They say the batteries are dead, can I refurbish, by one or two?

[EazyGoingEZGO]

Hey guys, new to this forum and

So I have an EZ GO TXT, somewhere between an 03 and 06 model year. We brought it home from our lakehouse this last year, and haven't driven it in about that long.

Tried to charge it today, and no luck. The automatic charger was showing no signs of life. I unscrewed some of the connecting cables and cleaned them with baking soda and vinegar and it still wouldn't show that it was charging.

I took the battery that looks the worst into the local battery store. The guy who works there is kind of an *******, and I don't trust him 100%, and without even testing the battery he said it was useless. He said he wouldn't sell me a replacement, that he would have to sell me 6 new ones, since if I added one new one the old ones would instantly drag the new one down.

It looks like to me that 3 of the batteries suck (there is swelling by the connectors) while 3 others look fine. I think I actually bought three new ones at the time of purchase of the cart. Thing is, I don't want 6 new batteries. I am trying to sell the cart, and just need it to be able to run to prove to the buyer that the thing actually runs.

So BuggiesGoneWild, what is my best option? One theory is that I should buy three new ones for the really crappy ones. Perhaps I should acquire an individual charger and tester to see how much charge each one holds? Should I try to refurbish the batteries like some "refurbish your battery" programs advocate?

I am completely lost here guys. Help a noob out!

Thanks
Dave

[fishb8]

Welcome.
I am new at this also, but I would not replace simply on looks. Put a voltmeter on each battery and the whole pack. I would start there.
If there is not enough voltage on the whole pack, the charger will not start.

[DOOmsman]

Charge each battery with a 12 volt charger to put some juice in them and then try the automatic charger, the pack may be low enough to prevent the auto from kicking in.

[roady89]

Pack has to have some juice before the charger will kick on. If your gonna buy batts either buy all new or replace the 3 with used. Don't buy 3 new and mix them with the old ones.

Your batt guy is at least partially right....dont mix old with new BUT its really none of his business what you do with 1 new batt. (or 2 or 3)

Make sure the batts have at least 1/4 inch of DISTILLED WATER above the plates before charging. After charging then top them off. Distilled water only.


Take a 12 volt charger like dooms said and get 4 of em up a little then the cart charger should come on.

[EazyGoingEZGO]

Hey everyone thanks for the replies so far!

I was wondering though, if the batteries are 6V do I still use a 12V charger? And ya, the guy was a rude jackass. Not going back there again.

[fishb8]

I guess you could charge 2 in series. I would still check the volts on each battery and the pack.

[Tony M]

Originally Posted by EazyGoingEZGO

Hey everyone thanks for the replies so far!

I was wondering though, if the batteries are 6V do I still use a 12V charger? And ya, the guy was a rude jackass. Not going back there again.

No, and as Fishb8 says, charge 2 of them in series, not 6V with a 12V charger, you asking for trouble there.

[gornoman]

The practice of using a 12v charger on a 6v battery is perfectly acceptable as long as it is short duration in an attempt to raise the voltage level of the pack to the charger engagement threshold level. Caution should be exercised and voltages monitored. Short duration in this case is 15 minute intervals. Water levels must be maintained.