How Long to Charge Golf Cart Batteries? Answered!

So many golfers use carts these days to get around the golf course. And given that they’re fun to ride and make the game a lot less tiring, you can’t blame people for treating themselves to a little bit of luxury!

One of the most critical components of any golf cart is its battery. After all, if the battery isn’t in good shape, your golf cart will underperform.

So, with this in mind, how long should you charge your golf cart batteries to make sure they function correctly? Should you keep your cart connected to its charger at all times when it’s not in use? And are there any ways to make your cart battery last for longer?

We answer all these questions and more in this article, beginning with the perfect amount of time required to charge your golf cart.

On Average, How Long Does It Take to Charge a Golf Cart Battery?

It takes on average 5-6 hours to fully charge a golf cart battery. Also, there are several factors affect a cart battery’s charging potential, so you must keep your battery in good condition and maintain it regularly.

If you own or have recently purchased an older golf cart model, it’s a good idea to replace your battery so it can operate to its full capacity.

How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge a 48v Golf Cart?

While battery charging time can change depending on the condition of your battery, it should take around 6 hours to fully charge a 48-volt golf cart battery.

Forgetting to charge your cart and running out of juice halfway around the course is extremely frustrating!

So, you should try and get into the habit of plugging your cart in as soon as you return home to stop this from happening in the future.

But it’s important to remember that several factors influence the charging time of your 48-volt golf cart, including:

• Battery quality: Old batteries won’t retain charge as well as new ones. As such, consider investing in a new battery if you notice your cart struggling.
• Discharge level: The discharge level of a battery refers to the amount of power that has been lost, which is another issue with older batteries.
• Charger quality: It’s a good idea to invest in a suitable charging point for your golf cart, so the battery receives the full charge that it requires.

If you’re concerned about the quality of your battery, take your cart in for a service and consider ordering a new battery.

How Long Does a Golf Cart Battery Last on One Charge?

In most instances, a golf cart will be capable of traveling between 25 – 40 miles before requiring a charge. In golf terms, that’s more than enough time to complete a couple of rounds of 18 hole golf.

But again, it depends heavily on the factors that we’ve introduced above.

Granted, this range might be slightly reduced on particularly hilly courses where the battery is worked much harder than usual.

But all golf cart batteries are built with deep cycle lead-acid, which provides sufficient charge for your cart for the duration of your game.

You will notice that your cart is running out of juice as it starts stuttering and slows down when riding on flats or slight inclines.

In these instances, it’s best to get it on charge as quickly as you can so your cart isn’t stranded in the middle of the course!

Should You Charge Golf Cart Batteries Every Day?

It’s not necessary to charge your golf cart batteries every day unless, of course, you ride it every day. It’s a good idea to install an automatic charger that turns itself off once the battery is fully charged.

As a general rule of thumb, get into the habit of charging your golf cart immediately after it has been used. This way, you can be sure that it will be fully charged and ready for your next outing.

Also, because every cart is slightly different, be sure to work out the optimum charging time for your make and model and plan your charging time accordingly.

Carts that run on full juice are much more efficient than those that are only half full, so making sure your cart is fully powered and ready to go will increase its overall performance.

How Can I Make My Golf Cart Batteries Last Longer?

There are three main ways to ensure your golf cart batteries last longer. This includes ensuring you are following the correct charging technique, avoiding inferior charging products, and finally making sure you adhere to a simple battery maintenance schedule.

Let’s look into more detail about each of these primary methods for golf charging success:

Charging Golf Cart Batteries Correctly

One of the main reasons why golf cart batteries often deteriorate is because they haven’t been charged correctly.

Opting to use a three-phase charger with defined steps such as bulk, absorption and float will ensure your battery is charged properly.

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid rapid chargers, as they don’t afford your cart battery the juice it requires.

Avoid Cheap Battery Chargers, Cables, and Batteries

When you’re buying a golf cart battery or charger, don’t just buy the cheapest product available. Cheap batteries last much less time than those that have been correctly manufactured.

It’s best to opt for a battery from a trusted brand, and ideally, one that is recommended by the cart manufacturer.

Maintain Your Cart’s Battery Regularly

It’s helpful to stick to a routine when charging your battery instead of opting for quick, sporadic charges. Equally, you should regularly check your battery’s water level and top it up with distilled water as and when required.

If you notice any performance issues with your cart, take it in for a service before you totally drain your battery.

Should I Charge My Golf Cart in Tow or Run?

99 times out of 100, you should charge your golf cart in run. Tow should only be used if you’re not using your cart for an extended period of time or if you plan to take out the battery for whatever reason.

Located under the seat of most carts, the tow/run function is essentially a kill switch.

When your cart breaks down, you should flick it into tow mode, as this prevents it from switching on during motion but still enables the wheels to move naturally so it can be taken back to wherever it needs to go.

Another good way of looking at the tow function is that your cart can move freely when it’s in this mode.

It’s an important part of any golf cart’s design and functionality and ensures you can be easily rescued when you run out of charge!

Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged in All the Time?

Overall, you should not leave your golf cart plugged in all the time. This is because your golf cart battery doesn’t need to be constantly connected to power to operate at full capacity.

So long as it is fully charged as per the manufacture’s guidance (which should be achieved within 5-6 hours), you have no need to leave it connected to its charger.

Equally, leaving your cart connected to its charger will hike your electricity bills unnecessarily.

Most people opt to charge their golf carts during the night when electricity is cheaper, but it’s up to you how you go about it.

Ultimately, providing you routinely charge your golf cart after you have used it, there’s absolutely no reason to leave it connected to a charger at all times.

Follow Our 6 Tips for Golf Cart Battery Charging Success!

The battery is one of the most important components of your golf cart, and it needs to be in good condition if you want your cart to perform at its optimal capacity.

If you own or have recently purchased an older golf cart, it’s a good idea to invest in a new battery, as this will dramatically improve the cart’s speed and endurance.

When it comes to charging your cart, we want to leave you with the following succinct points, which you should consider as your rules for golf cart charging:

1. Always charge your cart until the battery is full.
2. You don’t need to charge your cart every day (unless you use it every day).
3. Avoid cheap chargers and batteries.
4. Use a three-phase charger and avoid rapid chargers.
5. Always charge in ‘run’ unless you’re putting your cart in long-term storage.
6. Maintain your cart’s battery and replace it if it is showing signs of slowing down.

You’re now equipped with everything you need to know about how long to charge golf cart batteries along with better maintenance care to help prolong your golf cart charge, so you can keep your cart running at its full potential.