Golf Battery Information
Golf Battery Shop's lead acid golf batteries are built to the highest standards. They are manufactured, in most cases, to correspond with golf manufacturer’s requirements and specifications.
Nevertheless, it is important to understand that:-
A wet golf battery is ‘alive’. Whether it is in service or in storage it has a finite life span. If stored in a wet (filled) condition all batteries will slowly self-discharge. The higher the ambient (storage) temperature the greater the rate of self-discharge.
To ensure that golf batteries are not allowed to discharge to the point where they are either damaged (sulphated) or so that they are incapable of starting the golf or operating equipment, regular voltage checks should be made (monthly).
Golf batteries with a voltage of 12.4v or below should be recharged. Recharging must not be effected by the means of a rapid charger. Ideally a recharge rate of 1/10th of the battery’s capacity should be applied for up to 12 hours. At the end of this period, a fully charged golf battery will read over 12.65v and all cells should be gassing freely. Remember if a battery has vent plugs, these should always be removed before charging.
Golf Battery problems - Non-manufacturing faults
Wear and Tear of a golf battery:During the charge and discharge cycle, material from the battery plates (active mass) is in motion, through the electrochemical reaction that produces electricity. Every time the golf battery goes through a charge and discharge cycle, a small amount of the active mass is lost from the plates. Because the ultimate life of a golf battery depends on so many factors, it is impossible to stipulate a minimum/maximum life expectancy. This process of normal ageing through the charge and discharge cycle will eventually cause the golf battery to lose capacity, and it will come to the point where the battery can no longer start the vehicle/equipment. This is not a manufacturing fault.
A golf battery only has a finite number of cycles (x) it can go through before it loses its capacity to perform. Vehicles with high usage will often subject the battery to its x number of cycles but over a much shorter time. This is not a manufacturing fault
Sulphation of a golf battery: If a golf battery is allowed to stand in a discharged state for an excessive amount of time, a chemical reaction takes place, which can permanently impair performance - this is sulphation. Sulphation can be seen as a fine white/grey coating on the plates. In most cases this signifies irreversible damage and the golf battery will not be serviceable. This damage can occur either in storage or if the golf battery is installed in a vehicle (or equipment) that is not used for a period of time. This is because there is a permanent drain on the battery from the clock, alarm etc. As a result the level of charge in a golf battery falls, and after a period of time sulphation will build up on the plates.
The sulphation (lead sulphate) hinders the chemical reaction between the acid (electrolyte) and the active mass (lead compound) in the plates and prevents the golf battery from operating as normal. This is not a manufacturing fault.
Deep cycling a golf battery: If during recharge a golf battery is not adequately compensated for the discharge cycle, the battery will quickly exhibit loss of performance. Even after recharging the voltage will be low (under 12.4v) but the cells will generally give even readings. This is not a manufacturing fault.
Overcharging a golf battery:If the regulator is not set properly, then the golf battery can be subjected to an excessive charge. If left unchecked the battery will overheat and will start to evaporate the electrolyte. The overcharging will cause the accelerated break up of the active mass on the plates and the golf battery will lose performance. This is generally obvious from the examination of the battery - the acid levels will be very low, and quite often a black coating will be visible on the filler caps. This is not a manufacturing fault.
Incorrect application of a golf battery: The golf batteries recommended by golf Battery Shop are those equal to or above the original equipment specification. Fitting a smaller or less powerful golf battery will result in a shorter service life and earlier failure, which will generally manifest itself as deep cycling/premature wear and tear. This is not a manufacturing fault.
Physical damage to a golf battery: If the golf battery is fitted incorrectly, if the connector leads are hammered onto the terminals, or if the leads are not properly fastened, the golf battery will have obvious damage to the casing or the terminals. This is not a manufacturing fault.
Golf battery problems - Manufacturing faults
Due to the high demands of the OEM market, and taking into account the technical and manufacturing standards adhered to by golf Battery Shop, the rate of genuine manufacturing faults is negligible.
Golf battery short circuit/dead cell: Typically seen in a golf battery with a short (under 12 months) service life. One cell will show a dramatically lower specific gravity (SG) reading than the others. The affected cell will boil visibly under a high rate discharge test. In some cases it may also be visible as a sulphated cell (see above). The remaining cells will show a good SG reading of 1.26 or over.
Internal Break in a golf battery: The golf battery will have good SG readings but no voltage.
Summary
Provided the right golf battery, in the right condition is used for the right application, the number of battery problems encountered will be minimum. All golf batteries have a finite life span, which is governed by the conditions under which the battery operates. golf battery failures caused by sulphation, wear and tear, or deep cycling are not manufacturing faults and are not covered by a guarantee.
It is important to remember that under normal operating conditions, a golf battery cannot become discharged on its own. The reason for this discharge is normally attributable to:-
Malfunctioning alternator, regulator
Slipping fan belt
Electrical fault
Long standing time without recharge
Boot light/glove box malfunction
Vehicle lights being left on
If a golf battery is consistently used/left in a discharged condition, it will eventually reach a condition where even a prolonged recharge will not return to its original condition. This is classified as deep discharge/undercharging and is not a manufacturing fault.
If a golf battery is continuously deeply discharged and is then not adequately recharged, it will lose its performance relatively quickly. This is called deep cycling/wear and tear and is not a manufacturing fault.
