36 volt Trojans won't take charge

ddro

Hello, I purchased a EZGO txt that was used as a tool hauler for a machine shop for my small farm to get around.
Here is my problem, When I went to check it out it was charging but the guy said it had only been on the charger for about half hour. It ran for a few minutes slowly and we put it back on charge for about 45 minutes and it ran slowly. I went ahead and bought it and when I got it home I charged it up and everything looked great. I ran it around the property for about ten minutes then put it up as we were leaving for a month.
When we got home it was completely dead. Wouldn't move so I pushed it to the garage and it wouldn't charge. I charged two at a time with a 12 volt charger and seemed to get enough juice in them for the charger to engage.
After fully charging? it moved a few feet and started pulsing so I charged them again.
Voltage reads
1 4.2 4.1
2 6.3 6.3
3 4.2 2.9
4 6.3 6.3
5 4.1 3.2
6 6.3 6.2


The second reading is when I step on the accelerator pedal.
Do you think the entire set is bad or just the three with the extreme low voltage?
The fellow I purchased it from said he hadn't used the cart all winter and didn't charge the batteries since he changed jobs and also said he hadn't probably charged them more than 7 times since he purchased it.
The cart was refurbished in Dec 2012 and I assume that is when the batteries were replaced.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

BGW

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bigstik40

#1, #3, and #5 each have a shorted cell. I wouldn't trust the other 3 any further than you can throw them. It's time to go battery shopping! - RAY

radioman

The guy you bought the cart from gave you enough history on the batteries you should have known they were no good.

ddro

I'm not criticizing the seller, We made an adjustment on the price for the batteries.
My question is if I would be ok just replacing the three and hoping the others are strong enough to last a few years or should I just replace them all.
Will just replacing three and keeping the others hurt the new batteries?
The cart has foam filled tires since he used it in a machine shop. Does that put extra strain on the batteries?
I am wondering why it charged the first time and I was able to use it for a while and a month later it's completely dead and when I charge it it won't move for over 30 seconds and will go better in reverse than forward.
it's a nice cart with lights and a small steel bed on back for hauling stuff around the property and the foam filled tires are perfect since we have bodock trees with thorns that always seem to find their way into my tires. I only use it occasionally about three times a week to spray and get the mail etc.
If I get new batteries what should I do before using the cart?
I heard I should charge them right away before using but is it all right to ride it a few minutes to check out the batteries after I install them?
Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it.
Dave

radioman

Replace all of them. Voltage does not indicate the true condition of the battery to be able to deliver power. Runs better in reverse because draws less power in reverse. If you checked the three of them under load you would probably see a big voltage drop.

bigstik40

It's good that you got some adjustment on the price due to questionable batteries. The experts should chime in on advisability of replacing only 3 shortly, but in my opinion, you would be better off going for 6 new ones, break them in properly and then you won't be living with a "when are the other 3 going to fail" cloud over your head. RAY

sowilliams

I'm certainly not one of the experts but I do know that your entire battery pack is only as good as you weakest battery so if you spend the money for three your not going to be getting what you should out of them. Bite the bullet and get all six.

usgicollector

scottyb

The reason not to buy all 6 would be if the 3 good ones were fairly new... then buying 3 more new may suit your purpose.... so specific gravity testing and date of manufacture info should be considered when making the decision. Trojans have a date code stamped in the (-) post. A= January and the number is the year. A9 = Jan 2009

radioman

I know better than to advise anyone to do otherwise than replace all six. However if they were mine I would go over them with a fine tooth comb. I would run every test I could to be sure they don't have any useful life left in them. One test would be to charge the best of them with the 12 volt charger two in series at a time. Then when the charger cut back I would check the specific gravity with a hydrometer. Then voltage and load test each one with a 12 volt automotive load tester with two in series at a time and monitor the voltage across each. Then I would charge them again. Disconnect charger and let them set a day or two and run the hydrometer and load test again. If they checked good after all that I would consider replacing the other three with a less than premium priced battery with lowest amp hour rated battery. That is a lot of trouble for someone inexperienced working with batteries to undertake when the long term outcome is pretty well known.