Deep Cycle Golf Cart Battery Charging

[D45]

So, I purchased an Ez-Go 48v golf cart for cheap...……….trying to see what I can do, if anything, to save the batteries

It was completed dead and I had to trailer it home

I removed all four batteries (heavy as sin!) and opened the battery maintenance ports, to find little (if any) water inside any of them

Batteries:
U.S Battery
Deep Cycle
12 V
US12VXZ

I bought distilled water and am trying to figure out if the water needs to be added before I try charging (bench top auto charger) them or?

Also...……..2amp or 12amp charge?

Thanks for any and all info!

 

[mikec35]

Fill them with distilled water and deep cycle charge them. I’d do the 12 amp setting. They may come back enough to get it running. What’s the date code on the stickers on the batteries?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[D45]

The four batteries took 2.5 gallons total of distilled water...…….I hooked up one now to start charging

I cannot find a date code on any of the four

The manufacturer decal and labels are all in great condition too...…….they do not seem very old

 

[mikec35]

When they are plugged in daily the batteries will run dry in less than a year. I’ve had that happen to me, mines a 48v with (6) 8v batteries. I got 10 years out of some Trojans that I kept charged and full of water. I think US Battery is made by the same company that makes Trojan, just a less expensive line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[D45]

I wonder how long each will take to fully charge?

 

[SALIV8]

Don’t fill them. Add distilled water to the line.

 

[D45]

Don’t fill them. Add distilled water to the line.

To what line?

I just added enough to cover the plates

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

If you have a battery golf cart do yourself a favor and invest in a well made solid state "battery charger/maintainer" www.lesterelectrical.com so your batteries will last. Golf cart batteries are expensive and maintaining them will make them last for years. Lester Electric is a great company to deal with and the products are made in America....... I have installed several of the Summit 2 chargers and have been happy with them.

BTW! You will thank me later for this tip!

 

[YukonXL04]

To what line?

I just added enough to cover the plates

That... just cover the plates. And check the water often, keep the plates covered in water.

Sometimes they will come back after a good charge.
I usually charge each until the they are high enough for the cart charger to take over. For you I believe that's around 40v

 

[D45]

Hopefully they will charge and hold the charge

$700 for all new batteries is silly!

 

[WisJim]

If they were low enough to need that much water for very long they may not recover. Just cover the plates before charging. You can add more water after they are fully charged. I second the recommendation of a modern charger. My batteries in my Elec-trak (6 x 6volt) have only needed water twice in the last 5 years.

 

[mikec35]

Did the cart come with it's own charger? If not then see if you can get a golf cart specific charger like the Lester suggested or some type of 12 v deep cycle charger that is a charger / desulfator and maintainer. The advantage of a golf cart specific charger is that you can charge all 4 of the batteries at once. At first I would do what you are doing, charge the batteries one at a time then see if you can get the cart to run. If it runs then a more expensive cart charger would be worth it. My cart has (6) 8v batteries and I had to charge them with a 12v car charger for about 20-30 minutes each to get them charged up enough to where the factory charger would start charging them. I bought a charger that is supposed to desulfate, charge and maintain individual batteries, mine was tough because it is hard to find chargers for 8v batteries. You need to test all 4 of the 12v batteries under a load after they are charged, if any of the 4 are bad the cart won't have enough juice to run.

 

[nadogail]

Hopefully they will charge and hold the charge

$700 for all new batteries is silly!

You may find that the person who sold you the cart was aware of the cost of replacement batteries.

Batteries IMHO, are a consumable just like tires on a car.

 

[buzzworth]

I found the best price on my 6 volt locally was Sam's.

 

[jayoldschool]

If a Ctek won't bring them back, they're done.

 

[D45]

It came with this charger:
Delta Q QuiQ Model 913-4810-E3B

Yes the seller and myself were both aware the cart was not operational and needed work

 

[Bretny]

Hopefully they will charge and hold the charge

$700 for all new batteries is silly!

You can get cheap gold cart batteries at Sam's club. I paid $400 for 4 in the spring.

 

[D45]

You can get cheap gold cart batteries at Sam's club. I paid $400 for 4 in the spring.

