One of my earliest memories of golf is tagging along with my grandpa to the course. When I recall those days, a major inconvenience that comes to my mind is the outrunning of his golf cart’s battery. Walking to the teeing ground would leave him with less energy to play.
Nowadays, the younger generation has grown to show great interest in golf. However, still, the average age for a golfer in the United States is above 50. With these stats, knowledge of the effective charging of a golf cart becomes crucial to a regular golfer because you do not want to drain your energy by carrying the golf bag across the course before the game starts.
The question arises: How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
There is no straight answer to the question, but generally, a typical lead-acid battery cart takes about 6-12 hours to be charged from scratch, considering factors such as battery health, charger performance, and weather conditions. On the other hand, a lithium-ion battery can be charged faster in 3-8 hours.
Considering that If you are charging a fully discharged battery, it would take longer than usual. The battery’s voltage also plays an important role in determining the charging duration.
In this guide, I will walk you through all the important facets to ensure you never run out of charge on the course ever again. I will also share with you the most resourceful pattern to it, which I have set up for myself.
With that said, grab some drinks or a coffee and savor every word until the very end.
How long does it take to charge a golf cart?
Whether you have a Club Car, an E-Z-Go, a Yamaha, or a Star EV, all of them will require a couple of hours to charge. The charging time depends upon several factors. If you have gotten your hands on a new golf cart and are looking for an effective charging regimen, let’s find out the best charging routine by getting into each factor.
The different factors involved,
Time taken by a golf cart to be charged depends upon several factors, like the type and quality of battery you are using, the environment in which you are storing it, the measures you are taking to maintain battery health, etc. Let’s have a look into it.
Type of your battery:
There are mainly two types of batteries available. A lead-acid one and a lithium-ion one.
Lead-acid batteries take about 8-12 hours to charge completely. Meanwhile, lithium-ion can be charged up to 80% in 1-2 hours and 100% within 3 hours (the science behind it lies in lithium’s greater number of charge cycles).
Quality of your battery:
You can get a couple of cheaper batteries online or from your local market, which would be half the price of any recognized branded battery. But these batteries will take longer to charge and will run out sooner. In the long run, expensive batteries tend to be more cost-effective as they last longer and charge faster.
High-quality batteries are designed with superior quality materials and construction, ensuring better performance, durability, and efficiency.
Age of the battery:
Similarly, the newer the battery, the lesser time it would require to charge. Take good care of your batteries, to make them last longer. If there is any dirt or rust on its terminals, it would delay the charging.
The temperature:
Heated-up batteries are likely to lose charge faster. So, if your battery is hot, it will not charge effectively. It will negatively impact your battery performance, whether it’s too hot or too cold. High temperatures can accelerate the chemical reactions within the battery, leading to increased self-discharge and reduced overall capacity. On the other hand, extremely cold temperatures can impede chemical reactions and hinder the battery’s ability to deliver power efficiently.
To maintain optimal battery performance, make sure to check the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range (typically 50-80 Fahrenheit).
Park your cart under a shade and leave it for some time instead of immediately beginning the charging. By doing so, you will optimize the charging process, ensuring that the battery charges more effectively and efficiently.
Wire condition:
Check the wires regularly. Abraded wires often go unchecked, resulting in slower charging and even blowing up of the system. If you find any signs of wear on the cables, change them immediately. Make sure that the wires are firmly attached to the terminals. Loose wires can be hazardous.
Depth of discharge:
Depth of discharge basically means how much charge is left in the battery. If your battery is completely dead, it would take longer to charge. Whereas, if it has some charge, you will need only a couple of hours to restore it.
For example, let’s say that your depth of discharge is decreased by 30%. It may take 3 hours to charge your battery fully. Whereas, if you discharge your battery to 90% or more, recharge may take up to 8 hours. Elevating the charge from the bottom line requires more energy.
Try not to drain the battery completely.
Weather conditions:
As unreal as it sounds, environmental conditions impact the total charging time of your battery. Electric batteries do not charge well in extremely cold surroundings. When the temperature drops, the internal resistance of the battery surges, extending the charging time. So if it’s snowing outside, charge your cart in the garage or somewhere warmer.
📖 Recommended Read: What to wear golfing when it’s cold
Type of charger:
If you are still using your grandpa’s two-decade-old charger to charge your cart and it’s taking a lot of time, know that it’s time to upgrade your charger.
Nowadays, fast chargers are gaining popularity among golfers. The right charger can reduce your charging time by 50%.
Yes, you heard it right.
