How long do golf cart batteries last in Florida?

If your golf cart gets sluggish when you&#;re on the back nine, it might be time to replace your golf cart batteries. 

Generally, golf cart batteries can last years and years if you recharge them after every use. However, their lifespan can also vary, depending on how you&#;re using them. As a deep-cycle battery, they can power more than a golf cart. You might not be able to start your Ford F150 with a 6 volt golf cart battery, but you can connect a handful of golf cart batteries to an RV for house power or a solar panel array for backup power. Like all lead-acid batteries, they don&#;t like extreme summers and winters.

Hit a hole in one with Interstate golf cart batteries

Available at your nearest Interstate All Battery Center or in locations selling Interstate Batteries.

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Golf cart batteries are designed to give hours of amps and enjoy a full recharge when they&#;re done, like your battery. (Just an FYI, your battery doesn&#;t like staying 100% charged.)

That said, all batteries wear out eventually. It&#;s natural to wonder how often you&#;ll need to replace them when shopping for your next set of golf cart batteries.

Let&#;s tee up a few answers.

RELATED Why Did My Car Battery Die? The 5 Usual Suspects Revealed 

How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last on Average?

Golf cart batteries last four to six years on average if you maintain them well. Keep them charged every time you can and refill them with water if they lose any while they recharge. After all, most golf cart batteries come with some kind of removable caps so you can maintain the fluid levels inside.

For a typical lead-acid golf cart battery, that&#;s not too bad.

On the other hand, a lead-acid car battery can last three to five years, depending on a few factors &#; including how it was treated before you bought it.

Car batteries have a shorter lifespan than golf cart batteries generally. That&#;s because of the deep cycling that a golf cart battery can do. You can permanently damage a regular car battery by draining it to just 75% power. On the other hand, a 6-volt or 8-volt golf cart battery has thicker plates and a modified internal chemistry so that it can handle being discharged down to 20% without damaging the battery&#;s ability to store power.

For hours of power, choose an Interstate golf cart battery.

Available at Interstate All Battery Center, an Interstate Batteries distributor or anywhere that Interstate is sold.

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Estimating with normal wear and tear, a golf cart battery can last you at most six years.

Your golf cart batteries could die far sooner if you&#;re not careful to maintain them.

How to Make Your Golf Cart Batteries to Last Longer

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your golf cart batteries running for years, said Interstate Batteries expert Jeff Barron. His decades-long experience in auto electronics, engineering and batteries keep our batteries performing well for car lovers, boaters and even golf cart owners.

&#;If golf cart batteries are well maintained, they can last for a long time, from four to six years in most applications,&#; Barron said.

Plenty of factors can affect a golf cart battery&#;s life, so he recommends doing what you can to protect them while you&#;re using them.

That starts with good charging habits.

Keep your golf cart batteries charged.

&#;Anytime you use the batteries, they need to be charged,&#; Barron said. &#;This will help them last and be ready to go when you are.&#;

Golf cart batteries, like other deep cycle batteries, can use 80% of their power before getting a recharge. That doesn&#;t mean you have to drain them to keep them healthy. In fact, try to keep them as fully charged as possible.

Use a charger designed for your golf cart batteries&#; specific voltage, whether they&#;re 6 volts or 12 volts. Also, choose a charger designed for your battery, especially if it&#;s an absorbed glass-mat (AGM) battery. (AGMs do require a different charger.) 

Just be sure you don&#;t overcharge them or use a charger with an automatic shut-off or float charge setting. Always charge golf cart batteries in a well-ventilated area.

Check your specific golf cart battery&#;s manual for charging times.

Don&#;t have your golf cart battery manual handy? Here&#;s a trick: Take your battery&#;s amp hours and divide by 10 to get the charging rate. For instance, the GC12-HCL-UTL golf cart battery has 150 Ah, meaning it can take a 10-amp charge for 15 hours.

You should never ever drain your golf cart batteries down to zero if you can help it. Lead-acid batteries can be damaged permanently if they drain down to zero. If that happens, the active material that stores electricity will slowly harden. It&#;s a chemical process called sulfation. Total sulfation can take weeks, but the process takes a toll every minute the battery sits without a charge. If your golf cart ever dies, you might be able to charge its batteries, but they may not last as long as before they need a recharge again.

Protect your golf cart batteries with the Interstate Guardian

Available online and at an Interstate All Battery Center near you, the Guardian charger from Interstate can charge AGM, EFB and regular lead-acid batteries.

