How Long Does It Take To Charge a Golf Cart Battery?

Charging a golf cart battery can take several hours, so it’s important to know how much time you need to set aside. If you don’t charge the battery long enough, it could run out of power on the course (or wherever else you drive it). Keep in mind that charge times vary depending on the battery size.

It takes between 3 to 14 hours to charge a golf cart battery, depending on how much battery life is left. It’s safe to leave the battery plugged in whenever it’s not being used. This will ensure your golf cart’s battery is always ready to go.

So how long does it take a golf cart to charge, you ask? Throughout this post, I’ll show you what affects how long a golf cart battery takes to charge, whether or not you can charge it overnight, and how long a single charge lasts.

How Long Does It Take To Charge a Dead Golf Cart Battery?

It takes up to 14 hours to charge a dead golf cart battery. However, the charge time depends on the type of battery and how many volts it has. For example, a lead-acid battery is one of the quickest ones to charge. On the other hand, a lithium-ion battery lasts longer, but it can take a little longer to charge completely.

JS Golf Carts suggests using a fast charger to reduce the charging time by up to 50%. This will allow you to charge your golf cart battery within a few hours, regardless of how low it is. However, these fast chargers are few and far between.

The 10L0L 20-Amp Golf Cart Charger (available on Amazon.com) can charge a dead golf cart battery in 2 to 8 hours. It has an IP-56 waterproof rating, a built-in fan to prevent it from overheating, and it works with the following three battery types:

• Water-based batteries
• Dry batteries
• Lithium-ion batteries

What Affects the Charge Time for Golf Cart Batteries?

The outdoor temperature, remaining battery life, and the battery’s condition affect the charge time for golf cart batteries. Additionally, the battery charger and the battery cables will impact how quickly you can charge the battery. Make sure you use a dedicated circuit breaker if you’re charging the battery at home.

Here’s a more detailed look at each of these factors:

• Golf cart batteries take longer to charge when they’re hot. Batteries tend to lose their charge as they get hotter, so never store your golf cart battery or charger in direct sunlight or a hot garage. Both locations will make your batteries take a lot longer to charge, and they’ll lose their charge much quicker.
• A dead golf cart battery will take several more hours to charge than a partially-drained battery. You’ll have to charge a dead golf cart battery for longer than half a day, but you can accomplish a partial charge in a couple of hours. Use a multimeter or a digital LED charger to check the remaining battery life.
• A dirty or damaged battery doesn’t charge nearly as efficiently, which increases the charging time. Make sure the battery terminals are clean before you charge the battery. You can use a mixture of water and baking soda to form a paste, then scrub it on the terminals with an unused toothbrush or an abrasive sponge.
• If you use a stock charger, it’ll likely take longer than a fast charger. Most companies don’t include fast chargers because they’re more expensive. I suggest getting a charger between 18 amps to 20 amps. This will allow you to charge your golf cart battery in eight hours or less (for most battery types).
• Check the cables because loose or damaged wires don’t charge as effectively. While exposed copper can be hazardous, it also reduces a battery’s charging efficiency. Tighten each of the wires at their connected terminals, then make sure they’re all the correct gauge (as required by the manufacturer).

Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged in All the Time?

You should leave your golf cart plugged in all the time when you’re not using it. This will keep the battery charged and prevent it from getting too cold. Use a smart battery charger that doesn’t exceed 100% battery life, as it’ll stop overheating and other issues from damaging the battery.

Plugging in your golf cart battery around the clock is a great way to prevent batteries from freezing during harsh winters. While hot battery temperatures can cause all sorts of problems, the same can be said for most batteries that get too cold, including lead-acid and dry batteries.

That being said, there are a few safety precautions you should take if you want to leave your golf cart battery plugged in at all times:

• Make sure the charger isn’t loose in the wall outlet. Otherwise, it’ll cause dangerous electrical arcing.
• Don’t use a low-quality, third-party charger that doesn’t know to stop charging the battery once it reaches 100%.
• Never charge a golf cart battery outside when it’s raining, snowing, hailing, and so on.

How Long Does a Charge Last on a Golf Cart Battery?

A charge on a golf cart battery lasts up to 10 mi (16.09 km). Most golf cart batteries will slowly lose their charge if unused, but this process can take several months. Check your golf cart’s battery life if you haven’t used it in a while using a voltmeter, smart charger, or battery meter.

According to Luxe Electric Car, most golf cart batteries can last between 8 to 10 mi (12.87 to 16.09 km). Affecting factors include how fast you drive, what kind of battery you have, and the battery’s condition. These numbers are based on maximum battery life, so partially-drained batteries don’t last as long.

If you have a low-end, worn golf cart battery, you’ll have to charge it a lot more often. Furthermore, the charging time will likely be much longer than usual. The more you charge a damaged battery, the fewer miles you’ll get from each charge, so replacing the battery is better than continuously charging it every couple of days.

Is It OK To Charge a Golf Cart Overnight?

It’s OK to charge a golf cart overnight. In fact, it’s very convenient and safe to charge a golf cart battery through the night because you’ll need around 8 hours anyways. You can promote safe overnight charging by using a charger that stops once it reaches maximum capacity.

TXP Golf Carts recommends charging your golf cart battery after each use to maximize its overall lifespan. This suggestion includes charging your batteries overnight. Much like most other vehicles, you should drive your golf cart at least once every two weeks to maintain the battery, as it also prevents fuel-related problems with gas-powered golf carts.

Before charging your golf cart overnight, consider charging it for 8 to 10 hours during the day. Check how it performs. If everything’s fine and the battery and charger don’t overheat, then you’ll be fine to charge your golf cart battery at night. Cold batteries charge quite well, and charging your battery at night will prevent it from freezing.

Final Thoughts: Golf Cart Battery Recharge Time

Although golf cart batteries don’t last too long, they can be charged quickly. It’s also very convenient to charge the battery without worrying about it overcharging or overheating, unlike other batteries.