There is also lots of conflicting information that suggests that your batteries shouldn’t be left plugged in. Sadly, when it comes to the science of batteries, things are rarely simple. Hence, many golf cart owners rightly ask the question, ‘should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?’ Here’s the definitive answer:
Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time? No, leaving your golf cart plugged in all the time is not recommended. This can shorten the lifespan of the batteries. It is best to charge the batteries fully and then unplug the cart when you are not using it. This will allow the batteries to discharge naturally, which is good for their health.
But when it comes to golf cart battery maintenance, one of the most important aspects is how you keep it charged. Batteries are complicated, and some legitimate information suggests that keeping batteries plugged in all the time is the right thing to do.
Let’s examine both sides’ arguments and then conclude about the best way to manage your golf cart battery.
Why Should You Leave Your Golf Cart Plugged In?
Oftentimes, especially during winter, golf carts may go months without usage. The charge in your battery’s cells will gradually dissipate, which is fine and normal. However, if it sits there empty of juice for a prolonged period of time, it may negatively affect the long-term performance of the battery.
You can prevent this by leaving it plugged in throughout the winter. And theoretically, it’s a good thing to do, provided you have an automatic charger.
Non-automatic chargers would cause batteries to overcharge and damage the cells, creating long-term problems that are basically impossible to fix. But in this modern age, most people have automatic chargers, which switch off when the battery is at full charge. The charger then detects the battery is low, charges it up, and switches off again.
Allowing the battery to discharge and recharge is the best thing you can do for your battery. Thus, you’d think that leaving an automatic charger plugged in for prolonged periods of time is correct. If only it were that simple…
Why Shouldn’t You Leave Your Golf Cart Plugged In?
When you leave a charger plugged in for prolonged periods of time, things can go wrong.
For example, a common issue that people who leave their cart plugged in find that their circuit breaker keeps tripping. This basically means that the automatic turnoff function could stop working, causing the charger to send a constant flow of electricity to your battery, overcharging it and thus damaging it.
Another issue that can occur when leaving your cart plugged in that the charger could lose AC power from the outlet. When this happens, the charger starts pulling power from the golf cart batteries, which is counter-productive and damaging to the battery cells.
One more thing to consider when leaving your batteries plugged in is that you must regularly check their water levels. Periodic recharging lowers the electrolyte solution in batteries, so the levels should be checked and distilled water added when necessary in order to prevent the batteries from drying out.
A key point to remember is that batteries are designed to discharge and recharge. Maintaining a constant state of full charge is not good for your battery. Allowing the battery to lose charge before charging it up again supports its operational strength, keeping it performing optimally for much longer.
So, with all of that in mind, what’s the verdict?
Final Thoughts
No, it’s not recommended that you always leave your golf cart plugged in. Although automatic chargers are designed to prevent over-charging, circuit breaker tripping is risky, damaging your battery’s cells. Plus, if the charger loses AC power from the outlet, it will start pulling power from your batteries, which is counter-productive and damaging.
The best thing you can do for your battery is to charge it up fully and then disconnect the charging plug from the vehicle receptacle. This will allow your battery to discharge naturally, which is good for longevity. Then, depending on the discharge rate of your specific battery, you should recharge it every 20-30 days and repeat the process.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
