Golf Cart Battery Reconditioning

How to Recondition Golf Cart Batteries Easily

Batteries for golf carts are not only costly to replace but also require regular maintenance to ensure they are holding a charge. Batteries that are maintained and cared for can last for 4 to 5 years which will depend on how they are used.

Over the warmer months of summer, the water levels should be checked every 2 weeks. It is important to only use distilled water. This water is free from bacteria and sulfur that can build-up inside the battery plates.

Many of the golf carts come with 6-volt lead-acid batteries. These are basically smaller versions of the batteries that you find in cars. However, a battery in a golf cart usually doesn't last very long due to improper storage and neglect. There are a few things you can do to make sure the battery in your golf cart lasts longer, which typically includes reconditioning the battery. It is also possible to lower the likelihood of issues by ensuring that the electrical devices are off when you are not using the golf cart.

Warnings

When you charge any type of lead-acid battery, make sure you are wearing gloves and eye protection. Sulfuric acid is very corrosive and can result in severe chemical burns.

Do not completely discharge the battery on your golf cart. This will lead to sulfation which is a process where the sulfur present in the electrolytes builds up on the plates in the battery. This will in turn block or stop electricity from flowing. At the same time, sulfation will start to corrode the plates. The majority of lead-acid batteries can undergo around 10 "deep discharges" before they become unusable.

A deep discharge usually occurs when you haven't used the golf cart for a long time or you have forgotten to switch the electrical devices off on your golf cart when the cart is not running. Ensure that your golf cart is charged fully before you use it.

Reconditioning Your Golf Cart Step by Step

Before we begin the process, let us look at the items that are needed:

• Protective gloves

• Safety glasses

• Battery charger

• Distilled water

• Crescent wrench

• Baking soda

• Epsom salt

The Process:

Step 1 – Expose the Battery Compartment

In most golf carts the battery is installed under the driver seat, which means you will need to lift the seat up. On some of the cart models, the seats are hinged which means you should be able to lift the seat straight up.

Step 2 – Wear Protective Gear

Wearing eye-protection goggles and gloves clean away any corrosion on the battery. For this step combine 1-quart of water with baking soda (2 tablespoons). Use a clean paintbrush dipped in the mixture and paints it over the battery where you notice any corroded areas. Pay special attention, to each battery terminal. The mixture will fizz and bubble when the battery acid and baking soda make contact with one another.

Step 3 – Clean Terminals

Rinse your paintbrush. Dip your paintbrush into tap water, followed by wiping down the battery until all the corrosion is gone.

Step 4 – Inspect Battery for Cracks

Check the battery for any defects or cracks. If the case is cracked, it is important to replace the batteries, especially if battery acid is leaking out.

Step 5 – Add Distilled Water

Remove each plastic cap that covers the battery cells. You will need a slot-screwdriver to pry the caps upwards to get the caps off. Use a Turkey-baster to drop distilled water into any of the cells where the plates are dry (exposed to air). Make sure you have added enough distilled water so that plates are fully covered.

Step 6 – Charge Battery

Use a three-phase charger to charge your battery overnight. Make sure you have set the charger to charge a 6-volt battery. On certain chargers, you may need to manually adjust the charge to between 2.3 and 2.35 volts. Attach the + (positive) red wire to the positive pole on your battery and the - (negative) black wire to the negative pole on your battery. Only plug the charger in and switch it on once you have connected the charger to your battery.

Step 7 – Check for Charge

The next morning inspect the charge. If the charger shows that the battery is fully charged check on each cell and use distilled water on the cells that are dry (exposed to the air). From here you can replace each of the cell caps. If however, the charger is not showing the battery is fully charged, keep reading for the next step.

Step 8 – Clean Battery

Turn the battery so that is resting on one edge and let around 50% of the battery-acid to flow out of the cells into a container. Use your baking-soda solution (described in step 2) to clean the battery. Rinse with tap water, making sure the water does not get inside the cells.

Step 9 – Fill Battery With Epsom Salt Solution

Combine 2-quarts of warm distilled water with 8-ounces of Epsom salts. Use a turkey-baster to fill the battery cells with the solution until each cell is covered.

Step 10 Recharge Battery

Allow your battery to charge overnight. The Epsom salt solution is designed to remove any deposits that may have built up on your battery plates which may have stopped your battery from fully charging. If by the next morning the battery is still not fully charged, it is probably time to replace it. If your battery is fully charged, replace each cell cap, and continue to use your golf cart as normal. To keep your batteries in the best condition, use a trickle charger to charge your batteries overnight.