Golf Cart Question

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Date: 24 Aug 2006 19:41:24
From: Bob L
Subject: Golf Cart Question

I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online discussion
forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
websites. Any help is appreciated.

Bob L

Date: 24 Aug 2006 19:41:43
From: dsc
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

> I plan to store the it under a tarp and leave the charger connected so the
> batteries will stay charged and not freeze. Does the charger itself produce
> any heat? The light bulb idea sounds interesting.

Not sure... minimal I would guess?

Date: 24 Aug 2006 17:54:39
From: dsc
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Bob L wrote:
> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online discussion
> forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
> websites. Any help is appreciated.
>
> Bob L

We have had all electric carts here in KY. It doesn't get really cold
and stay there that often, but it does get really cold for short
periods just about every winter. We never had any problem with simply
storing the cart in cart shed at the course attached to the charger.
Charged batteries usually won't freeze. So when preparing them for
storage top off the water (distilled) and fully charge them then
maintain that charge for the duration. For a cart more exposed to the
elements, there are some precautions you can take. First is cover it
with a tarp, but leave room for some air movement under it so
condensation doesn't build up and accelerate rusting. Second, provide a
minimal heart source. Boaters often place one 100 watt bulb inside the
engine compartment and though I've not done it personally, they say
that provides enough heat to prevent freezing of the engine block,
battery, etc in most cases. I would think you could also use heat tape
like used for water pipes as well. BUT you want to avoid a short/spark
at all cost that could possibly ignite the gasses escaping the
batteries.

It also wouldn't hurt to get it out and run the batteries down a bit
and recharge during milder stretches.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 01:53:30
From: Bob L
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"dsc" <Dudley.Cornman@eku.edu > wrote in message
news:1156467278.886491.243670@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> Bob L wrote:
>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
>> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
>> discussion
>> forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
>> websites. Any help is appreciated.
>>
>> Bob L
>
> We have had all electric carts here in KY. It doesn't get really cold
> and stay there that often, but it does get really cold for short
> periods just about every winter. We never had any problem with simply
> storing the cart in cart shed at the course attached to the charger.
> Charged batteries usually won't freeze. So when preparing them for
> storage top off the water (distilled) and fully charge them then
> maintain that charge for the duration. For a cart more exposed to the
> elements, there are some precautions you can take. First is cover it
> with a tarp, but leave room for some air movement under it so
> condensation doesn't build up and accelerate rusting. Second, provide a
> minimal heart source. Boaters often place one 100 watt bulb inside the
> engine compartment and though I've not done it personally, they say
> that provides enough heat to prevent freezing of the engine block,
> battery, etc in most cases. I would think you could also use heat tape
> like used for water pipes as well. BUT you want to avoid a short/spark
> at all cost that could possibly ignite the gasses escaping the
> batteries.
>
> It also wouldn't hurt to get it out and run the batteries down a bit
> and recharge during milder stretches.
>

I plan to store the it under a tarp and leave the charger connected so the
batteries will stay charged and not freeze. Does the charger itself produce
any heat? The light bulb idea sounds interesting.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 12:51:51
From: bill todd
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

You need to provide proper ventilation while charging to prevent an
accumulation of hydrogen gas.

"Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:uKsHg.8293$oa1.336@news02.roc.ny...
>
> "dsc" <Dudley.Cornman@eku.edu> wrote in message
> news:1156467278.886491.243670@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>> Bob L wrote:
>>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
>>> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
>>> discussion
>>> forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
>>> websites. Any help is appreciated.
>>>
>>> Bob L
>>
>> We have had all electric carts here in KY. It doesn't get really cold
>> and stay there that often, but it does get really cold for short
>> periods just about every winter. We never had any problem with simply
>> storing the cart in cart shed at the course attached to the charger.
>> Charged batteries usually won't freeze. So when preparing them for
>> storage top off the water (distilled) and fully charge them then
>> maintain that charge for the duration. For a cart more exposed to the
>> elements, there are some precautions you can take. First is cover it
>> with a tarp, but leave room for some air movement under it so
>> condensation doesn't build up and accelerate rusting. Second, provide a
>> minimal heart source. Boaters often place one 100 watt bulb inside the
>> engine compartment and though I've not done it personally, they say
>> that provides enough heat to prevent freezing of the engine block,
>> battery, etc in most cases. I would think you could also use heat tape
>> like used for water pipes as well. BUT you want to avoid a short/spark
>> at all cost that could possibly ignite the gasses escaping the
>> batteries.
>>
>> It also wouldn't hurt to get it out and run the batteries down a bit
>> and recharge during milder stretches.
>>
>
> I plan to store the it under a tarp and leave the charger connected so the
> batteries will stay charged and not freeze. Does the charger itself
> produce any heat? The light bulb idea sounds interesting.
>

