Battery Care Guide

GOLF CART BATTERY CARE

  1. All connectors should be clean and tight (check often), and a thin coating of non-metallic grease or protective spray should be applied to ward off future corrosion. Frayed or worn-out cable connectors should be replaced. NEVER work on the golf cart without flipping the RUN/TOW switch to "TOW."
  2. Batteries should be recharged after each day's use. Flip the RUN/TOW switch to "TOW" when charging to avoid damage to the controller. We recommend charging between any usage; if it is feasible to do so. 
  3. When adding DISTILLED water, do not overfill; this can result in loss of electrolyte. Do not use creek or well water due to the high iron and mineral content. 
  4. Keep golf cart batteries clean and free of acid spillage, dirt, and grime. Clean batteries with a bristle brush using water and baking soda. Rinse with water. 
  5. Check batteries periodically to see that they are in a good state of charge. 
  6. Storing batteries during the offseason in an unheated area. Check the water level, add if needed. Then fully charge batteries before storing. Flip the RUN/TOW switch to "TOW." Check periodically and recharge if needed.

CHARGING

CHARGERS

Most golf cart battery chargers on the market today are designed to bring a normally discharged battery back to full or near full charge in a given time. The state of the charge depends on the amount of play and/or the number of holes for which the golf cart was used. The charger will shut off once it is done charging. It is ok to leave it plugged in it won't charge again until it has been unplugged and plugged back in

Keep Your Charger Dry

HARD USE

Where golf carts are used "hard" for 36 holes every day, and possibly more than 36 holes some days, there is a good chance that the charger cannot keep up with the amount being discharged from the battery. In such a case, the batteries start falling into a low state of charge. A charger could be working perfectly, but if you do not get the cart on a charge until 10:00 p.m. and off at 6:00 a.m., the chances are good that you did not get sufficient charge into the batteries. Hard use carts should be charged for at least 10 hours to keep up with the amount discharged.


BATTERY WATER LEVEL

ELECTROLYTE

The electrolyte in lead-acid storage batteries is a solution of sulfuric acid and water. The sulfuric acid portion of the electrolyte does not evaporate, but the water portion must continually be replaced because of loss due to charging and evaporation.

ELECTROLYTE LEVEL

The level of electrolyte should NEVER be allowed to go below the top of the plates - this can cause permanent damage to the exposed portion of the plates. If you cannot see the electrolyte covering the separators before the batteries are put on charge, add enough water to cover the top of the separators. After the charge is completed, re-level with water to the normal level.

WARNING: Never add acid to a battery.

WHEN TO ADD WATER

It is recommended that water be added to batteries near the end of the charge or after taking them to charge. Be certain to replace the vent caps after watering so electrolyte does not splash out while the golf cart is being used. Generally, water must be added to golf cart batteries about every 30 days. This is governed greatly by the amount of use, charging and heat exposure. It is suggested that a few vent caps be removed at least every week to check and see if the batteries need water.

Use Distilled Water ONLY

WATER LEVEL INDICATOR

Most golf cart batteries have an indicator ring inside the filling well showing the normal level for adding water. Add water to a level 1/4 to 1/8 inch below the indicator ring or add water to 1/8" below the bottom of the vent well. Add water to the maximum water level indicator

Avoid overfilling when adding water to the batteries. The problem with overfilling is that while charging, acid is pumped out and lost, reducing the capacity of the battery. This will also increase corrosion to metal parts of the battery.


CLEANING

CURRENT LEAKAGE

If a coating of acid-soaked dirt accumulates on the battery top, an electrical path will be created between the terminals. This, in turn, may cause a leakage of current, which reduces the operating efficiency and is detrimental to the life expectancy of the battery.

WASHING

Batteries on golf carts should be kept clean and free of acid spillage, dirt, and grease. This can be accomplished by washing the batteries with a water hose after the water has been added to the batteries. Make certain all vent caps are securely in place before washing the batteries to prevent significant amounts of dirt or foreign matter from getting into the battery cells. When batteries have an accumulation of grime that fails to wash off with a hose, the battery tops should be cleaned with a solution of water and baking soda. After scrubbing the battery tops with a stiff bristle brush, rinse off with water.

REPLACING BATTERIES

When it is necessary to replace one or two batteries in a cart, it is advisable to replace with batteries comparable in age with those present in the cart. By so doing, you keep a better balance of age and the remaining capacity of the batteries in each cart.


NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY

The warranty on used golf carts, DOES NOT include the Batteries or the Controller.

Controllers are too susceptible to user error, (shorting it out by working on the cart without flipping the RUN/TOW switch to "TOW"); Or an Act of God, such as lightning.

Any defects or damage to the Batteries arising from any abuse or mishandling of the Batteries, or any one or more of the following:

  • Neglect, such as improper fluid levels (under or over watering), damage from shipping, loose wiring, or rusted or corroded hardware
  • Misapplied or improperly sized Battery for the application
  • Batteries exposed to excessive heat or cold temperatures
  • Batteries that have had the manufacturing date codes destroyed or tampered with
  • Breakage, freezing, explosion, fire, wreckage, overcharging, undercharging, over-discharging, charging or installing in reverse polarity, improper maintenance, melted and or broken terminals, improper storage, or addition of any chemical or solution other approved water; or failure to properly install the Batteries

Upon the purchase of "NEW" batteries, we will replace the Batteries only if a replacement is necessary due to defects in material or workmanship of the battery. The warranty on "NEW" may vary in the warranty period, the scope of coverage, or exclusions set by the manufacturer.