Western (EzGo) battery problem

[bobking44]

I have a 2002 Western (EzGo) 42 volt cart which I have owned for about a year.
It runs 22mph on a full charge.
It has Trojan batteries that are less than two years old and have been very well cared
for since I go the cart.
When I got the cart I could drive it to the course (3 miles), play 18 holes of golf, return home for lunch and go back to the course (6 miles), Play an additional 18 holes of golf and still drive home with the battery indicator registering (usually) one bar below half.
Now, I drive to the same course, play 18 hones and return home to have the indicator blinking rapidly on the last bar.
The specific gravity of the batteries at full charge is 1.22 to 1.24 for all cells of all seven batteries.
Individually load tested, the batteries all checked good.

Have any of you had a similar problem?
Any thoughts as to what might be the most likely culprit or culprits?

Bob

 

[dougmcp]

I too have a 42v Western with 2004 batteries and have no problem doing 18+18 and have about 4 bars left.
The SG reading you have indicates that he batteries are only 75%-80% charged if that is your starting point.
Here are some things to consider about reduced the runtime you are noticing.
Are you leaving the charger on until it stops by itself?
Are your brakes free and not dragging?
Are you driving with the lights on?
Are your brake lights sticking on?
Are your tires inflated to 20-25 psi?
If you drive on the course a lot is the ground any wetter than normal?

 

[bobking44]

Thanks for the input.

I always allow the charger to run until it shuts down automatically.
New hydrometer indicates all cells at 1.275 after full charge.
The brakes are not sticking.
Not driving with lights on.
Brake lights not sticking on.
Tires are maintained at 25psi.
I live in the inland empire where wet courses are very rarely experienced.

Any other thoughts?

 

[dougmcp]

I'm a little short of thoughts right now.
Maybe plug it in at lunch time to temporarily resolve the problem.