Do you like playing golf frequently? If so, then a golf cart should definitely be one of your must-use pieces of equipment, as nobody wants to walk that far with all their heavy golf clubs in hand.
These carts make traversing golf courses very easy and efficient. Until the golfers need to change the golf cart batteries over and over again.
How to Make Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer
Imagine you are in the middle of a game, and suddenly, your golf cart stops because of a low battery; that will be very inconvenient. But in this world, all problems have a solution, and so does this one.
You do not need to spend money on buying another one – here are ways to recondition and make the charge last longer.
1] Charger
Use a proper charger to charge the batteries. If you do not have a battery charger or if the one you have is taking longer to charge your golf cart battery, it is time to get a new charger.
Considerations
Use a 3-phase charger to charge the batteries. Ensure that the battery is properly wired up and connected to the proper leads.
A decent charger will increase the lifetime of the golf cart batteries by one-fourth. As a result, you do not need to change the batteries very often.
Don’t forget to charge the battery every time after the golf cart is used.
Risk factors
Overcharging might damage your golf cart batteries. So, it is better to use an automated battery that will turn off automatically right after the charge is full.
The older models do not have this crucial feature, and that is why some batteries end up being damaged. So, be very prudent while using a manual charger. If needed, set up an alarm to remind you about turning off the charger.
2] Always Use Distilled Water
The maintenance of golf batteries should be performed in well-ventilated areas and on flat level surfaces. While performing the maintenance, always use distilled water to fill up the battery cell’s reservoirs.
Some people use normal tap water, which reduces the battery’s lifetime. Also, make sure to fill the battery cells to their proper level. Do not let the fluid level cross below the plates of the cells.
In other words, do not go overboard with the water level and fill it too high. Just pour enough water to get the battery inside it fully submerged, or else it might cause an acid overflow, damaging the floor below.
3] Perform Routine Maintenance
Make sure to clean up the golf cart battery once a week. Also, check the water level. Make sure that that the battery does not remain discharged exceeding 70% of its capacity, as the plates will get corroded if it gets heated more.
The battery terminals sometimes get corroded. Try to prevent corrosion as much as possible as it plays a role in shortening the battery’s life.
To remove the corrosion, grab your goggles and gloves and start mixing baking soda (two tablespoons) into water. After the mixture is finished, grab a paintbrush and dip it into the solution.
Start brushing the places that have signs of corrosion with the solution. Do pay extra attention to the terminal area as corrosion is most likely to happen there.
Make sure that the solution does not come into contact with the acid of the batteries. Performing routine checkups will help to increase the duration of your batteries.
4] Pay More to Last More
Quality matters. Even in this case, quality is very important. If the quality of the golf cart batteries is poor, then the performance of the batteries will not be up to the mark.
The golf cart batteries that have a higher lifespan cost a bit more than the regular ones, but you end up gaining a lot even after investing a high amount. Cheap batteries end up getting damaged easily.
5] Trickle Charge the Battery
Trickle chargers are very useful in charging batteries while it is being stored. Solar chargers are useful in this case as well. It helps to increase the lifespan of the battery.
6] Don’t Run the Radio after You’re Finished
Do remember to turn off the lights, radio, and any sort of electric components after you get off of your golf cart, or else these components will drain away all the charge of the batteries.
7] Don’t Drive It Until It Dies
Some people wait to charge their golf cart batteries until they have 1% of the charge left. Do not aim for this. Charge your golf cart batteries the day you use your golf cart.
8] Avoid Steep Hills
Do not force your golf cart to go over steep hills. Also, do not bring unnecessary equipment with you and exceed the weight carrying capacity of your golf cart, as it puts pressure on the batteries. Driving techniques should also be considered while driving a golf cart.
Final Thoughts
Even though golf carts fall under the “vehicles” category, its batteries do not function the way normal vehicle batteries do. The way golf cart batteries are used is very different.
To keep your golf cart batteries in their prime condition, do take care of them with routine checks and maintenance and charge them properly. Follow the above-mentioned methods to ensure that you can drive long distances in your cart on a long-lasting charge.
