Ezgo equilization charges

bobmakita

Newbie here and I read about "equalization charges" on ezgo golf carts. Can a equalization charge be preformed using an older powerwise charger? I read that once the cart is charged you can plug the charger back in for another hour and it would DE stratify the batteries. Repeating three times, is this so or is there a different way to do it? Thanks in advance, Bobby

BGW

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JohnnieB

No two lead-acid cells are exactly the same, so when they are charged in series they don't charge equally even though the same charging current passes through each cell for the same length of time. The same is true when they are discharged also. There are eighteen 2V cells in a 36V battery pack (3 cells per 6V battery times six batteries) and over time, an imbalance occurs.

If two of the six batteries in a 36V battery pack are used to power 12V accessories, the imbalance occurs faster and is more severe.

Ideally, the at-rest voltage (At-Rest = 12 hours after being charged or about 30 minutes after being discharged) for all six batteries should be within about 0.1V of each other. The at-rest voltage for a typical 6V deep cycle battery is 6.37V.

An equalization charge is deliberately overcharging the stronger cells to bring the charge of the weaker cells up to the same level as the stronger cells.

Technically an equalization charge takes all the cells to higher on-charge voltage than they typically are during the regular charge cycle and some chargers have EQ settings. However, multiple back to back charges with a charger like the PW charger you have does the trick pretty well.

How often to equalize? It depends. Check the individual battery voltages about every month and when the start drifting more than 0.1V apart, equalize. Or some people just equalize every month or every other month.

bobmakita

Thanks Again. I just checked and had 5-6.4 and 1-6.5 readings on the batteries. Saturday I did a terminal clean and protect as a monthly preventative. They are using the night to do snow now but I will charge it later if possable. Myself and corp are grateful for your time and help in all this learning curve for me.