Here are Five Great Tips for Better Golf Cart Battery Life

Whether in your Yamaha, EZGo, or Club Car, there’s nothing worse than having a golf cart with a battery that drains quickly. More often than not, it always happens at the most inconvenient times. Here are five tips for better battery life for your golf cart.

Consider Weight, Environment, and Your Cart

Often, golf cart owners don’t consider the three most important factors for maintaining their cart for the long term.

The first consideration is the weight that the cart must handle. If it is often overloaded, the battery, the suspension, and the tires are doing all the work to deal with the weight as a consequence. The speed and handling suffer, and the possibility of damage can occur.

Secondly, you must consider the environment your cart is used in and if your cart is a fit. This can mean the terrain the golf cart will be used in, and the type of cart and components. Using the wrong cart in a particular environment can quickly damage the battery and lead to it lasting a much shorter time.

Thirdly, consider your cart. If your cart is street legal or made exclusively for golfing, as is the case in many basic models, it’s advisable not to use it for activities such as mudding. Finding the right golf cart parts for your cart is essential. Tires that are made for golf courses have some terrain preparation. However, there are specific golf cart mud tires, and tires for forest and mud use.

Using the wrong cart for the wrong purpose can lead to frustration when it ceases to work from damage to the battery or frame. When purchasing a cart, it is important to think of its intended function to avoid headaches later on.

Charge It When You Aren’t Using It

Whether the golf cart is for personal game use, as a means of getting around a small area, or for your family, ensure it is charging when not in use. It can be tedious and easy to forget when the battery is high or at mid-level, but it’s essential. Allowing the battery to drain multiple times can lead to the battery not being able to hold a charge as effectively.

Trips that used to last much longer will gradually become shorter and shorter because of the damage to the battery. A perpetually low battery will lead to a low chargeable battery. It’s advisable to never go over seventy percent battery usage maximum between charges.

Pay attention to any functions of the cart that use electricity once it is being charged. Cycling, or using electricity while it is charging can in some cases lead to damage from overheating or short circuits.

Charge It to the Maximum Battery Will Hold, but Not Over

Depending on the model of golf cart, it may have an auto charger that, once the battery’s capacity has been reached, will cease to charge. It’s more prevalent in new models to save money on charging costs, and prevent wasting electricity and damaging the battery.

If your cart doesn’t possess this function, it’s important to be mindful. A battery that has been charged too much won’t effectively hold a charge.

Consider Your Battery Brand

Some brands, such as Fullriver, use methods to create more connections between battery cells and protection to minimize loss of charge and create longer battery life. Other brands focus on the safety of the battery and the cost of charging for the life of the battery. Depending on your use for the golf cart, each brand offers benefits that others do not, and it’s important to research which is suitable for your cart, budget, and cost for maintaining the battery.

If a charger is lost or damaged, either seek a replacement from the original company or a match recommended online. Always research what golf cart charger parts are best. Using the wrong charger can lead to the battery voltage not being correct. This can lead to a slower charge, an ineffective charge, or the battery not being charged at all after a period of time.

Routinely Check for Damage/Use Your Cart Often

Golf cart batteries are as sensitive as other batteries, but are often exposed to more moisture, dirt, and other contaminants. It’s important to ensure the battery remains clean and rust free.

Taking the time to conduct a weekly or daily inspection of your battery can save money and headaches. Checking wires for damage, the battery cell levels, and the battery discharge ensures everything is in working order.

Final Thoughts

Using your golf cart as often as possible is best. Even if the golf cart is used predominantly in certain weather, keeping it in use in all kinds of weather prevents many issues that lead to battery death. Every effort to maintain your battery means more time spent enjoying your cart.