Battery operated golf carts are user friendly, economical, convenient and fun. They promote clean air and quiet communities. More than two million are in use in hotels, resorts, industrial complexes, convention centers, airports, schools, mobile home parks, and retirement or “golf cart communities.”Their only drawback is that over time, they slow down and don’t go as far. Batteries weaken, they don’t hold as much charge, and you have to purchase new batteries. New batteries, $90-$220.00 each (4-8 of them on a cart), are expensive, messy and troublesome to replace. This article explains what you can do so you won’t have to purchase new batteries every 2-5 years.It explains what is causing your batteries to weaken and your cart to slow down and not hold a charge – the formation of lead sulfate on the battery plates.
75 to 80% of lead acid batteries – the kind used in golf carts – fail prematurely because of the formation of lead sulfate crystals. If your batteries sit in disuse, it even makes matters worse, as this crystal buildup makes batteries unusable in a matter of months, especially in hot weather.The solution is easy to use, doesn’t require a mechanic and is about the cost of one battery! BASICSThe purpose of the battery: Golf cart batteries provide the power to propel the cart and operate any other electrical devices installed on the cart from a radio to air conditioning. An electrical current is generated in the battery by a chemical reaction between the lead plates and sulfuric acid electrolyte. Most golf carts use 6 six Volt batteries for 36 Volts total to power the motor, or 6 eight Volt for a total of 48 Volts. To determine the voltage of other golf carts, please reference this page,Golf cart batteries are a special type called deep cycle. A deep cycle battery must provide a moderate amount of current for a long period of time and may go days before getting recharged.A car battery, otherwise called a starter battery, provides very high current for a few seconds and is recharged immediately.
You never want to use a starter battery in a deep cycle battery application.How a battery works:In a normal battery we have three basic elements: one plate made of lead, an electrolyte of sulfuric acid and another plate made of lead oxide. When the battery is discharged, the sulfuric acid in the electrolyte reacts with the lead and lead oxide releasing electricity, forming lead sulfate. This leaves a watery electrolyte solution. When a battery is completely discharged, what is left is lead sulfate and water.
6 Volt Golf Cart Batteries
When you recharge the battery, the electrical current causes the lead sulfate to break apart, returning the system to the original elements of lead and lead oxide on the plates and sulfuric acid in the electrolyte, for the most part.What’s the problem? Why do batteries fail?When the battery is recharged, a small amount of lead sulfate maintains its sulfate configuration (sulfate crystal). These sulfates crystals cannot be reconverted using a regular electric current. Every time the battery is discharged then charged, more of these crystals are produced and the electrolyte solution becomes more watery. Like layers of snow on a garden, the crystals will continue to accumulate until you can no longer see the garden. These crystals interfere with the flow of electricity in and out of the battery.
The battery will take longer to charge and a charge will last less time. A perfectly good battery will seem dead because lead sulfate has built up on the plates.The BLS is the SolutionThe Battery Life Saver electronic desulfator (BLS) solves this problem by dissolving the buildup of lead sulfate crystals. The BLS sends a wave² through the battery or battery bank, targeting the lead sulfate crystals (even those that could not be dissolved by recharging), converting them back into lead and sulfuric acid. Each crystal is like a tiny radio receiver. In fact, when the radio was invented, a lead sulfate crystal was used for the receiver.
The BLS action gradually restores the battery back to its original condition and allows the electrical charge to be drawn from the battery.Deep cycle batteries are especially prone to sulfate buildup because they work for extended lengths of time before being recharged. This and heat (temperatures over 70 degrees F) accelerate the buildup of sulfate.
You should never use car batteries for a golf cart.A perfectly good battery will seem dead because lead sulfate has built up on the plates. Lead sulfate crystals form as a result of the chemical reaction that produces electricity. These crystals interfere with the flow of electricity in and out of the battery. Until now, there has not been an effective way to remove sulfate crystals. Over 75 million batteries are thrown away ever year, 80% of which could have been recovered. There is a solution.
It is called the Battery Life Saver (BLS).Which BLS do I need?for 48 volt cartsfor 36 volt cartsfor 72 volt cartsfor 12 volt applications like RV's, boats or vehicles.Don't know what the voltage of your system is? Visit.Other factors that cause battery failure:The first and most common cause of premature battery failure is sulfate buildup on the plates.
It acts as an insulator, it interferes with the charging and discharging of the batteries and is responsible for 75 to 80% of premature battery failures. This buildup is accelerated by the following:.
high temperature - over 70 degrees. discharging the battery below 80%. extended storage without chargingThe best way to prevent and remove this buildup is to use a BLS.The second most common cause of premature battery failure is loss of electrolyte (the liquid chemical that causes electricity to flow) due to overcharging or heat caused by sulfate buildup. Although the BLS will reduce water consumption, be sure to keep your batteries filled. Fill batteries only when fully charged.The third most common cause is undercharging. Undercharging accelerates the buildup on the plates. Use the BLS to over come this problem and make sure that you recharge your batteries frequently.The fourth most common cause is typically called 'old age.'