Not in 12V currently......6V maybe for that price

Coscto prices are high

 

[X1 Mike]

When they are plugged in daily the batteries will run dry in less than a year. I’ve had that happen to me, mines a 48v with (6) 8v batteries. I got 10 years out of some Trojans that I kept charged and full of water. I think US Battery is made by the same company that makes Trojan, just a less expensive line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What's up with the 8 volt batteries? I have a 2015 Yamaha and I have the 6 8v batteries as well. No idea why 6 are better than 4 12v batteries or if you could switch. These things are stupid expensive. Mine sits in my toy hauler in storage and I need to figure out how to keep them charged.

 

[D45]

One charged for 36 hours and my charger shows it was fully charged

Multi meter shows it's only at 4v though

 

[mikec35]

One charged for 36 hours and my charger shows it was fully charged

Multi meter shows it's only at 4v though

That one is no good. If the others charge up you could temporarily sub a 12v out of a car just to see if the cart runs. If it runs you can determine next steps. I am not familiar with the battery charger you have but a quick search shows it's pre-programmed for specific batteries. You would need to get the batteries its programmed for. I'd contact the charger company and see how hard it is to program or use for different batteries. You should verify the charger itself works, they could advise on that as well.

 

[mikec35]

What's up with the 8 volt batteries? I have a 2015 Yamaha and I have the 6 8v batteries as well. No idea why 6 are better than 4 12v batteries or if you could switch. These things are stupid expensive. Mine sits in my toy hauler in storage and I need to figure out how to keep them charged.

Yeah, charging individual 8v batteries has been a challenge. The cart charger works well unless one battery goes bad or the pack has less than enough volts to start the charger, then they all discharge. I looked forever then finally found a charger that does 8v batteries. I take a day every now and then and charge the batteries individually, in-between using the golf carts charger. This one:

https://www.autometer.com/battery-extender-6-8-12-16v-5a.html

is supposed to help keep them desulfated /charged and maintained. So far it works well. I use my cart for hauling stuff on my 1.5 acres and going back and forth between my 2 garages on opposite ends of the property. I'm looking to get as much life out of these expensive batteries as possible!

 

[Falcon67]

Hopefully they will charge and hold the charge

$700 for all new batteries is silly!

You've never owned a battery cart then. They eat them for breakfast. And for most cart chargers, if you lose one battery after 2 or so years, it's recommended to replace all at the same time. Ours was a 36V - six 6V batteries, $600 or so a set for the cheap Sams units.

 

[ManOnTheCouch]

What's up with the 8 volt batteries? I have a 2015 Yamaha and I have the 6 8v batteries as well. No idea why 6 are better than 4 12v batteries or if you could switch. These things are stupid expensive. Mine sits in my toy hauler in storage and I need to figure out how to keep them charged.

It’s about amp hours. You get more amp hours with 6 8v batteries. So, they don’t discharge as quickly and they give you more range. That also contributes to them lasting longer and having to replace them less frequently. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people to convert a golf cart to 6 8v batteries from 4 12v batteries.

 

[southview]

Bite the bullet and get new batteries. Sams Club Duracell are some of the cheapest and work great. I have installed them in many carts where people didn’t want to spend the money on Trojans. Also, Batteries Plus has good deals. Can order online and get a 20% coupon. Even if the ones you have hold a charge, they will discharge at a quick rate and leave you stranded when you don’t want to be. I recommend checking water ATLEAST once a month. As long as the plates are covered you can charge. Always add water after a full charge. Not before. Fill water to cover plates but leave 1/2” below bottom of fill cap. The batteries need that little bit of air space to vent gas. You can look up on Trojan website. Also, when charging, lift seat so gases can escape. The gases are what eats the terminals and cables. I coat the cables and terminals with spray from auto store. I recommend leaving charger on when ever cart is not being used. Don’t forget. Seat up when charging. The Delta charger is a great charger that will go into float mode when batteries reach a full charge. Look up the information and make sure it is programmed correctly for your batteries. Easy to do. Even in Florida heat, we get 4-6 years out of batteries following these instructions. And remember, the water will evaporate in the batteries from heat when charging and heat when using. Water level is crucial to long battery life. ��

 

[4miller1]

This ^ is excellent advice. There are automatic battery water tenders avaliable. Ive never used one but they get good reviews.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Bite the bullet and get new batteries. Sams Club Duracell are some of the cheapest and work great.

