Winter is coming. Winterizing?

[bigned]

I know I have read something on this in the past. I just need a refresher coarse I guess. I have an EZGO 36v that is being kept in an unheated garage.
I have a charger that kicks on when it gets below the required level. Should I leave this hooked up all winter and check the batteries for water monthly? I just need a bit of guidance. Thanks

[tcox4freedom]

I'm interested in knowing about this as well because I plan on buying my 1st cart soon.

I still plan on using mine throughout the winter. But, it may only be once or twice a month. I sure would like to know if there are any special considerations needed during the winter for electric carts.

[JohnnieB]

Sorta-Kinda depends on whether the unheated garage is located in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska or Key West, Florida.

If you have a charger that automatically initiates a charger cycle when battery voltage drops to a predetermined point, leave it connected and let it do what it is designed to do, but check battery voltage( or specific gravity) and water level periodically. (4-6 weeks) If your charger doesn't come on automatically when voltage drops, you'll have to monitor the voltage and initiate a recharge cycle manually.

A fully charged battery can tolerate down to about -70F without freezing, but a fully discharged battery will freeze at about +32F, so keep it fully charged or close to it.

The battery's plates will sulphate when left in a discharged or partially discharged condition, so keep them charged.

As for cart usage in cold weather, at 32F the battery will only deliver about 50% of what it delivers at 80F, so performance will be less.
Also, carts aren't exactly the most stable platforms on dry ground, so be very cautious on slippery surfaces.
The driver & passengers may also be adversely effected by the wind-chill factor.

[Coltf1991]

John I like your last notation. You sound like a meteorologist.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Coltf1991

John I like your last notation. You sound like a meteorologist.

I've been called worse.

Spent a year in Alaska and got to know the meaning of "COLD" firsthand.

(Technically, there isn't any cold, just more heat or less heat. Think of the Kelvin temperature scale and it become obvious)

[Coltf1991]

This is true!

[SpoiledRotten]

Originally Posted by Coltf1991

John I like your last notation. You sound like a meteorologist.

To be a meteorologist, you obviously have to be correct only 20% of the time to maintain a job! They don't get the "30% chance of rain today" unless they look outside, see it pouring down rain, and predict it from that. And some time they even get that wrong.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by SpoiledRotten

To be a meteorologist, you obviously have to be correct only 20% of the time to maintain a job! They don't get the "30% chance of rain today" unless they look outside, see it pouring down rain, and predict it from that. And some time they even get that wrong.

I trust my "Weather Rock"
It has a guaranteed accuracy of +/- 38%

[Coltf1991]

Normally you would say they are dumb as a rock but in this case I will give weather folks the benefit of the doubt and say they are smart as that rock