Electric cart - charge gauge

[Polar Bear]

Do electric carts have anything like a gauge to tell you how much charge (or estimated miles) is left? Or do you just charge it full before each use with an idea of its range?

[Ooper]

There is usually a gauge to tell the charge level, some carts have an idiot light but you can purchase gauges fairly inexpensively. But the general practice is to have your cart plugged in when ever you are not using it. That way it'll be fully charged whenever you need it.

[jimbo2012]

The solar golf cart Co has a nice digital unit.

No should not just plug it in that not good for the batteries.

That what the gauge is for, do U have a gas gauge in your car?

Or do you stop at every gas station and fill up!!!!!

[Ooper]

Most chargers have automatic shut off for the charging system so the batteries do not overcharge. I personally like to have a full charge when I leave because, unlike a car, you can't just go to any gas station and fill up when you get low... big difference.

[jimbo2012]

That is really incorrect and can lead to premature battery life.

You need to allow a certain about of discharge before recharging,

It really puzzling that folks spend $700 on a set of batteries but not$75 on a real gauge.

You don't think the battery dealers will tell you how to prolong battery life do U?

[ajbrown]

Every electric cart should get a gauge so that you understand how much battery power you have left and as part of maintenance to prevent over discharge which shortens battery life. Here is a recent post which I think works in this thread:

Best Electric Cart to buy: post re: battery meter ( https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/699607-post60.html)

Even with a meter I always keep the pack fully charged. The rule of thumb I have read is 10 - 15 minutes of pedal time justifies a charge. I also have a Battery Minder which I use in stead of the bulk charger to charge the cart when I make a short trip.

[CraigC]

That is really incorrect and can lead to premature battery life.

You need to allow a certain about of discharge before recharging,

It really puzzling that folks spend $700 on a set of batteries but not$75 on a real gauge.

You don't think the battery dealers will tell you how to prolong battery life do U?

What voltage level do you recommend discharging the battery to before recharging? (for a 48v system)

[jonrogere]

It has been my understanding that it is best to plug in after every use, irrespective of how long you were driving. I have been told that the deep discharge re-charge has a negative effect on battery life and that the shall discharge re-charge from short trips, etc., has minimal effect on battery life. As stated above, the chargers are quite smart....they operate in several modes and know which is correct for the state of your battery.

[jimbo2012]

Sorry folks I disagree.

the recharge level or "state of charge" SOC is 50-70%
or 48.4 -49.5

It is recommended to go to 50% before recharging and 80% discharge is lowest to go safely

If you want to get longer life out of these batterirs don't charge then when they are only 5-20% discharged on a regular basis.

[Frozen1]

From the battery manufacturers, batteries should NOT be drained before charging. These are lead acid batteries, not the old nicad or lithium which get a memory. They should be maintained at a full charge as much as possible. Weekly or at least monthly an equalization charge should be applied. To give you a reference point on lead acid charging, your car alternator charges the battery whenever it's running and not at 100% just as a solar panel on the roof of a cart charges whenever the sun is out and the battery pack is below 100%.

In an article by from batterystuff.com:

"9. Battery Charging - Remember you must put back the energy you use immediately. If you don't the battery sulfates and that affects performance and longevity. The alternator is a battery charger. It works well if the battery is not deeply discharged. The alternator tends to overcharge batteries that are very low and the overcharge can damage batteries. In fact an engine starting battery on average has only about 10 deep cycles available when recharged by an alternator. Batteries like to be charged in a certain way, especially when they have been deeply discharged. This type of charging is called 3 step regulated charging. Please note that only special SMART BATTERY CHARGERS using computer technology can perform 3 step charging techniques. You don't find these types of chargers in parts stores and Wal-Marts. The first step is bulk charging where up to 80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger at the maximum voltage and current amp rating of the charger. When the battery voltage reaches 14.4 volts this begins the absorption charge step. This is where the voltage is held at a constant 14.4 volts and the current (amps) declines until the battery is 98% charged. Next comes the Float Step. This is a regulated voltage of not more than 13.4 volts and usually less than 1 amp of current. This in time will bring the battery to 100% charged or close to it. The float charge will not boil or heat batteries but will maintain the batteries at 100% readiness and prevent cycling during long term inactivity. Some Gel Cell and AGM batteries may require special settings or chargers. "

[Ooper]

:agree: I agree! :agree:

[jimbo2012]

call trogen

[rjm1cc]

The first steep is to determine what type of a charging system you have. I have a computerized charger. The dealer and manual Said charge after use even if only 10 minutes. However do not charge until batteries cool down. I charge each night. Leave change connected until next use, even if it is several weeks or months. Do not stop charge until finished. Check water level monthly as long as plates are covered when you check. Older batteries need to be checked more often. wash battery acid off battery monthly.

[Blackie]

My cart has 8 Trojan T-105's.

Regarding charging them the Trojan web site says:-

"Batteries should be charged after each period of use."

I called Trojan technical support and asked for a definition of this - the tech said "a round of golf" - which makes sense as the batteries would 'normally' be used on a cart owned by the golf club. So he further clarified this as around 5 or 6 miles.

