A battery maintainer or charger for golf carts keeps a golf cart humming. However, if you’re having trouble with your battery charger and don’t know what to do, here are some of the most common problems you may face and how to troubleshoot them.

But before troubleshooting, let’s discuss a few golf cart chargers.

Top 3 Golf Cart Battery Chargers 2022

Lester Electric Chargers

Lester’s specialty is manufacturing the finest and most durable chargers. The Lester Links battery charger and the Lester Summit battery charger are among their best-known chargers.

This charger can automatically shut down when the battery’s charge is complete. In addition, it offers an advanced winter mode that allows snowbirds to leave their golf cart without losing their battery charge or dying.

Admiral Advantage by Red Hawk

Next is Admiral Advantage with high-frequency golf cart charging.

Like the earlier charger, you can use these chargers with 24V and 36V golf cart batteries.

The charger can be stored in the garage as a battery charger or installed onboard.

It’s also sealed and completely waterproof, making it durable, especially for rugged environments.

Because its weight is about 20 pounds, it’s slightly heavier than most charger batteries.

Pro Charging Systems-Eagle Performance Series

Pro Chargers Group is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of energy management products to LSV and Golf Cart manufacturers in the US.

The Eagle Performance Series Dual Pro offers advanced capabilities and is an excellent choice for fleet operators and golfers.

Delta View technology lets battery charger users monitor battery and power status via their smartphone or laptop. In addition, the Eagle Performance Series is designed so that your golf cart runs longer.

Golf Cart Charger Problems and How to Solve Them

Problems while golf carts are being used

If your golf cart loses its charge while running, check to ensure no loose wires or connectors on the batteries or charger. If everything appears in working order, connect your cart to a trickle charger for an hour which should help restore the proper charge.

Problem after restoring the charge

After restoring the charge and there is still a problem; there may be corrosion on the battery cables.

To solve this problem, combine distilled vinegar and water. Using steel wool, apply the mixture to the clean negative cable terminals to remove any corrosion.

Allow it to dry before reconnecting your battery cables. You can also use a battery terminal cleaner if you have one available.

If this is not the case, check for corrosion on your batteries’ terminals or inside the compartment where they sit.

If this is present, again, combine vinegar and water and apply it to each battery terminal before reconnecting them to the charger.

After checking all these connections and connectors, make sure that your controller isn’t broken or allowing too much sparking from coming through.

You can replace all fuses with brand-new ones rated at three amps or less.

Finally, check to ensure there aren’t any clamps loose on your charger if everything else fails. This will prevent proper current flow and cause it not to work correctly.

After all these troubleshooting steps, you may need to purchase a new battery charger if this problem remains.

Problems when the golf cart is not in use

If there is a problem with the charger when the golf cart is not in use, try jump-starting your cart and see if it begins working again.

If you are successful, replace the battery cables and clamps with brand new ones to prevent them from rusting, and add distilled water to each of your batteries’ cells until it reaches level indicators or vents on top.

You can also check for loose wires or connectors inside your batteries’ compartment. Finally, if everything appears in good condition, you can try using a trickle charger for about an hour before using your cart again to restore the charge.

If the battery still doesn’t hold a charge after jump-starting, you may need to replace it. A dead battery is usually caused by sulfation which builds up over time and prevents proper current flow.

You can remove the buildup by using distilled water or an equal mixture of baking soda and water in place of the distilled water.

Finally, if your charger is running too long when not being used, try using a timer so that it only runs when needed.

If all else fails, you will have to replace your golf cart charger with a new one for continued use.

Here are a few other common problems you may face with golf cart battery chargers.

The Charger Won’t Turn On

Even if the charger isn’t turning on, it may still be usable.

Some solutions that you should try include:

Make sure the golf cart batteries are charged

If you’ve waited too long to charge your electric golf cart batteries, the existing charge may be too low for your charger to detect.

When this happens, the charger will not turn on.

To address this issue, many chargers offer modes that ensure that your batteries have partial charge even when you aren’t using them.

Alternatively, you can also provide your batteries with a small, manual charge so that your regular charge can take over.

Connections

If there is an issue with how your batteries are connected, they may experience a loss of power, which can cause battery chargers to fail.

In such a situation, you will need to check each battery terminal.

In addition, any issues with the connections or any corrosion can impede the flow of electricity and may indicate that your batteries need to be replaced.

Charger Runs Too Long (Or Not Long Enough)

An issue with how long your golf cart battery charger is running indicates a problem with the charger’s computer.

A failure in this section can result in the charger not knowing when to stop charging.

Depending on how handy you are, you may be able to replace this component on your own or may need to buy a new charger altogether.

Clicking Sounds

One issue that many electric golf carts have is when you plug your charger in, it may make a clicking sound and then do nothing.

Hearing this sound indicates that while the charger’s computer ‘brain’ is aware that it is time to charge your cart, it cannot do so for some reason.

When this happens, your charger will need to be checked by a professional golf cart shop, such as Carts & Parts.

If it needs to be replaced, make sure to check your warranty (if you have one) to determine whether it is covered under the same.

Your Cart

Depending on the make and model of your cart, your golf cart itself may get in the way of adequately charging your batteries.

How this happens is when your cart’s onboard computer is confused about how much charge your batteries currently have.

This is another reason your cart will need to be checked out by a professional.

Charger is loud

If your charger makes a lot of noise while charging, this indicates issues with its cooling system.

When this happens, you will need to have the problem checked out by a professional golf cart technician to ensure no other underlying issues that could cause damage or further issues.

Final Thoughts

There are two ways to keep your batteries fully charged: (1) to use the golf cart battery charger, or (2) to use the deep-cycle batteries.

If you use the golf cart battery charger while the batteries are still in the device and not put into the alternator or the cart, it would be best to leave the battery in the machine for three to five hours to get the total charge. This ensures that the charger will do no damage to the batteries in the process.

However, if you use the charger while the batteries are inside the vehicle, it is essential to ensure that you put the batteries back in the alternator after your golf cart ride is over.

Deep cycle batteries are designed to last a long time without needing replacement. However, if you want to extend the life of your batteries, then you should consider using a golf cart charger to keep your batteries fully charged.

If you have an issue with your golf cart battery charger and cannot figure out the source of the problem, feel free to contact Carts & Parts at (937) 459-8891.

We’d love to answer any questions that you might have or help you buy a new golf cart charger if necessary.