ASK THE MECHANIC

Q: My batteries sound like they are bubbling when charging. What is happening?

A: In the normal charging range, this bubbling is caused when an electric current from your charger is passing between the positive and negative plates in the battery's cells and through the electrolyte solution. Now, sealed batteries, such as gel or AGM, certainly have the ability to make noise when charging. Be sure to monitor your batteries periodically to make sure they are not overheating or overcharging. If you see any water seeping out of the caps, that means you are overfilling your cells. Only fill the cell just over the lead plates inside with distilled water when fully charged already.

Q: What are the top maintenance tips for electric carts?

A: Check all battery wire connections for tightness every month. A loose or corroded terminal can cause terminals to melt and leave you stranded. If there is any corrosion present, remedy that with a baking soda/water solution around the terminal. It's best to remove the terminal (make sure you have the cart in tow mode first), and clean underneath it as well. Keep in mind, when rinsing off batteries you may want to not have it on a nice driveway as you may have battery acid stains underneath where the cart was.

Q: Are all chargers the same when purchasing?

A: Yes and No. Yes, because they all do the same thing, charge batteries. However, there are certain amperages you want to stay with. There are chargers available that charge as low as 5 amps which will take a long while to charge and never give the batteries the high amperage desulfation period they need to maintain a good internal chemistry. At least a 15-amp charger is recommended for most applications. Be advised that some chargers like DeltaQ has several charging algorithms available to charge your particular batteries to manufacture specifications.