Electric Golf Cart Charging and Battery Maintenance for New Owners

Golf Cart Battery Charging

Cars should be plugged in at ALL times, when not in use. This includes cars that are out of use. Cars that are not plugged in can self-discharge over several weeks and virtually “kill” the battery pack.

 

Connect your battery charger to a readily available surge protector outlet/strip. Since the charger should be plugged in at all times, it is wise to protect it against lightening.

 

Batteries should be charged after EACH period of use, no matter how short you used it. When plugging charger into car, verify that the ammeter needle moves to the right side of the meter window. This confirms that there is power to the car and a working charger.

 

Allow the charger to complete the charge process by letting the charging system turn off on its own (the charger will be silent and the ammeter needle will be at zero).

 

Short charging will promote unbalanced batteries and costly battery replacement.

 

Lead acid batteries do not develop a memory and do not need to be fully discharged before recharging (there is no hysteresis effect for these batteries).

 

Check water level monthly for every battery and every cell. Note that the cells within a battery are totally separate cavities, so filling one cell does not fill the adjacent cells. In the event of having single-point watering system, water levels should still be checked every month to ensure the system is working properly.

 

USE DISTILLED WATER ONLY. DO NOT USE TAP WATER.

 

Watering should always be done AFTER fully charging the battery.

 

Removal of the seat makes batteries more accessible – lift off the two front hinges
 

Battery Operation/Cleaning

Shallow discharges will result in a longer battery life.

 

50% (or less) discharges are recommended, 80% discharge is the maximum safe discharge.

 

Poor periodic maintenance can contribute to battery discharge. Poor battery cable contact due to improper torque can create high resistance connections that will increase amperage and reduce run times. Battery cables should be torqued to 110 INCH pounds, using a ½ inch click wrench. This should be checked every 6 months.

 

Dirty and corroded terminals will lead to improper connections. Use battery corrosion prevention spray once per month. Use baking soda/water mix to clean corrosion from terminals, if present.

 

Low tire pressure, brake drag, and improperly aligned tires can also contribute to battery discharge. Please check alignment and tire pressure monthly.
 

Tire Pressure

Please note that when cart tires are low on air pressure, they do not appear “flat” like car tires. You must use a pressure gage to insure that the tires area properly inflated

 

Use caution when inflating tires. Due to the low volume of the small tires, over-inflation can occur quickly.

 

Tire pressure should be maintained between 18-22 PSI. All four tires should have the same pressure for optimum handling.

 

Under inflated tires (<15 psi) will cause excess tire wear (outside edges of tires), hard steering, and adds stress to drive motor and batteries – reduces battery life!

 

Over inflated tires (>22 psi) will cause excess tire wear (center of tire).
 

Battery Maintenance-Daily

Charge the batteries after each day’s use. The charger will automatically shut off when batteries are completely charged Inspect car and charger for proper operating conditions. Ensure that ammeter both clicks and moves on the charger, when plugged into car. Verify charge has been completed, meaning charger has turned itself off, before using vehicle.
 

Battery Maintenance-Monthly

Inspect all wiring for fraying, loose connections, corrosion, or deterioration of insulation. Water batteries using distilled water container. Very important! Watering should always be done AFTER fully charging the battery. Clean the batteries and wire terminals using mix of baking soda and water. Coat terminals with protectant spray you can get at any auto store.
 

Battery Maintenance-Every 6 months

Battery cables should be torqued to 110 INCH POUNDS, using a ½ inch click wrench. This should be checked every 6 months. Poor periodic maintenance can contribute to battery discharge. Poor battery cable contact due to improper torque can create high resistance connections that will increase amperage and reduce run times.

 

King of Carts, LLC

1680 Lake Murray Boulevard

Columbia, South Carolina 29212

(803) 586-0354