Full Batteries But Cart Wont Run

ktran

i got a 2002 EZ GO ELECTRIC CART. I charged up full and get to drive for about 5-10 mins and it starts to slow down like the batteries are dead, but i was able to slug it home 1mph. when i get home i test the batteries and they are 36v like it supposed to be. i discussed this matter with my neighbor and they think the batteries are low in amp? but how does it low in amp when they are full in volt... anyone know more about this?

BGW

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scottyb

36 volts is empty. You would need to load test to see if one is dropping out under load.....Or check with a hydrometer?

craig tn

WELCOME TO BGW

How old are the batteries?

scottyb

Batteries loose their capacity to store amps as they age and the plates corrode. Electric motors use amps not volts to run......hope this helps

shadowman

Ktran, welcome.................at 36 volts your cart is just about dead it should read 39 to 41 volts approxs after a full charge...........if your charging them and they are only reading 6 volts thats a dead battery.......so charge it up fully and take a reading from each battery post the #,s we can tell by the #,s.....................how old are they and how well maintained..........................

ktran

thanks to all. i bought this almost a year ago but i been having this problem. i just started to read the blogs and found out that i need to add water into the batteries. i open the batteries and they all bone dry. I probably abuse this thing pretty bad. Maybe the plates corroded as Scotty suggested. I guess these are about 6yrs old batteries. I anyway i can revive them or they are dead?

shadowman

chances are they are shot if they are all bone dry...........however for the price of a few gallons of distilled water and some time you can try..................add distilled water only to each battery fill to 1/8 inch or so above lead plates.......charge cart up till charger stops let is sit a bit than take voltage readings and also load test them if they don,t crash under load continue on but if they do might as well quit and go get batteries, you can help by cleaning all battery terminals and cable ends and making sure cables are good and tight........when done drive the cart for 10 minutesw or so than back on charger till done than check water and add if needed...............this may take several times to find out if they are still good but as you do this you should notice improvment in run time and voltage #,s if after several times your still where you were at the beginning than at that point with age of batteries and the neglect i would get new ones...........if you have to buy new ones please keep in mind that the break in period and battery maintence is very very important don,t overlook it or you,ll be buying batteries again in less than 2 years.............................

ktran

i did add the distilled water, but still its gave me about 5 mins of driving and slowly shut off...

ktran

Thanks All

cartworldinc

If your batteries are six years old and were bone dry. You might get by right now by replacing the ones that don't hold under load. But the rest of them are soon to follow. Best for you to get a new set of batteries, new cables, and enjoy many years of carting. Go ahead and put the hassle behind you. You will be glad you did.