American company Club Cars is an industry leader in the manufacture of golf carts and utility vehicles. The company was established in Houston, Texas in 1958 and was acquired by Ingersoll Rand in 1995, resulting in its expansion to commercial utility vehicles.

While Club Cars are popular for traversing the back nine, they are also the primary means of transportation in some communities, and the UTV model is frequently used for industrial and commercial purposes, as well as for recreation.

The battery is the heart of electric golf carts and UTVs, so it is essential they are well-maintained and charged. Golf carts use deep-cycle batteries, which provide the cart with a steady current of power. New carts must be fully charged before use, and all golf cart batteries must be charged after every use. Maintaining a full charge prolongs the life of the battery.

Club Car batteries are recharged by either the car's alternator/voltage regulator circuitry or by using an external charger. Purchasing a quality battery charger provides the cart with a durable and well-performing battery.

Check Your Club Car’s Battery Voltage

The newest Club Car models use six 8-volt batteries, which provide 48 volts. A discharge tester can help you determine your voltage so you can choose a corresponding charger.

Lead-acid batteries require specific amperages and voltage during charging. You cannot use a fast charger. A typical full charge for your Club Car battery requires 14 to 16 hours of charging time.

1. Choose a smart charger over a manual .

A smart charger automatically sets the level of current supplied to the golf cart battery by means of a timing mechanism. For an 18-hole game of golf, 20-25 amps are more than enough charge for your Club Car.

Overcharging batteries diminishes the battery's ability to hold a charge. A smart charger, which also automatically switches off once the battery is fully charged, prolongs the life of your battery.

Manual chargers don’t have the battery protection features that come with the automatic switch. If you choose a manual charger, consider installing an automated timer to manage the power supply to the charger. Alternatively, you could set an alarm to alert you to turn off the power, but, either way, always remember to switch it off to conserve the life of the battery.

2. Choose between trickle charge vs. fast charge options.

Trickle-type charges are the most inexpensive kind. You plug them into an ordinary power outlet, and the charger produces 2 amps.

Trickle-type chargers do not create a lot of internal heat inside your battery, which is an advantage over other types of chargers.

Fast chargers are devices that can charge take a battery from zero charge to fully charged in less than an hour.

However, only trained technicians should use fast chargers. These devices produce over 200 amps, which raises the internal temperature to a point that it could cause a fire or explosion.

3. Choose a charger design that includes a gauge.

When buying a battery for your new Club Car, purchase a golf cart battery charger with a gauge on the front panel. The gauge displays the changes as the battery charges and gives its exact condition.

Battery chargers with front panel gauges provide a quick way to check on the charge progress of your Club Car battery. The status lights indicate the current power connection and the status of charge, and they display error warnings. Some gauges display the level of amperage being delivered. Most chargers automatically shut themselves off when the battery is fully charged. The guage will read “Okay” or “Fully Charged” or something similar.

4. Choose a charger that allows data downloads.

• Some smart chargers download battery data from your Club Car while charging. This data allows for greater control and diagnosis of your battery function to facilitate maintenance, as well as to signal if your battery needs [A2] ging.

• These chargers can also be updated to ensure the software is always running on the latest technology.

Final Thoughts

High-quality golf cart battery chargers have built-in safety systems and indicators that provide error messages and information when a lead is shorted or a cell is incapable of charging. They can even alert you when something is operating incorrectly in the charger. For more information on best practices, read this quick guide on how to charge your Club Car batteries.

Buying the battery brand specified in your Club Car owner's manual is the best option. Batteries have a lifespan of 4-6 years, depending on how well they are maintained and how they are used. Add-on options such as headlights can affect the performance of deep cycle batteries. Always consult with a professional or view their DIY YouTube videos before carrying out any unfamiliar maintenance or upgrades on your Club Car.