6 v Battery Question

[dalking]

Hello! I have a 2000 Western 42 volt (7 6volt batteries). Two years ago my charger stopped working so I took to the shop and they had to put in an on and off switch. This issue is...I haven't use the golf cart in a year and I forgot how long to charge the batteries. I just purchased brand new batteries and they came charged at 6.2. I drove the cart a little while and it started to get sluggish...I am wondering how long should I charge these new batteries? Because I need to turn off the charger manually. I have a multimeter so if you know what level a battery would read when fully charged and still hooked to the charger that would really help. Thanks!!!

[Fairtax4me]

It would probably be easier just to fix the charger.
What brand and model is it?

For right now you need to save your new batteries from destruction and loss of capacity, so plug it in ant turn it on and let it run until you hit about 50 to 51v. I'd guess in the range of 6 - 8 hours time-wise depending how many amps your charger outputs.

[dalking]

Thanks for the reply. The charger is the original one that came with the golf cart Lestronic II and when I plug it into the cart it runs at 21 to 23 amps. The golf cart shop is the one that fixed the charger with the one and off switch. They said it was the only way to repair it...unless I wanted to buy a brand new charger. When they put in the switch they just said to plug it in for about 30 minutes per day, but I would like to know if there is a better way. Especially since I have new batteries. Thanks!

[Fairtax4me]

I can tell you that charging for 30 minutes a day (or per use of the cart) is nowhere near right, and is not going to give you anywhere near the service life that you should get from a new set of batteries.

It sounds like the timer board went bad. Fairly common on the Lestronic 2.
They might still make that board or have a charger that would replace it. Last I checked on those the board for a 36 or 48v Charger was around $200, which is up there, but still cheaper than a new charger.
Lester may even have a new charger that will run 42v, I’m not sure if the Summit II smart charger will do that or not.

https://lesterelectrical.com/contact/

Email Lester directly and ask them if repair parts are still available or if they have a new charger that will do what you need. This will be far better for your batteries, and far better for you either way since it means that you can then plug in the charger and let it do it’s thing and properly charge your pack without you having to determine how long to charge it, or remember when to turn it off.

[Mooncarter]

I agree with FT. Batteries are too expensive to be playing a guessing game and the 30 minutes they told you is totally inaccurate.