Go-Kart batteries

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Dave1980

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Hi,

I know the Go Kart normally gets rave reviews on he so thoguht it would be best to ask everyone if they have the same problem as me.

My last battery was purchased in December 09 and has now started to die after around 14 holes, my prevoius battery lasted about 3 to 4 years with no bother or problems at all. My question is how long has your batteries lasted before needing a replacement and if you think 18 months is a reasonable life span for a battery that is used once a week at best?

Thanks
Dave
 
I had that problem with mine (not the same kart as you) and to remedy I put the kart on bricks and drained the battery flat, then a full charge- I do that each time I use it, battery is now 8 yrs old and still get 27 holes before it splutters.
It could be that you have one with faulty cells etc how long was the warranty?
 
The warranty was only for 1 year, so that is now up. I may try and drain the battery fully and see how that works. Have a 36 hole comp at the weekend and was hoping to use it for at least 18/27 holes but at the moment I will be lucky to get 16 holes!!!
 
I seem to be buying a new battery every year to 18 months and play twice a week. I look after mine properly but that is all I seem to get from it

I have recently bought a Gokart and put my Hillbilly battery on it and it goes like a rocket!


Chris
 
I had a similar problem with my battery once, got a replacement and after a couple of weeks the new battery was the same - problem ended up being the charger, tried a new charger and all worked fine. Do you know anyone else with a Go-Kart who's charger you could try?

Ive had my 36 hole battery about 3 years now and it's still going strong
 
I have spoke with the guys at Go-kart and they just said that some batteries don't last that long and I should buy a new battery (not the normal service from GK), but I can't understand how the battery can die so suddenly. My course is not the longest and although there is one or two hills I would not class it as a hilly course.

Unfortunately I do not know anyone else with a charger locally, so may have to bit the bullet and pay the £50+postage for a new battery and hope it is not the charger.

Swanny- I agree a great bit of kit, just getting frustrated having to replace most of the trolley over the last couple of months. Serious thinking about switching to a Hillbilly or PK!
 
They do have a point though, it's impossible to know how long a battery is going to last, it's the same with AA or AAA batteries we use in our TV remotes, so many things effect the cells inside such as the temperature of the room you store it in, whether you have charged it for too long or not long enough, whether you have ever run it completely flat and then charged it as if you don't do this then some of the cells will hardly ever get used.....unfortunately I don't think you have much choice other than to buy a replacement battery.

Maybe it's worth kicking up a bit of a fuss and see if they will give you a bit of a discount on a new one but this time go for a 36 hole battery, should last you much much longer in the term providing you look after it well.
 
The thing about the GK batteries that gets me is that you are meant to leave charging constantly, this is something that worries me in terms of safety and cost.

I usually charge mine within the 24 hours of use and charge until the green light comes on and then switch off.
 
The thing about the GK batteries that gets me is that you are meant to leave charging constantly, this is something that worries me in terms of safety and cost.

I usually charge mine within the 24 hours of use and charge until the green light comes on and then switch off.
Click to expand...


I dont know any trolley batteries that arn't trickle charge to be left on between rounds. Most battery suppliers suggest buying a new charger every 2 or 3 years (I think) as they claim they lose their charging power which leaves the battery vulnerable to early death.


Chris
 
The thing about the GK batteries that gets me is that you are meant to leave charging constantly, this is something that worries me in terms of safety and cost.

I usually charge mine within the 24 hours of use and charge until the green light comes on and then switch off.
Click to expand...

You will wreck the battery. Cost-wise it is negligible leaving it on. I have had my battery for my powakaddy for over three years and it still goes like a goodun!
 
Maybe it's worth kicking up a bit of a fuss and see if they will give you a bit of a discount on a new one but this time go for a 36 hole battery, should last you much much longer in the term providing you look after it well.
Click to expand...

When I first got my Gokart 2 years ago it had a 36 hole battery. After having a few problems with it, had a replacement and still problematical. I spoke to a guy at Gokart who was very helpful, it was decided that as I don't play 36 holes very much I should try an 18 hole one.
So I did, and have to say that I've not had any issues since.

Not sure of the complexities of it but maybe Tommo will come on and explain better than me - he knows about batteries. :cool:

Golfmmad.
 
my trolley came with a 36 hole battery but it starts to die after about 14 holes, I rarely play 36 if ever sooooo

should I try a total drain and recharge a couple of times to possibly re-condition the battery? then charge/trickle charge after each round with the odd total drain/recharge

buy a new 18 hole battery and do the use then charge and leave on trickle between rounds?

my trolley is a powerbug btw and apols for jumping on your thread Dave :)
 
my trolley came with a 36 hole battery but it starts to die after about 14 holes, I rarely play 36 if ever sooooo

should I try a total drain and recharge a couple of times to possibly re-condition the battery? then charge/trickle charge after each round with the odd total drain/recharge

buy a new 18 hole battery and do the use then charge and leave on trickle between rounds?

my trolley is a powerbug btw and apols for jumping on your thread Dave :)
Click to expand...

I'm no expert Gibbo, but would go for option 2. That's what Gokart recommend. Not being funny but are you a reader of instructions? Many folk aren't! Check manufacturers instructions and go with them. :)
 
My 18 holer will do 36 holes but GK don't recommend doing it on a regular basis. I just plug the battery in to charge when I get home and leave it plugged in until my next round. Again this is what GK recommend. Clearly the OP has an issue with either the battery or the charger but I'm sure a mail to GK will get an resolution
 
RE Lead acid/AGM/GEL deep cycle trolley batteries.

I believe that I'm correct in saying that when you buy a new trolley, it comes with instructions on care of the trolley and the battery. It seems that the people who have battery problems may not have read these instructions. OK, there are occasions when the original battery or charger may have been faulty but these would become apparent well within the warranty period.

These instructions will advise putting the battery on charge as soon after the round as possible and leave it on charge until the next time you need it. When charged, the charger maintains a tiny charge when necessary just to top up as any battery will naturally loose charge over time. The cost of this is, apparently, negligible - particularly when compared to the cost of a new battery. The only exception is if the battery is not going to be used for a month or two then charge it up, disconnect the charger, and make sure that you allow a full charge before you next decide to use the battery.

The instructions will probably also advise not fully discharging the battery as this may damage it and a full charge may not then be achievable. For instance, if for whatever reason (say only a partial charge was made) the battery runs out of power before the round is finished, leaving it on and still trying to get the last dregs out of it could fully discharge it under load and permanently damage it.

Don't forget that deep cycle batteries do not have the same characteristics as car batteries, nor NICAD or lithium batteries. Dependant on the type, power and quality of trolley battery, the number of cycles (discharge/charge) can vary from 150/200 to 400/500. Generally you get what you pay for.

We have "done" this subject many times and I seem to remember that Sandy from GoKart concurred with the above re battery care.
 
Not an expert Chris. When dishing out a sizable proportion of my weekly pension on something like that, I RTFM (read the flipping instructions) :D :D

Oh, and read up about them on t'net 'cause I'm a sad old git with nothing better to do than that and play at golf :o :o

:p :p
 
So would it maybe be a wise idea for me to send my 36 hole battery back and swap it for an 18 hole battery as I'm very rarely going to do 36 holes in a day.
Click to expand...

Why on earth would you want to do that :D :D

You've paid for a 36 holer, why send it back for an 18?

As it will usually only be discharged (say) 35/40% with an occasional 70/80% on a 36 hole day, then it should last a lot longer provided you care for it properly.
 
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