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Old 10-29-2013, 06:36 PM   #1
joesam
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Default Question for the Battery Guru's

I got a really good deal (slightly more than half retail) on a 48v 2A Battery Minder (temp compensated) http://batteryminders.com/48-volt-ba...ger-maintainer recently. My plan this winter (since the cart is going to be parked & covered in the Canadian cold) is to use it to maintain my ancient batteries 'til spring; when they will be replaced with new ones.

The whole reason to do this, is to keep the old batteries from freezing/splitting and leaking acid on my lower deck - prior to replacing them (no sense in buying brand new batteries just to sit in the cold for the next 4 months).

But, I have a "related" question. Unlike most of you guys, my cart sits for two days between uses (except weekends). And when it runs, it is exactly one round of golf. Would it be smart to use the 2 amp Battery Minder to re-charge my new pack on weekdays and just use the Powerdrive charger between Sat/Sun rounds?

I'm thinking that the low rate charger would use less water, and maybe even be more gentle & effective in bringing my new batteries eventually up to their full/rated capacity.

Thoughts?
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Old 10-29-2013, 07:31 PM   #2
crash test dummy
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

does it get below -32 degrees ? batteries will not freeze if fully charged
battery minder would work on them for what you say your usage is
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:10 PM   #3
joesam
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

Yes - we get a couple or three days nearing -35, usually in Jan & Feb.

Do you have an opinion about using it as a "slow" charger on new batteries a couple times a week (in summer)?
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:19 PM   #4
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

if it is a battery maintainer i'd think you could just leave it plugged in during the week all summer and it will help in the winter too
also..a 100 watt light above the batteries with a blanket over cart would help in extreme cold
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:26 PM   #5
joesam
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

I managed to get (just barely goes past one round of golf now) 11 years out of my old ones using just the Powerdrive I charger with the cart covered and outside (well, actually under a covered but unheated deck). But I was cautious and would manually cycle/equalize the charger about once a month.

One of the reasons for buying the "minder" is so that when I get a new pack, I can be lazy/careless in winter without risk. Hopefully a low rate charger will actually be even better over the next multiple years on the new pack....but I don't know if my instincts on that, are correct or not.
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Old 10-29-2013, 08:29 PM   #6
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

i think you are on the right track
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Old 10-29-2013, 10:08 PM   #7
BatteryZombiedotcom
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

Hi Joe!
I agree with Crash on both accounts; (he's a smart feller)
1) Having a battery tender on your bank over the winter is the best bet! Many a battery bank have suffered from neglect/undercharging/non-charging during the winter months..

2) A slow trickle charge is always preferred over faster (higher amperage) charging... if you have the time :)

Many have a misconception that charging their batteries too often does damage... in fact, it's the opposite; letting your batteries go low is when the real damage occurs. Example: putting your cart back on the charger, even after zipping around the yard a few times, is preferred to not putting it back on the charger for fear of "charging the batteries too often." No such thing!
Hope this helps!
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Old 10-29-2013, 11:41 PM   #8
joesam
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

That's reassuring. I kept my old batteries (date code 2002) always topped-off. They were new when I bought the cart. When they were younger & in their prime, the charger would shut off after about 4-5 hours (charged after every round). Also its a Regen cart which probably helped just a little, to keep pack voltage high. Water consumption was minimal back in the day - but I checked water every 2 weeks anyway.

Even though the Battery Minder purports to minimize sulphation, I don't suspect that was ever an issue during the long life of my batteries, because they were never neglected. Having said that, I like the feature that it tweaks the charge/cut-off voltage to slightly higher levels when the temperature drops. That seems to me to be a bit like what Crash mentioned, except the "100 watt light bulb" effect happens inside the batteries vs outside. Today I purchased a Marine Style flush mount socket and plug which I plan to install right next to the OEM charger plug on the weekend, to make plugging in the "Minder" that much easier (and to eliminate any chance of having both operating accidentally).

Maybe clever, or maybe just overkill - but I don't like half-baked solutions, nor do I like electrical smoke caused by one of my 40dB brain fades.
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Old 10-30-2013, 12:36 AM   #9
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

Quote:
Today I purchased a Marine Style flush mount socket and plug which I plan to install right next to the OEM charger plug on the weekend, to make plugging in the "Minder" that much easier (and to eliminate any chance of having both operating accidentally).
great idea !!
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Old 11-01-2013, 08:14 AM   #10
55BigBlock
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Default Re: Question for the Battery Guru's

Quote:
Originally Posted by crash test dummy View Post
great idea !!
I too am considering a battery maintainer since my cart is at the coast. In the winter sometimes it is 2 or 3 weeks between visits. I have 2010 Excel that I leave plugged in all the time, but I think the constant low charge would be better. Is my thinking correct?

One more thing, can you just connect the maintainer to the pack without disconnecting the pack from the cart wiring and the OBC?

Last edited by 55BigBlock; 11-01-2013 at 08:42 AM.. Reason: added thought
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