Potential battery issue on golf cart

[Coop63]

I acquired a used 2020 Yamaha Quietec gas golf cart and the owner mention he keeps it on a trickle charger when not using. I believe (hopefully) this was code word for bad battery. It has a Striker monitor that shows speed and also voltage.

When I press on the gas there can be a noticeable lag between the engine starting and voltage will drop to 7 or 8v. I am thinking this is a bad battery and considering it's 5 years old, would not be surprising.

I thought I would just take out the battery and get it tested. However, there is a barrier that would need to be removed (or side panel) with fuses attached. Thinking I may just pay extra and have a repair guy replace it. I also want assurance that it is most likely the battery.

We just moved to the TV so not sure the best way to go about this. Does it make sense to take it to the Villages Cart shop, call mobile repair?

Suggestions are really appreciated.

[Bill14564]

I acquired a used 2020 Yamaha Quietec gas golf cart and the owner mention he keeps it on a trickle charger when not using. I believe (hopefully) this was code word for bad battery. It has a Striker monitor that shows speed and also voltage.

When I press on the gas there can be a noticeable lag between the engine starting and voltage will drop to 7 or 8v. I am thinking this is a bad battery and considering it's 5 years old, would not be surprising.

I thought I would just take out the battery and get it tested. However, there is a barrier that would need to be removed (or side panel) with fuses attached. Thinking I may just pay extra and have a repair guy replace it. I also want assurance that it is most likely the battery.

We just moved to the TV so not sure the best way to go about this. Does it make sense to take it to the Villages Cart shop, call mobile repair?

Suggestions are really appreciated.

I replaced the battery in my 2019 last year. Five years seems to be a common life expectancy for those batteries.

There are YouTube videos on how to remove the front (not side) panel to get the battery out. From memory:
- Remove the retaining clip holding the Forward/Reverse lever (only need a screwdriver to pry it off) then remove the lever.
- Remove the plastic plugs on the front and along the top of the panel using a screwdriver and/or pair of pliers.
- Remove the front panel
- Remove the bolts holding the front part of the side panel

I believe the official instructions have you remove the side panel entirely. I found that removing the bolts at the front allowed me to flex it enough to get the battery out.

Taking the battery in for testing will cost a little time but could potentially save a lot of money.

Make sure you replace the battery with the exact same Group Number. I deviated with mine and was lucky that I could make it work.

[bagboy]

Call Todd Casey. Casey'''s Cart Repairs (https://caseyscartrepairs.com/)

Or

Willys. 403 Forbidden (https://www.williesgolfcarts.com/)

Both do home repairs and are very dependable and trustworthy.

[MrFlorida]

This has happened to me twice over the years. Press down on the peddle and a 2-3 second pause usually means your battery is going dead.... I ignored this and was stranded twice, Kart Aid to the rescue.

[villagetinker]

I agree, probably a bad battery, there are 2 bolts, one toward the front of the cart that you will need a long extension on your ratchet to get it out and one towards the back, these will release the barrier enough the get the battery out. NOTE the position of the positive and negative battery posts. Got to your local automotive battery supplier, have the battery tested, and get a new battery. Note some store have 1, 2, and 3 year warranty batteries, I typically get the 3 year warranty. When you reinstall the new battery make sure the battery posts are in the correct locations.
On a side note some Yamaha golf carts do not charge the batteries correctly there is a post in the DIY area to fix this, and many of the Stryker units were wired to be constantly ON which causes a significant drain on the battery. There is a fix for this that changes the power supply connection from the normally ON to the SWITCHED supply from the ignition (master) switch. This means you may have a 30 second delay until the unit is up and running.

[Bay Kid]

This has happened to me twice over the years. Press down on the peddle and a 2-3 second pause usually means your battery is going dead.... I ignored this and was stranded twice, Kart Aid to the rescue.

Kart Aid can also replace your battery. They came to my home last year. Reasonable price.

[Joecooool]

I replaced the battery in my 2019 last year. Five years seems to be a common life expectancy for those batteries.
I think 5 years is closer to the extreme, and that would be with very well-maintained batteries.

[Topspinmo]

Buy battery analyzer that way know the exact condition of any 12V battery.

Takes all guess work out of it and tell you condition of battery and if still good or bad.

