Golf Cart batteries install

lightningdon

Just picked up 2 Duracell 230AH 6V golf cart batteries at Batteries and Bulbs in Winchester, VA for $98 each, purchased online with special code and picked up in store.

luvmytab

tomorrow 2 Duracell 230AH 6V golf cart batteries will be installed on my tongue. will take pix and post

luvmytab

ok, got the batteries installed and the lights went on!!!
The reading on battery #1 is 6.27 volts and #2 is 6.19 volts. The question now is How many volts do they need to be ? I will plug it in to shore power before heading out on maiden voyage.Appreciate any feedback

Sharon_is_SAM

Luvmytab,  here is a chart to get you started.  There are many discussions on the forum regarding battery usage.  Your state of charge will be higher when you have a load running, so to get a true state of charge you will need to isolate your batteries and let them rest for several hours.  Since your lights work, I assume they are connected correctly and when you plug in a 12 volt monitor it will reflect the 12 V charge - not the 6 v of each battery.  

Verna

@luvmytab, you must wire the batteries in series to give yourself 12V.

luvmytab

verna, does this mean they are not wired in series since we are getting separate battery readings and just adding the numbers to equal the total voltage? Should we be getting the full voltage reading combined when we use the voltmeter? i appreciate your help. I have a hard time with all the language and understaning battery stuff ....feel like i need a remedial course training!! 

ChrisandAlexis

luvmytab,



The diagram shows how your batteries should be connected, in series. If you put your voltmeter across where it says Negative and Positive in the diagram, that should measure 12 volts +. 

Michigan_Mike

luvmytab said:

ok, got the batteries installed and the lights went on!!!
The reading on battery #1 is 6.27 volts and #2 is 6.19 volts. The question now is How many volts do they need to be ? I will plug it in to shore power before heading out on maiden voyage.Appreciate any feedback

As Verna noted the batteries must be wired in series and if your lights and 12 volt devices are all working as they should you are probably good to go.  You are obviously measuring the battery voltage of each battery (in the reads you posted) and your wiring should look similar as shown below in the photo and as shown in the post above this one.  

luvmytab

thanks, got it! 

luvmytab

ps, after all this work, heading out for maiden voyage tomorrow... I have lost my T@B Keys and key to propane. And can't find the extra set. So, in morn will call a locksmith and hopefully they can help  =

ericnliz

@luvmytab, Call the parts department for replacement keys for your T@B. Make sure 'ya get an extra, I did!

luvmytab

happy to report, my local locksmith made new keys for the door and the propane tub....what a relief and had some great time in the mountains of Silverton, CO

Ratkity

Great to hear! When my sister got her Outback, her spare key was a blank lol. I had a spare Yakima key blank too (fixed). 

mandt

I am trying to see if I can fit 2 golf cart batteries in my stock plastic tub. Others seem to be able to do it. So I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of 2 batteries 10.5 by 14.5 and tried to fit it in there. (I understand that the power switch and gas connector will need to be moved) In order for it to fit I would need to move the propane tank almost 2 inched to the passenger side. Not sure I could move it that far. Where am I going wrong?

Ratkity

Please be careful. You might want to detach the tub first. Those batteries weigh 68# a piece.

4ncar

This is an upgrade I want to do very soon...especially since the "high quality " battery my dealer gave me is only 85ah!!!!

db_cooper

Super happy with our Costco golf cart setup. Just spent 7 days boondocking and they still read 12.5v when we left.  Granted fridge was on propane, and electric was used mostly for recharging phones and a few lights at night.  Nice not to worry about running out.

mandt

What brand/model are your Costco batteries?

jgram2

@db_cooper Do you have solar and if so, how many W.

db_cooper

They are Interstate branded batteries, not sure of model, only choice at Costco. We used an 80 watt zamp for 3 afternoons for a couple hours each time. Can't say that added many amp hours back to the battery, but it coincided with recharging phones/cameras.

Bert

Consider buying an Outback platform and putting the batteries in a separate battery box mounted on one side. You will have lots of room in the tub for chocks, etc.

sranderle

We just spent our first weekend with our new pair of Costco golf cart batteries.  It was a huge success.  The main reason for the upgrade was to allow me to run my cpap off of battery without draining it.  Started with the batteries at 12.8v.  After one night they were down to 12.5v.  After the second night, the draw was just 12.4v.  

I use an Airsense 10, but then off the humidifier and heated hose.  I still put water in the humidifier tank, for passive humidity.  This was recommended on another forum.  After trying this method for two weekends, I'm satisfied.  I'm not ending up with dried out sinuses.

We did not rent a generator this weekend, and so not have solar.  We did not use any interior lights, opting for a battery lantern instead.  We also did not use the fantastic fan.  Oh, and no charging of devices.

I did just complete the Jensen radio power switch cutoff mod last week, as well, to reduce power drain, and had unplugged the TV.

Michigan_Mike

I run my Resmed S9 without the humidifier or heated hose in an effort to conserve energy.  I've done a lot of boondocking (have the set-up above) and haven't suffered any adverse effects.  But at least you now have a better idea as to what you can do....  Congrats!

elbereth

I'm resurrecting an old thread, but wanted to say thanks to @Runtarooti and @9Jethro.  We used the Costco Interstate batteries (210 Ah) and were able to boondock running the 2 way fridge on the CS-S for 2 nights, with SeeLevel staying above 12.2.  

No permanent mod to the standard tub, just a piece of plywood trimmed to fit in the old bracket to make a platform, and some webbing and buckles from Amazon to make straps to hold the batteries in place.  900+ miles of driving now and batteries haven't budged.

You can see that we also moved the propane regulator from the middle to the outside edge of the tub space to make room for the batteries.  That took all of about 5 minutes.  Unscrew, move regulator and butyl tape to desired location, screw back in, done!

Here's a pic for folks who are trying to do the same.  I pulled the propane tank to make moving everything easier, but it fits back in place without issue.

DurangoTaB

Nice...as I’ve been wanting to install 2x6’s for a while, but thought I’d have to install them outside on the tongue.  So...no straps or battery box inside?

elbereth

@DurangoTaB, I did do straps, in each direction, and used sign plastic/coroplast to fashion a bit of a cover.  That was a super tight fit, there’s no way a battery box would fit.

ScottG

@elbereth, I really like this set-up and might pursue it when my current group 27 battery needs replacing.

Can you tell me if the base of the batteries extends beyond the rearmost frame member (green arrow in photo below), and if so my how much? It looks like it might be close.

I have my sewer hose carrier mounted in that space and that limits use of that lower space. Thanks! 

elbereth

@ScottG, they do go back just about an inch past the frame member.  I hope you could still make them fit!

BrianZ

I was wondering the same thing, @ScottG.  Wondering also if you could go up higher.
 & over the sewer tube if needed?

ScottG

Thanks, @elbereth--I'll have to do some careful measuring to see what I could squeeze in there.

@BrianZ, the problem with going up is that the outward curvature of the T@B body also limits the front-to-back space available. At least that would be the issue with my current group 27 set-up. However, it would be worth confirming this with some actual measurements.