{"id":1174,"date":"2022-01-28T19:04:40","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T00:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/?p=1174"},"modified":"2023-09-28T23:51:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T03:51:35","slug":"safe-to-charge-golf-cart-in-garage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/safe-to-charge-golf-cart-in-garage\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Safe to Charge a Golf Cart in the Garage? (Be Careful!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
I recently wondered if charging a golf cart in the garage is safe. I have seen people do this before (including myself), and I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, I researched and discovered some exciting (and scary) stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charging a golf cart outside is safer than in a garage. As a general rule, if you charge in a garage, ensure that windows and doors are open to allow for proper ventilation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there are still some dangers involved with charging a golf cart in the garage<\/a>, and in this blog post, I will discuss those dangers and what you can do to stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n Preferably, you should charge your cart on the outside, but if you have sufficient airflow and ventilation in the garage, you should be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, beware of the potential dangers of charging your golf cart within an enclosed space. One such danger is overcharging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most batteries are designed to stop charging at full power, even when plugged into the wall, but things always break down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One such unfortunate person in Palm Beach County, Florida<\/a>, had this problem happen. At first, they believed that carbon monoxide was setting off their detectors, but later investigations by the local fire department revealed how their golf cart battery kept charging past full! The result was a buildup of hydrogen gas that was being circulated throughout the entire house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a couple of tricks to avoid calling firefighters to your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These involve ensuring you have a good quality battery in the first place and maintaining the one you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s advised that most golf cart owners switch the battery out every 3 to 4 years, regardless of any maintenance done. Here\u2019s a list of some quality batteries that you can buy today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re satisfied that your battery will last for a while, make them last longer by keeping them in good shape. One such way is to keep your battery free of moisture and\/or corrosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply apply baking soda and water while scrubbing dirty areas with a bristle brush, and don\u2019t forget to wear something to protect your eyes! You can also use an anti-corrosive spray to prevent rust and corrosion on the battery cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The short answer is no; most lead acid batteries that golf carts use don\u2019t emit that kind of gas. However, as mentioned above, they\u00a0emit hydrogen gas, especially if the battery is at risk of overcharging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whereas hydrogen gas doesn\u2019t cause as much concern as carbon monoxide, hydrogen can still be deadly in high enough concentrations. Asphyxiation can occur if exposed for too long, but the primary danger is its potential to cause deadly fires and explosions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydrogen can seep through the smallest of cracks and easily spread throughout the entire house quickly. This is especially concerning if there are multiple ignition sources present. There only needs to be a 4% to 7% concentration of hydrogen in the air to make it explosive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, why did some people have their CO detectors go off when they charged their golf carts at night? The answer gets a bit technical. Most CO detectors will go off when there\u2019s 150 ppm (parts per million) exposure for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, those same detectors will also sound the alarm when they\u2019re exposed to 300 ppm of hydrogen gas for the same period. To avoid this, experts advise you to avoid placing your golf cart near any heating or cooling systems to prevent the spread of hydrogen throughout your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This seems like the most obvious solution, especially if you live in a warm climate. You won\u2019t have to worry about hydrogen gas creating fires, but there are other issues with storing your golf cart outside that can come up if you\u2019re unprepared.<\/p>\n\n\nCan you charge a golf cart battery in a closed garage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Can golf cart batteries give off carbon monoxide?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should I store my golf cart outside?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n