Golf Car Options Magazine Juy 2019 Golf Car Options Magazine July 2019 | Page 33

the service
• Making Your Golf Cart Batteries Last
Longer. (US Battery www.usbattery.com)
Nobody likes having to replace a set of 6-volt
or 8-volt golf cart batteries every few years,
especially if you think you’ve maintained
them by frequently charging and watering.
So what went wrong? There’s more to making
your batteries last longer than simple routine
maintenance. According to Fred Wehmeyer,
Senior Vice President/Engineering at U.S.
Battery Manufacturing, there are three key
factors that maximize battery life.
The first is starting with a better battery. If
you’ve always shopped for the less expensive
battery, you’re sacrificing capacity and
extended operation. Premium batteries cost
a little more initially, but simply put, they
have more lead plates and better internal
construction. This is one of the major factors
in battery longevity and with the benefit of
greater capacity for longer run times between
charging.
A better battery will also help with the second
factor towards extending battery life, which
is the amount of discharge placed on the
batteries. Battery manufacturers recommend
limiting the discharge rate to 50-percent for
optimum battery cycle life. A 50-percent Depth
Of Discharge (DOD), can be determined by
first applying a full charge to the batteries,
and the run time increases, regularly check
the state of charge with a simple hydrometer.
Battery manufactures typically have a specific
gravity chart that shows what the hydrometer
will read at full charge, and also identify when
it reaches various percentages of discharge.
Periodically checking the hydrometer readings
will give you a good idea how much run-time
the batteries can operate before reaching
50-percent discharge. Charging the batteries
at this level, or before 50-percent DOD, will
greatly promote longer service life.
The third factor is one you’re probably already
doing, proper maintenance. This includes
checking water levels and topping off each cell
to the battery manufacturer’s recommended
levels as needed. It also includes visual
inspections that require looking for clean
terminals and wiring, then making repairs as
necessary. Performing regular equalization
charges at least once per month is also an
important part of a proper maintenance
routine that can prevent stratification and
shorten battery life.
Does this really work? The best examples
come from new and used golf car dealers who
are seeing the benefits of providing training
for their customers on these important
factors, as well as proper maintenance
procedures. Many report that they have
had customers get an average of five to
seven years out of their batteries, which
can dramatically reduce the cost of owning
and operating a battery powered golf car
over the long haul. For more information on
battery maintenance and selecting the right
battery for a variety of applications, visit www.
usbattery.com. •
JULY 2019
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