Battery Quandry

Walter Hudiburg · 02-25-2009, 06:52 AM

I'm a volunteer at a local public golf course with a hodgepodge of rental carts, Club cars, Yamahas, and EZ go. All old. I've read the stuff on rejuvenating batteries with epson salt and have had some mixed results on some very old batteries. I have a battery tester with load and recently, as suggested, bought a hydrometer. The value of this instrument is fantastic. I have found in the past couple of days, that even when a battery tests good with a load test, it sometimes has a weak cell, or even two, according to the hydrometer.

I would like some thoughts from you experts, and your thoughts in the past have been a real help to me, about what to do. Should I try to match the good battery's with other good battery's, ie take a good battery out of a cart that has three good and three bad, and put the good battery in to replace one battery or what? Should I try to rejuventate the one bad cell with epson salt and leave it in with other good battery's?

I or course realize that the obvious answer is to buy some new batteries and replace the bad ones but in these economic times, I'm afraid that is not a viable option. The owner is buying two new sets next week but I have carts that nearly all the batteries are weak so their going to get the new batteries but, I may be able to find one or two fairly good ones.

I spent over twenty years in the Marine Corps and learned to do a lot with very little and today, I can do almost anything with nothing. At a public course in these times, that I believe is a requirement.

Looking forward to you thoughts. P.S. I'm having a fantastic time with some 17 Electric Carts.

scottyb · 02-25-2009, 09:09 AM

You sound like you have a good grip on the situation already

I would use the hydrometer to analize all of the batteries. Grade them and mark with some type if identification ( ie; paint, marker, lead stamp etc) then match them up according to their group. Reason for this is if you mix very weak with the good the weak will call for the charger to 'cook' the good ones to death trying to bring up the weak one....this is the critical thing = charging needs. Also clean all the connections and if you can replace old cables that are high in corrosion and resistance ... Good luck

MissTrish · 06-29-2009, 12:44 PM

Spent over twenty myself in the Air Force. Just now getting into this hobby. Could use your help with a itty bitty part. Please contact.

dock98 · 06-29-2009, 01:04 PM

welcome to the forums MissTrish.i recommend you post your question in the appropriate forum.

you have more of a chance for an answer.

cuzky · 06-29-2009, 01:06 PM

Hello and Welcome,

MissTrish · 06-29-2009, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the replies y'all! Trying to find a varistor/MOV for my textron III charger. Burned one out by shorting across the leads (must have had a blonde moment with my
screwdriver!) Looking forward to crosstalk!

dock98 · 06-29-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissTrish

Thanks for the replies y'all! Trying to find a varistor/MOV for my textron III charger. Burned one out by shorting across the leads (must have had a blonde moment with my
screwdriver!) Looking forward to crosstalk!

never mind.

cdray · 06-29-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dock98

never mind.

Walter Hudiburg · 06-30-2009, 04:14 PM

For MissTrish: Sorry I can't help you on your part but believe me, your at the right site to get help. These folks are great. May I suggest you start a new thread with your request and I'll bet you get help. Walt

02-25-2009, 06:52 AM	#1
Walter Hudiburg Not Yet Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 39	Battery Quandry I'm a volunteer at a local public golf course with a hodgepodge of rental carts, Club cars, Yamahas, and EZ go. All old. I've read the stuff on rejuvenating batteries with epson salt and have had some mixed results on some very old batteries. I have a battery tester with load and recently, as suggested, bought a hydrometer. The value of this instrument is fantastic. I have found in the past couple of days, that even when a battery tests good with a load test, it sometimes has a weak cell, or even two, according to the hydrometer. I would like some thoughts from you experts, and your thoughts in the past have been a real help to me, about what to do. Should I try to match the good battery's with other good battery's, ie take a good battery out of a cart that has three good and three bad, and put the good battery in to replace one battery or what? Should I try to rejuventate the one bad cell with epson salt and leave it in with other good battery's? I or course realize that the obvious answer is to buy some new batteries and replace the bad ones but in these economic times, I'm afraid that is not a viable option. The owner is buying two new sets next week but I have carts that nearly all the batteries are weak so their going to get the new batteries but, I may be able to find one or two fairly good ones. I spent over twenty years in the Marine Corps and learned to do a lot with very little and today, I can do almost anything with nothing. At a public course in these times, that I believe is a requirement. Looking forward to you thoughts. P.S. I'm having a fantastic time with some 17 Electric Carts.

02-25-2009, 09:09 AM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,862	Re: Battery Quandry You sound like you have a good grip on the situation already I would use the hydrometer to analize all of the batteries. Grade them and mark with some type if identification ( ie; paint, marker, lead stamp etc) then match them up according to their group. Reason for this is if you mix very weak with the good the weak will call for the charger to 'cook' the good ones to death trying to bring up the weak one....this is the critical thing = charging needs. Also clean all the connections and if you can replace old cables that are high in corrosion and resistance ... Good luck

06-29-2009, 12:44 PM	#3
MissTrish Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Battery Quandry Spent over twenty myself in the Air Force. Just now getting into this hobby. Could use your help with a itty bitty part. Please contact.
MissTrish Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2

06-29-2009, 01:04 PM	#4
dock98 doin it in the desert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sonora Desert,Az Posts: 5,603	Re: Battery Quandry welcome to the forums MissTrish.i recommend you post your question in the appropriate forum.you have more of a chance for an answer.

06-29-2009, 01:06 PM	#5
cuzky Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Crystal River,Fl. Posts: 544	Re: Battery Quandry Hello and Welcome,

Today
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06-29-2009, 01:12 PM	#6
MissTrish Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Battery Quandry Thanks for the replies y'all! Trying to find a varistor/MOV for my textron III charger. Burned one out by shorting across the leads (must have had a blonde moment with my screwdriver!) Looking forward to crosstalk!
MissTrish Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2

06-30-2009, 04:14 PM	#9
Walter Hudiburg Not Yet Wild Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 39	Re: Battery Quandry For MissTrish: Sorry I can't help you on your part but believe me, your at the right site to get help. These folks are great. May I suggest you start a new thread with your request and I'll bet you get help. Walt

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