Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

Hello everyone,

I live in upstate NY and about to store my 48V golf cart. I am curious what the best way to store the cart would be ....should I leave the batteries in the cart and plugged in? Remove the batteries?
As an FYI ... it can get down to -15 or so at times.


Thanks !!

Shawn

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

It depends on where the cart will be and if you can check the water levels every once in a while.
If you leave the charger plugged in all winter, it will kick on every two weeks and top off the pack, so you don't have to worry about them freezing. But you need to check the water levels about once a month so they don't go dry.

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

only if his charger has a float setting

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

Ok I found this in the 48v CC manual:

NOTE: Because the PowerDrive Charger has a storage charge feature that automatically checks and recharges the batteries as necessary every 15 days, it can remain plugged to a PowerDrive or IQ System vehicle throughout the storage period.

So it's not considered a 'float' charger, but it comes on every 15 days and tops off the pack. I wouldn't imagine that the batteries would discharge that much in 15 days...

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

i wonder if its the OBC ?

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

I am not sure I would trust these chargers enough to leave them hooked up unattended for a long period of time.

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

. . . yes . . .

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

Or fully charge then disconnect the batteries making sure they are full of water. I live on lake erie and have done this with no trouble. First thing I do in the spring is charge after I hook them up.

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

Fishing Dude...

Do you disconnect all cables or just the main positive?

Shawn

Re: Cold Weather Battery Storage/Charging
 

I have gotten a remarkable 11 years out of my 48v battery pack with my Powerdrive I charger hooked up full time every winter (Calgary, Canada) without problems - temperatures have been as low as 30 below. To be fair the batteries have just barely made 11 years; they are definitely showing reduced capacity now. I always left the batteries in the cart, but only after a rigorous flushing of the compartment with baking soda/water before storage - and checking the battery cables are snug & clean before storing.

My winter routine was fairly simple; about once a month I would pull the charger plug, check the water (never did have to add any) and plug it back in for an "equalize charge". I would always check the following morning to make sure the charger had stopped. Then in spring before my first round of golf - two equalize charges over two days before heading out. Simple, but its worked - no frozen batteries and never stranded on the golf course due to "winter battery issues".