Most modern electric golf carts take 8 to 10 hours to fully charge.
Properly charging a golf cart is a big deal because the batteries are the most expensive part of the cart. Coming from a golf cart owner that has just recently replaced the batteries in my cart, you can trust that knowing how long to charge your cart and how to do it properly will pay off in the end.Â
Purchasing a golf cart is a big deal, and it can be a lot of fun to own a cart. However, there are certain responsibilities that you must take care of, and for electric golf cart owners, one of those is charging.
If you played a full round of golf, you would need 8-10 hours to recuperate the batteries fully. When only using the golf cart for a quick trip, you will still want to allow the cart several hours that night to charge. A great golf cart charger will turn off as soon as the batteries reach full charge.Â
Also Read: Best Golf Carts on the Market in 2024
Factors That Affect The Battery Charging Time Of A Golf Cart
Although it takes about 8 to 10 hours to charge a golf cart fully, a few things can impact the overall time it takes to charge your golf cart batteries. Here are a few of the factors that affect the battery charging time of a golf cart:
Quality of the Battery
One of the things that impact the time it takes to charge a golf cart battery is the quality of the battery you purchase. When replacing golf cart batteries, you can expect there to be several different options while choosing.
Some of these will have a much higher upfront cost than others. Golf cart owners need to be careful about choosing a high-quality battery that is built to last and will charge quickly. In addition, newer batteries will charge considerably faster than an old battery.
Discharge Level of Battery
The discharge level of the battery is the same as how much of the battery has been used. If your battery light is on and you have nearly exhausted the capacity of your battery, you can imagine that the charging time will be considerably higher. However, for those that have only used the cart for a few minutes, the charging time is much shorter.
Charger Quality
The charger quality can also impact the overall charge times that a golf cart has. If you have recently purchased new batteries but have not yet updated the charger, it may make sense to buy a new charger as well. Also, ensure your charger is correctly plugged into a high-quality and dry outlet.
Tips For Improve The Age Of A Golf Cart Battery
The golf cart batteries are the most expensive part of the entire golf cart. If you are not able to keep the batteries in excellent condition, you will find yourself replacing them rather quickly. Golf cart owners that play a lot of golf need to replace batteries every few years. If you can expand this replacement to five or more years, you will save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Keep Above 50% Charge.
The charge should be kept above 50% whenever possible. If you take your cart out for a ride in the morning, go ahead and charge it before your afternoon round. Keeping the charge on the golf cart a bit higher will help from stressing out your golf cart battery and causing more issues in the long term.
Having a battery meter on the cart lets you see precisely how charged your cart is, and help you decide when it makes sense to plug it in.
Clean Terminals
Clean the terminals on your golf cart from time to time. You can use a baking soda and vinegar mixture to do this. Simply take a small brush, put a little of the mix on the brush and then scrub away any of the buildup on the batteries.
Keeping these terminals clean will help ensure that the battery lasts longer and works more efficiently.
Water In Batteries
If you have standard golf cart batteries for a golf cart, they will take water around once per month. Pour water in carefully and ensure that all caps are put back on before you head out for your round. Don’t overfill or underfill the golf cart batteries, as that will impact their ability to perform on the golf course.
Monthly Inspection
Electric golf carts are relatively easy to own and operate. However, we recommend doing a monthly check-in on your batteries to make sure that they are working correctly, and there are no visible issues. Also, keep an eye on how your golf cart battery is depleting; if it happens fast, there could be an issue that needs to be addressed.
How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge a 48v Golf Cart?
The standard golf cart is a 48v electric golf cart. This can be used for rides around your town, travel around a large property, or a round of golf. Most owners of a 48 v golf cart will find that it takes about 5 hours to charge their golf cart completely.
Of course, this can vary depending on how long you used the golf cart, what you used it for and what the total charge is on the battery currently. This charge can take as much as 10 hours for a golf cart that has a very low charge and is an older battery.
Charging a 48v golf cart fully does not require much of your time or attention. At the end of the day, when you are finished using your golf cart, simply plug it in and use the charger according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you do this, your cart will be fully charged and ready for you in the morning.
FAQ’s
Also Read: How Much Does a Golf Cart Weigh?
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel more prepared to maintain and charge a golf cart properly. Electric golf carts are easy to take care of, but you must pay attention to how the batteries are treated. Golf cart batteries have a lifespan, and the more attention you can pay to these batteries, the better chance you have of them lasting for years to come. Our essential tips should make it much easier to charge your battery and notice that it lasts considerably longer. With the price of golf cart batteries being so high, be sure to follow these suggestions.
