BATTERIES: ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Battery Charging
25
IMPURITY
ALLOWABLE CONTENT
(PARTS PER MILLION)
EFFECTS OF IMPURITY
Nitrates
10.0
Increased sulfation at negative
Nitrites
5.0
Corrosion at both plates, loss of capacity, reduced life
Chloride
5.0
Loss of capacity in both plates, greater loss in positive
Color
Clear and “White”
—
Antimony
5.0
Self-discharge by local action, reduces life,
lower on-charge voltage
Arsenic
0.5
Self-discharge, can form poisonous gas at negative
Copper
5.0
Increased self-discharge, lower oncharge voltage
Nickel
None Allowed
Intense lowering of on-charge voltage
Platinum
None Allowed
Violent self-discharge, lower on-charge voltage
Selenium
2.0
Positive shedding
Zinc
4.0
Slight self-discharge at negative
VIBRATION DAMAGE
The battery hold-downs should always be tight enough to keep the battery from bouncing. Battery life may be
severely shortened if the battery hold-downs are too loose. Battery hold-downs should be tightened to 40 in-lb (4.5
N·m). Excessive vibration causes the plates to shed prematurely and shortens the life of the battery. It may also
cause acid to leak out of the vent caps and corrosion to build up on surrounding metal parts. The acid which is
lost reduces the capacity of the battery and cannot be replaced. Battery hold-downs should NOT be so tight as to
crack or buckle the battery case. This may cause leaks which would dry out a cell or cause internal short circuits.
See Battery Replacement on page 25-2.
BATTERY CHARGING
See General Warning on page 1-1.
CAUTION
• Only IQ Plus chargers should be used with IQ Plus vehicles. Long-term use of a PowerDrive battery
charger with IQ Plus vehicles will damage the batteries.
The charger supplied with the Club Car electric vehicle resolves the most common problems associated with battery
charging. Undercharging and overcharging are prevented provided the charger is allowed to shut off by itself. Also,
all cells are automatically given an equalization charge at low current, which prolongs battery life. Batteries should
never be left in a discharged state, as this too affects the internal components and can reduce the capacity of the
battery. The batteries should be charged every day they are used. However, the batteries should not be charged if
they have not been used.
CHARGER SHUTS OFF AFTER 16 HOURS
This may be due to 1) new batteries, 2) hard use, or 3) cold temperatures. A catch-up charge may be necessary when
these conditions are present. On those days when all or some of the vehicles do not get used, check the batteries
2007-2009 Turf 252, Carryall 252 and XRT 900 Maintenance and Service Manual
Page 25-5
