Golf Cart Battery Question

[Davidmnc]

I have a 36v EZ-Go golf cart. The batteries are about 5 years old now. They are not holding a charge quite as good as I would like, but they aren't bad enough to replace yet either. A friend of mine suggest I buy a bottle of battery acid and split it between the six batteries. He claim's he did this with great success that resulted in a couple more good years out of a set of batteries. Do you guys think this will extend the life of my batteries, or should I just leave them alone?

 

[BBB725]

I wouldn't, they could burn up and wreck the cart itself, but everyone around here had gas powered golf carts so I've never worked on a electric one.

 

[Warlock28SXT]

David, did you use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of your batteries? Are they sealed? If not check the level of the cells, if low fill with distilled water. (only if the batteries are charged when they are low on charge the electrolyte is absorbed into the plates. If you fill the charge you will over flow the batteries)

Jason

 

[Davidmnc]

I keep them filled with water. What does a hydrometer tell me, and how do you read it. I think we may have one here I can use.

 

[BBB725]

I keep them filled with water. What does a hydrometer tell me, and how do you read it. I think we may have one here I can use.

It tells the amount of hydro:biggrinjester:

 

[Davidmnc]

it tells the amount of hydro:biggrinjester:

 

[Warlock28SXT]

I keep them filled with water. What does a hydrometer tell me, and how do you read it. I think we may have one here I can use.

The hydrometer tells you the state charge of the cells of your batteries. It compares the weight of electrolyte to water.
CELL READINGS PERCENT CHARGED
1.270 100 %
1.230 75%
1.190 50%
1.145 25%
1.100 0%

 

[Davidmnc]

The hydrometer tells you the state charge of the cells of your batteries. It compares the weight of electrolyte to water.
CELL READINGS PERCENT CHARGED
1.270 100 %
1.230 75%
1.190 50%
1.145 25%
1.100 0%

But is there a point were it would be "safe" to add more acid? And at what point is a battery no good?

 

[Warlock28SXT]

But is there a point were it would be "safe" to add more acid? And at what point is a battery no good?

I've never put acid in batteries, just distilled h20. I'm no expert on the topic just a bit of what I have learned when I had non sealed batteries in my last boat.

 

[Warlock28SXT]

But is there a point were it would be "safe" to add more acid? And at what point is a battery no good?

Good question. I wanted to know as well so I looked online. Check out this web page it's way more informative than I am. With a more detailed chart on SG than what I have.

http://www.thesolar.biz/Battery_charging_article.htm

 

[Davidmnc]

I think I will check them out, and forget about adding acid! Doesn't sound safe.

 

[phragle]

install pedals. check the Ph of othe battery acid, don't know what the range actually is, but that will tell you one way or the oter if you need to add acid.

 

[glassdave]

I use to work for Club Car golf cars. Do not add acid to the batteries only distilled H2O. What you need to do is a discharge test you may have only a single bad one in the group. Its the only real way to determine which ones are bad and also do not mix new and old batteries best off getting reconditioned ones. Do you have any golf car specific shops in you area? you need to check voltage under load at discharge, you can also get a good idea with just a carbon pile tester.

what year E-Z-go? the eighties/early nineties gas cars were great. I've had those in the fifty mph range. Its also possible to double the speed of your electric car with just the 36 volts available. Kills the batteries pretty quick though

 

[Ratickle]

Just buy this one and forget about it.....


http://www.racingjunk.com/category/46/Golf_Carts_ATVs/post/1532163/Worlds-Fastest-Golf-Cart.html


50 mph in third gear with a 5 speed.......

 

[Knot 4 Me]

Good info. I used to top off with acid. No more...