How to reduce the cost of golf cart batteries
When you’re a golfer it’s easy to spend lots of money on products and services, such as golf shoes, golf balls, tees, clubs, bags, green fees and of course maintaining your golf cart. Included in this list is the surprisingly expensive aspect of replacing golf cart batteries.
These are often between US$200 – 500 and depending on your cart, you may need several at a time. So if you can extend the life of your battery, you can use that money to buy a new driver or putter. Read on to find out how.
Charging It is important to follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions when charging your golf cart battery. In general, AGM / deep cycle batteries (AGM stands for absorbed glass mat) should not be run to empty before being recharged. The key is to keep the battery as close to full as you can, at all times. Fortunately there are devices available these days that can keep a battery charged by solar power, which can extend the life of the battery significantly.
Maintaining water levels. Golf buggy batteries have water in them and if the water levels are not high enough the batteries won’t charge properly and can even be irreparably damaged. Using pure water is also a good thing to do, as the components of the battery can be susceptible to corrosion.
Looking after your battery well. You wouldn’t crash your golf cart into a tree (at least not on purpose) so why would you drive at high speeds through ditches and otherwise jerk the life out of the battery? It has delicate internal mechanisms and these aren’t easily disrupted but if they are bashed around enough this can have a negative effect on the battery’s performance and lifespan. Save yourself the embarrassment of breaking down on the far side of the course and drive safely to the conditions.
Clean leads. The battery is only as good as its ability to convey electrical current to the golf cart’s engine. Old rusty leads compromise the battery’s ability to do its job and in a worst case scenario can cause fire (too much current going through too thin wires causing excessive heat). If you look after your leads and replace old ones you can eliminate the leads as being a cause of engine failure, speeding up your diagnosis. It’s a good feeling to be driving around the golf course knowing that your leads are in good working order! Golf is a game of mental skill and calm, so why not remove another possible irritant that may send your ball into the water hazard.
Happy golfing!
Click here for the cost of golf cart batteries and Trojan golf cart batteries.