Club Car Batteries
Club Car Battery Replacement Tips: One at a Time or All at Once?
Batteries are arguably the most important component in an electric utility vehicle. After all, they provide the power that the UTV needs to move from place to place and carry everything from people and tools, to dirt, equipment, and other materials. Eventually, the time is going to come when you have to replace your Club Car batteries. If you put off battery replacement, then performance will suffer, and you may eventually get stranded somewhere with no way to get back.
The question is, can you just replace one Club Car battery at a time, or do you have to replace the entire bank? Let’s take a closer look at UTV batteries and talk about which route is best.
How UTV batteries work
Your electric Club Car is powered by a battery bank that consists of multiple batteries connected in a series. The number of batteries in the series depends on the voltage of each battery and what kind of system powers the car. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the proper voltage, number of batteries, and type of batteries, always. If you don’t have adequate power, then your utility vehicle will not operate at top performance.
When it comes time to replace your Club Car battery, it might be tempting to replace just one or two instead of the entire bank. But at JIT, we recommend changing all the batteries at the same time.
Will replacing one Club Car battery save you money?
Most people who decide to replace one or two Club Car batteries at a time do so because they want to save money. The thought process is not to spend more than necessary and only swap the batteries that have gone bad. The problem with this line of thinking, however, is that just changing out one Club Car battery can lead to further problems and costs down the road. Here are some of the problems that can occur.
- Imbalanced battery power – By only replacing one or two UTV batteries, you may create a power imbalance in which the newer batteries release power more efficiently, but the older ones experience greater resistance. The result is a lag in acceleration and reduced overall speed.
- Shorter battery life – If you combine old and new batteries in the same bank, then all the batteries may not charge as fully, and your newer batteries could have a shorter overall lifespan than they otherwise would, leading to further costs in the future.
- Increased charging time – Electric utility vehicle battery charging devices will keep charging until each battery has reached total capacity. Because older batteries take longer to charge, if you only replace one or two of them, your total overall charging time will be longer.
When to replace Club Car batteries
Whether you have a Club Car or other type of UTV, all the batteries will have to be replaced eventually. Here are some of the signs that it’s time to replace your batteries:
- Longer charging times
- A shorter battery life
- A battery acid leak
- Reduced acceleration and power
If you notice any of these signs, then it might be time to swap out your Club Car batteries. Contact the JIT team to know for sure and to ensure you purchase the right batteries and install them correctly!