re: Anyone know how to test 8 volt golf cart batteries?

What type of batteries are in the cart and How old are they? Also, Do you have a digital voltage meter installed to show the pack voltage real time?

I just finished a complete rebuild of a 2002 48v Club Car DS (series cart). Did tons of research and learned more than I wanted to about golf carts.

Here are the cliff notes with regard to batteries:

1. The voltage meter is a cheap way to know when it is time to charge the batteries without draining them too low. You can find a state of charge chart online (48V fully charged pack should read 50.93V and should not be discharged below 48.41V resting voltage)

2. Depending on who you believe, batteries, when properly maintained (i.e. adding distilled water as needed, checking levels every 30 days) can last anywhere from 4 years to 10 years.

3. Replacing one battery can work, but I was read that the single new battery can degrade faster and "match" the older batteries (not sure how true this is or how it works, just relaying info that I found in multiple locations.)

4. Whenever not being used, the cart should be plugged into the charger (assuming you have the stock or an aftermarket automatic charger.)

5. The Duracell golf cart batteries at Sams get mixed reviews on the golf cart message boards, they have a shorter warranty and a slightly lower AH rating (but are less expensive) than the Trojan batteries

I recently dropped the coin for 6 new batteries and I still feel the pain in my wallet. I wish I could afford to switch to a lithium setup.