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Water your golf cart batteries to keep them healthy.

You should water your golf cart batteries because of all the charging they need. Charging batteries can overheat them, turning the water inside into vapor and exposing the sensitive internal components to air and drying out. Most golf cart batteries come with vent caps that twist or lever open so you can refill them with distilled water to replenish the lost water from recharging and regular use.

How to refill a golf cart battery with water:

1. Carefully open the top of the battery.
2. Find the fill line on the edge.
3. Add distilled water until the water level rises above one-eighth of an inch over the lead plates.

Only distilled water will do. Any impurities in the water can cause problems for your battery.

Golf cart batteries from the brand you trust.

Visit your nearest Interstate All Battery Center for long-lasting 6-volt and 8-volt golf cart batteries.

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How to Connect Golf Cart Batteries in Series

Most golf carts use a 36-volt system or a 48-volt system. On the other hand, most lead-acid golf cart batteries don&#;t come in such high voltage. So how do you make 6-volt or 8-volt golf cart batteries fit a 48-volt golf cart?

You connect golf cart batteries in a series.

That&#;s the electrical engineering term for connecting a line of batteries, linking the positive terminal of one battery to the negative terminal of the next. This style of connection, positive to negative, simply adds the voltages together. Two 6-volt batteries in a series become a 12-volt battery pack.

If you connect six 8-volt golf cart batteries in a series, you&#;ll get a 48-volt golf cart battery pack.

Connecting batteries in a series can get you the voltage you need, but there&#;s a catch. The total battery pack is only as powerful as its weakest battery. If one battery drops voltage or loses capacity, the whole battery pack will follow. That&#;s why our experts recommend you avoid pairing worn golf cart batteries with new ones. If you only replace one golf cart battery in a pack of six, you&#;ll get the performance of whatever the next weakest battery is.

Connecting batteries in a series does not increase the total amp hour rating.

To get more capacity from your golf cart batteries, you&#;d need to link them in parallel &#; positives to positives, negatives to negatives &#; but the voltage would not increase.

Go for longer drives with Interstate golf cart batteries.

Shop for extreme cycle golf cart batteries for more trips around the golf course, neighborhood and anywhere you cart. Available at your nearest Interstate All Battery Center or where Interstate is sold.

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If you treat your next set of golf cart batteries well with regular charging and watering, they might last longer than your clubs.

Golf carts are essential for lugging clubs and other equipment across a vast course, but they can also be useful in many other applications. They&#;re useful for getting around big properties, like a college campus or wedding venue, and for some users, they&#;re just downright fun to travel around in.

But what happens when the golf cart doesn&#;t seem to have the power it once had? Maybe you&#;re spending more time charging up the golf cart or you can only travel a fraction of what you once could before the golf cart runs out of power.

There are many signs to look for when the golf cart battery is on its way out, and it&#;s helpful to know the signs that it&#;s time to replace it. 

In this article, you&#;ll learn about: 

• The lifespan of a golf cart battery
• Different types of golf cart batteries (and their applications)
• Signs it&#;s time to replace your golf cart battery
• Maintaining golf cart batteries to maximize their lifespan

How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

The lifespan of a golf cart battery depends on a number of factors, including the type of battery, how frequently the golf cart is used and charged, and how the battery is maintained and cared for over time.

Lead-acid golf cart batteries last about two to five years with regular use, while lithium-ion golf cart batteries may last ten to 20 years with proper maintenance. Golf carts that belong to an individual person or household tend to last longer, about six to ten years, compared to fleet vehicles that are used by multiple people throughout the day. These fleet vehicles can get about four to six years out of the battery before it needs to be replaced.

Types of Golf Cart Batteries

There are many types of golf cart batteries, and each has its pros and cons. You can find 6-volt golf cart batteries, 8-volt golf cart batteries or 12-volt golf cart batteries to provide the 36- or 48-volt system. Run time is typically improved with 6-volt golf cart batteries, but you&#;ll need more of them to meet the golf cart&#;s needs, which can increase the weight and make installation more difficult.

In addition to finding the right power capacity, you can choose from different types of golf cart batteries, such as lead-acid, absorbed glass mat (AGM), gel lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have different benefits, with some performing better in extreme weather while others provide a longer lifespan.

Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are one of the most common battery types for golf carts. These traditional batteries have the benefit of being the most affordable option and are easy to maintain. But they tend to have a shorter lifespan than more advanced golf cart battery types, typically lasting only about two to five years. Lead-acid golf cart batteries are also heavy, not an ideal trait in such a small vehicle.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Golf Cart Batteries

AGM batteries have absorbable electrolyte and fiberglass plates within the battery that allow the battery to charge up to five times faster than a conventional lead-acid battery and protect against leaks, which can corrode and shorten the battery lifespan.

These batteries require little maintenance and may last up to six or seven years. One drawback is that they&#;re a more expensive option, which can really add up in costs when you&#;re servicing a fleet of golf carts.

Gel Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries

True to its name, a gel lead-acid battery uses a gel to suspend the electrolyte within the battery. Electrons can flow through the gel from plate to plate, providing leak-proof protection and minimal maintenance. This design also helps this type of golf cart battery power through extreme temperatures, particularly cold weather that can shorten the lifespan of most golf cart batteries. These batteries don&#;t offer the quick charging of AGMs, though.

Lithium-Ion Golf Cart Batteries

Small and lightweight, lithium-ion golf cart batteries are a more expensive upfront investment but can offer better savings in the long run. These batteries are known for lasting a long time, usually over 10 years and as many as 20 years with proper care. 

Lithium-ion batteries require little maintenance since you don&#;t need to add water. Self-discharging can be an issue with other golf cart batteries, but lithium-ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate that allows them to sit for longer periods of time without becoming drained of power.

5 Signs a Golf Cart Battery Needs to be Replaced

Suspect a failing battery? Check for these signs that you need a golf cart battery replacement before you&#;re left with a completely dead battery.

1. Slow Charging Times

Over time, your golf cart batteries will likely take longer and longer to charge. You could notice the battery taking anywhere from a couple of extra hours to recharge compared to normal or an entire day before it&#;s ready to go back onto the course. If your battery is taking longer than 8 to 10 hours to recharge, it is likely nearing the end of its lifespan.

2. Poor Acceleration

When you press down on the gas pedal, you expect the golf cart to start moving. If the golf cart is struggling to pick up speed when you push down on the gas, it could be a sign of an aging battery. You may also notice the golf cart has an even more difficult time than usual getting up and over hills.

3. Shorter Distances Traveled

Your golf cart used to travel several miles in a day before it needed to be recharged. Now, it can only go a mile or two before losing power or the golf cart battery lasts for way less time between charges. This is another indicator that you need a golf cart battery replacement. The golf cart battery should be strong enough to at least get around a golf course for a few rounds of golf.

4. Leaks

You drive the golf cart away from the storage area but notice it has left a puddle behind. This could be a sign of a battery leak in lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries can leave behind toxic chemicals that are harmful to you, your property and the environment. If you notice a leaking battery, it&#;s important to clean up the leak and replace the battery as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

5. Visible Battery Damage

Aside from a leaking battery, there are many other visible signs of a damaged battery. Batteries may have corrosion or could crack or bulge. Corrosion can cause further and more expensive damage, like causing terminals to release or causing the battery casing to crack.

Recharging the batteries can generate heat, which, over time, causes the batteries to bulge. Visible damage, including corrosion, cracks or bulges are common indicators of an old, worn-out battery.

Golf Cart Battery Maintenance 

Whether you power your golf carts with lead-acid batteries, AGMs, gel lead batteries or lithium-ion batteries, the equipment is only as good as the attention and care you give it. A little TLC can be the difference between a golf cart battery that only lasts a few years versus a battery that lasts nearly a decade.

Charge Properly

When it&#;s time to recharge the golf cart fleet, make sure to only charge the batteries for about 8 to 10 hours at a time. Overcharging can damage the battery cells and could dry out the battery, meaning you need to refill the water more often. Only charge until the battery is full rather than leaving the golf cart charging all the time when it isn&#;t in use.

Don&#;t Let Batteries Die

While you don&#;t want to overcharge your golf cart batteries, you also want to avoid letting the batteries die too. Ideally, you want to keep the batteries at least halfway charged and no lower than 20% charged. The optimal charging limits will be provided by the battery manufacturer, so follow those instructions closely to prolong the life of your battery.

