Columbia Battery Problem

av8er

I have a 2007 Columbia Par Car Elite with the onboard charger. We bought the cart from an owner that didn't drive it much since new. It has the US 2200XC batteries. The cart has been running great for the first 5 months we have had it. We used it almost daily and charge it after every day of use. It has the watering system, so I have kept the water levels full with distilled water.

The other day we used it quite a bit but came home with plenty zip still in the cart. I put it on the charger and it ran for about 12 hours and when I checked it it had a flashing red light indicating I think 3 which is a charger time out, possible bad battery. I put it on charge again that night after not using the cart and it just kept running. It only got to the second level of charging after about 10 hours and the batteries were very hot and sounded like they were boiling. Even after stopping the charge, two hours later they still sound like they are boiling.

I checked the voltage and they are about 6.20, 6.21, 6.24, 6.28, 6.27, 6.23, 6.24, 6.23 approximately.

What do you think is the best plan of action?

The batteries are 5 years old, get new ones?

If I have a bad battery or two, is it worth putting new batteries with the old?

What type of battery do you think I should go with? I am considering the Energizer, Trojan.

Thanks

BGW

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Tech Support

Never mix old and new batteries. Your voltages all are close, but the real test would be to load test them and then check the voltages, and/or the sg of each cell.

If they're all relatively good, change the charger alrgorithm from 4 to 11. If you switch to Trojan 105's you need to change the algorithm from 4 to 1.

Tech Support

Here's the Algorithm list recommended by battery, and the process to change without using the computer version software.

av8er

I drove the cart some and it seems normal. I then charged it again and checked it 2 hours later and the yellow light was on the IIIII and it was flashing. Any ideas.

Tech Support

If it was on the 5 bar and flashing, it's in safety mode charging slowly either because the battery voltage was really low (below 46 volts on the pack) and it will trickle a while, or it's overheated, or your extension cord is too long.

av8er

Just took the cart to the golf shop to get new batteries. After talking with them some more they really think the charger is working properly and the 5 year old batteries are probably the problem. I will post the results.

Thanks

av8er

Problem fixed.

I had new Trojan batteries put in and it fixed my problem. The cart is running great and there is no smell when the cart is charging in the garage. Even though the voltage on each battery was good they were at the end of their life.