Total: $0.00
As winter approaches, it’s important to prepare your golf cart for the off-season. Proper winter storage will not only protect your investment but also ensure your golf cart is ready to go when spring arrives. Without adequate care, cold temperatures and months of inactivity can lead to battery issues, rust, and other mechanical problems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps for storing your golf cart safely during the winter months.
Before storing your golf cart for the winter, it’s essential to give it a thorough cleaning. Dirt, grime, and moisture can cause corrosion over time, especially during the colder months.
Battery care is one of the most critical aspects of winter storage. Properly maintaining your battery during the off-season can prevent it from losing charge or suffering irreversible damage.
LiTime 48V (51.2V) 30Ah GC2 Lithium Golf Cart Battery
Taking care of your tires is key to avoiding damage during winter storage. Proper inflation will help prevent flat spots that can occur if the cart is stationary for a long period.
If you have a gas-powered golf cart, winterizing your fuel system is an important step to prevent damage to the engine.
Where and how you park your golf cart can significantly impact its condition over the winter.
Golf cart accessories, such as electronics, mirrors, and lights, should also be taken care of before winter storage.
Even though your cart is stored for the winter, it’s a good idea to check on it periodically to ensure everything is in good condition.
Yes, all batteries naturally self-discharge over time, but lithium batteries have a significantly better discharge rate compared to lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries only lose about 2% of their charge per month, making them ideal for storage during winter. Lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, can discharge much faster.
If left unchecked, lead-acid batteries could fully discharge over the winter, potentially rendering them unable to be recharged when you need them in the spring. Temperature does affect the rate of discharge for any battery, but lithium-ion batteries experience minimal energy loss when stored. They can easily last an entire offseason or up to 12 months without needing attention.
While it's technically okay to leave lithium batteries connected to the charger over winter, the best practice is to unplug them and switch the vehicle to TOW mode. Many people forget to switch their vehicle to TOW mode after disconnecting, which can drain the battery over time.
Although some argue that it's fine to leave batteries plugged in, it’s generally not recommended for any battery-powered device to remain connected to a charger for extended periods. This principle applies to golf carts, smartphones, and any other electronic devices with rechargeable batteries.
Related reading: Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged In All The Time?
Charging in Cold Weather
Both lead-acid and lithium batteries require special care when charging in cold weather. As temperatures drop, batteries should be charged at a slower rate. For lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, when charging in temperatures below 32°F, the charge current must be reduced to 0.1C.
If the temperature drops below 14°F, the charge current should be lowered to 0.05C to prevent permanent damage to the battery.
It's recommended to choose the battery with low-temperature protection for protecting the battery from damage. Visit LiTime Cold Weather Batteries for winter.
Since lithium golf cart batteries have a low discharge rate, they generally only need to be checked once every three months during winter storage. Lead-acid batteries, however, should be checked more frequently—every 2 to 3 weeks—to ensure they remain sufficiently charged. For instance, the LiTime lithium golf cart battery has a discharge rate of just 1%-3% per month, so there’s little need to charge it over the winter season.
For best results, lithium batteries should be partially charged to around 50% SOC before storage. Alternatively, you can fully charge them, but it’s important not to store batteries with a very low charge (<50% SOC). If you have an automatic charger, simply plug the battery in and let it charge until the charger turns off.
Related reading: Battery Voltage Chart Guide
Yes, disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle or other loads and turning them OFF during extended periods of non-use is a good practice. This ensures that the battery remains in optimal condition without requiring frequent maintenance. If storing your golf cart batteries separately from the vehicle, place them on a wooden pallet or shelf, rather than on the ground, to maintain their charge better and store them in a cool, dry area.
Lithium batteries outperform lead-acid batteries in every aspect, significantly enhancing the overall experience of driving a golf cart. While lithium batteries come at a higher upfront cost, their long list of advantages makes them a worthwhile investment. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries don't require water refills and can last up to 10 years, far surpassing the lifespan of a typical lead-acid battery.
One common misconception is that lithium batteries struggle in cold weather. While all batteries experience reduced performance in colder temperatures, LiTime LiFePO4 batteries still deliver about 90% of their rated capacity down to 32°F (0°C).
LiTime provides 36V and 48V lithium golf cart batteries for Club Car,Yamaha and EZGO.
With the right care, your electric golf cart will be in top condition when it comes out of winter storage. Using the proper equipment and taking necessary precautions can significantly extend the life of your cart's battery for years to come.
With Bluetooth 5.0 integration, LiTime's 48V (51.2V) 100Ah lithium golf cart batteries offer a cutting-edge upgrade, featuring auto-connection, smart control, and real-time monitoring for an enhanced user experience. Built with top-tier EV grade-A Prismatic LiFePO4 cells, these batteries deliver 5120Wh of green energy and a 200A BMS, allowing your golf cart to handle larger surges and run more efficiently. The prismatic shell design ensures better heat dissipation and uniform force distribution, providing superior durability compared to similar battery cells.
The battery features with low-temperature protection, preventing charging below 32℉ to protect the battery and extend its life, resuming charging at 41℉, and cutting off discharging below -4℉.
A single LiTime 48V (51.2V) 100Ah lithium battery provides the same usable energy as six 6V 210Ah lead-acid batteries, but with significant advantages. It is 80% lighter and 50% smaller, making your golf cart more maneuverable, faster, and reducing wear and tear. Beyond performance, it’s also highly cost-effective, saving you over $320 per year in capital and maintenance costs.
Storing the golf cart battery in winter is a challange, hope this article helps you. By upgrading to lithium golf cart battery, it would save you a lot of worry.