Golf cart battery maintenance isn't complicated or difficult, but you could end up stranded somewhere on the back nine if you neglect it for too long. The battery in your golf cart is just as important as the battery in your car, and the process of maintaining them is very similar. If you want your golf cart battery to last for years to come, you need to keep it full of electrolyte, maintain the charge, and store it properly when it isn't being used.

golf cart battery

Watering Your Golf Cart Battery

Batteries aren't plants, but they still need to be watered. Every lead acid battery contains an electrolyte solution, and unsealed batteries need to be topped off from time to time. If your battery is unsealed, then you can top it off by carefully adding distilled water to each cell. After the cells are full, you should fully charge the battery before using it.

If you own a battery hydrometer, you can use it to check the level of charge in each individual cell. That's a good way to ensure that there aren't any electrolyte problems, but it will also show you if any of the cells are dead. If your battery still has a dead cell after it has been watered and charged, you'll probably have to replace it.

Maintaining Battery Charge

Most golf cart batteries aren't deep cycle, so they need to be charged after every single use. Deep cycle batteries can be completely discharged, but most lead acid batteries need to be topped off on a regular basis. In fact, the level of charge in your golf cart batteries should never fall below 20 percent. If the charge does fall below that level, the batteries should be fully charged before you drive the cart again.

It's also important to remember that new batteries can require up to 50 charging cycles before they reach peak operating efficiency. With that in mind, it's a good idea to avoid hitting the links with brand new batteries. You should also avoid adding a new battery to a bank of batteries that have already been broken in.

Golf Cart Battery Storage

Proper storage can also help extend the life of a golf cart battery. If you don't plan on using your cart for a while, then the first step is to make sure the battery is fully charged. You can then disconnect the battery cables to help prevent corrosion. The battery should also be stored in a location where it won't be exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures. If you expect the temperature to drop below freezing, then you may want to store your battery inside.