Here one example

Batteries in Yamaha golf cart rarely last over 4 or 5 years. You can usually tell when losing amps, will be slower cranking and lights will be dimmer when trun key on most of them, but don’t take much to light led but can definitely tell difference when cranks.


Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M0ARG3X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=fb4db957b0889d45c4967d1535aefbff&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1754603145&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=O3NjY&content-id=amzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d%3Aamzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_p=9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_r=PCEAPFP4WWVBRWVK6JZW&pd_rd_wg=slblX&pd_rd_r=f0f815da-aa24-408e-83ff-41b243217ce9)

[Bill14564]

I think 5 years is closer to the extreme, and that would be with very well-maintained batteries.

Absolutely no maintenance. (maintenance-free battery received just what it asked for)

Just checked the dates... Received the cart from Villages Discount (used/refreshed/whatever) in March 2020. Battery stopped working in May 2024. Looks like just over four years but suspect the battery was 2019 which would make it five.

[Topspinmo]

Absolutely no maintenance. (maintenance-free battery received just what it asked for)

Just checked the dates... Received the cart from Villages Discount (used/refreshed/whatever) in March 2020. Battery stopped working in May 2024. Looks like just over four years but suspect the battery was 2019 which would make it five.

IMO No maintenance don’t mean no maintenance, you still should check terminals for looseness and clean top battery, Yamahas are notorious for over charging with may boil more acid fumes out. Every maintenance free battery water level can go down and affect battery recovery. Will it last longer? Who knows? But it may and keep corrosion down. If my battery gets too filthy I remove it from cart and wash it, clean battery box area, and check level. But I am anal. My cart still looks new and clean under seat.

[Bill14564]

Absolutely no maintenance. (maintenance-free battery received just what it asked for)

Just checked the dates... Received the cart from Villages Discount (used/refreshed/whatever) in March 2020. Battery stopped working in May 2024. Looks like just over four years but suspect the battery was 2019 which would make it five.

IMO No maintenance don’t mean no maintenance, you still should check terminals for looseness and clean top battery, Yamahas are notorious for over charging with may boil more acid fumes out. Every maintenance free battery water level can go down and affect battery recovery. Will it last longer? Who knows? But it may and keep corrosion down. If my battery gets too filthy I remove it from cart and wash it, clean battery box area, and check level. But I am anal. My cart still looks new and clean under seat.

When I write, "Absolutely no maintenance," what that means, precisely, is I performed absolutely no maintenance on that battery. I didn't clean the terminals, I didn't give it a bath, and since it was designed to be maintenance free, I did not attempt to pry off the cover to check the electrolyte level. Absolutely no maintenance on that battery and it lasted at least four years and probably five.

It is possible that the electrolyte level was low and refilling it might have made the battery work again. Still, I didn't try prying off the cover of the maintenance-free battery. Or maybe I tried (can't exactly remember) but found it was not going to come off without breaking so I gave up. In either case, I did not add any water to it, I simply replaced it.

[jpvillager]

Best way to check the battery is to disconnect the negative terminal and test voltage with a VOM. A fully charged battery in good condition should read 12.6 volts. Charge it to bring it up to that, then let it set for a day or two and check the voltage. A good battery should still be at 12.6 or 12.5 volts. If not, buy a new one.

Call me crazy. We have a 2010 Yamaha. For the first replacement I bought a marine battery at Sams the same size and spec as the original automotive one. They are a better battery and are designed for more extreme conditions. Was also $10 cheaper. It held up well and replaced it with the same when the time came.

We are snowbirds which means the cart sits for months in the hot garage. I do disconnect the negative terminal and keep it on a good trickle charger.

[Topspinmo]

Buy battery analyzer that way know the exact condition of any 12V battery.

Takes all guess work out of it and tell you condition of battery and if still good or bad.

Here one example

Batteries in Yamaha golf cart rarely last over 4 or 5 years. You can usually tell when losing amps, will be slower cranking and lights will be dimmer when trun key on most of them, but don’t take much to light led but can definitely tell difference when cranks.


Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M0ARG3X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=fb4db957b0889d45c4967d1535aefbff&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1754603145&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=O3NjY&content-id=amzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d%3Aamzn1.sym.9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_p=9f2b2b9e-47e9-4764-a4dc-2be2f6fca36d&pf_rd_r=PCEAPFP4WWVBRWVK6JZW&pd_rd_wg=slblX&pd_rd_r=f0f815da-aa24-408e-83ff-41b243217ce9)


Side note: gas golf cart require very little CAs compared to vehicle, so battery will still work even though analyzer says it bad. Based on battery CAs remaining when compared when it was new. But, it going bad and in heat down here close to going kaput. Now that could be 1 month or year or more depending on how much cells degrade?

[Topspinmo]

Best way to check the battery is to disconnect the negative terminal and test voltage with a VOM. A fully charged battery in good condition should read 12.6 volts. Charge it to bring it up to that, then let it set for a day or two and check the voltage. A good battery should still be at 12.6 or 12.5 volts. If not, buy a new one.

Call me crazy. We have a 2010 Yamaha. For the first replacement I bought a marine battery at Sams the same size and spec as the original automotive one. They are a better battery and are designed for more extreme conditions. Was also $10 cheaper. It held up well and replaced it with the same when the time came.

We are snowbirds which means the cart sits for months in the hot garage. I do
disconnect the negative terminal and keep it on a good trickle charger.




IMO best way to do load test. IMO volts only tells you it need charged or not load test checks ampere or how strong battery is compared to when it was new. I seen lots batteries have 12Vs but no amps. For cranking power.

[P A Paul]

What impact would the “new improved” starter create ($800 installed) vs existing starters on my 2017 and 2018?
All the new carts are provided with higher powered starters. My repair guy suggested after continuous issues with current battery life.

[Topspinmo]

When I write, "Absolutely no maintenance," what that means, precisely, is I performed absolutely no maintenance on that battery. I didn't clean the terminals, I didn't give it a bath, and since it was designed to be maintenance free, I did not attempt to pry off the cover to check the electrolyte level. Absolutely no maintenance on that battery and it lasted at least four years and probably five.

It is possible that the electrolyte level was low and refilling it might have made the battery work again. Still, I didn't try prying off the cover of the maintenance-free battery. Or maybe I tried (can't exactly remember) but found it was not going to come off without breaking so I gave up. In either case, I did not add any water to it, I simply replaced it.





AI Overview
While often marketed as "maintenance-free," batteries still require some degree of care and attention. They are designed to minimize water loss and the need for topping off, but regular visual inspections, cleaning, and proper charging are still recommended.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
What "Maintenance-Free" Means:
Reduced water loss:
.
"Maintenance-free" batteries, particularly VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, are designed to minimize water loss during charging and discharging. This is achieved through a recombination process where oxygen and hydrogen gases produced during charging are recombined back into water within the battery.
No need to add water:
.
Unlike older flooded lead-acid batteries, you typically don't need to open the battery and add water to maintain the electrolyte level.
What Maintenance is Still Required:
Visual Inspections:
Regularly inspect the battery for any signs of damage, such as cracks, swelling, or leaks.
Terminal Cleaning:
Clean the battery terminals and cable connections to remove any corrosion, which can hinder electrical flow.
Proper Charging:
Ensure the battery is charged properly, especially if it's been deeply discharged. Overcharging or undercharging can damage the battery.
Temperature Considerations:
Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance and lifespan. Avoid prolonged exposure to high or low temperatures.
Storage:
If the battery is stored for a long period, ensure it is fully charged and stored in a cool, dry place.
In essence, "maintenance-free" refers to the reduced need for water additions and less frequent maintenance compared to older battery types. However, regular care and attention are still necessary to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

So you are no preventative type of guy?

[Topspinmo]

What impact would the “new improved” starter create ($800 installed) vs existing starters on my 2017 and 2018?
All the new carts are provided with higher powered starters. My repair guy suggested after continuous issues with current battery life.


What brand cart? Yamaha’s have starter generators. What continuous issue? If there drain on battery when key off and sets days starter/ generator not going to fix that? Probably dozen more questions to ask. Like does speedometer constantly draw current? What add ons on the cart? Is charging system over or under charging? Don’t take much cranking ampere (CAs) to crank golf cart air cooled 12 HP or so engine. Again don’t which cart you have but original stater/generator should crank if fine. Unless you have V-twin engine which I am unfamiliar with in golf carts?

