How to Maintain Your Electric Golf Cart Battery

If you have an electric golf cart, you probably enjoy using it as more than a golf course vehicle. They’re efficient and fun, but without the proper care, you may not be able to drive around as long as you’d like to! Taking care of the battery is a great way to prolong the lifespan of your golf cart and keep you out and about longer.

Properly Charging Your Cart

It can be tempting to drive around after just a few short moments of charging your golf cart, but it’s important to allow your battery to properly charge every time. 

When you first bring home your electric golf cart, charge it completely before its first use. Then, watch how much charge it is able to keep and how long it takes to drain. This step allows you to determine the expected battery life on one full charge cycle, meaning you can evaluate performance of the battery as time goes on. 

You also shouldn’t allow your golf cart to regularly die before charging it again. Seeing the low battery icon often isn’t the goal!

Cleaning the Battery 

When your golf cart’s battery charges, it releases hydrogen gas, water, and acid that can settle on other components of the battery. If the battery isn’t regularly cleaned, the residue can lead to corrosion. 

One of the best ways to clean the battery is to wear gloves, shut all vent caps, cover electric components, and use a baking soda and water mixture to clean the terminals. You can use an old toothbrush to apply the mixture and scrub away any buildup. Use cool water and a rag to wipe away the area and repeat until clean!

Adding Water to the Battery 

Electric golf cart batteries will require water to produce electricity, but having too much or too little water can cause problems. If there is too much water, an overflow of the necessary electrolytes can occur, and if there isn’t enough water, the lead plates can become damaged. 

The best way to add water is with a watering gun that can sense the level and stop filling at the right time. You should always use distilled water when filling your battery. 

Testing and Replacing the Battery

Occasionally you’ll need to test the battery for performance and condition. You will use a hydrometer to test each cell; higher readings indicate more charge. 

You can also utilize a battery guage to monitor the depth of discharge, helping you determine the optimal time to recharge the battery.

If you keep a regular maintenance routine for your batteries, you’ll know when it’s time to purchase a replacement. Make sure you choose the correct model and replace all batteries at the same time. 

Keeping your battery clean, charged, and serviced is a great way to ensure the best use of your electric golf cart. Our team at Electric Golf Car Company, located in Citrus Heights, CA, would love to be your go-to resource! We proudly offer parts and service solutions and serve the Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Roseville areas.