How do you test batteries

Outlawcart · 08-23-2013, 08:23 AM

When you have a cart at home you might have more options such as reading your charger, taking to Advance Auto, etc...but when looking at a cart to purchase how do you test the batteries to know you are getting a decent deal?

I know you can place a meter and see if the voltage is close, but how would you do a load test or see if the batteries are in decent shape to hold a charge?

rib33024 · 08-23-2013, 08:26 AM

take that meter with you and tape the leads to the battery pack lay the meter on the seat and drive it and see what the volts drop to, and then do the same-thing with each battery and that will give you a good idea of what your getting, your cart is the best load tester you have, try to find a hill to go up to put more of a load on the drive system

Outlawcart · 08-23-2013, 09:58 AM

What should the max acceptable voltage drop be?

scottyb · 08-23-2013, 10:03 AM

I have one meter with alligator clips on the test leads. Simply connect it to the pack and lay it on the seat next to you. This is a load test when you start out accelerate hard (uphill if possible). a full pack should not drop more than 5-6 v.

Ask when was the last charge? How much the cart has been driven since then. All this info factors into determining if the pack is healthy.

Years ago I had a scientist guy come with a refractometer to look at a golf cart for sale (he checked specific gravity in every cell).... that cost me. He bought the cart but I had to go buy a refractometer!

simple man · 08-23-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

I have one meter with alligator clips on the test leads. Simply connect it to the pack and lay it on the seat next to you. This is a load test when you start out accelerate hard (uphill if possible). a full pack should not drop more than 5-6 v.

Ask when was the last charge? How much the cart has been driven since then. All this info factors into determining if the pack is healthy.

Years ago I had a scientist guy come with a refractometer to look at a golf cart for sale (he checked specific gravity in every cell).... that cost me. He bought the cart but I had to go buy a refractometer!

That's just a teense of overkill to test sg on a battery!

08-23-2013, 08:23 AM	#1
Outlawcart Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 84	How do you test batteries When you have a cart at home you might have more options such as reading your charger, taking to Advance Auto, etc...but when looking at a cart to purchase how do you test the batteries to know you are getting a decent deal? I know you can place a meter and see if the voltage is close, but how would you do a load test or see if the batteries are in decent shape to hold a charge?
Outlawcart Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 84

08-23-2013, 08:26 AM	#2
rib33024 ...................... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FT Lauderdale FL. Posts: 16,395	Re: How do you test batteries take that meter with you and tape the leads to the battery pack lay the meter on the seat and drive it and see what the volts drop to, and then do the same-thing with each battery and that will give you a good idea of what your getting, your cart is the best load tester you have, try to find a hill to go up to put more of a load on the drive system

08-23-2013, 09:58 AM	#3
Outlawcart Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 84	Re: How do you test batteries What should the max acceptable voltage drop be?
Outlawcart Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 84

08-23-2013, 10:03 AM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 72,954	Re: How do you test batteries I have one meter with alligator clips on the test leads. Simply connect it to the pack and lay it on the seat next to you. This is a load test when you start out accelerate hard (uphill if possible). a full pack should not drop more than 5-6 v. Ask when was the last charge? How much the cart has been driven since then. All this info factors into determining if the pack is healthy. Years ago I had a scientist guy come with a refractometer to look at a golf cart for sale (he checked specific gravity in every cell).... that cost me. He bought the cart but I had to go buy a refractometer!

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