Water in golf cart batteries

[paulat585]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?

[Keefelane66]

No.

[champion6]

No.
:agree:

[rjm1cc]

No I assume the mixture of chemicals and distilled water will not freeze at the temperatures we get. Just like your car battery. I have not had any problems with my cart in my unheated garage.

[Laker14]

just keep them charged up.

[villagetinker]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?

As noted in previous replies, if these are lead acid batteries, these are just like your car battery, no you do not need to do anything. However, you do need to add water (DISTILLED WATER) occasionally. If you have never had an electric cart, get a copy of the owners manual so you understand the required maintenance.

[Altavia]

As noted in previous replies, if these are lead acid batteries, these are just like your car battery, no you do not need to do anything. However, you do need to add water (DISTILLED WATER) occasionally. If you have never had an electric cart, get a copy of the owners manual so you understand the required maintenance.

And only add water to fully charged batteries.

[Byte1]

If it gets cold enough to freeze a lead acid battery, in a garage no less, then global warming is not doing it's job.

[Flyers999]

And only add water to fully charged batteries.

Right. Unless a particular cell is very, very low. Then you have to water before charging..

[Living a Fantasy]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?

I check the water monthly and ADD DISTILLED WATER just slightly above the top of the plates that you'll be able to see inside the battery after you open the battery filler caps. DO NOT FILL TO THE TIPPITY TOP. Also, don't add your distilled water until the batteries are fully charged.

Charge after every usage -- no matter how short or long a trip.

[paulat585]

Thanks, everyone. No one told me about the battery having to be fully charged before adding water. Glad I asked!

[Laker14]

Thanks, everyone. No one told me about the battery having to be fully charged before adding water. Glad I asked!

this, as I understand it, is because the water expands when charged. If you fill it uncharged, and then charge it, you'll get some spillage.

This reminds me, I check and fill my batteries once a month, and I'm due.

thanks for the reminder.

[JoMar]

We have no maintenance batteries.....when time comes to replace you might want to consider them as a replacement.

[Laker14]

We have no maintenance batteries.....when time comes to replace you might want to consider them as a replacement.

I got my cart last year, with LA batteries that needed replacement. 2002 Club Car DS electric.
I really wanted to repower with Li-Ion, but was having trouble finding the conversion I wanted, so I decided to go with LA for one more cycle. When these are down I am hoping that Li-Ion will be more easily available, and 4 or 5 more years down the trail of trial and error reliability issues.

[Altavia]

Thanks, everyone. No one told me about the battery having to be fully charged before adding water. Glad I asked!

A battery watering system is the way to go.

A User-Friendly Solution for Watering Your Batteries https://www.amazon.com/vdp/4ed39bbf705e41ae9bacb0aced897163


Club Car-Carry All 6x8v Battery Watering System Trojan/Powertron/PD+ https://a.co/d/cUfdILR

[MrChip72]

A typical home freezer is 0 degrees F (-18C). It takes a 3-4 hours for small amounts of water (ice cubes) to freeze solid under those conditions. At the temps we are expecting in the Villages this week 20-25 degrees, it's impossible that anything more than a drop of water outsider will freeze. Certainly nothing in unheated shelter will freeze, even a drop of water as that usually provides at minimum around 10 degrees worth of extra protection.

[Joe Sacco]

Also pick up a battery refill pitcher, it has a spring pressure spout that fills the battery to the proper level without trying to see in each individual cells. Note: cells are not connected each must be filled to proper level.😊

[PersonOfInterest]

Saltine Crackers and Salami.

[wamley]

No worry, its not water its acid thats in your battery.

[Altavia]

Can My Batteries Freeze? | DCPS Blog (https://www.dcpower.cc/030416-can-batteries-freeze.php)

A fully charged lead acid battery will freeze at -70°C, which makes it one of the best batteries for low temperature operation.

[GpaVader]

The other thing to watch with the temperature dropping is your tire pressure....

[Bay Kid]

Put a small plastic cup of water outside. I'm willing to say that it won't freeze.

[RoadToad]

Thanks, everyone. No one told me about the battery having to be fully charged before adding water. Glad I asked!
NOT SO.. Google it ... 1st fill all cells up to the bottom of the filler opening with distilled water; then charge the battery. The liquid converts into acid as the battery charges. The liquid is correctly referred to as "electrolyte".
A properly charged battery will not freeze even at below zero temperatures. A totally discharged battery will.
Google it ...

[wfed54@yahoo.com]

We have no maintenance batteries.....when time comes to replace you might want to consider them as a replacement.

You never have to add water to these? I have 6v batteries don’t think I’ve ever seen a maintenance free in 6v

[nancyre]

Make sure the plates are covered or you can ruin the top of the plates. Do not over fill

[Lisanp@aol.com]

I have a closed battery watering system and it was a game changer - look into it - best money ever spent on the cart.

[Vermilion Villager]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?

If the batteries are charged they're ok unless the temp is well below zero. My truck in northern Minnesota would sit outside at -20 and still start.

[Wondering]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?
It won't freeze. It has battery acid in it and the garage doesn't get that cold. Cover your outdoor plants!

[RiderOnTheStorm]

And only add water to fully charged batteries.

It is equally important that the plates in the battery be covered with water before charging; about 1/8 inch or so, which still allows room for expansion.

[OhioBuckeye]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?

NO, water mixed with a chemical ( battery acid) won’t freeze besides weather in Florida won’t get into double or single digits, but good question!

[JoMar]

You never have to add water to these? I have 6v batteries don’t think I’ve ever seen a maintenance free in 6v

Our batteries are sealed, you can't add water to them. I have 8 6V batteries and they are maintenance free, so yep, they are available in 6V

[jjombrello]

There are no stupid questions, but the answer is NO.

[Rodneysblue]

:agree::agree:
I never had to do anything with my old 36 volt EasyGo up north and I used it all winter long.

[Altavia]

/// duplicate post...

[Altavia]

NOT SO.. Google it ... 1st fill all cells up to the bottom of the filler opening with distilled water; then charge the battery. The liquid converts into acid as the battery charges. The liquid is correctly referred to as "electrolyte".
A properly charged battery will not freeze even at below zero temperatures. A totally discharged battery will.
Google it ...

Google it again...

Watering Your Lead Acid Battery Made Easy: The Basics (https://www.crownbattery.com/news/watering-your-lead-acid-battery-made-easy-the-basics?hs_amp=true)

"A battery should only be watered after it is completely charged. But, you should always check the water level before charging."

[Olsenfiber]

According to Morningstar Corporation ( they make inverters and controllers for lead acid batteries:

Temperature also affects how deeply the battery can be discharged without a risk of freezing the battery. As a battery is discharged, the freezing point of the electrolyte decreases. A fully charged battery should not freeze until about -94°F (-70°C). A battery that is at about 50% DOD will freeze around -13°F (-25°C), and at a 75% DOD it will freeze at about 9°F (-13°C). The system should be designed so that it never discharges the battery bank below its expected coldest operating temperature. If the battery freezes, it will likely be permanently damaged

[DonnaNi4os]

This is probably a stupid question, but this is my first electric golf cart. It's in the unheated garage. Do I need to do something about the water in the batteries over the next few cold days?


We would have to have sub-zero temps for an extended period of time for your garage to get cold enough to worry. That is not likely to ever happen here

[Pegasusprt]

Your first electric golf cart, is it a new one with a lithium battery? If it is don't worry, if they are not lithium as long as they have a good charge they should be good for about 0 degrees.