Date: 25 Aug 2006 05:39:12
From: RoR
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 01:53:30 GMT, "Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote:

>
>"dsc" <Dudley.Cornman@eku.edu> wrote in message
>news:1156467278.886491.243670@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>> Bob L wrote:
>>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
>>> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
>>> discussion
>>> forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
>>> websites. Any help is appreciated.
>>>
>>> Bob L
>>
>> We have had all electric carts here in KY. It doesn't get really cold
>> and stay there that often, but it does get really cold for short
>> periods just about every winter. We never had any problem with simply
>> storing the cart in cart shed at the course attached to the charger.
>> Charged batteries usually won't freeze. So when preparing them for
>> storage top off the water (distilled) and fully charge them then
>> maintain that charge for the duration. For a cart more exposed to the
>> elements, there are some precautions you can take. First is cover it
>> with a tarp, but leave room for some air movement under it so
>> condensation doesn't build up and accelerate rusting. Second, provide a
>> minimal heart source. Boaters often place one 100 watt bulb inside the
>> engine compartment and though I've not done it personally, they say
>> that provides enough heat to prevent freezing of the engine block,
>> battery, etc in most cases. I would think you could also use heat tape
>> like used for water pipes as well. BUT you want to avoid a short/spark
>> at all cost that could possibly ignite the gasses escaping the
>> batteries.
>>
>> It also wouldn't hurt to get it out and run the batteries down a bit
>> and recharge during milder stretches.
>>
>
>I plan to store the it under a tarp and leave the charger connected so the
>batteries will stay charged and not freeze. Does the charger itself produce
>any heat? The light bulb idea sounds interesting.
>
I would include the light bulb. It generates enough heat to prevent everything from
freezing. This means keeping the light bulb about 12 - 18 inches away from the battery
and inside a protected space. If it gets windy you should tie the tarp around the base so
it doesn't fly up and expose the interior to the wind.

Good luck.

Rick R

Date: 25 Aug 2006 07:37:44
From: sfb
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Batteries plural in a bank as large as 48" by 12' by 12".

"RoR" <rorider@gmail.default > wrote in message
news:o33te2l88584vrudrcf5hlm73qhj983cfu@4ax.com...
>>
> I would include the light bulb. It generates enough heat to prevent
> everything from
> freezing. This means keeping the light bulb about 12 - 18 inches away
> from the battery
> and inside a protected space. If it gets windy you should tie the tarp
> around the base so
> it doesn't fly up and expose the interior to the wind.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Rick R
>
>
>

Date: 24 Aug 2006 21:56:31
From: Michel Oui
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Date: 24 Aug 2006 19:49:19
From: Bert Robbins
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Michel Oui wrote:
> Bob L wrote:
>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will
>> store under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an
>> online discussion forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions
>> or any golf cart websites. Any help is appreciated.
>>
>> Bob L
>
> This is the cart for you if you want to be coolest golfer on the course:
>
> http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/model_x2_Golf.html

You will be the rage of your foursome wearing that sky blue helmet
driving your Segway X2 down the fairway.

What do you do on a cart path only day? Leave the Segway at home and walk?

Date: 25 Aug 2006 06:45:30
From: Dave Clary
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 19:49:19 -0400, Bert Robbins <screw@you.com >
wrote:

>>
>> This is the cart for you if you want to be coolest golfer on the course:
>>
>> http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/model_x2_Golf.html
>
>You will be the rage of your foursome wearing that sky blue helmet
>driving your Segway X2 down the fairway.
>
>What do you do on a cart path only day? Leave the Segway at home and walk?

