How Long Does It Take to Charge a 48-Volt Golf Cart? (Explained)
Are you wondering how long it takes to charge a 48-volt golf cart?
Although it’s hard to say specifically, the estimated time can range from 3-7 hours, depending on how heavy-duty your charger is and how low your batteries are, and how old they are. But let’s also talk about all the factors involved.
The short answer – it depends. To be more specific, it depends on several factors, such as battery usage and the capacity of the power cells that store and receive.
At the same time, you need to know when it is appropriate to charge your cart and when it’s not. That’s because your goal is to ensure the battery lasts longer and does not sustain any damage due to overcharging. Just be sure to use the right charger for your cart; see our recommendations below:
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- PORTABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN
- WATER & DUST RESISTANT
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- Voltage Output: 36V DC, Current Output: 5A DC
- Voltage Input: 110V-120V AC
- Input Plug: US Plug. Charger Plug: No Plug
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How Long Should a Battery Be Charged?
As mentioned, it does depend on several factors. They include but are not limited to the following:
- The overall quality and condition of the golf cart battery
- The depth of discharge (or DOD) of the power cells
- The quality and efficiency of the golf battery charger being used
If the batteries are new or in good overall condition and have a charge of less than 30 percent, you can expect the battery to take a minimum of an hour to charge. At max, the charge can take about three hours.
Once again, this will depend on the type of charger that you use. If your charger is a heavy-duty type, you’ll have a shorter charging time compared to lightweight chargers. If you’re using the latter, obviously, you should expect the charging time to be longer than three hours.
If you have had the same battery for four to five years, and they are deeply discharged, the length of time to charge using a lightweight charger could be 10 hours or more. Of course, it will be much shorter if you’re using a heavy-duty charger.
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Do Not Overcharge Your Battery
This is very important and should be repeated several times. Don’t overcharge your battery. Overcharging the battery is a very bad thing. In fact, it will severely damage your battery. That alone can greatly reduce the lifespan of your battery.
While performing maintenance and charging your golf cart, the power cells will evaporate water within the cells. Overcharging them will lead to water loss and will dry the plates. That will cause the battery to overheat. Overheating is one of the top killers in batteries.
Fortunately, most chargers on newer golf carts are equipped with an automatic shut-off, (just like some of these golf cart heaters). This means that once your battery reaches a full charge, it will shut off. This is convenient, considering that you’ll want to keep your battery running for as long as you can.
If you’re using an older battery charger, then you’ll have to unplug it so it doesn’t overheat the batteries.
Extending the Life of Your Battery
As a rule, you should always charge your battery after each use so that it’s ready for your next trip. It’s good to get in the habit of plugging it in once you’ve parked it for the day. Nothing quite like going out to take your cart out and realizing you forgot to plug it in and then guessing if the battery will last long enough for your trip.
According to experts, you’ll need to fully charge your battery at its full capacity, anywhere between 20 to 50 times. This ensures that your battery life is optimized or even extended.
Keep in mind that you should not discharge your battery too deep. In other words, don’t consistently run it below 30%. This will subject the battery to a depth of discharge between 75% to 80%.
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How Long Does a 48-Volt Golf Cart Last on One Charge?
The one thing to keep in mind is that a 48-volt golf cart can last twice as long compared to a battery on a 36-volt golf cart. This, of course, is based on just one full charge. Also, keep in mind that the higher the voltage, the less time it will take to charge.
Before we go any further, you’ll need to know that your battery system does not consist of one battery; it consists of a series of batteries each ranging from 6 to 12 volts.
As an example, six 8-volt batteries will give you a 48-volt battery system. The same can be said if you have four 12-volt batteries. A fully charged battery will last you a good 20 to 25 miles.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Golf Cart Battery?
Another question that needs to be asked is when it will be time to get a new battery. Once again, the answer is “It depends.” One major factor is the brand of battery that you use. Some will have a shorter life span compared to other brands. One thing to remember, the cheaper the battery, the shorter it will last.
So you’ll need to invest in a battery that has the best lifespan possible if your budget allows it.
Trojan is considered one of the best brands for golf cart batteries and has low maintenance. Their average lifespan lasts anywhere between 7 to 9 years. However, this comes at a price. A set of six Trojan batteries will be priced around $750 a set, compared to cheaper brands like Sam’s Club.
The battery will likely last anywhere between 1 to 3 years. Yet, if you want to equal one set of Trojan batteries, you’ll need to buy up to 4 sets of Sam’s Club batteries. That will set you back at just north of $1,200.
If you’re looking for a happy medium in terms of finances and battery life, you can depend on a brand like Interstate Batteries or US Battery to serve you in the long run.
Last thing about Batteries…
Depending on the battery’s condition, it should not take a ridiculous amount of time to charge a battery.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it also depends on the type of battery charger you are using. If you want a shorter charge time, you must invest in a heavy-duty charger.
You also need to remember that the frequency of using your cart will contribute to how long your battery will live during its lifespan.
If you want to extend its lifespan, be sure to keep the battery life about 30% after each use. This way, it will reduce the chance of the battery deteriorating due to depth of discharge.
For a list of my favorite accessories that you can place on your golf cart, click here and check out my top 15 MUST have accessories you should get