If you cannot upgrade to a lithium-ion battery right away, choosing a fast charger can charge your lead-acid battery in 4-5 hours completely.
While choosing a charger, make sure that it goes with your cart. Determine the voltage of your cart and choose a charger accordingly. A 36-volt cart calls for a 36-volt charger, and a 48-volt one needs a 48-volt charger; the same goes for any voltage. Make sure to choose the right cable head for your cart.
Exploring Golf cart Charging times across different Battery voltages
The charging time of your golf cart varies with the voltage. Higher voltage encompasses a greater electrical “push,”, so more current can flow through the battery.
Think of it this way. A battery is basically a resistance. You wish to get as much current across it as possible without damaging it to expedite the charging. Hence, the higher the voltage of your cart, the faster the charge.
The different charging times for different voltages
Currently, most golfers opt for 36V, 48V, or 72V golf carts. Each voltage offers its unique charging criteria. Let’s have a look at it.
- 36 Volt Golf Cart: On a completely drained battery, your 36-volt cart would require about 8-10 hours to be fully charged. This time span can be increased or decreased depending on the charger type and the battery condition you are using.
- 48 Volt Golf Cart: When completely worn out, a 48-volt battery needs 6-8 hours to be fully charged. Make sure to use the compatible charger for a 48-volt cart and avoid overcharging it. A 48 volts cart has higher power and picks up faster, taking lesser time.
- 72 Volt Golf Cart: 72-volt golf cart has more power and lesser charging time than a 48-volt one, however, it would be on the pricey side since it needs more batteries.
How to reduce charge time?
When you get to know that 8-12 hours is how long it takes to charge a golf cart, do not worry about taking this much time out. If you wanna wave goodbye to long waiting times and get ready to hit the greens sooner, here are a few tips;
- If you have a lead-acid battery, replace it with a lithium-ion one.
- Opt for a high-output charger engineered to deliver a higher amperage that synchronizes with the voltage of your cart battery.
- Charging multiple times in a day is better to not lose much depth of discharge.
- Maintaining the battery regularly and keeping it clean and free from corrosion can make the charging process much faster, also regularly check the battery electrolyte level (if you have a lead-acid one).
- If the batteries of your cart are dead, try charging each of them individually for 15 minutes. Then plug in your regular cart charger. This method will take less than the conventional method to charge drained batteries.
How do I charge my Golf cart
In my 7-year career of being a golfer, through errors and faults, I have come up with a regimen for effective charging. Here is what I have learned.
- People often ask, Is it OK to charge a golf cart overnight? Yes, It’s the perfect time. Making a habit of charging your golf cart at night would give your cart a proper 8-10 hour span to be charged properly.
- After each use, put your cart on charge for some time. In this way, you will not have to worry about it every time.
- Furthermore, you can keep your charger plugged in at all times, this would save the battery from being cold for long. But when doing so, make sure to use the smart charger to prevent the battery from being charged 100% because this can raise the temperature, which might damage your cart’s battery.
- Clean the plugs and terminals of your batteries once a week to prevent damage or slow charging.
- Charge your cart in a cool, dry place to amplify the speed and block environmental effects.
FAQs
Q) How much time does a lithium golf cart battery take to charge?
A) A lithium battery can be charged almost half the time a lead-acid one takes. It takes about 1-2 hours to be charged 80%, and 3 hours to be charged completely.
Q) Should I keep my golf cart plugged in all the time?
A) Keeping the golf cart plugged in all the time is often advised by the experts. However, make sure to use a smart charger that stops working after attaining a 100% charge.
Q) How often do you charge a golf cart battery?
A) Charge your battery after every use. Even if you used it for 5 minutes a day.
Q) How long will a golf cart stay charged if not used?
A) A golf cart can sit for about 2-3 weeks if not used. However, if you plan on not using it longer, recharge it twice monthly.
In conclusion
I hope this guide answered all your questions about golf cart charge timings. It is evident that Golf is not just a sport but also a rejuvenating escape from our busy routines. The one of important things we are curious about is the cart being out of charge while we are at it.
But don’t let the charging fear hinder your enjoyment with these tips I suggested in this guide, and always make your cart ready for actions on the green!
Jabez is the guy who started this blog with Bryan. He’s been playing golf since a young age and has a lot of experience to share. But more importantly, Jabez is someone who is always looking to help others out. He’s got a great sense of humor and is always up for a good laugh. But most importantly, Jabez is someone who cares about his followers and always wants to help them improve their game. For any queries reach out to him at Jabez@iamlearninghowtogolf.com.
