TXT T48 Bad Battery?

[Meganluk]

Hi all, new to carts here. Just picked up a 2010 T48 and it’s got Interstate 8V batteries from Costco from May 2020. All batteries are measuring 8.39V after a full charge except one which is measuring 7.82V. The cart had slowed down significantly after playing 9 holes, but we thought we just didn’t fully charge it, so I didn’t measure voltage at that point. I’m guessing that one battery needs to be replaced? Water levels are good. We haven’t taken it back out to avoid getting stranded. Is that one battery enough to kill everything?

[Sideways]

Are you measuring the voltage at least 12hrs rest (not using the cart) after a full charge cycle?
What charger are you using? Just a shot in the dark, can you borrow another charger to eliminate a issue with your charger?
According to the chart below which is just for reference, none of your batteries are 100% charged.

[PingEye3]

First, I agree with everything Sideways says in post 2.

I don't think it is a charger issue or that it matters, in this case, how long since the charger cut off with all at 8.39 and one at 7.82. That battery has a bad cell and is your issue. Usually should go with a new set of batteries even though only 2 yrs old, however with the high cost of lead acid batteries these days and in some places, scarce; getting only a single replacement will do for now. You should consider a conversion to a lithium drop in pack.

[Meganluk]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I’m using the OEM EZGO charger. I’ve read some hit and miss reviews in regards to how long the Costco Interstate batteries last. I did in fact take readings at several intervals after charging and yes, min 12 hours after full charge cycle without using the cart and the numbers I originally posted are the latest, although they didn’t really change values immediately after charging vs resting.

But even at 90% charge per the chart and after running around for less than 1.5 hours, would the one bad battery impacted the cart that much? Really wish I had measured each battery at the time.

[Meganluk]

Another fun part of this is I’m discovering that Costco no longer carries this 8V battery so I can’t even get a single replacement that matches. I’m in WA and the lady I spoke so said the item has been discontinued and they only carry 6V batteries now.

[Cartmaster]

For what it is worth, here in the UK, my company leases several fleets of Carts for our golf courses and can tell you with certainty that we have had many failed batteries less than two years old. These are branded PD+ and I am pretty sure they are re branded Interstate batteries. These have been supplied in the fleets of club cars that we have been leasing for several years and the lease supplier has finally admitted that the batteries have been an ongoing issue. They have now decided to supply all lease carts with Trojan batteries in the future.

I think Pingeye is right in as much as it may be prudent to replace all the batteries now, rather than mix a pack and have more issues in the future.

Or maybe just find another odd battery to get you out of trouble until the rest fail.

[Sideways]

Originally Posted by Meganluk

Thanks for the quick feedback. I’m using the OEM EZGO charger. I’ve read some hit and miss reviews in regards to how long the Costco Interstate batteries last. I did in fact take readings at several intervals after charging and yes, min 12 hours after full charge cycle without using the cart and the numbers I originally posted are the latest, although they didn’t really change values immediately after charging vs resting.

But even at 90% charge per the chart and after running around for less than 1.5 hours, would the one bad battery impacted the cart that much? Really wish I had measured each battery at the time.

I am not an expert by any means but I believe yes, the drop off after 1.5 hrs could be that significant. What voltage are each of the batteries after the 1.5hrs of usage before re-charging?

[Cartmaster]

Originally Posted by Meganluk

But even at 90% charge per the chart and after running around for less than 1.5 hours, would the one bad battery impacted the cart that much? Really wish I had measured each battery at the time.

Absolutely. When we get a cart with one bad cell, it barely makes it from the cart store to the clubhouse before starting to slow down and stutter. Replacing the
bad battery With another good one instantly puts it back to doing full rounds again on the course.