Golf cart batteries

[JRS]

a golf cart was donated to my church a number of years ago and it's time for new batteries. It currently has Trojans. We have received pricing for a number of different brands, but I'm not familiar with some of them so I am looking for opinions. Some of the brands we received pricing for were:

Trojan

US Battery

Continental

Crown



the cart is not used heavily and is stored with a maintainer.

thanks

 

[jelag]

If I was in your shoes... I'd drop by Costco and pick up the batteries... fair price, good quality and good service.

Just my thoughts... .

 

[6speed]

The maintainer will only charge them to the capacity of the batteries. Once it gets there then it shuts down. The only way to start it again is to unplug it and plug back in. I would at least charge it at the end of the day and at least once a week. I left mine uncharged for about 3 months and when I charged it the batteries were dead in about 3 hours. Took several charging cycles to recover them.

 

[StevenWalker]

Is the golf cart 36 or 48 volt? A 36 volt cart will take six 6 volt golf cart batteries and a 48 volt will tale four 12 volt golf cart batteries. Trojans are excellent batteries, but are expensive. If you are going to use the cart frequently, get good batteries. If you are going to use it only every so often, you can get away with cheaper brands. To get the best charge and battery life, you should charge with a golf cart battery charger, not a car charger. Go online and research golf cart batteries and charging.

 

[HBarlow]

There are probably no Costco stores in Houston but either Wal-Mart or SAM's Clubs batteries are made by Johnson Controls, a quality manufacturer who makes batteries for a lot of retailers. I've used batteries from SAM's for years including in my current and former Ram, in my fifthwheel, and in my wife's previous car.

I think if you do a little research on line you'll discover that Trojan, US Battery, Continental, and Crown probably don't manufacturer batteries. They just sell rebadged batteries made by Johnson Controls or one of the other one or two battery manufacturers.

 

[Newt]

There are probably no Costco stores in Houston but either Wal-Mart or SAM's Clubs batteries are made by Johnson Controls, a quality manufacturer who makes batteries for a lot of retailers. I've used batteries from SAM's for years including in my current and former Ram, in my fifthwheel, and in my wife's previous car.

I think if you do a little research on line you'll discover that Trojan, US Battery, Continental, and Crown probably don't manufacturer batteries. They just sell rebadged batteries made by Johnson Controls or one of the other one or two battery manufacturers.

Why would you say that Harvey? It appears there are at least 3 Costco's in Houston.

Newt

 

[6speed]

Bignasty, I don't think an electric cart has an alt to keep them up, at least I have never seen one. Now the gas ones yes, but I believe the poster has an electric. I use a golf cart type charger for a 36V system and it will charge to about 43V. I am not saying thats what it charges to, just how the charger works. Each battery (6V) when charged should be about 6. 3-6. 4V. I have played this game recently when I identified some bad (new) batteries. These batteries, (Trojans, etc) are type of deep cycle battery.

 

[6speed]

Also bignasty, after reading your post I think what you are talking about is correct for a single battery, not a set like in a golf cart.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

if i was in your shoes... I'd drop by costco and pick up the batteries... Fair price, good quality and good service.

Just my thoughts... .

^^^this^^^

 

[icman95]

Not sure if you made your decision yet, but a couple of thoughts-

I have Interstate 6 volt batteries for my RV and love them. Nothing's cheap however and I think nowadays they'd run about $130-150 each. I got them 6 years ago for $100 each so not sure about today's prices.

I just started getting into fixing batteries, rather than replacing them, however. After reading a few threads on the TDR about desulfating battery chargers I got one for my 12 volt batteries from Northern Tool and found that it works great! Depending upon the level of damage to the battery plates you need to leave them on the charger for a minimum of a week and up to a few weeks if they're in really bad shape. I tried it on my two 6 volts hooked in series (to make 12 volts) and it helped them a bunch. I noticed that they had much more reserve in them than they had prior to using it. Just like they did when they were new.

A buddy of mine put it on his 65 Chyrsler battery while he was away on vacation and it brought it back to life. He's a engineer and even agrees it worked just as it was supposed to . The only catch is the amount of time you need to leave the batts on the charger. I know you said the cart doesn't get heavy use, so maybe you could find the time to let the batteries charge for a week. I'm sure you'd find that it will save your batteries and the cost of replacing them. I believe it's called a Batteryminder on the Northern tool website. They have a few different models and I'm sure you could figure out one that will work for you.

 

[HBarlow]

I installed a Progressive Dynamics ac/dc convertor in my HitchHiker fifthwheel. It has an automatic desulating mode for keeping batteries charged when inactive.

Johnson Controls manufactures all Interstate batteries just like they do Wal-Mart and SAM's Club brands. Interstate is a battery retailer, not manufacturer.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Think you have battery maintenance problems?? Not a problem yet and wont be if the maintenance is done on a regular schedule and care is taken to get it right. Solar Systems for homes are a real option. And can be used in place of older less reliable methods for the same purpose. I dont like the batteries that are used but I DIDNT BUY THEM so its a good chance to test another product to see, after all they will have to be replaced SOMEDAY. Son and FIL have been working their TURNIPS off at the Son's new place getting ready for the 7mo winter. Have new cattle coming in this week and are going to need someplace to wet their whistles

 

[Yo Hoot]

DEKA batteries have a big following. Manufactured in Pennsylvania. NAPA carries them.

East Penn Manufacturing..... http://www.dekabatteries.com/default.aspx?pageid=550

East Penn Manufacturing Co. , Inc.
1724 Trinity Valley Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
Phone: 972-616-0682
Fax: 972-616-0685
-- email address removed --