The web site also says:-

"Lead acid batteries do not develop any type of memory. This means that you do not have to deep discharge or completely discharge a battery before recharging it. For optimum life and performance, we generally recommend a discharge of 20 to 50% of the battery’s rated capacity even though the battery is capable of being cycled to 80%."

A full charge (for a 48V) system is 50.93V and 20% discharge is 49.99V. A 5 or 6 mile drive may take the batteries down to this voltage, but probably not on my pack.

A 50% discharge is 48.41V. I asked the tech when is this voltage measured? He said after the cart has been idle for about 4 hours as the batteries will recover some. I asked what 50% voltage would be when the cart was being driven - he said 46.7V. So then after 4 hours of idle the pack would go back to 48.41V.

I need a digital meter installing.

[jimbo2012]

The first steep is to determine what type of a charging system you have. I have a computerized charger. The dealer and manual Said charge after use even if only 10 minutes. .

And how old is your battery bank?

[gustavo]

So who should I believe, the battery manufacturer or a TOTV expert trying to sell solar golf carts?

[Frank7]

Frozen 1 you have got it, for a junior member you get 100%

[GolfCart]

Jimbo you really need to step back and reread your responses you are touting a solar system which charges at all times and below you state this is not the correct way to charge and that its bad for your batteries your knowledge base is in question here.

The solar golf cart Co has a nice digital unit.

No should not just plug it in that not good for the batteries.

That what the gauge is for, do U have a gas gauge in your car?

Or do you stop at every gas station and fill up!!!!!

That is really incorrect and can lead to premature battery life.

You need to allow a certain about of discharge before recharging,

It really puzzling that folks spend $700 on a set of batteries but not$75 on a real gauge.

You don't think the battery dealers will tell you how to prolong battery life do U?

[jimbo2012]

Solar charging is different.

[philnpat]

Solar charging is different.

Interesting...how is it different?

[rubicon]

I recharge after every use. I do so because after much exhaustive research I finally decided with the conflicting information out there that draining a battery is bad for it. My electric cart comes equipped with the standard gauge . My repair guy likes the standard vis a vis a digital stating the former is more accurate. I check my water level religiously. I had two sets of Trojans that were a nightmare and have been running on powertron for three years wherein the charge has staying power . I can travel some eight miles one way play 18 holes of golf and find that my gauge will return to charged (white when I park in my garage.

[KBusch]

Interesting...how is it different?


I was gonna ask, but it's a hard question so I figured if I asked, I wouldn't get an answer. This should be good.

[philnpat]

I was gonna ask, but it's a hard question so I figured if I asked, I wouldn't get an answer. This should be good.

Waiting ... I'm a patient guy. :D

[jimbo2012]

Phil & Pat please stop by I'll show you folks the cart when I get back and I'll explain how it all works.

A lot of what you are reading here by others is old school about charging.

[Frozen1]

So Trojan, US Battery, Interstate, East Penn and others are all employing engineers with old school mentality and don't have the NEW education like you? Wow, this world is in trouble. Thank goodness you are around to teach us all the correct ways about charging a battery.

Of course, I suppose there is the slight possibility that you could be mistaken or just using it all to sell more solar, but that wouldn't be right. I'm sure your refusal to advertise your specifications and reasons for pushing YOUR system are because you're so busy you don't need to share your priveleged information between you and the sun.

How's that K?

[rubicon]

This thread is causing me serious cognitive dissonance :(

[Frozen1]

I know, can we just let it die or lock it. While it gets to be fun for a little bit, it's gotten out of hand (and yes, I participated too). Kind of like the hijacked lithium thread.

[jimbo2012]

the two of you should get a drink .

[ivanhoe]

...well I'm get'n a charge out of this!

[Indydealmaker]

That is really incorrect and can lead to premature battery life.

You need to allow a certain about of discharge before recharging,

It really puzzling that folks spend $700 on a set of batteries but not$75 on a real gauge.

You don't think the battery dealers will tell you how to prolong battery life do U?

Every golf cart "guy" around here that I have talked to recommend charging every night and that this method does not harm these batteries. I would love to seem some independent facts that either supports that or supports your position.

[GolfCart]

the two of you should get a drink .

Can I be included make it three when and where

[KBusch]

So Trojan, US Battery, Interstate, East Penn and others are all employing engineers with old school mentality and don't have the NEW education like you? Wow, this world is in trouble. Thank goodness you are around to teach us all the correct ways about charging a battery.

Of course, I suppose there is the slight possibility that you could be mistaken or just using it all to sell more solar, but that wouldn't be right. I'm sure your refusal to advertise your specifications and reasons for pushing YOUR system are because you're so busy you don't need to share your priveleged information between you and the sun.

How's that K?

He doesn't post what the system produces because that you could figure out if it works or not. Its not rocket science- a battery pack can only hold so much energy, we know what the golf cart draws while driving down the road, the solar panel is going to only add X amount and as we all know its not going to produce the amount that the cart is using while driving down the road. Many factors have to be taken into account also, like the amount of sun your going to get in a day, and what it is going to supply. And remember folks nobody has invented perpetual motion.

[Waynecarla]

A cart dealer told me a couple of years ago that if you let your cart get down to 50% on charge that it is healthy for the batteries when you charge them.I have done that way but have nothing to compare it with,so who is to know????

[philnpat]

Can I be included make it three when and where

Need a 4some?...I'm in!