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The plates shed material which falls to the bottom of the battery and eventually shorts the plates or creates an open cell. This shedding is accelerated by sulfate buildup, which can be reduced with the BLS. BATTERY MAINTENANCE POINTERSPerform regular maintenance to prolong the life of your batteries, especially during hot weather. Check the electrolyte levels, be careful not to overfill.
Clean the battery tops. This eliminates conductive paths that reroute and waste electricity. Check the battery voltage. Recharge if necessary. Recharge your battery after every use. DO NOT mix old and new batteries in the same bank (unless you use the BLS). Why don’t batteries last as long as the warranty states?
This is a ploy by battery manufacturers to guarantee that you will buy another battery from them. Your warranty is based on the number of months you used the battery. This is called prorated. The prorated price you pay is the actual price of the battery. They also need your battery back to get the leadfrom it.
98% of the lead they use has to be recycled.2. My golf cart has 6 batteries. Which BLS should I use? Count the filler holes to determine the voltage of your system. Eighteen holes is 36 Volts, so you need a BLS-36N.
Twenty four holes is 48 Volts so you need a BLS-48N.3. Do I need a separate BLS for each of my batteries?
Never connect more than one BLS to the same bank of batteries.4. Will the BLS harm my batteries? The BLS puts out a low voltage signal that will not harm the battery or any electronics attached to it. Inadvertent discharging will not cause permanent damage since the BLS prevents the damage normally associated with deep discharging.5.
Why haven't I heard about the BLS before? The battery manufacturers and most dealers do not want you to know about the BLS. Why would they? It doubles or triples the life of a battery!6. If I use the BLS, how long will it extend the life of my battery?
The typical life of a golf cart battery is three to five years. Some people have estimated that a battery used in automotive applications in North America, without sulfate buildup, would last nine years. The BLS will double and sometimes triple the normal life of your battery. We have customers that have batteries that are still going after 11 years with the BLS in Florida.7. Why shouldn't I just buy new batteries when my old ones go bad? You can, especially if you own stock in a battery company.
It will cost you more money in the long run. You still run the risk of being stranded by battery failure as new batteries go bad quicker than you realize. This means you should replace all six when one goes bad unless you are using BLS. New batteries are frequently not very fresh – i.e. They may already have sulfate buildup from sitting on the store shelf toolong.8.
Can I use my BLS on my car as well? The best model for a car is the. It is designed specifically to be installed permanately on the car. This will assure a worry free use.
If you have multiple vehicles you may consider rotating the BLS from one to another.9. How can I tell if my BLS is working?It is ON and working when the LED is illuminated. An hydrometer is the best way to determine if the BLS is effectively working on your batteries. Check the batteries before installing the BLS, then recheck every month.
Reference the to determine the condition of the batteries. This will tell you how the batteries are doing. Also, you will notice you can go farther and faster as your batteries are brought back to life.10.
If I have one bad battery, do I have to replace all of them? When using the BLS, you only have to replace the bad batteries. The BLS will prevent the damage that usually occurs when mixing old and new batteries.FEATURES. Only one unit is needed per cart. Attach it and forget it.
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Can be installed permanently to the cart. Dimensions are 4 x 2 x 2.5 inches. When rejuvenating old cart batteries, you should start to see the results within the first 2 weeks. Reduces water evaporation. Shorter charging times. Longer run times.
Sturdy & weather resistant. Installation time less than 15 minutes. Produced since 2002. Over a 99% satisfaction rate. 120 Day money back guarantee.
5 year limited warrantyQuestions? Call Us at 727-446-8400 IMAGES, VIDEOS AND LINKSGolf Cart BLS VideoAll About the BLS.
Table of Contents.Question: From Rick in Florida – Over Charging Batteries?”I have a new links charger and it seems to be over charging the batteries. The batteries were bubbling and the charger was still running. Charging at about 5 amps. 2 hours after I disconnected the charger batteries read 12.94 V Batteries are new Any suggestions?” Answer: A Transformer style chargerThe Lester Electric Golf Cart you purchased is a transformer style charger that is designed to apply amperage and voltage for a length of time that replaces the energy used from last discharge. This is fairly old technology but very effective to charge your golf cart batteries.
