Batteries Lose Charge While Sitting

[andyone]

I have an 2007 Club Car Precedent with the 4x12v system and the batteries lose charge while sitting. I read on this forum that club car has gone back to the 6x8v system. My cart runs fine and runs long but when I leave it sit up the batteries lose their charge pretty quickly as in 2-3 days. I turn the key off and put switch in tow position but it seems like the cart always needs a full charge when I plug the charger back in. I always fully charge my cart after playing, it just wont hold it. Anyone know why that is? Also I have owned several ez-go carts and their chargers put out 30 amps. Is there a better charger for this cart than the 15 amp club car unit. Other than that I have found the club car units to be superior to the ez gos in every way. Thanks Steve

 

[Petey]

There are chargers out there that have the capability to have a "floating mode" that will keep your batteries at an optimal charge. Try looking at website www.chargingchargers.com, they have a lot of info and products that may help you.

 

[HotRodCarts]

It sounds like you either have batteries that are getting weak, a short or something draining them. What kind of accessories does the cart have? Does it have a voltage reducer? Have you done a voltage and load test on the batteries?

 

[dougmcp]

I agree with HRC. If your 07 Precedent has original batteries, they have a habit of only making it 2-3 years before requiring replacement. Load test them to find out the scoop.

 

[andyone]

Hey guys thanks for the response. This cart has no accessories or voltage reducer that I know of. All of the batteries test excellent with the hydrometer and as I said it will play 2 rounds of golf with a fresh charge. I really cant figure what could be draining the batteries.

 

[dougmcp]

Let your cart sit for a couple of days and do the hydrometer test one more time. My guess is you'll find one or more of the batteries that has a bad cell causing your problems.

 

[HotRodCarts]

Another thing you can try is flip the tow switch to tow and after a full charge disconnect the main positive and negative cables from the battery pack and see if the batteries still lose a charge. I'm with Doug though I think your batteries are the problem.

 

[Baldy_54]

I read this to say flip to tow and charge fully, am I reading this right? I know this is a old post but I am trying to learn as much as possible. As you can seeI don't even know how to quote correctly.

 

[HotRodCarts]

The original poster had a short or bad batteries so I recommended trying that to try and isolate the problem.

You can charge the cart with the switch in either position. If the cart will be sitting for a extended period you should flip the switch to the tow position.

 

[Baldy_54]

Thanks for the response, I did not know you can charge with the switch in "Tow or Run". Now what does Tow do when you leave the cart in that position? I assumed it completly removed any load from the batteries. So that the charge lasts longer over time.

 

[shadowman]

Tow is for towing and working on the golf cart or for storage periods if you wish. If you work on it without putting it in tow in most cases takes out the controller.

 

[Diode]

By putting the tow switch in tow posistion puts both the OBC and controller in sleep mode which is a low power drain mode.