[George Bieniaszek]

Hi Everyone!!

I have a 2010 EZGO RXV Electric with 4-12 volt batteries.

After 2.5 years and 4500 miles, I am seeing the range of my cart going down. I realize that soon I will have to replace them but looking to buy a little extra time.

I am a part-timer here and my cart usually sits for 4-6 weeks at a time 2 times during the year and for 1 three month period during the summer.

Has anyone had any experience with Battery Trnders, Battery Life Savers, or any other Battery Desulfators to extend the life of your batteries.

I read some of the company hype on how they prolong the life of cart batteries and how they can rejuvenate and rid the lead sulfate buildup in older batteries.

Just looking for opinions and some real world experience on these products!!

Appreciate all your comments!!!

[Bogie Shooter]

This is always a topic of discussion at the 19th hole! I have yet to hear of someone who thought these items actually worked. The question of how to measure their effectivness always comes up.

[jimbo2012]

Leave it outside with a solar roof panel, that will get you about 6+ years.

Or put a small solar panel outside to trickle charge the cart in the garage, less than $100

When the batteries are maintained at a decent charge they last a lot longer

[GolfCart]

here is my take on tenders, if your trying to fix bad batteries good luck, if you use it from the start on new batteries then maybe. using some sort of maintenance charger for batteries that are sitting idol that length of time is best. the stock chargers stay off for something like 16 days then turn back on this is great if the pack is new, older batteries are getting lower every day and could use a pick me up. Just don't expect them to become new again.

[ajbrown]

FWIW, I have installed Battery Minders for each of my two carts to maintain the pack during times I am away. I bought mine to keep the batteries fully charged which prevents sulfation. I also feel that the risk of fire with the BM is less than my unattended bulk chargers.

I have no direct evidence that the BM will reverse battery sulfation and it is not the main reason I bought them. If the Battery Minder happens to reverse the sulfation process while maintaining the packs it will be a bonus for me.

[jimbo2012]

Alan according to BM they claim they do, here

It is worth considering to extend the useful life of a battery pack.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Alan according to BM they claim they do, here

It is worth considering to extend the useful life of a battery pack.

Is that link right?

[jimbo2012]

ooops, try now please

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This is always a topic of discussion at the 19th hole! I have yet to hear of someone who thought these items actually worked. The question of how to measure their effectivness always comes up.

They work when installed properly and instructions followed. But I am to exhausted to get into another debate with those that think they don't Sometimes I just give up!

Right AJ!

[k2at]

I use a 1 amp battery tender on my motorcycle when i am away for any period of time and the battery in my cycle is over 7 years old with no problems whatever. The one amp keeps the battery up to full charge at all times and shuts down when not needed. I think it would be the same concept with the cart battery tenders.

[GolfCart]

The charger uses float technology which keeps your batteries up to peak charge.
In addition you can run both your regular charger and the Battery Minder at the same time an gain two additional amps of charging capability.

I would like you to explain these two statements above, if it uses float technology (which means it regulates the charge voltage @ arround 50 volts) how does it add 2 amps, when the cart charger is above this voltage, Bulk chargers are designed to charge @ around 2.36 to 2.6 volts per cell well above 50vdc (they can reach as high as 63 vdc). You can't have it both ways ????

[GolfCart]

Very good explanation!! that is very different from the first description, do these units use pulse technology or is it just straight voltage.

Now would a 48 volt Wall Wart be better than nothing maintaining the batteries at around 50 vdc.

[GolfCart]

Because the Battery Minder is equipped with an at the battery temperature sensor, it will sense temperature rises above the 75 degree mark at which time the Battery Minder reduces its current output by 1/3 amp.

A.J. This is something you were talking about on your setup, looks like it's not a room temp sensor 'per se' its a battery in the room temp sensor.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by GolfCart

Now would a 48 volt Wall Wart be better than nothing maintaining the batteries at around 50 vdc.

Originally Posted by GolfCart

Because the Battery Minder is equipped with an at the battery temperature sensor, it will sense temperature rises above the 75 degree mark at which time the Battery Minder reduces its current output by 1/3 amp.

A.J. This is something you were talking about on your setup, looks like it's not a room temp sensor 'per se' its a battery in the room temp sensor.

The float charge on a a 48V pac is about 53 volts, please correct me if I'm wrong.

There are temp sensors that just measure room or ait temp which may be what these have, not sure, but the best type is those that are placed on the side of a battery.

[GolfCart]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

The float charge on a a 48V pac is about 53 volts, please correct me if I'm wrong.

There are temp sensors that just measure room or ait temp which may be what these have, not sure, but the best type is those that are placed on the side of a battery.

jimbo2012
fully charged batteries are 51.something so anything around this voltage is better than nothing. I would think 49 to 53 would work, mostly you just don't want them to discharge.

75 is this degree F or C?
if F seams low to me unless its a air conditioned room??