[Bob45]

Originally Posted by rubicon

My golf cart repairman informed me that the only thing that will remove battery acid leakage is muriatic acid. I purchase some and plan on using it shortly. I will mix it in a spray bottle and focus on the areas stained. Yes I agree with those suggesting not to refill batteries until after charging. I also do not charge my batteries overnight because I fear the automatic shutoff from the charger might become defective and create a fire. So I only recharge during the day I am interested in learning if anyone is getting better than 3-4 years on their batteries and if so the brand name. I have gone through three sets of batteries in four years and they were suppose to be the best Trojans???? Any suggestions?

Rubicon,
If you are keeping your batteries charged and using distilled water to keep the water level above the plates I am thinking your charger may not be working properly. Batteries should last a lot longer than yours are.
Bob

[RichieLion]

1. Use only distilled water

2. Fill to correct level after charging, ONLY

3. Correct level is 1/2 inch above elements (use a popsicle stick and draw a line at 1/2 inch)

4. Check your battery connections to make sure they're still tight and so each battery is
being used properly and being charged properly.

5.Do this at least once a month.

6. When charging cart after use, wait at least 20 minutes to let batteries COOL DOWN.
This will save you a lot of headaches.

I've followed these procedures for 2 years with my older cart and 1 1/2 years with my newer, and my batteries are in pristine condition and I've never boiled over and take each cart over 50 miles on a charge and probably more if I wanted to chance it.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE IF ALL THAT'S NECESSARY

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by djv

Here are a couple ways to extend golf cart battery life. (1) A voltage reducer which reduces 48 volts to 12 volts or 36 volts to 12 volts. A voltage reducer will use all your batteries (48 volts or 36 volts) and reduce the voltage to 12 volts for your 12 volt accessories. In this way, ALL your batteries are used equally. In many carts, two 6 volt batteries in a 36 volt system are used to obtain 12 volts for your lights, turn signals, horn etc. In a 48 volt system, two 8 volt batteries are used with a 16 volt to 12 volt reducer or two 8 volt batteries, producing 16 volts are used causing very bright lights and bright tail lights, some to the point of melting tail light lenses. These two batteries are constantly being used to feed the 12 volt electrical system and never get charged back up to what the other batteries are. It is very common to see these two batteries fail prematurely. Cost: approximately $169.95 (2) Another way is to install a battery desulphator such as a Battery Life Saver (BLS) or other desulphator brands. This device produces a radio frequency through the battery plates and removes the sulphur crystals. Reports are that this will extend the life of your battery by keeping the plates clean. Cost: approximately $139.95. (3) Keep your batteries charged! Golf cart deep cycle batteries love to be charged! djv

I'd like to hear your comments on gel batteries that don't need water.