Run time on new batteries

[ADSFR075]

I'm new to to golf cart community, but enjoying it so far. My question is, how long should my cart run on a charge? I have a 2016 RXV, 48 volt, with batteries that are 5 days old. Has a 5" lift w/ all terrain tires. Thanks for the help and any suggestions on improving performance would be greatly appreciated.

[Gallachera89]

run time should increase as you go but just so you are aware

Originally Posted by scottyb

BUMP
I copied some of Tom's Post and editied some of my battery preaching into a flyer for new battery owners... They forget what I tell them before I get to the end of their drive The battery State of Charge Chart is in this thread. Use that and any cheap meter is better than no meter, to implement this plan

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 (use distilled water only). I have seen it take 12 hours or better for the 1st few Charging times. These extended charge cycles may evaporate some of the distilled water.
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.

[ADSFR075]

Thank you for the reply. Didn't get any of that info from the battery store when i had the new ones put in the other day. The guy just told me to expect 8-12 hours of run time per charge.

[yurtle]

You need to charge every time you ride it, or at least at the end of the day. The longer you leave your batteries in a semi-discharged state, the lower their useful life will be. As to hours stated, he probably thought you were a golfer, which has more time resting than on the road.

After they are broken in, you use the attached to calculate distance. You never want to run them down to 50% state of charge SOC.

Attached is a chart for Trojan batteries. Different batteries have different resting voltage.

[ADSFR075]

The cart stays plugged in, but if I'm right, once the batteries reach full charge the charger shuts off and doesn't come back on by itself, allowing the batteries to trickle down from sitting for a day or so. Will this be a problem, as the cart can sometimes go a couple of days between uses? Should I spend the money on a "smart charger" that will cycle on and off as the batteries sit?

[yurtle]

Just remember to unplug your charger from the cart then plug it back in, to initial a charge. Every two weeks is probably overkill, but that's what I did with my old charger. Definitely don't let them go more than a month.

Top off with distilled water after charge is complete, to avoid spilling electrolyte.

[Cobra,1]

Put six new 8 volt batteries in my 2012 txt 3 weeks ago
Followed Scottie’s recommended break in procedure.
Used cart everyday for last 5 days.( rare since cart will only see about 10 weekends a year usage when camping) Used straight for 3-5 hours per day , cruising campground,down to pond fishing just to drain batteries to give them good rectharge load. I never let rested voltage get below 50.2 volts before recharging.
Noticed run times and performance increased after each charge while recharge time got less. Average time to full charge was about 1 hour. Initial charge time when batteries were new was about 3 hours.
I charge every 2 weeks when carts not used. Probably overkill since voltage only drops1 to 2 a volt inthat time.

I never let batteries get below 50 volts, charge ( till charger shuts off )after use or daily.
Plan to get 6 years or better out of this set like previous set.
Battery maint. Is key
Just my experience with new batteries😊

[ADSFR075]

Thanks guy!! We will certainly be following the recommendations.

[madtuna187]

What is everyone's opinion on proper water level? Some say slightly above the plates and others say to the bottom of the plastic sleeve.

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by madtuna187

What is everyone's opinion on proper water level? Some say slightly above the plates and others say to the bottom of the plastic sleeve.

I now use Trojan's recommendation, which may vary from others'. I used to overfill them, but only did so after charging. I never lost any during charging, but was doing it wrong.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-s...y-maintenance/