How To Clean Golf Cart Batteries
Optimum functioning of golf carts depends on the health of it’s batteries. In this article, we will discuss how to clean golf cart batteries and maintain them.
Just like your car, your golf cart needs regular battery maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Keeping them clean will help ensure that they last as long as possible and work properly when you need them. But how do you clean golf cart batteries?
And what even causes them to get dirty in the first place? Let’s take a closer look.
How to clean golf cart batteries?
Golf cart batteries are exposed to a lot of elements that can cause them to get dirty and corroded. Most golf carts are used outdoors, so they’re exposed to rain, sun, and dirt.
Plus, since they’re constantly being charged and discharged, they produce a build-up of lead sulfate crystals on the electrodes. This build-up reduces the battery’s ability to hold a charge and can eventually lead to premature failure.
Steps to clean golf cart batteries
Luckily, cleaning golf cart batteries is relatively simple. Follow the below steps:
- First, start by disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery.
- Make a mixture of baking soda and warm water. The consistency should be medium.
- Spray down the battery case and posts with a garden hose.
- Then, pour the mixture over all the terminals and let it sit for five minutes.
- Next, use a wire brush to remove any corrosion from the terminals. Scrub with moderate force to avoid any damage.
- Finally, rinse everything off with clean water and dry it with a clean towel.
Once you’ve cleaned the golf cart battery, it’s important to protect it from further damage. One way to do this is by investing in battery covers. These covers help to keep dirt and moisture out of the battery compartment, and they can also extend the life of your batteries.
Another way to protect your golf cart batteries is by storing them in a cool, dry place when they’re not in use. This will help to prevent them from corroding and degrading too quickly.
Precautions to take before cleaning the golf cart batteries
Before you start cleaning golf cart batteries, follow these precautionary steps:
- Ensure your safety: Battery acid is incredibly dangerous. It will burn your skin upon contact. Therefore, you should wear protection glasses and heavy-duty acid-proof gloves to protect against acid.
- Remove your jewelry: Any jewelry you’re wearing, including rings, necklaces, and bracelets, can conduct electricity. If you accidentally drop your jewelry into the battery acid, it could cause a dangerous spark.
- Work in an open space: You should also work in an open and well-ventilated space. The fumes from the battery acid can be dangerous to inhale.
- Disconnect the battery: To avoid sparks, you should disconnect the battery before you start cleaning it. First, remove the negative cable by unbolting it from the battery post. Then, remove the positive cable in the same way. If your golf cart has a key switch, you should also turn it to the “off” position.
Now that we understand how to clean golf cart batteries safely, let’s try and figure out why they get dirty in the first place.
Why do golf cart batteries get dirty?
Batteries get dirty. Over time, the lead plates inside the battery corrode and shed particles into the electrolyte. The shed particles settle at the bottom of the battery, where they form a thick layer of sediment. The sediment acts as an insulator, preventing the lead plates from coming into contact with the electrolyte.
As a result, the battery’s capacity is reduced, and it takes longer to charge. Dirty batteries also tend to self-discharge at a higher rate, meaning that they need to be recharged more often. In extreme cases, the sediment can build up so much that it short-circuits the lead plates, causing a fire.
Consequently, it is important to keep your golf cart’s battery clean and free of sediment. There are several ways to do this, but one of the most effective is to use a Battery Minder or similar device. These devices send pulses of electricity through the battery to break up the sediment and prevent it from settling to the bottom.
By using a Battery Minder, you can help extend the life of your golf cart battery and keep it running at peak performance.
How to prevent golf cart batteries from getting dirty?
The golf cart battery is essential to the function of the golf cart. If the golf cart battery becomes dirty, it will not work as efficiently and will need to be replaced more often. There are a few things that can be done to prevent the golf cart battery from getting dirty.
The most important thing is to keep the area around the battery clean. This means sweeping and mopping up any spilled liquids and keeping an eye out for any leaks. It’s also important to avoid overcharging the battery, as this can cause corrosion.
Another way to prevent the golf cart battery from getting dirty is to invest in a good-quality cover. A cover will help to keep dust and dirt out of the battery compartment and can also extend the life of the battery.
Finally, it’s important to regularly inspect the golf cart battery for signs of dirt or corrosion. If any build-up is found, it should be cleaned off immediately to prevent further damage. By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your golf cart battery clean and working properly for years to come.
Conclusion
Just to summarise everything, to clean your golf cart batteries, start by disconnecting the positive and negative terminals. Next, use a garden hose to spray down the battery case and posts.
Be sure to wear gloves and goggles while you’re working. Once the battery is wet, use a brush to scrub away any dirt or corrosion. Finally, rinse the battery off with clean water and reconnect the terminals. By following these steps, you can help extend the life of your golf cart batteries.