Store Carts in a Warm Place

Aside from gel batteries, most golf cart batteries don&#;t stand up well to cold weather. Cold temperatures can drain the battery. Store the carts in a warm garage or other storage space, and try to avoid driving them in extreme temperatures. You can use a trickle charger during colder months to keep the battery charged without overcharging it.

Minimize Strain on the Battery

While it might be fun to ride golf carts up and over big hills on the course or around the property, stick to straight, flat pathways whenever possible. Going up hills requires more power from the battery, and doing this frequently can wear down the battery sooner.

Inspect Batteries Regularly

If you want your batteries to last longer, regular inspections will help you catch any problems early. First, you&#;ll want to check lead-acid batteries once per month and keep the water at the fill line. For batteries that don&#;t need water, inspect the batteries for visible damage and test the voltage about once every couple of months.

Find the Right Golf Cart Batteries For Your Needs

A golf cart battery&#;s lifespan depends on many factors, but you can help it last longer with regular maintenance and by finding the best battery to meet your needs &#; whether you need to power up a couple of golf carts or a huge fleet.

Connecting batteries in a series does not increase the total amp hour rating.

To get more capacity from your golf cart batteries, you&#;d need to link them in parallel &#; positives to positives, negatives to negatives &#; but the voltage would not increase.

Go for longer drives with Interstate golf cart batteries.

Shop for extreme cycle golf cart batteries for more trips around the golf course, neighborhood and anywhere you cart. Available at your nearest Interstate All Battery Center or where Interstate is sold.

LOCATION NEAR YOU  

If you treat your next set of golf cart batteries well with regular charging and watering, they might last longer than your clubs.

Golf carts are essential for lugging clubs and other equipment across a vast course, but they can also be useful in many other applications. They&#;re useful for getting around big properties, like a college campus or wedding venue, and for some users, they&#;re just downright fun to travel around in.

But what happens when the golf cart doesn&#;t seem to have the power it once had? Maybe you&#;re spending more time charging up the golf cart or you can only travel a fraction of what you once could before the golf cart runs out of power.

There are many signs to look for when the golf cart battery is on its way out, and it&#;s helpful to know the signs that it&#;s time to replace it. 

In this article, you&#;ll learn about: 

• The lifespan of a golf cart battery
• Different types of golf cart batteries (and their applications)
• Signs it&#;s time to replace your golf cart battery
• Maintaining golf cart batteries to maximize their lifespan

How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

The lifespan of a golf cart battery depends on a number of factors, including the type of battery, how frequently the golf cart is used and charged, and how the battery is maintained and cared for over time.

Lead-acid golf cart batteries last about two to five years with regular use, while lithium-ion golf cart batteries may last ten to 20 years with proper maintenance. Golf carts that belong to an individual person or household tend to last longer, about six to ten years, compared to fleet vehicles that are used by multiple people throughout the day. These fleet vehicles can get about four to six years out of the battery before it needs to be replaced.

Types of Golf Cart Batteries

There are many types of golf cart batteries, and each has its pros and cons. You can find 6-volt golf cart batteries, 8-volt golf cart batteries or 12-volt golf cart batteries to provide the 36- or 48-volt system. Run time is typically improved with 6-volt golf cart batteries, but you&#;ll need more of them to meet the golf cart&#;s needs, which can increase the weight and make installation more difficult.

In addition to finding the right power capacity, you can choose from different types of golf cart batteries, such as lead-acid, absorbed glass mat (AGM), gel lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have different benefits, with some performing better in extreme weather while others provide a longer lifespan.

Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are one of the most common battery types for golf carts. These traditional batteries have the benefit of being the most affordable option and are easy to maintain. But they tend to have a shorter lifespan than more advanced golf cart battery types, typically lasting only about two to five years. Lead-acid golf cart batteries are also heavy, not an ideal trait in such a small vehicle.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Golf Cart Batteries

AGM batteries have absorbable electrolyte and fiberglass plates within the battery that allow the battery to charge up to five times faster than a conventional lead-acid battery and protect against leaks, which can corrode and shorten the battery lifespan.

These batteries require little maintenance and may last up to six or seven years. One drawback is that they&#;re a more expensive option, which can really add up in costs when you&#;re servicing a fleet of golf carts.

Gel Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries

True to its name, a gel lead-acid battery uses a gel to suspend the electrolyte within the battery. Electrons can flow through the gel from plate to plate, providing leak-proof protection and minimal maintenance. This design also helps this type of golf cart battery power through extreme temperatures, particularly cold weather that can shorten the lifespan of most golf cart batteries. These batteries don&#;t offer the quick charging of AGMs, though.

