Safety Considerations when Charging

The most common causes of home fires in a golf cart community are golf cart chargers and improperly maintained batteries.  

• As the chargers get warm, they can become very hot and "dry", coupled with corrosion creates a fire hazard. 
• Do not place any material that absorbs heat (rags, papers or boxes) on or near the chargers.  
• As golf cart chargers, age the DC connection can get old and frayed especially when used daily.  
• This creates a safety hazard, cords shall be inspected regularly, with old cords being replaced.  

You should not leave your golf cart plugged into the charger for extended period of time without  being monitored.

•  Always unplug the charger from the outlet.  
• Although most new "smart" battery chargers turn off when the batteries are fully charged, if a safety mechanism malfunctions the battery will overcharge and can catch fire.  

This circumstance happens more often, as the BATTERY overheats, combusts the golf cart ignites. Carts are made of primarily synthetics & plastics; the BTU output will quickly consume everything around it and lead to a fully involved structure fire.   

Charge your batteries in a well-ventilated area.  Club Car posts a warning: 

•  “Danger! Batteries emit hydrogen while being charged.  
• Hydrogen is an explosive gas! 

If the vehicle is equipped with a weatherproof enclosure, it should be unzipped and pulled back while batteries are being charge.  

• This will prevent the accumulation of hydrogen gas inside the enclosure.  
• The charging area must be ventilated.  
• Hydrogen levels in the air must never exceed 2 percent.  
• Exhaust fans should be located at the highest point of the roof. 

Match the correct battery charger with the lead acid batteries. 

• Battery chargers are not universal.  
• Check the battery manufacturers recommendations on properly charging their batteries.   

Keep Your Batteries Watered! 

• Many new golf cart owners are unaware of the need to monitor the water / electrolyte levels of their lead acid batteries. 
•  Explosions can happen when batteries become dry.