When it comes to golf carts, we often have to choose: Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time? This question will help you get the most out of your golf cart’s batteries and make sure they last a long time.
Take good care of your golf cart battery with this help. It tells you what to remember and how to do things.
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?
No, it would help if you didn’t always charge your golf cart. They might only last for a short time if you do this. When not in use, the cart should be turned off so the batteries can fully charge. It’s suitable for the batteries because it lets them drain naturally.
Understanding the health of batteries
There are several ways to take care of golf cart batteries. Golf carts often have flooded lead-acid batteries that need to have their charge levels checked regularly and have enough airflow to keep them from overcharging.
Gel batteries, which use silica to keep the electrolyte from moving, need special charges and need to be cleaned regularly. There is no need to take care of sealed AGM batteries with glass mats that soak up water.
But they should be charged often and kept away from temperatures that are too high or too low. Remember to take good care of the batteries in your golf cart. They will last longer and stay in good shape.
Factors Influencing Battery Health
Battery Type
How often you charge your golf cart’s battery and how long it will last will depend on the type of battery it has. Most batteries are clogged lead-acid batteries. You could lose water if you charge them less.
It won’t hurt a gel or covered battery to charge it for a long time. Since they can charge all the time, they’re great.
Charger Type
It’s essential to choose the correct charger to keep the battery healthy. Make sure that hand charges don’t go over by keeping a close eye on them.
On the other hand, auto chargers stop when the battery is full. It will be easier to keep up with an automatic charger, and it will be less likely to break if you charge it too much.
Frequency of Use
To keep your golf cart in good shape, you should charge the battery at times that work for the way you drive it. To make sure that carts with batteries that die quickly are always ready to go, charge them all the time.
People who only use carts sometimes may want to be more careful about how you charge them so they don’t get ripped off.
Pros and cons of leaving golf carts plugged in.
Pros:
- Your golf cart is always ready to go if you leave it plugged in. It doesn’t need to be charged first.
- A battery that is fully charged lasts longer. When the phone isn’t being used, like in the winter, it’s best to charge the battery often.
- Keeps the Battery From Going Dead: If you charge the battery all the time, it will never be completely dead, which could shorten its life.
Cons:
- In case you charge your battery all the time, you might charge it too much. This could hurt it and make it die faster.
- If you leave the golf cart plugged in all the time, it may use more electricity, which will cost you more.
- Needs Maintenance: If you charge your battery all the time, you may need to check the water level and make sure the charger is always working right to avoid problems like acid loss and charger problems.
Winter Considerations
When the battery hasn’t been used for a while, especially in the winter, it’s essential to be careful with it.
The batteries will stay healthy if you store the carts the right way. To make things even better, golf cart batteries work better when you store them the way the maker tells you to.
They will still work well in the winter, no matter what the weather is like.
Best Practices for Battery Maintenance
- If you want your golf cart battery to last as long as possible and work well, you need to follow the proper steps.
- When taking care of batteries, you should do things like checking the water level and doing what the maker says.
- Because batteries need to be charged and drained all the time, it’s essential to get the right mix.
For More best practices, check out Battery University.
Final Thought On Should I leave my golf Cart plugged in all the time
Always plug in the golf cart. That way, the cell might not last as long or be as healthy. It’s best to fully charge the batteries before putting the cart away for the night.
They work better and last longer when you let them run on their own.
