How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

Golf carts are an essential mode of transportation whether you use them on the road or at the golf course. They help you carry heavy luggage from one place to another without hassle. At Golf Sportal, the most common question I get all the time is how long do golf cart batteries last.

In simple words, it depends on which battery quality you have used in your golf cart, and how often you take care of them.

However, batteries that are maintained well can give you a long lifespan. In this article, I have mentioned how long golf cart batteries last, and how you can improve their life cycle. 

Let’s get started!

How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last: Explained

The lifespan of a golf battery depends on quality, your daily usage, and how you maintain it. On average, a battery can give you a lifespan of 5-8 years considering various factors. Lead-acid and Lithium-Ion are the common types of batteries used in golf carts. 

Read below to know the basic difference between Lithium-Ion and Lead Acid:

Lead Acid Battery	Lithium-Ion Battery
Lead Acid batteries are affordable and easy to maintain. Their run time on a single charge is around 10 hours. Although they are heavy and have a life span of two to five years.	Lithium-ion batteries are an expensive option but can save your cost in the long run. They can give you a lifespan of ten to twenty years which is excellent. Their run time on a single charge is around 12 hours

4 Signs You Need To Change Your Battery Immediately

Replacing your battery is costly. If you suspect that your battery is dying, consider the below signs that I mentioned before taking it to the dealer.

1 – Charging Issues

Before visiting your battery dealership, make sure that your golf cart is fully charged before you plug it out. Check if the issue is with the battery of the charger. Plug in the charger and check if you see any indicator light that shows the battery charge. If it’s working properly, then you’ve solved the problem. 

In addition, notice if the battery is taking longer than usual to charge before you take it on the golf course. If it’s consuming more than 8-10 hours, you need to replace the battery. 

2 – Battery Terminal Issues

If you’re pressing down the gas pedal, and it’s struggling to pick up speed, check your battery terminals. Even a slightly loose terminal can affect the performance or speed of a golf cart. Reconnect the battery terminals and charge it for a couple of hours. If the problem still occurs, then your battery is aging.

3 – Low Acid Levels

Battery fluids also known as acids should be at optimal levels for efficient performance. Ensure that the acid levels are precisely above the lead cells and have enough room for expansion. It’s quite possible for golf cart owners that their cart’s battery is leaking and leaving toxic chemicals that are harmful to them and others. 

It’s a common issue in lead-acid batteries. If you notice any leakages in your battery, replace it immediately before it gets worse. 

4 – Battery Damage

Despite the charging issue or battery leakage, check for any visible signs of battery damage. It’s possible that you unintentionally damaged or cracked your battery which is affecting the driving performance of the golf cart. It’s one of the common issues in lead-acid batteries.

Rust or corrosion is a common problem here that can lead you to expensive alternatives such as battery replacement. If you identified this problem at the very beginning stage, fix it immediately. 

How To Maintain Your Golf Cart Battery Life

No matter which battery you use in your street legal golf cart, proper maintenance and care are crucial to extending the lifespan of a battery. Below, I have provided a quick overview of some useful tips that will help you achieve a long lifetime of golf cart batteries.

1 – Charge Properly With The Right Charger

You may already know this but giving your golf cart a proper time to charge is essential for efficient performance. Make sure that you charge your golf cart batteries for about 8 to 10 hours. Overcharging will damage your battery.

As opposed, do not undercharge your battery as it will also affect the driving performance no matter how hard you throttle it. The ideal way of proper charging your golf cart batteries is to not go lower than 20%.

The ultimate charging guidelines will be provided by your manufacturer, but following these instructions will save you a lot of trouble.  In addition, use the right charger that efficiently charges your golf cart. 

2 – Don’t Consider Cheap Options All The Time

The common mistake that most of us make is that we consider cheap batteries as an affordable option that causes damage and issues in the long run. Choosing the right type of batteries for a golf cart is an investment.

Make sure you choose a mid-range battery as it will save you additional expenses and headaches that happen unexpectedly.

3 – Store Your Carts In A Warm Temperature Place

Golf Cart batteries are not resistant to extreme weather conditions. Aside from this, parking your golf cart in a cold place will drain the battery. Make sure you store your street-legal golf cart in a warm place to preserve the battery.

Also, avoid storing your cart in extremely hot weather as it will cause corrosion which will damage the batteries’ quality.  Your battery may be durable but not resistant to the elements, storing it in hot weather will dissolve the elements and may cause leakage which is something you don’t want.

Final Words

So, when it comes to how long do golf cart batteries last, there are several factors to consider. Batteries are an essential component of a golf cart that impacts its performance and durability. However, they are expensive to replace if not maintained properly.

Above, I have mentioned some useful tips that will help you check if your golf cart battery needs a replacement or not. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How Often Do You Need To Replace A Golf Cart Battery?

Ans: On average, a sealed battery has a life span of 5-8 years depending on the size and manufacturing quality. If you choose a high-quality battery and don’t maintain it properly, it will cost you more in the future in terms of battery replacement.

Q2: How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Golf Cart Battery?

Ans: Typically, a golf cart battery can cost you around $800-$2000 depending on the brand and no. of batteries. Some mid-range batteries can even cost you less than $1500.

Q3: Is It Bad To Leave A Golf Cart Plugged In All The Time?

Ans: Leaving your golf cart all the time on charge will affect the battery’s capability and will degrade faster than its actual aging time. Make sure that you only charge your battery for 8-10 hours maximum.