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Golf cart batteries

Demand for golf cart batteries is growing rapidly. This is due to the rising popularity of golfing as a sport, as well as the fact that golf carts are to be found in the most unlikely of places – such as airports, universities, farms and even streets. Of course, carts used on the street will require additional safety features.

It’s easy to understand the appeal of golf carts as - being powered by rechargable batteries - they’re exhaust-free, convenient, quiet to run and are the epitome of convenience.

All you have to do is remember to charge your golf cart batteries overnight, which should be simplicity itself – providing, that is, you choose a reliable, easily rechargeable battery.

Choosing golf cart batteries

There are various points to consider when purchasing electric golf cart batteries, and one of these is which voltage to go for. The majority of carts run on either 36 volt or 48 volt batteries, with 48 volts providing better performance. It is also possible to find golf carts with 72 or 24 volt batteries; however, these are few and far between.

It’s best to opt for the most powerful battery that your golf cart can accommodate. And if you have to use electric golf carts for long periods of time without charging them, then it makes sense to go for a model of golf cart which allows batteries to be changed with a minimum of fuss.

Winter storage tips

During the winter months, most golfers store their golf carts away safely in the garage or shed. But before tucking your beloved buggy up for the winter, make sure you carry out some simple preventive battery maintenance measures:

Clean batteries and check that all the caps fit snugly.
Unplug the charger and rinse out the battery compartment.
Spray the tops of the batteries with battery neutraliser.
Scrub the tops and sides of all batteries, using plain water or a mixture of plain water and baking soda (2 tbsps to 1 gallon of water) to neutralise the acid.
Check the water level in the battery cells, refilling as necessary.
Charge the battery occasionally during storage, but without overcharging - fully charged batteries freeze a lot less readily than uncharged ones.

Disposing of old golf cart batteries safely

Despite regular maintenance and careful storage, unfortunately even the most expensive and well-made golf cart batteries will eventually become incapable of holding a charge. So what is the best way of disposing of redundant or dead golf cart batteries?

Many types of battery are unsuitable for disposal in landfill, because they contain a cocktail of toxic heavy metals, as well as being extremely corrosive. For example, golf batteries must not be disposed of along with household waste, and the same restrictions apply to:

For environmental reasons, always try to recycle batteries by handing them into an appropriately equipped recycling centre. Almost 90 per cent of lead acid batteries can be recycled, so when you’re buying new golf cart batteries, make sure you dispose of the old ones in a green way.