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Battery Maintenance For Golf Carts

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Caring for your golf cart's batteries is simpler than you might believe, and it will result in a longer battery life. Here are a few pointers from Trojan Batteries.

EQUIPMENT

There are numerous instruments available to aid in the correct care and maintenance of golf cart batteries. Here are some suggested tools and supplies to get you started:

  • Goggles & Gloves
  • Distilled Water
  • Hydrometer
  • Voltmeter
  • Vaseline
  • Post Cleaner
  • Baking Soda

Caution: When handling batteries, electrolyte, or charging your battery, always use protective gear, gloves, and goggles.

Batteries should be thoroughly tested on a regular basis to discover and rectify potential faults before they cause harm. It's a good idea to start this practice as soon as the batteries arrive.

 

INSPECTION

  1. Examine the battery's external look.
  • Examine the container for cracks.
  • The battery's top, posts, and connections should be clean and free of dirt, fluids, and corrosion. If your batteries are filthy, see the Cleaning section (below).
  • Any damaged batteries should be repaired or replaced.
  1. Any substances on or near the battery could indicate that electrolyte is spilling, leaching, or leaking out.
  • Batteries that are leaking must be serviced or replaced.
  1. Examine all battery cables and connectors.
  • Look for any loose or broken pieces.
  • Battery wires should be in good condition; frayed or broken cables can be exceedingly dangerous.
  • Replace any cables that appear to be tainted.
  1. Tighten all wire connections to the specified torque. Check that the terminals are in excellent contact.

Warning: Avoid over tightening terminals. This can lead to post-breakage, post-meltdown, or fire.

CLEANING

Batteries are attracted to dust, dirt, and grime. Keeping them clean can assist you in detecting trouble indicators and avoiding complications related to filth.

  1. Check that all vent caps are securely fastened.
  2. Clean the battery top using a cloth or brush and a baking soda and water solution. Allow no cleaning solution or other extraneous debris to enter the battery while cleaning.
  3. Rinse well with water and pat dry with a clean cloth.
  4. Using a post and clamp cleaner, clean the battery terminals and the interior of cable clamps. Clean terminals will have a gleaming metallic luster.
  5. To prevent corrosion, reconnect the clamps to the terminals and cover them thinly with petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
  6. Maintain a clean and dry environment near batteries.

Watering (flooded batteries only)

Water is required for golf car batteries. More significantly, watering must be done at the appropriate time and in the appropriate amount otherwise the battery's performance and longevity will suffer.

Water should always be added after the battery has been fully charged. There should be enough water to cover the plates prior to charging. If the battery has been discharged (either partially or completely), the water level should be higher than the plates. Keeping the water level at the correct level after a complete charge eliminates the need to be concerned about the water level at a different state of charge.

Depending on the local environment, charging methods, application, and other factors, Trojan recommends checking batteries once a month until you get a sense of how "thirsty" your batteries are.

KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:

  1. Do not allow the plates to come into contact with air. The plates will be damaged (corroded) as a result of this.
  2. Do not fill the filling well to the cap with water. This will almost certainly cause the battery to overflow with acid, resulting in capacity loss and a caustic mess.
  3. Water with a high mineral content should not be used. Only use distilled or deionized water.

Caution: Because the electrolyte is an acid-water solution, skin contact should be avoided.

Step-by-step watering instructions:

  1. Examine the fill wells by opening the vent caps.
  2. Check the electrolyte level; the minimum level should be at the top of the plates.
  3. At this point, add just enough water to cover the plates if necessary.
  4. Before adding any extra water, fully charge the batteries.
  5. After charging is finished, open the vent caps and inspect the fill wells.
  6. Add water until the electrolyte level is 1/8 inch below the fill well's bottom.
  7. To help establish this level, a piece of rubber can be used safely as a dipstick.
  8. All vent caps should be cleaned, replaced, and tightened.

Warning: Never add acid to a battery.

Please contact Batco Batteries, the Trojan battery experts or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a free Trojan battery user guide.