First Time Charge

libertybellcdr

Tonight will be the first time I charge my golf cart since I've owned it. The batteries are a few years old and it uses the "stand alone" power wise charger. Does the charger turn off after it's finished charging? If not, how do I know when charging is complete?

Thanks,
Chris

BGW

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libertybellcdr

Come on guys! I can't believe no one has any input on this...

libertybellcdr

Okay, so I went out this morning and found that the charger had turned itself off when it was finished. That makes sense.

Now, onto the next topic:

I have seen the voltage chart for % battery discharge. This morning, after a full charge, my pack reads 38.7v. This is much higher than the 100% of the chart. This is a really good sign of battery quality, right?

madoc1

should be, but you should wait a couple of hours and that will give you a truer reading. so far sounds good

scottyb

A battery pack will take 12 hours or more to settle. The charger will bring your pack up to 44-46v depending upon the make and model and programming.... when it shuts off the batteries settle down to what they can hold. 6/6vs should hold 38.4 at 70- degrees, readings will be lower at lower temperatures. In some cases it may take longer for them to settle.
Note: It sounds like you have this set sitting aside for some time unattended.
This is harmful to a wet cell battery. When you guys take these batteries out of your carts for long terms you must reconfigure the pack and charge them regularly. An idle battery will loose 4% of it's charge each week. After 3 weeks they are down in specific gravity to a level where sulfating of the lead plates happens. This is for the most part irreversible damage.

For anyone reading who found this looking for information on breaking new batteries in please follow the link and read the info below


NEW BATTERIES?
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...attery+Breakin

NEW BATTERY BREAK-IN PROCEDURE:
Following proper break-in procedure can increase the strength and the useful life span of your new batteries. New batteries are initially about 75% of their full strength. The following procedure will insure they reach their full potential.
The 1st 10 to 20 complete charge/discharge cycles are critical to insure they reach 100%. New batteries should be charged before use and thereafter as follows:
Plug the charger in and leave it alone until charger shuts off by itself. Then drive to discharge the batteries to 75% battery pack capacity (see chart) Plug the cart back in and repeat the charge cycle.......It is very important you let it charge until it is completely done. Repeat this for the first 10 - 20 cycles......by the 12th cycle you will notice a difference in power, speed, and run-time.........I have never had a customer say they have not noticed the increase.
Most importantly, NEVER run the battery pack down below 50% of capacity throughout their entire life. Never leave the batteries in a state of discharge for extended periods of time. Recharge the pack once a week if the cart is sitting idle or in storage. And when in doubt, recharge it.
During the break-in procedure, keep an eye on the water levels. T can take 12 hours or more for the 1st few Charging times. These extended charge cycles may evaporate some of the water. ( use distilled water only )
As the batteries break in you will notice the charge time gets shorter. Eventually going from 12 to 5-6 hours per recharge.
ONCE A MONTH:
Routine maintenance is the 2nd most important thing to insure you get the most use out of your new battery pack. It is critical that you get into a routine of spending 10 - 15 minutes a month to keep the cable connections clean and check the water levels. Proper water level is critical. Dry batteries die quickly.
Keep the Distilled Water level up to the bottom of the fill hole sleeve or a half inch above the lead plates. Do not fill to the top.
Use a hard nylon brush to remove any visible corrosion. Carefully check that all of the cable connections are tight. Loose connections cause arching which will melt the soft lead terminals. Spray-on Battery Terminal Protector is available from the auto parts store and greatly reduces corrosive build up.
I hope this helps you get the most use possible out of your battery investment.

fishb8

Since we are talking batteries. I left my 36v on the charger for probably 2+ months with no use. It is a power wise that turns off when charged. My wife took the kids to school and it barely made 1.5 miles before it died. 2 of the batteries had 1 plate showing and the rest were all low on water. Filled all them with distilled water.

They are 2009 Trojan t-605. Are these batteries toast now?

scottyb

The power wise charger does not monitor or maintain the battery pack. It charges and shuts off. You need a special charger to maintain a stored battery pack.
An in dash digital voltmeter would avoid a situation like that, when coupled with a battery charger/maintainer. you don't have to worry letting them sit idle... otherwise you need to monitor the pack yourself and recharge occasionally.
Having a cart without a battery meter is equivalent to having a car without a gas gauge. Who would do that? These carts were originally made for a round of golf and recharge... a meter is a must for the way we use them!
You can go to something like this?
http://cartsunlimited.net/36_and_48_Volt_Chargers.html

jolsem725

Need the Powerwise QE for winter or extended periods of non-use. Nice and compact too.

fishb8

So is there any hope for my batteries or are they toast?

scottyb

Hard to say without diagnostics ... charging dry plates is battery abuse.
You will need a voltmeter and a hydrometer to test them.... what are individual voltage readings now?
I would charge them, let them sit for 12 hours. test individual voltage and specific gravity of each cell, post that info here and we can tell what you do or do not have....