[P A Paul]

Thanks for follow-up questions…Yamaha quiet tech, under roof fan, 0.2 volts…reached the of slow/no start before the 18 holes was finished. Had both batteries (Less than a year old) tested at O’Reillys and showed “bad”…new higher batteries installed.

Day one — Bonifay to Lopez, (40 min drive averaging 25 mph) battery voltage on speedometer starts out 14.3 then settles in to 11.7 for the entirety of the round with the fan running for 4 hrs.
Day two — Bonifay to Glenview (30 min, 25 mph) voltage starts 11.7 then mostly 11.2, fan runs 4 hrs.

It was suggested the speedometer voltage meter isn’t accurate, though to me the numbers are relative.

Will apply a voltage meter to cart in neutral and see true measurements at battery.

[KennyP]

What impact would the “new improved” starter create ($800 installed) vs existing starters on my 2017 and 2018?
All the new carts are provided with higher powered starters. My repair guy suggested after continuous issues with current battery life.

Your repair guy suggested "new improved" Run away!! ......its a sales pitch,,, you dont need it.

[P A Paul]

Would agree but lacking other diagnosis/remedy?

[Topspinmo]

Thanks for follow-up questions…Yamaha quiet tech, under roof fan, 0.2 volts…reached the of slow/no start before the 18 holes was finished. Had both batteries (Less than a year old) tested at O’Reillys and showed “bad”…new higher batteries installed.

Day one — Bonifay to Lopez, (40 min drive averaging 25 mph) battery voltage on speedometer starts out 14.3 then settles in to 11.7 for the entirety of the round with the fan running for 4 hrs.
Day two — Bonifay to Glenview (30 min, 25 mph) voltage starts 11.7 then mostly 11.2, fan runs 4 hrs.

It was suggested the speedometer voltage meter isn’t accurate, though to me the numbers are relative.

Will apply a voltage meter to cart in neutral and see true measurements at battery.

Starting out at 14V then drops to 11.2, that’s big problem, at 11.2V battery being discharged. Should never drop below 13V with engine running t least mind never does. Most Speedometer has to have initial setup like tire diameter? It’s that’s not right won’t read right? Fans also pull little more amps than lights pushing air which further drains battery quicker when generator not charging battery at least 13V or higher. Need figure out why when cart running at governed speed the generator not charging above 13Vs Voltage regulator problem or wiring problem would be my guess?

[P A Paul]

Thanks…kinda like Sherlock Holmes/Columbo pursuit of the facts….LOL

[Coop63]

Call Todd Casey. Casey'''s Cart Repairs (https://caseyscartrepairs.com/)

Or

Willys. 403 Forbidden (https://www.williesgolfcarts.com/)

Both do home repairs and are very dependable and trustworthy.

Thank for the reference. Casey's repair was great. Very friendly and easy to work with. The tech showed me how to take the battery out. Unlike the only YT video on this subject, his method was so much easier. He also found that my speedometer was drawing current when the cart was off. Thanks again.

[Bill14564]

Thank for the reference. Casey's repair was great. Very friendly and easy to work with. The tech showed me how to take the battery out. Unlike the only YT video on this subject, his method was so much easier. He also found that my speedometer was drawing current when the cart was off. Thanks again.

Thanks for the update.

How does he get the battery out? Loosen a brace and lift it up, remove the front panel and slide it forward, or remove the side panel?

[Bilyclub]

This guy is the best. Power Equipment Man

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dl7y4kjKiA&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD

[KennyP]

This guy is the best. Power Equipment Man

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dl7y4kjKiA&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD

Hes not the best, No Good tech does it like that....none, zero, nada

Good tech - 5 minutes and your done. Good Ol University of you tube

[KennyP]

Thank for the reference. Casey's repair was great. Very friendly and easy to work with. The tech showed me how to take the battery out. Unlike the only YT video on this subject, his method was so much easier. He also found that my speedometer was drawing current when the cart was off. Thanks again.

If your problem was the running of the fan while golfing and the battery going dead, speedometer being hooked hot all the time wasnt the issue. Yes, not good and keyed hot on speedo is how it should be.