The scoop on charging GC batteries

[Becky]

Do you plug in the charger after every time you use it? I have a Club Car from GCC and it seems to take a long time to recharge. Is there a faster charger that is available? Do I need to run it down more? What do TV'ers do? Any info appreciated!

Becky

[Ooper]

My cart is pretty much plugged in all the time when not in use except when we go away for more than a couple days... then I unplug it. I think the size of your charger will determine how fast your batteries recharge... but might be wrong on that.

[dadspet]

Pretty much leave it plugged in all the time unless there is a bad electrical storm around and we think about it or we leave for an extended time. We do have a surge protector on the house. I think you can count on taking 8 hrs or so to fully charge the batteries when they are run down pretty good.

[nanci2539]

Did I read somewhere that an electric cart plugged in too long can cause a fire? Wasn't there a house fire last year in TV caused by a cart "blowing up" from over charging?

[SteveFromNY]

Did I read somewhere that an electric cart plugged in too long can cause a fire? Wasn't there a house fire last year in TV caused by a cart "blowing up" from over charging?

There was a fire in a garage last year the Daily Sun said could have been caused by the charger. Don't know if it was ever conclusively proven though.

[Russ_Boston]

That has been discussed on the forum before (try a search) but I can't imagine a new charger being a fire danger any more than any other appliance being left plugged in. I don't think today's batteries can become overcharged to the point of explosion.

Anybody?

[villages07]

As I recall the "charger fire" story.... the people covered the charger with a blanket or similar flammable material to muffle the buzzing sound .... caused the charger to overheat and catch fire???

[Russ_Boston]

That's kind of like covering your toaster with a blanket because the glare of the burner element was reflecting on your plasma! Tough way to learn a lesson.

[swrinfla]

Becky:

Hoping to answer your question more specifically -

I keep a sharp eye on my cart's gauge, and when it gets down to the point where I'm only "half charged," then I plug in. Almost always that's at the end of any planned excursions for the day. By next morning, I'm good to go.

In between times, I don't fret. In other words, I don't even attempt to go very far away from home if my gauge reads low. And, there are certain destinations that I consider further than I want to travel on battery. I'm perfectly comfortable using my car; a fill up every six weeks or so isn't really breaking the bank, even at today's gas prices!

SWR

[Becky]

Thanks so much for all the info. Think I might give GCC a call. Plug mine in after a short trip, gauge not showing down, but seems to take hours for charger to stop. Thanks again!

Becky

[Ooper]

Batteries do take time to charge. It is not unusual to hear the charger buzzing for 4 to 6 hours after plugging it in. It gets warm, but not hot. Once the batteries are charged, the charger will sense it and turn off. I live in Santiago, near the Savannah Center, and there is nowhere in The Villages I wouldn't take the cart with a full charge. We even go over to Lowe's, Bealls and Walmart on Rt. 441 on the cart.

[pajim]

from page 22 section E club car maint. manual. " the charger supplied with the club car ds solves the most common problems in charging. Undercharging and overcharging are prevented provided the charger is allowed to shut off by itself. Also all cells are automatically given an equalization charge at low current, which prolongs battery life. Batteries should never be left in a discharged state, as this to affects the internal components and can reduce the capacity of the battery. The batteries should be charged every day they are used, even if for only 10 minutes. It is wise to put the batteries even if the charger is only on for an hour or two.
POWERDRIVE SYSTEM 48 VEHICLES ONLY: Do not charge between rounds if the cycle will be interrupted. Always allow the charger to shut itself off,
What causes fires and hot spots are loose battery connections and low or no water in the batteries. check them at least once a month. use distilled water only. hope this helps.

[gfmucci]

That's kind of like covering your toaster with a blanket because the glare of the burner element was reflecting on your plasma! Tough way to learn a lesson.
* Some people are radically oversensitive to sounds, light, etc. to the point of doing really stupid things.

[SteveFromNY]

Some people are radically oversensitive to sounds, light, etc. to the point of doing really stupid things.


I agree, but would also suggest that some people just do really stupid things! ;D

[gfmucci]

Two things typically cause people to do really stupid things:

Laziness and fear. Laziness causes actions or inaction without proper knowledge or preparation. Fear causes people to act hastily without thought.