Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum - View Single Post - New batteries accidentally fully discharged,affects?

joesam · 03-30-2014, 11:35 AM

You won't be able to tell much until the batteries get fully charged. One thing I would do is charge them twice - after it finishes this charge cycle - unplug the charger for half a day - then without moving the cart - plug it back in for another cycle. This will trigger your charger to attempt an "equalize" cycle (which is slightly longer - almost like a timed cycle - which attempts to balance the voltage between all the cells).

If there is any good news - it is that cold (but not frozen, obviously) is *much, much* better for discharged batteries than sitting hot. So, once your second cycle is finished (for 12 hours) - measure the voltage of each battery to see how close it is, to its companions.

If there is a large variance you may have an issue. In any case - if the batteries were replaced late last year, you may still be able to replace just the bad one (or two) batteries. But don't give up hope. The fact that the batteries were "new" and cold may have worked in your favor.

BTW - even if there is a small variance between batteries - it may take two or three cycles of charge/discharge (eg. cart being driven for a round of golf) before you'll really know whether there is any long term damage to one or more batteries.

03-30-2014, 11:35 AM	#2
joesam Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chestermere, Alberta - Canada Posts: 1,146	Re: New batteries accidentally fully discharged,affects? You won't be able to tell much until the batteries get fully charged. One thing I would do is charge them twice - after it finishes this charge cycle - unplug the charger for half a day - then without moving the cart - plug it back in for another cycle. This will trigger your charger to attempt an "equalize" cycle (which is slightly longer - almost like a timed cycle - which attempts to balance the voltage between all the cells). If there is any good news - it is that cold (but not frozen, obviously) is much, much better for discharged batteries than sitting hot. So, once your second cycle is finished (for 12 hours) - measure the voltage of each battery to see how close it is, to its companions. If there is a large variance you may have an issue. In any case - if the batteries were replaced late last year, you may still be able to replace just the bad one (or two) batteries. But don't give up hope. The fact that the batteries were "new" and cold may have worked in your favor. BTW - even if there is a small variance between batteries - it may take two or three cycles of charge/discharge (eg. cart being driven for a round of golf) before you'll really know whether there is any long term damage to one or more batteries.