Why?

Dave Clary/Corpus Christi, Tx
Home: http://davidclary.com
Kinky for Texas Gov
"Why The Hell Not"

Date: 24 Aug 2006 18:02:38
From: sfb
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Last I saw the Segway Golf cart was about $6K. If she who must be obeyed
wants to play, Segways will run you $12K. For the price of one Segway, you
can get a couple of used ride-on electric carts.

"Michel Oui" <GGOAT@example.com > wrote in message
news:jgpHg.4481$0J6.4322@trnddc02...
> Bob L wrote:
>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
>> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
>> discussion forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any
>> golf cart websites. Any help is appreciated.
>>
>> Bob L
>
> This is the cart for you if you want to be coolest golfer on the course:
>
> http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/model_x2_Golf.html

Date: 24 Aug 2006 20:37:10
From: uncle k
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:EhnHg.8257$oa1.1563@news02.roc.ny...
> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
> discussion forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any
> golf cart websites. Any help is appreciated.
>

Actually, there are such forums/cart-related sites, but I have no idea
whether they are active, or worthwhile. I looked around when I needed a
part for an antique Harley Davidson cart... and found what I was looking
for.

For instance: http://server1.buggiesunlimited.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=18

You might start typing possibilities into your browser, or any search
engine, and see what you come up with.

Besides the possibility of batteries freezing up (you're laughing if you're
in Yuma, or.....), prepare for rodent attacks, etc., if you plan on storing
your cart anywhere than a heated, secure space. You will also need to
compensate for the lack of drain/recharge, while it's in storage. They like
to be used - they don't like to sit.

Unc

Date: 24 Aug 2006 13:33:14
From: jdavis
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

sfb wrote:
> Won't the water in the batteries freeze?
>

It might depend on how cold it gets where he lives. Keeping a charger
on them should help some but, if it gets really cold he will have to
provide more protection from the weather. Otherwise, he should remove
the batteries and store them in a heated enviorment while keeping them
charged.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 02:34:03
From: Bob L
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"jdavis" <jddvs@aol.com > wrote in message
news:1156451594.353493.204800@74g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>
> sfb wrote:
>> Won't the water in the batteries freeze?
>>
>
> It might depend on how cold it gets where he lives. Keeping a charger
> on them should help some but, if it gets really cold he will have to
> provide more protection from the weather. Otherwise, he should remove
> the batteries and store them in a heated enviorment while keeping them
> charged.
>

It's gotten down to the 20's inside my summer home during the winter so I
suspect it would get down to close to 0 degrees outside. But I think that
is unusual and it probably gets down to 20-30 degrees during most winters.
This is Northern California and not Minnesota. I plan to leave the cart
under a tarp and connected to the charger so that the batteries won't freeze
according to the golf cart place where I'm buying the cart. I'm in the
process of adding a dedicated electric outlet near where the cart will be
stored and some corrugated plastic sheets under the deck and above the cart
for extra protection.

I'm a little concerned about security though the house is in a gated
community and I keep a locked chain accross the driveway when I'm gone. If
there is an easy way to chain the cart to the house, I'll do that too.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 07:47:14
From: long&left
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Bob L wrote:
> "jdavis" <jddvs@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1156451594.353493.204800@74g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>
>>sfb wrote:
>>
>>>Won't the water in the batteries freeze?
>>>
>>
>>It might depend on how cold it gets where he lives. Keeping a charger
>>on them should help some but, if it gets really cold he will have to
>>provide more protection from the weather. Otherwise, he should remove
>>the batteries and store them in a heated enviorment while keeping them
>>charged.
>>
>
>
> It's gotten down to the 20's inside my summer home during the winter so I
> suspect it would get down to close to 0 degrees outside. But I think that
> is unusual and it probably gets down to 20-30 degrees during most winters.
> This is Northern California and not Minnesota. I plan to leave the cart
> under a tarp and connected to the charger so that the batteries won't freeze
> according to the golf cart place where I'm buying the cart. I'm in the
> process of adding a dedicated electric outlet near where the cart will be
> stored and some corrugated plastic sheets under the deck and above the cart
> for extra protection.
>
> I'm a little concerned about security though the house is in a gated
> community and I keep a locked chain accross the driveway when I'm gone. If
> there is an easy way to chain the cart to the house, I'll do that too.
>
>

you must live in southern northern CA! When I lived in the mountains in
northern CA (Burney) it was often 10 below in the middle of the winter.
New Years day, 1992 -17F. There was no way that you could store a golf
cart outside in that weather. As a matter of fact I wouldn't store it in
a garage unless it was finished and insulated...where are you in
"northern" CA?
Dave

