Battery Maintenance

[Rokfahrmur]

Hi Everyone,
I recently bought a 97 Club Car DS with 2001 Trojan batteries (48v). Bought the car for the wife to be able to get around the yard. Probably won't get used at all during the winter.
I've been researching battery maintenance (since that seems to be the biggest expense) and really could use your advice.
I tested the batteries...most cells had an SG between 1.200-1.245 ("Fair"). I have a few that fell below the 1.200 mark. Voltages range from 8.0-8.3. Trying to keep these batts for a few more years, if possible.
So far, I've added Battery Equaliser to each cell but haven't cycled it enough to have it make any difference. I'm mostly concerned with winter storage.
I've been looking at BatteryMinder onboard desulfators as well as their maintenance charging units. I like the idea of trickle charging the batteries as opposed to plugging in the Club Car charger and boiling the batteries once/month. If I buy a 48V BatteryMinder, it will only work if every cell in the pack is "good", right? Purchasing an 8V unit for each battery would not only be expensive but would require me to disconnect the batteries from each other(?).
I'd really appreciate any advice you could give.

Thanks!
RF

[shadowman]

48 volt C.C. chargers are made for long term usage like plugging it in over the winter and letting it go............when your battery voltage drops to a pre determined voltage charger will come on charge the batteries and shut off when charged....it won,t over charge them if everything is working right........i have plenty of customers who do this with no issues........now if your 500 miles away from cart i would think other wise but be assured your charger is made to charge over an extended storage peroid........people don,t give those chargers enough credit.............9 out of 10 times when you have a charging related failure its the cart not the charger...................save your money and try your charger 1st and if your not happy than get yourself a trickle charger...................................

[Rokfahrmur]

That's what I've been told, guess I just don't trust it yet. Have charged it twice for nearly a whole day and neither time did the charger shut off (batteries were getting pretty noisy). The guy I bought it from is getting me another charger, so maybe that'll help. Thanks for your input!

RF

[tonyton]

Older batteries take longer to charge.They won't get to shut off voltage for the charger and boil................... Newer chargers???
The MOST I ever got out of batteries is 7 years. TROJANS. You're about there.