Club Car 1995 Golf Car, Maintenance Service Supplement

Page: 47 / 100

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BATTERIES
This chart cannot and does not describe all problems which may be encountered with batteries, but it does
identify some of the common misconceptions and problems.
18-3
+
PbSO4
4
PbSO
H O
2
DISCHARGED BATTERY
+
Pb
Pb
H
2
4
2
BATTERY CHARGING
O
SO
CHARGER
FIGURE 18-3 FIGURE 18-4
PROBLEM MISCONCEPTION AND REALITY
1. Deep Discharge "This car can handle another 9 holes; it has gone only 36 holes today."
This statement is wrong! Avoid deep discharge of batteries whenever
possible. See Battery Charging, Page 18-7.
2. Early Excessive
Discharging "These are new batteries. They can handle 45 holes."
Wrong again! New batteries do not reach their full capacity until they
have been used and recharged 20 to 50 times.
3. Mineral Content "Tap water will do for our batteries."
It might be OK, but have it checked first. See Battery Care, Page 18- 5.
4. Self Discharge "That dirt and corrosion on the battery won't hurt anything."
Wrong. It may provide a path for current to flow and allow the batteries
to self discharge.
5. Over Watering "Add water to the level indicator tonight so we won't have to do it in the
morning."
Water should be added after charging. See Battery Care, Page 18-5.
6. Under Watering "Checking the water takes too much time; we'll check it next month."
Insufficient watering can ruin batteries. Water level should be checked
weekly. See Battery Care, Page 18-5.
7. Vibration Damage "Tighten that battery hold-down as tight as you can."
Battery hold-downs should be tightened to specification. Hold-downs
that are too tight or too loose can cause battery damage.
See Battery Care, Page 18-5.