1994 EZ GO Battery problem...HELP!!!

[Cjohnson12]

I was helping a friend of mine work on his 94 Ez Go. The batteries are around 2.5 years old, but apparently he hasn't maintained them the best. He was having problems with the cart and I went to check it out. I found 1 battery that had about 3.5 volts in it and the rest of them all had over 6 volts. typically I replace all batteries at once but in this case he bought one battery. I installed the battery, he got in and drove about 5 feet and the cart just stopped. I put a load tested on the batteries again and another cart had gone from 6 volts down to about 3-4 volts. I told him to replace the set but he bought another battery and installed it......it did the same thing. drove about 15 feet and it stopped. another battery had lost voltage. ive load tested all the batteries and they were good. ive never dealt with an issue like this before, so its starting to aggravate me. anyone who has dealt with this before? or has any advice? thanks in advance for the help

[Cjohnson12]

I don't know if the load tester cant put a big enough load on them compared to a motor putting a load on it, or if I could be dealing with a short, or another problem somewhere else? Let me know what you think

[Sir Nuke]

first off.....if your friend bought a new battery and just put it in and took then tried to run the cart....that is problem No. #1......anytime you install a new battery or set of batteries you need to have them charged to FULLL capacity before you every use the cart......

[Cjohnson12]

I understand it should be to full capacity but also understand after hooking it up he checked with a meter and had 37.2 volts. The cart had plenty of voltage to run. Like I said I agree it should have been fully charged but I don't believe thats the problem. Any more suggestions?

[cgtech]

Yep, keep replacing them 1-by-1 until they are all new...heres a tip: buy all the same brand & type of battery.

[Cjohnson12]

I suggested buying all new batteries, he was worried once he has all new batteries, that it was gonna start doing it to the new ones. I personally don't think a load tester can put a big enough load on them to compare to an electric motor.

[tunnelmike]

When batteries aren't properly maintained normally you wont just have one bad one. My guess is there more than one with issues.Ive looked at carts where a new set of batteries took over 2 gallons of water to top off after only 2 months of use due to older chargers that don't shut off timely and no maintaining. Mike

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Cjohnson12

I understand it should be to full capacity but also understand after hooking it up he checked with a meter and had 37.2 volts. The cart had plenty of voltage to run. Like I said I agree it should have been fully charged but I don't believe thats the problem. Any more suggestions?

Attach a voltmeter to the pack. lay it on the seat and try to go. Note the standing still voltage and the under load (trying to go) voltage. Often batteries will give a 6v reading but not hold up under load. My guess here is they are all bad.

[Cjohnson12]

I appreciate the advice