Proper maintenance, such as regular charging and watering, can potentially extend the lifespan of your next set of golf cart batteries beyond that of your clubs.
Golf cart batteries have a long lifespan if properly maintained. Recharging them after each use can extend their longevity significantly. These deep-cycle batteries are versatile and can power more than just golf carts. While they may not be suitable for starting a car, they can be used to provide power for RVs or solar panels. It is important to note that extreme temperatures can have a negative impact on the performance of lead-acid batteries.
Golf cart batteries are engineered to provide hours of amperage and fully recharge once depleted, similar to the battery in your phone. It's worth noting that keeping your phone battery at 100% constantly is not ideal.
That being said, batteries will inevitably deteriorate over time. It's common to question the frequency of replacements when in the market for new golf cart batteries.
Golf cart batteries typically have an average lifespan of four to six years if properly maintained. It is important to keep them charged whenever possible and replenish any lost water during the recharging process. Most golf cart batteries are equipped with removable caps, allowing for easy maintenance of fluid levels.
In comparison, lead-acid car batteries generally last three to five years, depending on various factors, including their treatment prior to purchase.
The shorter lifespan of car batteries can be attributed to the deep cycling capabilities of golf cart batteries. Regular car batteries can be permanently damaged if drained to only 75% power. Conversely, 6-volt or 8-volt golf cart batteries have thicker plates and a modified internal chemistry, enabling them to withstand discharge down to 20% without compromising their ability to store power.
Estimating with normal wear and tear, a golf cart battery can last you at most six years.
Your golf cart batteries could die far sooner if you’re not careful to maintain them.
Maintaining your golf cart batteries properly is essential for their longevity, according to Jeff Barron, an expert from Interstate Batteries. With his extensive experience in auto electronics, engineering, and batteries, our batteries continue to perform exceptionally well for car enthusiasts, boaters, and even golf cart owners.
Barron stated, "By ensuring that golf cart batteries receive proper maintenance, they can endure for a significant period, typically ranging from four to six years in most scenarios."
Numerous factors can impact the lifespan of a golf cart battery, which is why Barron advises taking necessary precautions to safeguard them during usage.
This begins with adopting good charging practices.
Barron emphasized the importance of charging the batteries every time they are used to ensure longevity and readiness. It is recommended to keep the golf cart batteries as fully charged as possible without draining them completely. Use a charger suitable for the specific voltage of your batteries, whether they are 6 volts or 12 volts, and ensure it is compatible with the type of battery you have, especially if it is an absorbed glass-mat (AGM) battery. Avoid overcharging and use a charger with an automatic shut-off or float charge setting. Charge the batteries in a well-ventilated area and refer to the golf cart battery manual for charging times. If the manual is not available, calculate the charging rate by dividing the battery's amp hours by 10. It is crucial to avoid draining the batteries down to zero to prevent permanent damage caused by sulfation. If the batteries do die, they may not last as long as before after being recharged.
It is important to regularly add water to your golf cart batteries due to the frequent charging they require. The charging process can cause the batteries to overheat, resulting in the water inside turning into vapor and leaving the sensitive internal components exposed to air, leading to drying out. To replenish the lost water from recharging and regular use, most golf cart batteries are equipped with vent caps that can be twisted or levered open. This allows you to carefully refill them with distilled water.
Here are the steps to refill a golf cart battery with water:
1. Gently open the top of the battery.
2. Locate the fill line on the edge of the battery.
3. Add distilled water until the water level rises above one-eighth of an inch over the lead plates.
4. It is crucial to use only distilled water for this purpose. Impurities in regular water can cause issues for your battery.
Golf carts typically utilize either a 36-volt system or a 48-volt system. However, most lead-acid golf cart batteries are not available in such high voltages. So, how can you make 6-volt or 8-volt golf cart batteries compatible with a 48-volt golf cart?
The solution lies in connecting the golf cart batteries in a series. This involves linking the positive terminal of one battery to the negative terminal of the next battery. By connecting batteries in this manner, the voltages are simply added together. For example, two 6-volt batteries connected in a series will create a 12-volt battery pack.
If you connect six 8-volt golf cart batteries in a series, you will achieve a 48-volt golf cart battery pack.
However, there is a drawback to connecting batteries in a series. The overall battery pack's performance is only as strong as its weakest battery. If one battery experiences a drop in voltage or loses capacity, the entire battery pack will be affected. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid pairing worn-out golf cart batteries with new ones. If you replace only one battery in a pack of six, the performance will be limited by the next weakest battery.
It is important to note that connecting batteries in a series does not increase the total amp hour rating. If you desire more capacity from your golf cart batteries, you would need to connect them in parallel, with positives to positives and negatives to negatives. However, this would not increase the voltage.
Proper maintenance, such as regular charging and watering, can potentially extend the lifespan of your next set of golf cart batteries beyond that of your clubs.