how often do i charge?

[X-COUNTRY CAT]

How often should I charge my new golf cart batteries (i just got 6 new trojans)? Should I charge the cart after every time i use it? (1-2 hour run time) or should i wait until I notice the golf cart slowing down?
Will it hurt the batteries if i charge them if they don't really need it?
(cart came with an automatic charger) thanks.

 

[X-COUNTRY CAT]

I forgot to ask about the controller switch, does it matter which
position it is in while charging ( run or tow/maintenance mode)
thanks again.

 

[dougmcp]

Golf cart batteries do not have a memory, charge each time you have more than 15-30 minutes of run time.
Do not let the cart sit in an uncharged mode, recharge after each use.
No need to place the cart in the tow/maint mode for charging.

 

[X-COUNTRY CAT]

Thanks for the quick response! and info.

 

[X-COUNTRY CAT]

o.k. i put the charger on at 9 am and it was reading about 21 amps? I left it on until about 2:00 pm and it was reading at about 5 amps but i unplugged it before it turned off on its own because the batteries were starting to slightly smell like rotten eggs. I hope this is normal because these batteries are brand new and I hope the
charger didn't damage them! The only time I smelled batteries like this were when they were fried,
now i'm a little worried.

 

[dougmcp]

Check your water level in the batteries, only fill to 1/4" over the plates.
Batteries can take up to 16 hours to recharge and new ones need to be conditioned.
Did your charger shut off by itself before you bought new batteries? If so, let it run and shut off automatically.

 

[X-COUNTRY CAT]

Yes, the battery charger used to shut off by itself with the old batteries and only took about 3 hours. That's why after 5 hours and still charging i could smell something a little so i was concerned and unplugged before it did on it's own. That's good info that that the new ones may need conditioning and i'll check the levels, thanks.