Golf Cart Battery Maintenance
Electric golf cart technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years, and modern models are powerful machines. But even the most advanced electric vehicle still needs battery maintenance, and your golf cart is no exception. To help you stay on top of things, we here at Richmond Equipment have put together some tips for maintaining your electric golf cart battery. To learn more, or to see the electric golf carts we have for sale, contact our store in Richmond, Texas, today!
Form A Baseline
When you first purchase an electric golf cart, fully charge it before you take it on your first drive. Pay close attention to how quickly the battery drains to help you judge the battery’s life, which allows you to compare later drives to see if the battery is draining faster. If it is, there’s a maintenance problem.
Charge Properly
Never let your battery die completely before recharging, if it can be helped. It’s also important not to leave it plugged in after it’s fully charged for too long. Both of these can shorten your battery’s lifespan.
Acid Cleaning
When your battery charges, there’s a chemical reaction in it that can result in acid gathering on the battery terminals. It’s important to clean these regularly and frequently.
If you’ve just driven, let your golf cart cool completely before you begin. Start by shutting all vent caps and covering all electronics, but you don’t need to disconnect the battery. Combine a tablespoon of baking soda and one cup of hot water, then use an old toothbrush to scrub the terminals. Once the corrosion is done, rinse the terminals with cool water, then wipe the battery clean.
Adding Water
Your battery requires water to produce the chemical reaction it needs so you’ll have to add some occasionally. Always use distilled water, and be careful only to add the amount specified in your owner’s manual. A water gun can be used to increase your precision.
Test The Battery
You may want to directly test the battery every so often to ensure it’s in good health. Use a hydrometer to measure the density of electrolytes compared to the weight. A higher specific weight means a higher charge and more electrolytes, which is what you want. As the battery gets used, the electrolytes’ weight decreases.
Replacement Strategies
No matter how well you care for it, you’ll eventually need to replace your golf cart battery completely. Performance issues are one possible indicator that it’s time. If you do need to replace one battery, it’s best to replace them both, even if one is in alright condition. New and old batteries charge at different rates, which can result in the new one overcharging and dying early.
We hope this guide helps you keep your electric golf cart running! If you have questions, or you require maintenance assistance, contact us at Richmond Equipment. We proudly serve Houston and Rosenberg, Texas—let us serve you today!