Date: 26 Aug 2006 00:19:14
From: Bob L
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com > wrote in message
news:H3EHg.27$md5.4@newsfe02.lga...
> Bob L wrote:
>> "jdavis" <jddvs@aol.com> wrote in message
>> news:1156451594.353493.204800@74g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>>sfb wrote:
>>>
>>>>Won't the water in the batteries freeze?
>>>>
>>>
>>>It might depend on how cold it gets where he lives. Keeping a charger
>>>on them should help some but, if it gets really cold he will have to
>>>provide more protection from the weather. Otherwise, he should remove
>>>the batteries and store them in a heated enviorment while keeping them
>>>charged.
>>>
>>
>>
>> It's gotten down to the 20's inside my summer home during the winter so I
>> suspect it would get down to close to 0 degrees outside. But I think
>> that is unusual and it probably gets down to 20-30 degrees during most
>> winters. This is Northern California and not Minnesota. I plan to leave
>> the cart under a tarp and connected to the charger so that the batteries
>> won't freeze according to the golf cart place where I'm buying the cart.
>> I'm in the process of adding a dedicated electric outlet near where the
>> cart will be stored and some corrugated plastic sheets under the deck and
>> above the cart for extra protection.
>>
>> I'm a little concerned about security though the house is in a gated
>> community and I keep a locked chain accross the driveway when I'm gone.
>> If there is an easy way to chain the cart to the house, I'll do that too.
>
> you must live in southern northern CA! When I lived in the mountains in
> northern CA (Burney) it was often 10 below in the middle of the winter.
> New Years day, 1992 -17F. There was no way that you could store a golf
> cart outside in that weather. As a matter of fact I wouldn't store it in a
> garage unless it was finished and insulated...where are you in "northern"
> CA?

Chester/Lake Almanor which is 4500' elevation. The Calif Department of
Water Resources website has hourly weather readings from the Chester station
and the winter daily lows are usually between 20 and 30 degrees. It can and
has gotten lower but it's sure not like Minnesota. I'm sure there are a few
others here to store their carts below a deck but I haven't met any yet.

I've been to two golf shops and both of them didn't see any large problems
with winter storage. The key is to keep the charger on and the batteries
charged. Charged batteries won't freeze. The cart I'm buying is a 2001
model and has the original batteries so if something goes wrong such as the
batteries freezing because the charger failed, then I'll have to replace the
batteries which I'm going to have to do in a year or two anyway.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 11:28:52
From: Mike Dalecki
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

jdavis wrote:

> sfb wrote:
>
>>Won't the water in the batteries freeze?
>>
>
>
> It might depend on how cold it gets where he lives. Keeping a charger
> on them should help some but, if it gets really cold he will have to
> provide more protection from the weather. Otherwise, he should remove
> the batteries and store them in a heated enviorment while keeping them
> charged.
>

Please excuse my ignorance on this subject if it is in fact ignorance,
but how on earth do people in Wisconsin--where it can get down to -20F
in the winter--keep their car batteries from freezing whereas you're
concerned with that in N. California?

And why would golf cart batteries be any different?

Seems to me there is supposed to be acid in those batteries as well as
water; shouldn't that keep the water from freezing? Or are golf cart
batteries different from what you'd find in a car?

If it were me and I was really concerned about this, I'd probably
consider putting them in the basement (unheated as it may be), in an
enclosure of some sort (vented!), and put a trouble light near them to
provide heat.

