Golf cart diy thread (descriptive for context)

Here is how I “saved” my old cart. There are more details at each step but this is a start. I spent all last weekend trying to restore a pre-2000 club car ds. It is a 36 volt. Decided to try and save the batteries, figure out if the charger worked, clean/replace all the battery connections, get the thing working again. Cart would not start there was no battery life. Charger would not turn on.
I disconnected all the batteries. Put a water and epsom salt solution back in all the dry batteries.
Then charged all of them with a battery charger. It was a charger that did either 6v or 12 v. Started invisibly at 6 colts. Then decided to use 12v on 2 batteries at a time.
Realized golf cart charger would not turn on unless the batteries at least had a little charge in them.
This worked and I used the golf cart charger once all the batteries had some charge and I reconnected all 6 batteries together.
While things were charging I looked for any loose wires. There were none.
I cleaned every battery with a solution of baking soda and water. Then rinsed.
The acid is dangerous and a mess.
I cleaned all connections and reconnected.
Pumped all tires.
Let cart sit on golf charger for about 6 hrs at first.
I closely monitored the batteries this whole time using a simple volt meter. They very slowly continued to raise. Started at about 5–5.5 volts in each battery when the charger kicked in finally.
Was worried batteries would explode/catch fire. They handled this charging well in my mind.
The cart began to show signs of life.
I was never sure if there was something else wrong. A switch I missed? The selunoid? I felt good once I saw the charge coming into the whole set of batteries.
I turned it on and heard the reverse sound! Got some movement in forward and reverse.
This was a great sign.
Was at about 36.2 colts and decided to give it a go. It easily went up and down the street. Power felt what an old cart should feel like.
What would the batteries do?
How would they handle a load?
Decided to go a solid 8 hours on charger. Fill them up and then go for it. Had a pre known distance of 3.5 miles. A loop in our neighborhood.
I did it. It worked. Batteries were solidly over 36 now.
Waited ten minutes checked batteries
They were still doing well.
Put back on charger until that night did not want to leave it in my garage on the charger overnight yet.
Next morning checked they were basically the same when I checked before bed.
Things are going well. Plan to take it to the beach this weekend. Probably 5-6!round trip as another test.
I do not expect the batteries to last long. I do not know how long the good fortune will last and honestly how long they will take a charge and how functional that charge is.
Good news is golf cart is in fine shape. The charger I now know works. If there is further expense it will be just the batteries (I know $1200 plus.)
I know though that the cart is functional and that investment when needed is not a waste because of having other problems.