Watch as Beaver Creek answers your questions on golf cart batteries.

Watch as Beaver Creek takes you on a tour of our golf cart part department. We carry thousands of golf cart parts ready for shipping as soon as you order it. If for some reason we don't have it, we'll get it the next day and ship it next day air if you need it fast.

Watch as Beaver Creek shows you the different ways to test your golf cart battery. You'll find out what battery testers are available to Beaver Creek Golf Carts and what battery testers you can use at home. We'll show you how to test your golf cart battery, how to read the results to know if your battery is still good or if it needs replacing.

Beaver Creek Golf Carts shows you the best way to pick out a golf cart ensuring quality, longevity & price.

Watch as we show you how to charge a battery.

Watch as Beaver Creek Golf Carts shows you how to maintain a golf cart battery.

Here's how to winterize your golf cart. Watch it now...

Garage floors, concrete floors need protection from any leaks or drips. Find out how to protect your floors now!

EZ-GO 2 cycle (1 cylinder) Gas Cart:

• Spark plug gap = .030
• Gas = 87 Octane
• Fuel mix non oil injection = 128:1
• Rear axle oil capacity = 10oz of SAE30

EZ-GO 4 cycle (2 cylinder) Gas Cart:

• Spark plug gap = .030
• Gas = 87 Octane
• Oil = 1.5 quarts of 10w30
• Valve clearance = .004 (cold engine)
• Rear axle oil = 40oz of SAE30

Club Car 4 cycle (1 cylinder) Gas Cart:

• Spark plug gap = .029
• Oil = Sae30 (above 32°)
• Rear axle oil = 80-90 gear lube

Harley Davidson / Columbia 2 cycle (1 cylinder) Gas Cart:

• Spark plug gap = .042 for 1965-70
• 025 for 1971-90
• .035 for 1991-95
• Points = .014
• Fuel mixture = 5oz of SAE40 non-detergent per gallon for 1965-68
• 2.5oz of SAE40 non-detergent per gallon for 1969-82
• 1.5oz of SAE40 non-detergent per gallon for 1983-95
• Rear axle oil = 80-90 gear lube

EZ-GO:

• Batteries = distilled water 1/2" above plates
• Rear axle oil = SAE80-90 for 1989-96
• SAE30 for 2001+

Club Car:

• Batteries = distilled water
• Rear Axle oil = SAE80-90 for 1981-93
• SAE30 for 1994+

Harley Davidson / Columbia:

• Batteries = distilled water
• Rear axle oil = 80-90 gear lube for 1963-90
• SAE30 for 1991+

These charts have been compiled from old manuals, some years were missing, some were poorly written and very confusing. This information cannot be considered accurate, use at your own risk.

In our shop we use 10w30 in all 4 cycle engines and we use 2 stroke oil 32:1 for 2 cycle engines. We don't trust 30 year old oil injection pumps. For rear axles we go by what was in it when it came in, gear lube has a distinct smell. All batteries get distilled water 1/2" above plates before charging. We have never had a problem doing it out way.

Count the number of water holes

• 3 holes = 6 volts
• 4 holes = 8 volts
• 6 holes = 12 volts

Your batteries have gone bad.

This happens all too frequently. There can be many things that cause this. Check the following:

• Did you put 6 volt batteries in a cart that uses 8 volt batteries?
• Did you buy blem batteries? What are blum batteries?
• Did you buy reconditioned golf cart batteries? See the answer below on reconditioned batteries.

Blem batteries are usually batteries returned to the manufacturer or dealer from someone that had a problem with them. These batteries are charged and inspected. You are buying a used battery that may not have been checked very well. Fully charge each individual battery and test each cell with a hydrometer. You will probably find one or more bad ones.

Here's the bad news: There is no such thing! Get your money back. To recondition a battery you would have to change the insides. It would cost more then making a new battery.

No. The top manufacturers of Quality Golf Cart Batteries recommend that you never deeply discharge the batteries as this will dramatically shorten the life of the battery.

Here is a chart for the most popular models. Next time make a drawing or take a digital picture!

Wiring for 48 volt electric cart

Wiring for 36 volt electric cart

Wiring for Columbia electric cart

Club Car

• The first two numbers of the serial number are the year.

EZ-Go Golf Cart

• In the EZ-Go Cart the year is in the manufacturers code not the serial number.

Columbia Golf Cart

• First you need to locate the serial number on your cart. This can be found above the rear wheel, under the body or under the dash on the passenger side. The year is coded in the serial number.

Here is how to determine the model and year. The first two characters specify what your cart is:

• 2L - Model P4G is Gas golf cart
• 3L- Model P4E Electric golf cart
• 5K-Gas golf cart
• 6K-Electric golf cart
• 7K-Model GU4 Gas Utility Truck
• 9K-Model EU4 Electric Utility Truck
• 2M-Model C6E Electric Shuttle

To determine the year: The last 2 characters determine the year. The letter tells you the decade:

C-1980, D-1990, E-2000

The last number is the year in the decade.

For example: 2L21083-C9 = 1989 8E28625-D8 = 1998

Keep in mind that these serial numbers are for golf carts only. Even though your vehicle may have the front end of a golf car, it may be considered a utility vehicle. In which case this numbering system will not work for you.

Harley Davidson

• First you need to locate the serial number on your cart. This can be found above the rear wheel, under the body. The year is coded in the serial number. This can be found above the rear wheel, under the body. The year is coded in the serial number.
• If it was made in the 1960's, the first two numbers will indicate the year. example: 66DL800225 = 1966
• If it was made in the 1970's, the letter H (tells you it was made in the 70's) and the number after it indicates the year. example: 4B10067-H9 = 1979
• If it was made in the 1980's, the letter J (tells you it was made in the 80's) and the number after it indicates the year. example: 4B10799J0=1980

Begin by individually charging the batteries several hours each. Use a 6 volt auto battery charger. Make sure you clean all of the terminals. Check your charger on someone else's cart while your batteries are charging. Your charger was designed to protect itself and won't even turn on when your batteries are too low. This is why there is a delay when it's plugged in before it comes on. It is checking that everything is all right on the cart.

Begin by checking the battery connections. Take it apart and clean thoroughly.

When the fuel pump fails there will still be gas in the filter. Make sure the fuel pump output is strong.

Rinse the batteries off with a garden hose to remove dirt, mud and acid. Be careful not to spray into electronic control parts. Before the batteries are charged fill about 1/2" above the battery plates with distilled water. Be sure the distilled water doesn't have minerals added. Minerals destroy batteries. Never add acid. Besides being extremely dangerous you can destroy the battery if it has too much acid in it.

Do not overfill a battery with distilled water. When batteries are charged the water level rises and the water and acid will run out of the batteries.

Never charge batteries that do not have water above the plates.

Lights are usually added by finding a 12-volt source and connecting to it at the battery pack. If your cart has 8-volt batteries you can hook it up to 8-volts and they will work but not be real bright. Check the voltage with a voltmeter to be sure you have it right. Two 6-volt batteries connected in series = 12-volts. This will work but isn't the best way. The best way is to use a converter that uses all the batteries and reduces down to 12-volt.

You need a converter from 48 or 36-volt to 12-volt. That way it draws power off of all the batteries equally or eventually your golf cart will not run right since one or two batteries will be dead. None of them will charge properly until those batteries are individually charged to match the others.