I live in Wisconsin; I have a sink in my unheated garage. While the
garage is insulated, it's unheated. Rarely does the temperature get
below freezing in the garage, regardless of how far below zero it gets,
but just to ensure I don't freeze that sink when it's really cold, I put
a trouble light with a 60-watt bulb under the sink. It throws off
enough heat to keep things flowing, and I've never had a freezup (knock
on wood).

But I still have to wonder: Why remove the batteries at all? We have
many people here who have electric carts, stored in cart sheds over the
winter. I've never heard of any of them removing the batteries for the
winter.

Mike

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Dalecki GCA Accredited Clubmaker http://clubdor.com
RSG-Wisconsin 2006: June 23-25 Info: http://dalecki.net/rsgwis2006/
RSG-Wisconsin 2006 Pics: http://dalecki.net/rsgwis2006/pics/
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 24 Aug 2006 20:33:00
From: Don Fordham
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Date: 24 Aug 2006 16:11:00
From: sfb
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Won't the water in the batteries freeze?

Start asking since I doubt you'll find a discussion any where else.

"Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:EhnHg.8257$oa1.1563@news02.roc.ny...
> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
> discussion forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any
> golf cart websites. Any help is appreciated.
>
> Bob L
>
>

Date: 24 Aug 2006 12:43:58
From: Larry Bud
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Date: 25 Aug 2006 01:49:27
From: Bob L
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"Larry Bud" <larrybud2002@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1156448638.641781.127410@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> Bob L wrote:
>> I'm in the process of buying a used electric golf cart that I will store
>> under a deck during the winter months. I'm looking for an online
>> discussion
>> forum on golf carts where I could ask some questions or any golf cart
>> websites. Any help is appreciated.
>
> I doubt there's any specific forum dedicated to golf carts. What's
> your question?
>

I plan to store the cart under a tarp and connected to the charger so the
batteries won't freeze or so I'm told. The weather here (mountains in
Northern California) can get down to 10 degrees F so I'm interested in what
others do in my situation.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 12:28:21
From: Frank Ketchum
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:HGsHg.8292$oa1.115@news02.roc.ny...
>
>
> I plan to store the cart under a tarp and connected to the charger so the
> batteries won't freeze or so I'm told. The weather here (mountains in
> Northern California) can get down to 10 degrees F so I'm interested in
> what others do in my situation.
>

Take the battery out in the fall and store in your basement.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 15:38:19
From: Bob L
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"Frank Ketchum" <fketchum@earthlinknospaam.net > wrote in message
news:F1CHg.1402$bM.401@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:HGsHg.8292$oa1.115@news02.roc.ny...
>>
>>
>> I plan to store the cart under a tarp and connected to the charger so the
>> batteries won't freeze or so I'm told. The weather here (mountains in
>> Northern California) can get down to 10 degrees F so I'm interested in
>> what others do in my situation.
>>
>
> Take the battery out in the fall and store in your basement.
>
The basement is unheated as well as the rest of the house during the winter
months.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 15:42:58
From: Frank Ketchum
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"Bob L" <nospam@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:LPEHg.8433$Oh1.288@news01.roc.ny...
>>
>> Take the battery out in the fall and store in your basement.
>>
> The basement is unheated as well as the rest of the house during the
> winter months.

That makes it harder. I don't know what I would do then. Maybe you should
post your question on a boating newsgroup as there might be many more
posters who deal with battery storage in cold climates. Good luck.

Frank

Date: 25 Aug 2006 12:32:00
From: 3putt
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

Date: 25 Aug 2006 15:34:15
From: Frank Ketchum
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

"3putt" <golf24/7@golfing.com > wrote in message
news:45CHg.2879$ty5.2035@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
>
> I live here in the southeast. What's a basement?

Where golf clubs live for the 5 months of the year it snows here in
Michigan.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 05:03:11
From: dsc
Subject: Re: Golf Cart Question

> I would include the light bulb. It generates enough heat to prevent everything from
> freezing. This means keeping the light bulb about 12 - 18 inches away from the battery
> and inside a protected space. If it gets windy you should tie the tarp around the base so
> it doesn't fly up and expose the interior to the wind.
>

He could even fashion a dog house of sorts by making a box to put
around it from plywood and then put the tarp over that.