Winter Storage options

[bucart]

2003 Club Car DS Electric

I'm debating on whether or not to leave my golf cart out in the elements over the winter or to store it in my garage. Below are the options I have, please let me know if I should be worried about the 1st option or not.

1) Golf cart is stored at campsite on the ground. I plan to buy a tarp, drive the golf cart on the tarp and bungy it together up to the mid sides, disconnect batteries, put cover on it which goes down to the lower sides of the cart.

2) Rent a trailer, trailer golf cart back to house, store in garage, charge once every month.

I'd prefer #1, but if it caused any problems or concerns I'd go with #2. I don't know what kind of problems can occur when a golf cart is keep outside covered, I figured the tarp on the bottom would keep snow / mud away from the bottom of the cart thinking of any rusting issues. Last year I kept it in the garage, but it's in great shape being a 2003 and no problems so I want to get it in great shape too. Please advise.

Also, The cart is in Virginia, we do get snow and some cold weather, but not as bad as up north.

 

[dougmcp]

If you want it in nice shape, not vandalized with good batteries, #2 is your only option.

 

[gornoman]

If you cannot cycle the batteries once a month during the down time, it's best to bring it home and do it. I store mine at our campground in southern Wisconsin. We go up once a month to check on things, and the cart gets driven unless the snow is just too deep (usually the February trip). The cart gets charged on a timer. I have not had any frozen batteries until last year on a 7 year old pack, when 1 battery of 8 froze because of a bad cell that wasn't taking a charge anymore. Mine is stored on our deck under a conventional cart cover. I would advise against sealing the bottom because this would trap moisture and cause other problems. By having the bottom open to the breeze you get some ventilation.

 

[bucart]

Thanks. I didn't think about the moisture. It looks like I'll trailer it home and keep it nice and clean in the garage.

 

[sbycamper]

Our cart is at a campground on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It doesn't really get that cold there. I will be storing mine outside covered up and since I go down just about every other weekend will be able to keep it charged.

 

[HotRodCarts]

I usually leave one cart out at the cottage for the winter. We can have some pretty nasty winters here in Illinois but so far I haven't had any problems. I keep the cart covered with a regular golf cart cover and try to charge the batteries once a month.

 

[Duke6979]

Anyone had any problems with rodents chewing on battery cables during winter storage outside? If so any solutions deter animals?

 

[HotRodCarts]

Never had a problem with Rodents and golf carts but I used to put a couple boxes of moth balls under the cover of my boat when it would be stored for the winter.

 

[hecky50]

Newbie here, how come none of you use some type of maintainer during downtime or off season??

 

[HotRodCarts]

As long as you can charge the batteries around every 30 days or so you really don't need one.

The batteries in one of my EZGO's are 2002's They had about had it last year so I'll be replacing them in the next week or so. They sat outside in the cart every winter and I charged them every 30-45 days.

If you won't have access to the cart then the battery maintainer is a good idea.