Concur ! Costco sells Interstate batteries. Their golf cart batteries are equivalent to Duracell.

 

[mikec35]

Before spending $800 on batteries I would verify the cart runs. I would also verify the charger you have will charge whatever batteries you purchase since this particular charger lists specific batteries. I would hate to see you spend a lot of money on a cart that has not been verified to run and it becomes a money pit. A lot of people sell battery carts once they realize the cost to replace batteries or get them in running condition is excessive. I haven't seen 12v batteries at Sams, (4) 12v batteries at Costco will cost you around $1000

 

[D45]

Yes Sam's doesn't have 12v

I can get local batteries for 630

The cart ran in the fall of 2019.....i rode it alot

Maybe the charger the PO had wasn't right.....i didn't know about specific chargers

 

[Bretny]

Not in 12V currently......6V maybe for that price

Coscto prices are high

I called a local golf cart sales/service place before I bought the Sam's club ones. They were only about $30 more per battery but trojan brand not cheap Sam's club ****.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I called a local golf cart sales/service place before I bought the Sam's club ones. They were only about $30 more per battery but trojan brand not cheap Sam's club ****.

I will agree that Trojan batteries are likely the best you can buy, but I would not call the Duracel/Deka/East Penn batteries "****" either !

 

[D45]

I tried charging all four batteries throughout this week

Some of a 2amp charge and some on a 12amp charge...…….and then a combo of both

36 hours should have charged one...…….but they are still only showing 4vs

One will not even charge

I guess its time to shop and buy batteries

 

[D45]

Odd.........I checked the 4 batteries after they have been sitting in the garage

Three batteries are at 11V and one is at 7V

For the heck of it, I installed them back in to the cart and the lights, horn, and reverse horn all work

It will not move though........so I plugged in the charger and let it charge for 24 hours

Still wont move

 

[like2wheel]

Odd.........I checked the 4 batteries after they have been sitting in the garage

Three batteries are at 11V and one is at 7V

For the heck of it, I installed them back in to the cart and the lights, horn, and reverse horn all work

It will not move though........so I plugged in the charger and let it charge for 24 hours

Still wont move

11.8 volts is 0% charge for a 12v lead acid battery. 12.6 is fully charged.
There is not enough current available to move the cart.

 

[Bretny]

Hes gor 8v batteries.

If 3 are 11v and one is 7v I would say you found a dead battery.

 

[SteveCh]

If you have cells of different health, you need to replace the entire set. With batteries, the system will operate at the level of the weakest battery. That's just the chemistry. You will be tearing your hair out messing with it. Bite the bullet and get a new set.

My brother-in-law purchased a gold cart for my sister with a set of batteries in about the condition of yours. The seller and he adjusted the price to take the need for a new set of batteries into consideration. Unless a set is pretty new and one battery has gone bad, it happens, replacing one battery is just not gonna do it. And a voltmeter won't tell you the health of a battery. A load test will help, but with those old ones of yours, which sat for who-knows-how-long with low electrolyte they are toast. And, no, to emphasize an earlier question, you do not want to charge batteries with low electrolyte.

 

[like2wheel]

Hes gor 8v batteries.

If 3 are 11v and one is 7v I would say you found a dead battery.

Unless I missed something, all his posts say 4 12v batteries. 4 x 12 = 48.

 

[Bretny]

Ops...many others talking about 8v.

 

[D45]

It came with this charger:
Delta Q QuiQ Model 913-4810-E3B

I think I need a new charger or this charger isn't good for this application....this one doesnt seem to be charging the 4 batteries good enough

They are only running for an hour then the cart won't move

 

[dfiler2]

I purchased 6 of the golf carts batteries (Mine is 36v) from Sam's about three years ago, can still go a full two rounds and drive the 6 blocks home I'm very happy with them, just bite the bullet and buy new, it's well worth it.