How to Check a Golf Cart Battery Charger
by Tammy Bronson
The most common issue with an electric golf cart is getting it started. The battery powers the cart's motor. In order for the battery to make the golf cart move it needs to be charged. If you keep recharging the battery without routine maintenance, eventually it won't hold a charge anymore. There are cables that need cleaning and checking for fraying if the battery of the golf cart is going to get and receive a full charge. The battery charger cannot charge a battery that is low in acid or has a leak.
Step 1
Turn on the battery charge to see if any power is getting to the battery. You can check the amount of power the battery charger is generating by conecting a voltmeter to the negative and positive clamps of the charger. On the voltmeter is a needle moves from left to right to demonstrate amps present. All the way to the left means no power or amps and all the way to the right means the battery is fully powered with maximum amperage. A golf cart battery charger can register as many as 36 amps on a voltmeter.
Step 2
Look at the cables on the battery charger. Turn the ignition to auxiliary. If the charger doesn't turn on then there is a problem with the connection between the charger and the battery.
Step 3
Check the battery charger transformer by listening for a humming sound. Also check to see if the AC power cord is plugged in to a working outlet. If the battery is getting electrical current then you should hear the transformer humming.
Step 4
Track the wiring circuitry of the battery charger. In the owner's manual there is a wiring diagram for the golf cart. There needs to be a continuous connection from the battery charger to the battery for power to run continuously. Look for frayed wires, cut wires and corrosion on the terminals of the battery.
Step 5
Search for the grounding wire from the battery charger. It will be a single wire that comes from the charger and attaches to the metal frame of the golf cart inside the engine housing. A disconnected ground wire stops the battery charger from charging the battery.
Step 6
Find the charger fuses in the service panel on the back fender of the golf cart. If the battery charger fuse is blown the battery won't get a charge.
Step 7
Pull the caps off the battery terminals. If the liquid is gray or brown then the battery needs replacing and won't charge.
Step 8
Feel the battery charger. Overheating cause it to malfunction. Make sure that the battery charger is clean of grime and debris. Any type of corrosion can cause overheating.
References
Tips
- Perform routine maintenance on the golf cart and wipe down the battery charger after it rains.
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Battery
- Battery charger
- AC power cord
- AC working outlet
- Owner's manual
- Wiring diagram
- Clean cloth
Warnings
- When checking wiring circuitry use gloves that do not conduct electricity.
Writer Bio
Tammy Bronson has been a freelance writer since 1994. As a writer for Thompson Gale Publishing she wrote autobiographies and legal reviews. With Remilon.com Bronson wrote innovative informative articles about colleges and universities nationwide. She lives in the Greater Boston Area and has a Master of Arts degree in literature and writing from the State University of New York.
