How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last? 3+ Tricks to Make Them Last Longer
Meet Jake
Jake was a competitive golfer for over a decade dating back to the days of being the Captain of his high school golf team. He has played more than 200 courses across 32 different states in the US. Now semi-retired, Jake continues to golf 3-4 days a week with a current 2 handicap, gives golf lessons to his friends and family, and provides a wealth of knowledge to Golf Circuit from his competitive playing days. Jake combines practical expertise with technical knowledge to create golfing strategies and training techniques for both beginners and scratch golfers.
If you own a golf cart, you are probably wondering how long do golf cart batteries last? This is a very normal thing to be concerned with.
How long your golf cart’s batteries last depends on how well you maintain them. If you charge them correctly and take proper care of them, your car batteries will last 5-10 years.
Most people are apprehensive of battery-operated golf carts because they’re worried about the average life expectancy of the batteries.
Golf cart batteries can make a golf cart weigh more, which is especially important when jacking up golf carts.
If you’re wondering whether a battery-powered golf cart is the right choice for you, read on to find out everything you need to know to make the right decision.
So, How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?
Golf cart batteries can last up to 10 years, but it is a very rare occurrence. The average lifespan can vary greatly depending on how often you use it.
If you use your golf cart very frequently, say 2 or 3 times a week and take proper care of it, its life expectancy will increase.
If you use it to get around your neighborhood or drive it to work a short distance away, it is hard to say how long it will last.
Ultimately, it all comes down to how much use you get out of it and if you carry out proper maintenance for your golf cart.
If you are careless with the golf cart or leave it outside during hot weather for long hours, it might give out very soon.
Golf cart batteries are worst affected by hot weather, whereas low temperatures usually do not do much harm.
Factors Affecting Your Golf Cart Battery’s Lifespan
Here are a few factors that have an impact on the average lifespan of your golf cart battery:
Maintenance
Charging is the main component of proper maintenance. You need to make sure that you don’t overcharge your golf cart batteries. The most common reason behind overcharging is the manual battery charger.
Read More: Icon Golf Cart Review: Are They Any Good in 2022?
Manual battery chargers cannot sense when a battery is fully charged and the owner usually has no clue about the charging status.
Newer automatic chargers have a sensor that makes them shut down when the battery is fully charged. The flow of electricity also slows down as the battery is close to saturation.
If you have a trickle charger that doesn’t have a timer, I suggest you set an alarm yourself. Overcharging your golf cart battery will vastly reduce its lifespan.
Quality/Brand
Do some research and make sure you get your golf cart battery from a legitimate and reputed brand. There’s no other way of making sure the battery is of good quality. Good customer reviews are also a good indicator of the product’s quality.
Features of the Golf Cart
How many power-consuming features your golf cart has also affects the lifespan of your golf cart battery. It does not have a very great impact, but it does play a part in the battery’s longevity.
If your golf cart has headlights, fog lights, upgraded maximum speed and horn, the lifespan of your golf cart battery will be diminished slightly.
Usage
Golf cart batteries that don’t get rigorous use last longer. Golf carts need to be used at least once a week to maintain them, so using them very rarely may also affect them adversely.
To give you a general idea, golf carts used in golf courses that get used multiple times a day last between 4 to 7. If you own a golf cart privately, you probably won’t take it out every single day and can expect it to last 6 to 10 years.
Making Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer
Here are a few handy tips to make your golf cart batteries last longer:
- Regularly check the fluid levels of your golf cart battery. If they are too high or too low, it will cause damage to the battery or acid leakage.
Ideally, there should be just enough fluid to submerge the battery. If you are replenishing the fluid, only use distilled water. - Charge the battery after every use. Make sure you have the right charger for your battery type. While charging, always charge until it’s saturated.
- When your golf cart lies unused for long periods of time, the lifespan of the battery gets reduced. In this case, get a charger that has a ‘trickle’ charge setting.
Trickle charging your golf cart battery slowly charges the battery and conserves the energy levels. It will protect your golf cart battery during the off-season when it doesn’t get much use.
- Golf cart batteries can be susceptible to corrosion. The metal components can corrode when exposed to the elements. Whenever possible, make sure your golf cart stays in a cool, dry environment.
- Batteries of good quality last longer. A cheaper battery might break down fast and you’ll end up spending way more on a replacement than you would have on a quality golf cart battery in the first place.
Aim for a decently priced golf cart battery that comes with a warranty. It will save you money and effort in the long run.
- Don’t leave any accessories on for too long. Don’t take routes with steep hills and drive your golf cart conservatively to extend its lifespan.
When to Replace Your Golf Cart Battery
It is best to replace your golf cart battery at the right time rather than wait for it to stop working completely.
If your golf cart is struggling to go uphill or it takes longer than usual to charge the battery, you should start looking for a new golf cart battery.
If you ignore the signs, you might be caught unawares when your battery breaks down in the middle of the road. It is also not a great idea to subject the power system to a dying battery for too long.
Wrapping Up
Golf cart battery life is an important consideration for golf cart owners.
It is one of the biggest factors in maintenance cost and everyone wants to get their money’s worth when it comes to vehicles.
Make sure you follow the tips given above and take proper care of your golf cart battery. It can last you very long, especially if you’re using it as a private vehicle.
Golf carts are one of the most useful ways to speed up your game of golf. So investing in your golf cart battery is one way to keep your games moving along!
Spending a little time on maintenance every now and then will save you a lot of money down the line.
“The average life expectancy of a golf cart battery is between 10-18 years. The age of the battery affects its capacity to hold a charge and its output power.
The lithium-ion batteries used in golf carts can be recycled, Thank you for sharing the article.”