Lithium-Ion Golf Cart Batteries

Small and lightweight, lithium-ion golf cart batteries are a more expensive upfront investment but can offer better savings in the long run. These batteries are known for lasting a long time, usually over 10 years and as many as 20 years with proper care. 

Lithium-ion batteries require little maintenance since you don&#;t need to add water. Self-discharging can be an issue with other golf cart batteries, but lithium-ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate that allows them to sit for longer periods of time without becoming drained of power.

5 Signs a Golf Cart Battery Needs to be Replaced

Suspect a failing battery? Check for these signs that you need a golf cart battery replacement before you&#;re left with a completely dead battery.

1. Slow Charging Times

Over time, your golf cart batteries will likely take longer and longer to charge. You could notice the battery taking anywhere from a couple of extra hours to recharge compared to normal or an entire day before it&#;s ready to go back onto the course. If your battery is taking longer than 8 to 10 hours to recharge, it is likely nearing the end of its lifespan.

2. Poor Acceleration

When you press down on the gas pedal, you expect the golf cart to start moving. If the golf cart is struggling to pick up speed when you push down on the gas, it could be a sign of an aging battery. You may also notice the golf cart has an even more difficult time than usual getting up and over hills.

3. Shorter Distances Traveled

Your golf cart used to travel several miles in a day before it needed to be recharged. Now, it can only go a mile or two before losing power or the golf cart battery lasts for way less time between charges. This is another indicator that you need a golf cart battery replacement. The golf cart battery should be strong enough to at least get around a golf course for a few rounds of golf.

4. Leaks

You drive the golf cart away from the storage area but notice it has left a puddle behind. This could be a sign of a battery leak in lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries can leave behind toxic chemicals that are harmful to you, your property and the environment. If you notice a leaking battery, it&#;s important to clean up the leak and replace the battery as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

5. Visible Battery Damage

Aside from a leaking battery, there are many other visible signs of a damaged battery. Batteries may have corrosion or could crack or bulge. Corrosion can cause further and more expensive damage, like causing terminals to release or causing the battery casing to crack.

Recharging the batteries can generate heat, which, over time, causes the batteries to bulge. Visible damage, including corrosion, cracks or bulges are common indicators of an old, worn-out battery.

Golf Cart Battery Maintenance 

Whether you power your golf carts with lead-acid batteries, AGMs, gel lead batteries or lithium-ion batteries, the equipment is only as good as the attention and care you give it. A little TLC can be the difference between a golf cart battery that only lasts a few years versus a battery that lasts nearly a decade.

Charge Properly

When it&#;s time to recharge the golf cart fleet, make sure to only charge the batteries for about 8 to 10 hours at a time. Overcharging can damage the battery cells and could dry out the battery, meaning you need to refill the water more often. Only charge until the battery is full rather than leaving the golf cart charging all the time when it isn&#;t in use.

Don&#;t Let Batteries Die

While you don&#;t want to overcharge your golf cart batteries, you also want to avoid letting the batteries die too. Ideally, you want to keep the batteries at least halfway charged and no lower than 20% charged. The optimal charging limits will be provided by the battery manufacturer, so follow those instructions closely to prolong the life of your battery.

Store Carts in a Warm Place

Aside from gel batteries, most golf cart batteries don&#;t stand up well to cold weather. Cold temperatures can drain the battery. Store the carts in a warm garage or other storage space, and try to avoid driving them in extreme temperatures. You can use a trickle charger during colder months to keep the battery charged without overcharging it.

Minimize Strain on the Battery

While it might be fun to ride golf carts up and over big hills on the course or around the property, stick to straight, flat pathways whenever possible. Going up hills requires more power from the battery, and doing this frequently can wear down the battery sooner.

Inspect Batteries Regularly

If you want your batteries to last longer, regular inspections will help you catch any problems early. First, you&#;ll want to check lead-acid batteries once per month and keep the water at the fill line. For batteries that don&#;t need water, inspect the batteries for visible damage and test the voltage about once every couple of months.

Find the Right Golf Cart Batteries For Your Needs

A golf cart battery&#;s lifespan depends on many factors, but you can help it last longer with regular maintenance and by finding the best battery to meet your needs &#; whether you need to power up a couple of golf carts or a huge fleet.

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