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Golf carts are great fun to ride around town, but they also require a lot of maintenance. In this article we ask the question, how long does it take to charge a 48-volt golf cart battery?
Golf carts are electric vehicles powered by batteries. They are usually driven by two or four wheels, depending on their size. The average golf cart has a range of 25 – 50 miles.
A 48-volt golf cart battery requires approximately 4-7 hours to fully charge. This means that you should plan ahead before heading out on a long trip.
You can use the time while charging your golf cart battery to do other things like cleaning and organizing your home.
It is dependent upon several factors. Some are listed below:
The quality and state of the golf cart battery should be reviewed carefully.
The power cells’ range of discharge is determined by its capacity.
The efficiency and effectiveness of the charger being used.
If the battery is new and in good working order and has power under 30 percent, it will take at least an hour to charge.
The charge can take up to three hours at most. This will depend on which charger you use.
With a heavy-duty charger, you’ll have a shorter charging period than with lighter ones. Of course, the latter should be charged for at least three hours.
If you’ve had the same battery for years, and it’s completely drained, it could take 10 or more hours for a lightweight charger to charge a battery in this state. If you’re using a heavy-duty charger, it’ll be much quicker.
Don’t Overcharge The Battery
This is extremely important and needs reiterating. Don’t overcharge your battery! Overcharging the battery is the best way to ruin its lifespan quickly. In fact, it will seriously damage the battery.
During maintenance or charging, the battery cells will evaporate the water from the interiors. A loss of water and dry plates will happen if overcharged. As a result, the battery will overheat. Overheating is the leading cause of battery demise.
Thanks to modern golf cart chargers’ automatic shut-off feature, you can avoid overheating. Therefore, when your battery is fully charged, it will stop and prevent damage.
How To Extend The Battery Life
Always charge your battery after each time you use it, this allows you to be sure it’s ready for the next outing.
Getting into the habit of plugging it in once you’ve parked it for the day is hugely beneficial. Nothing is worse than getting in your cart to discover the battery hasn’t been charged, then worrying if you’ll get stranded.
Your battery will need to be charged between 20 and 50 times, according to experts. This makes sure that your battery life is maximized.
Remember to not discharge your battery too often. In other words, don’t run it below 30% too frequently, or you will risk exposing the battery to a vulnerable discharge depth, causing harm to its longevity.
One Charge Duration For A 48V Golf Cart
It’s worth remembering that a 48-volt golf cart battery can last double the time as a 36-volt golf cart battery. Of course, this is after just one full charge. Remember that the greater the voltage, the faster it will charge.
It’s important to know that the battery system is made up of many batteries with voltages varying from 6 to 12 volts.
For example, a 48-volt battery system can be created with six 8-volt batteries. This is the same as four 12-volt batteries.
A battery that is fully charged can last anywhere between 20 and 30 miles. The weight of the golf cart (including passengers) will impact how far you can travel on a single charge.
Something To Know About Batteries
It shouldn’t take long to charge, depending on the battery’s condition. Also, keep in mind that it all depends on the type of battery charger you’re using.
If you want to charge faster, you must invest in a heavy-duty charger. Remember that the frequency with which you use your cart will have an impact on how long your battery lasts.
Keep the battery’s life at around 30% after each use if you want to extend its lifespan. This will reduce the risk of the battery degrading due to discharge depth.
The Normal Lifespan Of A Golf Cart Battery
When it’s time to replace the battery is another consideration. The answer simply depends. The make of battery you use is a significant factor. Some brands tend to have shorter lifespans than others.
A crucial point to keep in mind is that the less money you spend on a battery, the less longevity it is likely to have.
As a result, if your budget allows it, you’ll want to invest in the longest-lasting battery possible.
Trojan is a top golf cart battery brand, and it requires little maintenance. Their usual shelf life is between 7 and 9 years. As a result this comes with a steep price tag.
Six Trojan batteries will cost around $750 per set as opposed to more affordable brands like Sam’s Club. The battery most likely will last between 1 and 3 years.
To equalize one set of Trojan batteries, up to four Sam’s Club batteries will be required. This will cost you around $1,200.
A brand such as Interstate Batteries can help you in the long run if you want something mid-range that does the job and is reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged In All The Time?
A golf cart battery is supposed to charge, go flat and recharge again in that cycle in its lifetime. Leaving your golf cart battery plugged all the time is not an ideal way to make your battery last … The bare minimum for looking after a battery is to recharge it soon after use; unplug it when fully charged.
How Often Should You Charge Your Golf Cart?
Golf carts on professional golf courses are typically charged after every 18-hole round of golf. In terms of times, this is, on average, around every four to five hours, and every 3.5 miles or so.
If you own a personal recreational golf cart, we recommend charging it after every round of golf.
How Long Do Electric Golf Cart Motors Last?
When properly looked after, a standard gas or electric golf cart motor can last a long time – in some cases, many years. But, unfortunately, many do not take proper care of their golf cart motor, so it doesn’t last as long.
How Much Is A Golf Cart Battery?
The rough parameters range from $800 on the cheaper end to $1500 on the high end. Some batteries are extremely expensive, around $2000. These tend to be 72v batteries which are sealed. For the standard batteries between $800-$1500 is usual.
Are Electric Golf Carts Better Than Gas?
Gas and electric carts both have their place. If driving long distances and a limited electricity supply is an issue then gas carts make more sense. Electric carts are cheaper, more economical and very quiet, which is appealing to many.
How Do You Maintain Golf Cart Batteries?
Keep the top of the batteries clean and dry.
Charge between 9 and 11 hours with an adequate charger unit.
Fill all golf cart battery cells ONLY AFTER charging, and do not overfill.
Keep the battery in use frequently to prolong its life.
In Summary
We hope this article has helped you understand how long it takes for a golf cart to become fully charged. No more guessing. With proper charging, your cart’s battery should last a long time, saving you money overall.
My name is David Shelly and golf has been my passion since early childhood. For more than three decades now, I’ve been trying to make sense of this crazy game.
Golf is the greatest game ever played. I want to help more people experience its joys. Let's hit the links!
