How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

A golf cart’s battery is its lifeblood and an essential component of its performance and longevity. Battery life is a normal concern, considering golf cart batteries, like other batteries, don’t last forever. Knowing how long batteries last can help you plan maintenance and other expenses.

So, how long do golf batteries last? Golf cart batteries can last up to 10 years if they’re of good quality and properly maintained. If you take good care of your batteries by using distilled water to top the reservoir, applying anti-corrosion lubricants, and charging them properly, your batteries will last longer.

In this article, we’ll look into some ways you can make sure your golf cart battery lasts longer. We shall also go through some factors that affect golf cart batteries’ lifespan and how you can prolong your battery’s useful life.

How to Make Your Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer

Some practices affect the lifespan of golf cart batteries. You can help your golf cart batteries last longer by using the right products in the reservoir and for lubrication. 

The right charger can also make a big difference, and you should switch them around depending on how frequently you use your golf cart, especially if you have golf cart batteries 8 volt.

Strictly Use Distilled Water

Use distilled water when topping the battery’s reservoir after removing the plastic caps from the battery. Avoid using tap water while refilling your battery. Moreover, maintain the fluid level in the battery from going below the plates or too high. 

The water level shouldn’t touch the plastic lips that go down to the battery. You need enough water to keep the battery submerged. Using excess water can cause unexpected acid overflows on the surface of the battery and further damage the floor.

Utilize Anti-Corrosion Lubricants

The acid in golf cart batteries can cause corrosion in the internal parts of the batteries. To prevent unexpected corrosion, coat your battery’s wire lugs, bolts, nuts, and terminals with quality anti-corrosion lubricants. 

Applying thin layers of pure petroleum jelly or Vaseline on the golf cart battery can help protect the battery from corrosion. Ensure that you seal all the exposed wires on the battery’s terminal lugs with submersible rubber tape to extend the lifespan of your battery. You can get all these products at an auto parts store.

Use a Good Battery Charger

The best charger for golf cart batteries is a 3-phase charger that can charge your golf cart efficiently without harming its internal components.

Attach the charger’s positive lead to the battery’s negative and positive poles. Apart from using the battery properly, it would help if you charge it each time you use your golf cart.

Trickle Charge the Batteries

A trickle charger can be helpful for golf cart owners who usually store their cart batteries for a long duration before using them. 

A trickle charge will help prolong the lifespan of your golf cart battery. As the name suggests, these chargers feed power into your batteries slowly, so they don’t come to full charge as quickly as with a regular charger.

The slow charging prevents overcharging and strain issues that reduce the lifespan of your golf cart batteries. 

Solar chargers also work like trickle chargers and thus help extend your battery’s lifespan.

Factors That Affect Your Golf Cart’s Battery Lifespan 

Some factors undoubtedly influence how long your golf cart batteries will last, like the quality of the batteries, how they’re maintained, and the type of gold cart you have. 

Quality of Your Batteries

Quality matters when it comes to products, and golf cart batteries are no different. 

Cheaper and low-quality batteries have shorter lifespans than high-quality batteries. Quality batteries may last close to a decade with proper maintenance. In the long run, you will save if you get quality batteries that will last a long time. 

Consistent and Regular Battery Maintenance

Regular and consistent maintenance is among the critical secrets to prolonging your battery’s lifespan. Check the battery regularly to help diagnose any issues that can comprise its lifespan. Inspects all the parts to check for signs of corrosion or damage. 

Keep an eye out for signs of charging problems in your batteries and have them fixed by an expert before they affect your battery’s lifespan. Do the necessary replacement if there are any defective parts on the batteries.

Power Utilization

If you are looking for a golf cart that will last a long time, consider one with fewer basic features. Sticking to a cart with basic functions will help conserve the battery’s power, lasting longer.

If you pick a golf cart with all the bells and whistles, such as upgraded maximum speed, you might have to sacrifice some battery life for all the extra features.

The more power your golf cart needs, the greater the strain on your batteries. Overused batteries have a much shorter lifespan than batteries used a regular amount. 

Frequency of Use 

One essential part of taking care of your golf cart is understanding how the frequency of use affects your golf cart’s battery lifespan.

Generally, the more you use your golf cart daily, the shorter its battery lifespan will be. The shorter lifespan is because the battery will be depleted frequently, which needs recharged. The more times you deplete and recharge your golf cart battery, the weaker it will become. 

Batteries that stay unused for prolonged periods will also suffer a reduced life.

Generally, you might enjoy your battery for 4 to 7 years when using it a couple of times a day. Private golf cart batteries are not used so frequently, maybe a few times a week, and may last up to a decade, but likely around 5-6 years. 

Storage of the Golf Cart Battery

How you store your golf cart batteries can significantly affect how long they last. Batteries are sensitive to heat and cold, and extreme temperatures can shorten their lifespan. 

Storing your golf cart in a cool, dry place is the best way to prolong your golf cart battery’s life. Always store your golf cart in an indoor storage area. Your battery’s discharge rate will slow in cold temperatures, which maintains your battery charge and improves battery life. 

When Should I Replace My Golf Cart Batteries?

Golf cart batteries can last for many years with proper care and maintenance, depending on the batteries’ quality. Your golf cart battery won’t last forever, so you should know when to replace the battery. 

For instance, you should know it’s time to replace your battery if it ceases charging. 

The other sign for golf car battery replacement is faulty internal parts. It is hard to fix worn-out internal parts; replacing your battery with a new one is simpler and more efficient.

Similarly, if your battery breaks down and needs frequent repairs, you might be better off replacing the whole thing.  

Final Word

If difficult to tell how long your golf cart battery will last. Ideally, quality batteries can last around ten years, but most only last up to five years. 

The longevity of your battery will ultimately depend on how well you care for the battery and its overall quality. Moreover, the lifespan of your golf car battery will also depend on how frequently you use your golf cart.

You need to use your gold cart regularly because idleness will reduce battery life. However, overuse of the cart will also have a similar effect.