BATTERIES
Battery Charging
2004 Precedent Electric Golf Car Maintenance and Service Manual
Page 13-7
13
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 neces-
sary when these conditions are present. On those days when all or some of the vehicles do not get used,
check the batteries for state of charge. Any battery with a specific gravity lower than 1.250 will need a catch-
up charge. If the problem continues after a catch-up charge has been performed, check the battery charger.
See Section 14 – Battery Charger.
DEEP-DISCHARGE
Never discharge batteries to the point the vehicle will no longer operate. This will considerably shorten the
cycle life of the batteries, and may permanently damage the batteries. It is possible the batteries will not
accept a charge if they are completely discharged. The deeper the discharge, the harder it is on the batteries.
For this reason, it is recommended that Club Car electric vehicle batteries be charged after each use (pro-
vided the charge cycle will not be interrupted and the charger will be allowed to shut off automatically). Placing
the batteries on charge after each use reduces the depth of discharge and prolongs battery life.
EARLY EXCESSIVE DISCHARGING
When vehicle batteries are new, they do not reach their full capacity until they have been used and recharged
20 to 50 times. If they are excessively discharged early in their life, their effective service life will be shortened.
It is advisable to limit the use of any vehicle with new batteries for at least the first four weeks and then grad-
ually increase their range.
INCOMING AC SERVICE
Make sure the incoming AC line service is sufficient. If circuit breakers are tripping, fuses blow during the night
or the charger does not give the required starting rate when sound batteries are put on charge, an AC line
problem exists. The electrical service to the vehicle storage facility should be sufficient to deliver adequate
voltage and current to each charger with all the chargers turned on. If not, consult your local power company
or electrical contractor.
See Section 14 – Battery Charger.
FLEET ROTATION
Rotate vehicle usage. It is very hard on batteries if the last vehicles in at night are the first ones out in the
morning. Spread the workload evenly, giving all vehicles the same amount of use. This will keep your fleet in
balance and will not overwork certain sets of batteries.
NOTE:
When vehicles are being rotated, the Club Car CDM (Communication Display Module) can be a
very helpful service tool. Monitoring the value of function 3 with the CDM simplifies vehicle usage
scheduling.
See Communication Display Module (CDM), Section 11, Page 11-42.
NUMBERING VEHICLES AND CHARGERS
Return the vehicles to the same charger each night if possible. If the vehicles are put in a storage facility at
random and a vehicle dies while in use and testing shows the batteries are sound, then the problem is most
likely with the charger. However, finding the problem charger may prove to be quite time consuming. Number-
ing the vehicles and the chargers and returning each vehicle to its designated charger each night can signif-
icantly reduce the amount of time spent troubleshooting a problem.
