How Do I Troubleshoot My Golf Cart Battery Charger if It Isn't Working?

 

Charger Troubleshooting Guide


Step 1 - VERIFY YOUR AC OUTLET IS WORKING

Symptoms:

  • No LED lights are lit up when the charger is plugged into the wall

Helpful Hints:

  • Garage and external home outlet issues are a common culprit of golf cart chargers not turning on

 

TROUBLESHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 - Outlet Reset

  • Check if the AC wall outlet is a GFCI outlet that has been tripped. Press the red reset button to correct the potential issue. Plug your charger back into the AC outlet and see if the problem has been corrected.

 

1.2 - Checking Breaker Panel

  • Locate the breaker panel in your home and check for any fuses that have been tripped and show an orange indication.
    If a breaker is showing orange, turn off the break and turn it back on to reset.
    Plug your charger back into the AC outlet and see if the problem has been corrected.

1.3 - Known Working Outlet

  • Plug your charger into a known working outlet inside your home to verify if the charger lights will illuminate.

 

Step 2 - CHECKING CONNECTIONS & COMMON ISSUES

Symptoms:

  • Battery charger is making a repeated clicking noise

  • The fan on the charger will not turn on when plugged into the golf cart

  • The charger does not enter charging mode when plugged into the charging port of the golf cart

Helpful Hints:

  • Battery cables can come loose over extended use.

  • It is recommended that you replace your battery cables at the same time you replace your batteries. Battery cables may frey or break internally with stress over time and create a weak or broken connection

2.1 - Battery Cables

  • Check that all the battery cables are tight against the battery terminals by grabbing the wire and trying to move it back and forth. If you can move the cable, the connection is too loose

2.2 - Corrosion

  • Check for any signs of corrosion on the battery terminals. If corrosion occurs, use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 1 cup of water and a wire brush to clean the terminals. (We recommend performing this step outside to avoid a mess inside of your garage)

2.2 - Tow/Run Switch

  • Lift the seat of your golf cart and locate the Tow/Run toggle switch. Ensure your cart is in RUN mode.

2.3 - Parking Brake

  • Check to ensure the parking brake has been fully engaged on your golf cart.

2.4 - Key Ignition

  • Ensure that the key on the golf cart is in the off position

 

STEP 3 - TESTING YOUR BATTERIES

Symptoms:

  • The fan on the charger will not turn on when plugged into the golf cart

  • The charger does not enter charging mode when plugged into the charging port of the golf cart

  • If you are receiving the error message low voltage error code on your FORM Charger

Helpful Hints:

  • Batteries drain over time, whether they are in use or not.

  • If it has been longer than 30 days since you last charged your cart, your batteries are likely too low to accept a charge from a golf cart charger, and an automotive trickle charger will be required to recondition your batteries.

  • A 36 golf cart has a safety requirement of a minimum of 18 volts for the charger to start working.

  • A 48 golf cart has a safety requirement of a minimum of 24 volts for the charger to start working.

  • If you plan to leave your cart for more than 7 days, we recommend putting your cart in TOW mode to reduce the drain on the battery.

3.1 Proper Battery Water Level

  • Check the water level on each cell of your batteries to ensure they are filled with distilled water to a maximum of ¼’ above the plates inside of the battery.

3.2 Checking for Power

  • Step on the throttle pedal, does it go? If not, your batteries are likely below the minimum voltage for a golf cart charger to safely begin charging.

3.3 Testing the Pack Voltage of Golf Cart Batteries

  • In order to test your battery voltage, you will need a multimeter

https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6

  • Set the multimeter to DC Voltage (Symbol for DC Voltage below). Make sure it is set for at least 2 place values

  • Place the red multimeter probe on the positive terminal of battery 1 of your golf cart. Battery 1 can be identified by the battery that has the primary positive lead coming from the cart.

  • Place the black multimeter probe on the negative terminal of battery 6 for carts with 6 batteries or battery 8 for carts that have 8 batteries. This battery can be identified by the battery with the primary negative lead coming from the cart

  • You should be reading a minimum of 18 volts for 36 volt golf carts or a minimum of 24 volts for 48 volt golf carts. If you do not have the minimum voltage, please proceed to Step 3.6 Reconditioning Golf Cart Batteries

3.4 Testing Individual Battery Voltage

  • Utilize the same multimeter settings from Step 3.3

  • Test each individual battery and record the results

  • If any of the batteries have a voltage difference from each other greater than 1 volt, it will need to be checked by a golf cart mechanic for a dead cell.

3.5 Testing the Golf Cart Receptacle for Voltage

  • With the multimeter on the same setting, now test the voltage at the receptacle. It should be the same voltage that the main battery pack reads.

  • If the voltage is not reading at the receptacle, or the voltage is different, there may be a wire connected incorrectly, or loose.

36 Volt Receptacles

48 Volt Receptacles

3.6 Reconditioning Golf Cart Batteries (Trickle Charging)

  • Disconnect the golf cart charger from your cart

  • Start by connecting the positive and negative leads of an automotive trickle charger to battery 1 in your golf cart. (The wires between each battery do not need to be disconnected)

  • Turn on the trickle charger and let it charge for approximately 30 minutes. Repeat this step for each of your batteries After you have charged each battery individually, repeat 3.3 Testing the Pack Voltage of Golf Cart Batteries

  • If your pack voltage is testing above 18 volts for 36 volt carts or 24 volts for 48 volt carts, you may resume charging with your golf cart charger. If your pack voltage remains under the minimum, please repeat charging each battery individually with the trickle charger

https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6

 

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