How to Check Golf Cart Batteries
Summer is the season for golf, but your game may be delayed if your golf cart batteries are not in working order. For safety and to expedite your time to the tee box, routinely check, clean and maintain your golf cart batteries. Regular maintenance, using a few tools and supplies, will keep your golf cart charged and ready to go. You can also uncover issues that suggest that that your golf cart is in need of a battery replacement.
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Things You'll Need
- Protective clothing
- Protective goggles
- Gloves
- Wrench
- Deionized or distilled water
- Baking soda
- Post/clamp cleaner
- Petroleum jelly
- Voltmeter
- Clean cloths
Instructions
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1
Put on protective clothing, gloves and goggles before proceeding. Working with battery acid can be very dangerous so use appropriate care.
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2
Examine the outside of the golf cart battery. Look for any cracks in the top or in battery container itself. Make sure all connections and posts are free of fluid, dirt or visible signs of erosion. If any of these hazards are present, the battery will need to be replaced.
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3
Check that all vent caps are screwed in tightly using the wrench and your gloved hand.
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4
Mix a solution of baking soda and deionized or distilled water. The ratio should be 1 tablespoon baking soda to 8 to 10 ounces of water. Clean the top of the battery with this mixture and a clean cloth. Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean cloth.
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5
Disconnect cable clamps. Clean battery terminals and the inside of cable clamps using a post and clamp cleaner, which is available at hardware or do-it-yourself stores such as Lowes or Home Depot.
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6
Reconnect clamps to the battery terminals. Coat clamps thinly with petroleum jelly. Check connection with voltmeter.
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7
Check that the battery's water level in each cell is covering the plates prior to charging. Partially discharged or fully discharged batteries should have enough water in them to cover the plates. If not, add just enough distilled water to cover the plates in each battery cell. Never fill water all the way to the cap.
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8
Charge battery.
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