce battery capacity.
Winter Storage
If your golf cart gets stored at the end of the season it's important to make sure your batteries are taken care of before doing so. The batteries should be stored fully charged and disconnected from any circuit that could discharge the battery pack. Clean each battery and remove from the battery case.
Doing all of the above will save you from any major golf cart repairs and allow your batteries to have an extended life.