[Sgt Ed]

Originally Posted by Villageshooter

My golf cart has set approximately eight weeks and the battery has went dead in it. I have a jumpstart module to jumpstart it, but what would be the best situation to get it charged up, by driving it?, Do I take it on a long trip from the top of the villages to the bottom of the villages? Will that charge it well enough? I really don’t want to have to buy a battery charger. Any advice you could give me I would be appreciated.

Get it jumped off then buy, yes buy a battery maintainer, NOT A TRICKLE CHARGER, NOCO brand is pro stuff, and about $50 buks on internet. Dead batter in the future is history and a maintainer does the correct stuff to prolong battery life.

[mkjelenbaas]

Originally Posted by mrf6969

That battery sitting for just 2 months should not have been dead. What you need to do is have a cart tech install a new battery for testing purposes only and then they will be able to see if the starter generator is actually doing its job. If it is then you probably need a new battery, especially if it is over 3-4 years old. The worst-case scenario is that you have draw, and those can be a real challenge to find.
There is a golf cart tech that is on this site, Kenny P. I believe, hopefully he will chime in and give you the professional advice.

DO NOT GO TO SUMTER LANDING for any work - they are UP CHARGERS and will want to charge for things that don’t need to be done!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by mkjelenbaas

DO NOT GO TO SUMTER LANDING for any work - they are UP CHARGERS and will want to charge for things that don’t need to be done!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Love LSL service center. They are great.

I'm 5 minutes from Brownwood, but I drive 20 minutes to LSL to get my cart serviced.

[DrHitch]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Some carts have add on features that drawn milliamperes.

Yes, an add-on stereo system, USB ports (lite up), and many other components will continue to draw power even when the cart is turned off.

It may be best to physically disconnect the battery when not used for long periods.

As others have said, don't use a cheap trickle charger because they do continue to charge slowly and can burn up a battery. Use a "battery tender" with auto shutoff

[mistamick]

My 6 month old Yamaha sat unused for two weeks and wouldn’t start. When I bought it the salesman handed me a trickle charger, which I found unusual. He suggested I use it if the cart was stored for a time.
I charged the battery with a regular charger and took the cart to Sumter Village Carts and complained. I was told that the new speedometer that Yamaha now uses will draw down the battery even when the ignition is off.
He showed me how the speedometer can be shut off by holding down the button on the upper left. Sure enough, off it went.
So, apparently that’s the answer to the mystery.

[mrf6969]

Originally Posted by mkjelenbaas

DO NOT GO TO SUMTER LANDING for any work - they are UP CHARGERS and will want to charge for things that don’t need to be done!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

You are so WRONG about this. I have used them for 15 years now and never had an issue like what you are claiming. They must be doing something right as they service over 75 carts a day just at that one Sumter location.

[Bwanajim]

Buy a trickle charger. Leave it plugged in if you’re not going to use cart for a while.

[Road Apple]

I had battery problems with two carts until I did this: I went to advance auto parts and bought a battery disconnect switch (~40 bucks). I disconnect the battery after every trip. Have not had a problem one time since. There are ways the battery drains even when off…like those light strips, which I have. Also adds a little security vs. theft. I don’t know that the bad guy would try to solve the issue if the cart won’t start…which it won’t when disconnect switch is off. Good luck!

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Road Apple

I had battery problems with two carts until I did this: I went to advance auto parts and bought a battery disconnect switch (~40 bucks). I disconnect the battery after every trip. Have not had a problem one time since. There are ways the battery drains even when off…like those light strips, which I have. Also adds a little security vs. theft. I don’t know that the bad guy would try to solve the issue if the cart won’t start…which it won’t when disconnect switch is off. Good luck!

Great idea for golf carts! A battery tender is about 60$-90$ bucks, and mine is hard wired into our Subaru so I just plug it into the wall and plug it into the matching socket, close the hood and leave. Bought one for a friend while she left her car in the garage for 6 months. Starts right up!

Battery disconnect also works, but can't help a drained battery. Buy both and install both. . .

YMMV

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by mkjelenbaas

DO NOT GO TO SUMTER LANDING for any work - they are UP CHARGERS and will want to charge for things that don’t need to be done!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

That is only the tip of the iceberg -

[DARFAP]

Originally Posted by Normal

I know you don’t want to buy a battery charger but;

You may be able to bring it back to life with a trickle charge. The charger is cheaper than the battery and it can be used again. I would remove or disconnect it, and place it on a low charge for a couple days.

I have one with a repair mode. It brought a dead battery back to life in my cart. The charger was not expensive (Amazon), and is handy to have on hand.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Villageshooter

My golf cart has set approximately eight weeks and the battery has went dead in it. I have a jumpstart module to jumpstart it, but what would be the best situation to get it charged up, by driving it?, Do I take it on a long trip from the top of the villages to the bottom of the villages? Will that charge it well enough? I really don’t want to have to buy a battery charger. Any advice you could give me I would be appreciated.

shooter...............what did you do??

[Villageshooter]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

shooter...............what did you do??

as I stated earlier, I used instant charger block. It started right off., took a two hour trip down to Finney, I bought a battery maintainer for the next time and all is good. I certainly appreciate all the ideas that I got here.

[villagetinker]

To ALL,
be very careful of the "tickle chargers" as opposed to battery tenders", I completely destroyed an automotive battery using an inexpensive (harbor freight) trickle charger. These devices place a CONSTANT charge on the battery and eventually will overcharge the battery, and then it is junk. I true battery tender actually turn turns on and off or maintain the correct charge level.
If anybody wants an old harbor freight unit you can have it for free, going into the trash very soon.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

To ALL,
be very careful of the "tickle chargers" as opposed to battery tenders", I completely destroyed an automotive battery using an inexpensive (harbor freight) trickle charger. These devices place a CONSTANT charge on the battery and eventually will overcharge the battery, and then it is junk. I true battery tender actually turn turns on and off or maintain the correct charge level.
If anybody wants an old harbor freight unit you can have it for free, going into the trash very soon.

I got this one pretty cheap from harbor freight and it's worked very well for me. I have a couple of old 6 volt cars I've left it on with good results.