To test a golf cart battery, you can use a multimeter or a load tester.
To test with a multimeter:
- Turn on the multimeter and set it to “voltage”.
- Connect the multimeter leads to the battery terminals. The red lead should go to the positive terminal, and the black lead should go to the negative terminal.
- Read the voltage. A fully charged battery should read around 12.6 volts. If the reading is below 12.4 volts, the battery may be partially discharged. A healthy battery will indicate about 50 to 52 volts on the voltmeter.
To test with a load tester:
- Use a load tester to perform the test.
- A healthy battery should be able to hold a charge for at least an hour under a 50% load.
Other signs that your golf cart battery may need to be replaced include:
- Visual signs: Batteries may bulge, expand, crack, or corrode.
- Sluggishness: The golf cart may feel sluggish.
- Acceleration problems: Acceleration problems may worsen over time.
- Battery leaks: Batteries may leak acid.
