Why is my charger not working for my golf cart?

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If your electric golf cart has been sitting idle for a while or you've had some extended days on the golf course or running neighborhood errands, your charger might not work. As with any mechanical system, several problems are possible, but the more common issues are easier to overcome.

You want to be sure your charger fully charges your batteries after each use, or your batteries will experience a shortened lifetime, leaving you with an expensive replacement bill.

You can take some simple steps to determine whether the problem lies with your batteries or charger. As a leading golf cart dealer in the Greater Nashville area, Mikey's Motors is happy to lend a hand if the problem proves to be more than you can handle by diagnosing and fixing the issue or helping you get new equipment, if necessary.

Common Reasons for Golf Cart Charging Problems

Three components of keeping your golf cart charged and ready for action could be the culprit when you have charging issues.

Battery Issues:

Sulfation: Lead sulfate crystals build up in unused batteries, similar to how rust works on metal. These crystals prevent the battery from charging.
Low battery charge: A cart battery charger will not recharge if batteries fall completely dead. A complete power loss could also damage the batteries, so they won't charge.
Cell failure: Cells within a battery are susceptible to damage from a complete loss of charge, physical damage such as being dropped or shaken severely, or extreme heat.
Corroded battery terminals: Corrosion on battery terminals could prevent a charge from reaching the batteries.

Charger Problems:

Defective charger components: Problems in the charger range from something as simple as a blown fuse to loose wires or a damaged electronic board.
Incorrect charger settings: Chargers are built to serve different models and battery types, so you must ensure the settings are correct for your golf cart.
Charger overload: If you have a defective battery or a power source problem, your charger can become overloaded if it's working too hard and/or becomes overheated.

Golf Cart Electrical System Issues:

Faulty wiring or connections: Loose or corroded wiring or connections anywhere along the electrical system could prevent your charger from working or drain your batteries too quickly.
Controller problems: A faulty controller that regulates the speed of your golf cart can also cause other electrical issues.
Solenoid issues: A bad solenoid will prevent your cart from starting or cause a sudden stall.

Troubleshooting Tips

Try some of these troubleshooting tips before you turn your issue over to the professionals.

Basic checks

Sometimes, the problem is just ensuring power runs from point A to point B to point C. Some issues that can prevent that flow are:

Charger connections: Make sure you don't have any damaged pins connecting your charger to your cart.
Battery terminals: Check that battery terminals are tightly connected without excessive corrosion.
Power source: Test your power source by plugging in another charger or appliance.

Charger testing and maintenance

Check for damaged fuses or loose wiring on your charger. You also can test it by plugging it into a friend's golf cart.

Battery inspection and maintenance

Make sure your batteries are free of corrosion or loose connections. Also, test each battery to ensure it is taking charge. Batteries must have a minimum charge of 20-35 volts before a cart charger will work. If they are below that, you can charge them briefly with a car battery charger to bring them up to the minimum.

When to replace a golf cart battery

If you know your batteries are approaching or have exceeded their warranty period, you likely need replacement batteries. If you've had charging issues in the past, the problem may have shortened the life of the batteries.

Identifying other potential electrical issues

You can test other electrical components in your golf cart or charger with a proper volt meter to see if they are causing the problem.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you've tried the above steps and cannot get your charger functioning properly or your batteries are not holding their charge, you would save yourself t time and headaches by turning the problem over to a professional. They can diagnose and fix the problem quickly so you can return to enjoying your golf game.

The experts at Mikey's Motors have the knowledge and experience to keep your golf cart and charger in the best condition to enjoy when needed. Besides that, they are golfing enthusiasts who understand your passion for the game and why your golf cart is an important element in pursuing that passion.

Come Visit Us Today!

When you experience battery charger issues, always start with the basics. Ensure your batteries have enough charge to engage the charger and watch for loose or corroded connections.

Regular maintenance on your golf cart and charger will ensure they are ready for use when needed.

You can schedule regular maintenance with Mikey's Motors or get emergency repairs by contacting our expert Murfreesboro, Franklin, or Shelbyville technicians. Our friendly sales staff will also help you find the right components when it's time to replace your batteries or charger or if you're ready to drive off in a new E-Z-Go, Star EV, Cushman, Garia, Evolution, or Tomberlin golf cart.