Depending on the battery chargers output (Amperage), the batteries size (Capacity), and DOD(depth of discharge), all this will determine the amount of time required to fully charge the battery bank in question. In the process as they reach maximum capacity the more electricity that is forced into the batteries the more it excites the electrolyte and gets electrons moving in the battery itself(That is the boiling sound you hear) The gurgling sound is common – and okay!This is common especially with NEW batteries. This process actually needs to happen to positively charge and electrify the lead plates and cure the new lead. Any new battery pulled off the line at the manufacture will only test out at about 80% advertised Ah rating because the lead hasn’t been cured (still too soft). Something that is really impossible for the manufacturer to do in house because of the process involved. It takes 15-20 charging cycles to “cure” the lead platesIt takes on average 15-20 cycles at 50% DOD “Depth of Discharge”, to completely cure the new lead plates in a new lead acid battery and allow the battery to reach full capacity (That will be the advertised Ah rating at the 20hr rate.)So no worries as the charger is just doing its thing Trojan batteries actually like to get hit harder ( More Amperage applied) than others thru the bulk phase and finishing phase of a charge cycle because the lead plates are thicker than most competitors.
Add more water during this phaseYou will most likely add more water than ever over the period of time we will call breaking in phase. This is from the charger forcing electrons into the lead, once the lead is cured electrons cannot pass thru as easily.
1970 dodge dart swinger 240 books review. Although the schematic is in black and white, the color of each wire is noted. It will help you to understand connector configurations, and locate & identify circuits, relays, and grounds. You can follow all of the wiring in your vehicle from bumper-to-bumper. '70 Dart Wiring Diagram Manual' This is a reprint of the wiring diagram printed by Dodge for dealer mechanics.
The boiling sound will become quieterAt this point the batteries will not be as excited (loud boiling sounds) when charging/complete charge. There will (and should) always be a bubbling noiseMake no mistake lead acid batteries will always make noise in the charge process and finishing phase because of the specific chemistry and design that make a lead acid battery. It is also an important part to insure good battery health as well. Without this boiling the lead plates sulfate rapidly and severely hinder battery life per charge and cycle life.
This process helps the battery to charge and functionThis process actually helps to clean the lead plates and keep them clean to better react to the electrolyte in the cells to create electricity. AGM and Gel style batteries are even more picky than traditional lead acid batteries because they like more voltage and amperage to complete the same process.Hopefully this was helpful and insightful to ease your worries about your golf cart batteries and the golf cart battery charger. For more information you can also read our “” post.Power OnPete Rick – responseThanks for your response.
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So I understand the bubbling and sulfur smell are normal and I should not disconnect the charger. What should the Voltage be when fully charged? Should I charge even when reading about 12.5 volts after 9 holes? – Great service, by the way. Pete – responseNo worries I have seen run as high as 58-60v when charging, but it is normal to see voltages around 50v-52v when sitting static for several days after a fresh charge cycle.
Most common size lead acid batteries will be from.6 volts to.8 volts over advertised voltage on battery when fully charged. Always good to re-charge cart at the end of the day, never let it sit 1/2 -3/4 charged.
Re-charge then store when not in use.Pete Pete please help. Batteries Expelled Acid on ChargeHi i charged my cart with my new charger. Thanks for the fast shipping but the batteries folded expelled acid do i have to change the settings on the charger my batteries are Trojan t-875, 8 volt, 170 ah @ 20hr, 145ah @ 5hr Pete – responseNo Worries – You should be fine with the factory settingThese golf cart chargers come pre set for lead acid batteries and your Trojan batteries are well within the settings range. It sounds like the batteries were over filled. Always check the level of the electrolyte after batteries are fully charged and only fill each cell about 1/4 – 3/8 inch above the batteries plates which leaves about equal distance to the bottom of the cell cap tube.Pete’s Team. Granted you have the right charger you can do this.
What year is your Club Car? Are you talking about using the original Club Car PowerDrive model charger?
If so, it will not work because it will not turn itself back on – you would need something like the new DPI Gen IV charger that actually has a built in Micro-processor that runs on the power of the golf cart batteries and keeps track of time. It turns itself back on every 28 days to top off the batteries then when charge is complete it shuts back off again to repeat cycle. Feel free to give us a jingle should you have any further questions about ordering the correct charger for your cart. It will be determined by the fact your Club Car either has an OBC or it does not.Pete. Walt – Thank you for your question. I can understand your concern. Though rest assured if all is working properly in the charger and charge circuit it is completely normal and the charger is just doing what it is told.
