How long do golf cart batteries last?

If you own a golf cart, you may be wondering how long will the golf cart battery last? This is a normal thing.

How long golf cart batteries last depends on how well you maintain them. Your car battery can last 5-10 years if properly charged and taken care of.

Most people are skeptical about battery-powered golf carts because they worry about the average battery life expectancy.

Golf cart batteries make the golf cart heavier, which is especially important when jacking up the golf cart.

If you're wondering if a battery-powered golf cart is right for you, read on to learn everything you need to know to make the right decision.

So, how long do golf cart batteries last?
Golf cart batteries can last up to 10 years, but this is very rare. Depending on how often you use it, the average lifespan can vary widely.

If you use your golf cart very frequently, say 2 or 3 times a week and take good care of it, its life expectancy will increase.

If you're using it to get around your neighborhood or drive it to work nearby, it's hard to tell how long it will last.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how much you use it and whether you're properly maintaining your golf cart.

If you're not careful with your golf cart or leave it outside for long periods of time on a hot day, it can quickly die.

Golf cart batteries are worst affected by hot weather, while low temperatures usually don't cause much damage.

Factors Affecting Golf Cart Battery Life

Here are some factors that affect the average golf cart battery life:

How long do golf cart batteries last?
Charging is a major component of proper maintenance. You need to make sure your golf cart battery is not overcharged. The most common cause of overcharging is a manual battery charger.

Manual battery chargers have no way of sensing when the battery is fully charged, and car owners often have no idea about the state of charge.

Newer automatic chargers have a sensor that automatically turns off when the battery is fully charged. The current also slows down as the battery nears saturation.

If you have a trickle charger without a timer, I recommend setting an alarm yourself. Overcharging a golf cart battery can drastically shorten its lifespan.

Quality/Brand
Do some research and make sure your golf cart battery is from a legitimate and well-known brand. There is no other way to ensure a good quality battery. Good customer reviews are also a good indicator of product quality.

Features of golf carts
How many power-hungry features your golf cart has can also affect the lifespan of your golf cart battery. It doesn't have much of an impact, but it does have an impact on battery life.
If your golf cart has headlights, fog lights, upgraded top speed and a horn, your golf cart battery will have a slightly shorter lifespan.

Usage
Golf cart batteries that are not used rigorously will last longer. Golf carts need to be used at least once a week for maintenance, so infrequent use of them can also have a detrimental effect on them.
To give you a rough idea, golf carts used in golf courses are used 4 to 7 times a day. If you personally own a golf cart, you probably won't take it out every day and can expect it to last 6 to 10 years.

How to make golf cart batteries last longer?
Check the golf cart battery fluid level regularly. If they are too high or too low, they can cause battery damage or acid leakage.
Ideally, there should be enough liquid to submerge the battery. If refilling liquids, use only distilled water.
Charge the battery after each use. Make sure you have the right charger for your battery type. When charging, always charge to saturation.
When your golf cart is idle for a long time, the battery life will be shortened. In this case, use a charger with a "Trickle" charging setting.
Trickle charging your golf cart battery will slowly charge the battery and conserve energy levels. It will protect your golf cart battery during the off season as it won't be used as often.
Golf cart batteries are prone to corrosion. Metal parts will corrode when exposed to the elements. Whenever possible, make sure your golf cart is in a cool, dry environment.
A good quality battery lasts longer. Inexpensive batteries can wear out quickly and can cost more money on maintenance and buying a new battery than buying a good golf cart battery in the first place.