electric club car 1987 - beginning to slow down

[Trueheart]

I have a 1987 Club Car with 6 batteries - Trojan T-105's. The golf cart has run well for a few years. This season, it doesn't seem to be holding as much of a charge as in previous years. I say this because it won't go as far as it did last year, and is challenged (to say the least) when going uphill. Another condition I notice this year is that sometimes when I depress the accelerator, I get nothing but a click sound, but then if I tap down hard a few times on the accelerator, it will engage. Perhaps I have some connections in need of cleaning? Any recommendations or cures for the above issues would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Steve

[shadowman]

start with basics, check battery voltage, load test batteries, clean all cable ends , check water level and distilled water if needed.............how are you on battery maintence? do you take care of them or were they just put in cart and thats it? battery maintence is very important...........................

[Trueheart]

Re: batteries. Thanks shadowman for your input.

The club car is garaged. I leave the charger plugged in throughout the winter. It cuts off when no charge is needed. I do keep the water (using distilled H2O) over the plates, and I check this every couple of months. This is the same process I have used for 4 years, and I have not seen any drop off in performance, until this year.

Some of the connections running from battery to battery look like they could use some cleaning. Good idea to start there? Disconnect each, clean with baking soda and water, and reconnect using the red spray on battery saver?

[scottyb]

Depending upon the cart and user's habits, it could be normal to see some drop off in performance at 4 years old. Clean up your connections and pay close attention to your recharging and watering this season, then figure on new batteries next year?

[Trueheart]

OK, so I cleaned the connections at the + and - on the six batteries. Then, when I plugged the charger back into the club car, it charged the batteries for about an hour and a half.

Before I cleaned the terminal connections, the charger had automatically shut off indicating a full charge condition. So apparently cleaning the connections allowed the batteries to take quite a bit more charging? I test drove the club car after fully charging, and it seems to be running a little quicker than before, just not a lot. Also, it is a little bit better on an incline, but still, less than acceptable.

The clicking condition is no longer happening after cleaning the terminal connections.

So, it seems a little better, just not a whole lot better! I guess this still means I'm looking at new batteries to regain speed?

Where to get the best deal on batteries?

Thanks, Steve

[scottyb]

Steve, before you throw $7-800 on new batteries, get a digital voltmeter at the big box stores. Walmert, HomeDeput? Any one of em. give us a voltage reading on the pack ..... 1.5 hours is nothing when it comes to reviving a pack..... I have a new set on charge right now that has been on for 7 or 8 hours and will run on into the night...... you may have more than one problem....

[Trueheart]

Scottyb:

Thanks, I get what you're saying ... digital voltmeter. I'll do that and report back when I can. Might borrow one before buying ... I live in a remote area.

But just to be clear, I had charged the batteries before cleaning the terminals and that took several hours, like maybe 4-5, at which time the charger automatically shut off. Then I cleaned the terminal connections, then I plugged the charger back in, and it purred for another hour and a half. So when added up, I would guess that the batteries charged for more like 5.5-6.5 hours.

The main thing that seems to remain troubling at this point is that it has very little poop when going uphill. Going level or slightly downhill, she flies, cuz it can free wheel some, and seems to have adequate power.

Steve