All powerDrive model chargers where used with the Club Car Golf cart from 1995 thru 2014. They worked with a Lester component installed in all Club Car golf carts over those model years AKA “The OBC or Onboard Computer.”Basically the charger is looking for voltage. Total voltage achieved. Whereas the battery indicator gauge on your dash console is a 48v meter – so it shows full at 48 volts When charging those batteries will get into the mid 50v range. And after the charge cycle is complete settle in around 51.7v – 52.3v Also note the charger has tapered off the charge cycle as it has reached 80% charge and the finishing phase will take just as long to complete as most bulk phase charge cycles as the amperage applied has been reduce 60-70%.Furthermore – New batteries are always very hungry for energy.
At least lead acid batteries. Usually take approx.
20-25 charge cycles at 50% D.O.D. “Depth of Discharge” to completely cure the lead and energize the plates completely.Want more control and want to see what the charger is doing exactly? I would recommend the New Lester Summit II chargers. See Link below – These things are incredible and with Bluetooth connectivity you can check and change or adjust almost any feature you want. Programmable as well for specific battery types.
Wondering whether you should you go with the 8 volt golf cart battery for your conversion, or another voltage? There are reasons to choose 8 volt batteries, and situations where or 12 volt golf cart batteries are better. When I say, I mean lead acid batteries of a certain type best for golf carts, and they're the type folks are using in their electric cars, too.Your electric car's, your initial vs. Long-term budget, and your car's weight will be the main considerations in this decision.
I'll talk more about that in a minute.Note: This discussion only applies to lead-acid batteries. LiFePO4 EV drivers say that you're using, they've noticed that motor type seems to be much less of an issue.Choosing between the 6 volt and 8 volt Golf Cart Battery. Advantages of the 8 volt golf cart over 6 volt. Less initial cost. If you're operating on a shoestring, this might make the difference between getting your electric car on the road.or leaving it, nearly complete, littering up the garage and irritating the spouse. Nobody wants that!.
Lighter weight. Typical car-load of 8-volt golf cart batteries will weigh 1000-1200 pounds, rather than 1200-1600 pounds if you use the same overall voltage of 6-volt batteries. For example: Powering a 120 volt system means using 20 six volt batteries, or 15 eight volt batteries. Fifteen 8v batteries weigh less than 20 6v golf cart batteries, overall. If you're pushing your weight limit already, this may be a consideration.Disadvantages of 8 volt golf cart battery. Shorter life.
Amp hours are heavy, and deep-cyclable electrode plates are heavy; since the amp hours in an 8 volt golf cart battery are about the same as their 6 volt counterparts (although see next item on the list!), this can only mean that the electrode plates are somewhat less sturdy.which means you can't charge and discharge them as many times as their six volt cousins before they refuse to recharge again. This is the cycle life of a battery, and in general, the cycle life of an 8 volt golf cart battery is shorter than that of a 6 volt golf cart battery. Range is shorter. Since lead is fuel, and it's heavy, it follows that less weight means less lead.and less lead means less miles. And the 8 volt batteries can be drained faster by a lead foot than the 6 volt variety.And the 12 volt golf cart batteries, you ask?Shorter range, unless you've got an AC drive system.but lightest weight of all the lead golf cart batteries.
The 'Lead Foot Factor' I just mentioned becomes a REAL issue with 12 volt batteries. He told me that, in his 18 years of experience in the business, he's found the Trojan 8 volt and the US Battery 8 volt batteries to last pretty much an identical length of time (cycle life) if you take care of them properly. He emphasized the point about taking care of them properly, which means.
keeping the water and the charge topped up;. not letting them get too hot; and. not letting them drain down too far.Lead-acid is too stupid to have a memory, so you don't have to let them drain every once in a while like you should with ni-cad batteries.The Trojans cost a lot because of their name, he said, but USB's are just as good and cost a little less.
He said that Trojan doesn't honor their warranty as religiously as US Battery, and this is a good enough reason to get the US Batteries instead. US Battery is great with their battery warranty.Exide, US Battery, or Interstate. You can find Northwest Golf Carts, Inc. At:4128 Cedardale Road, Suite 101Mount Vernon, WA 98274360.757.2233Exide batteries are cheaper than the Trojans and US Battery 8 volt golf cart batteries, so a lot of folks are tempted to buy them to save money; but in the NW Golf Carts, Inc. Owner's opinion, it's a waste of money. You get what you pay for.He says that Sears, Les Schwab, and Napa all market Exide batteries under their own brand, but they are just as.cheap, shall we say?
As the ones with the Exide label.What about, I asked.He said, 'Those ARE US Batteries. Many thanks for the info!Battery Q&A. Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)Author Information (optional)To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.Your Name(first or full name)Your Location(e.g., City, State, Country)Submit Your Contribution. Check box to agree to these. I am at least 16 years of age. I understand and accept the. I understand that you will display my submission on your website.(You can preview and edit on the next page) What Other Visitors Have AskedClick below to see questions from other visitors to this page.
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