If you are a golf cart owner and you prefer using your cart when you play. You have to make sure that you have the basic knowledge about deep cycle batteries to ensure that your cart is always in top shape. Without the proper knowledge or awareness of the basic concepts of this type of battery, chances are, your battery will have a short life. However, learning the basic aspects inclined to your golf cart battery will drastically turn your life around.
You can start by learning the proper way of how to charge your golf cart batteries. Then slowly go deeper by understanding the behavior of deep cycle power cells. Knowing information like these is beneficial to your cart and its performance, allowing the machine to realize its full potential. Which will improve and enhance your experience leading to more enjoyable and pleasurable golfing experience?
The Basic Concept Of Charging A Deep Cycle Power Cell
Golf cart batteries are deep cycle type power cells designed for longer operations where they are deeply discharged. These batteries meant to be used most of its capacity to provide a consistent flow of energy for long periods of time. In this case, they are charged differently in contrast with starter batteries. Properly charging a deep cycle battery will greatly improve its life expectancy, boosting service life and maximize its use.
Ideally, deep cycle batteries like your golf cart power cell should be completely or fully charged before use. Using them and discharging most of their capacity from a less than 100% charge will shorten their life. The greater the discharge capacity of the battery, the longer it will take to get them to full charge. Deep charging makes the battery plates thinner and weaker that jeopardizes the life expectancy of the power cell.
Although it is a type of battery designed for deep cycle operations, it is recommended to avoid discharging them too deep.
Related Article => How long to charge a deep cycle battery?
6 Step To Charging Golf Cart Batteries
One of the essential and vital aspects that you should never forget is to charge your golf cart batteries after every use. This is crucial if you want to extend the life of your golf cart power cells. Then to properly charge your deep cycle batteries and give it a brief checkup at the same time, follow the steps listed below:
Step 1. Disconnecting And Then Cleaning With Baking Soda
The first step to properly charge and clean your golf cart batteries is to make a baking soda and water solution. While waiting for the baking soda to dissolve completely, you can start removing the connections on the battery. Then start cleaning the terminals of the battery as well as the clamps using the baking soda to get rid of any corrosion. Let it sit for a while for the solution to take effect and then dry everything using a clean piece of cloth or towel. It will make sure that the battery will charge effectively.
Step 2. Give The Battery A Quick Inspection
Double check to make sure that both the clamps and battery ports are completely free from corrosion. Also, check the batteries for any leaking fluids to make sure that they are still in good shape. Make sure that all the exposed parts of the battery are thoroughly cleaned.
Step 3. Checking The Cables And Clamps For Any Damages
Switch your focus from the battery and pay attention to the cables and clamps. Check the clamps for corrosion and then inspect the cable to see if there are any damages or signs any wear and tear. This is to make sure that there will be fluent and proper flow energy to properly charge the battery.
Step 4. Reconnecting And Application Of Protective Layer
Once all components involved in the charging process are checked. You can now reconnect the clamps to the respective power cell terminals. Double check the polarity and make sure that the entire connection is flawless. Then take a bit of petroleum jelly and apply some of the terminals and clamps to protect them from corrosion in the future.
Step 5. Inspect The Water Levels On Every Cell Of the Battery
For this particular step, make sure to wear the proper protective gears like goggles and gloves to protect you from the battery fluids. Open each battery cell by carefully removing the plastic caps. Check the water levels and see if the plates are still covered by the water if it needs to be refilled then do so. Make sure that you will not overfill every cell, then place the lids back.
Step 6. Connect The Battery To The Charger
You can now go into the main charging process. Take the battery charger and then connect with the respective terminals of the power cell. Then make sure that the connection is not flawed and start the charging process. After charging the battery, give each cell a quick check and see if the water evaporated during the charging process. Refill each cell if needed.
Conclusion
That is how you should charge golf cart batteries or deep cycle type of power cells. The entire process is pretty easy, but keeping the essential things in mind can be a bit challenging. However, with this quick and simple guide that provides you the information you need. You will have a future reference that you can go to if you are having troubles with it.
In this guide, you also learned the basic concept of charging deep cycle power cells. With this information, you will have the proper knowledge that will allow you figure out the good charging practices that will extend your battery service life.
