• Standard automotive batteries are made for short bursts of power. (3-5 seconds) The lead plates in standard automotive batteries are thinner than a deep cycle so more of these plates can be installed into the battery case. The more lead plates installed in a battery, the more CCA (cold cranking amps). This is why you see automotive batteries with 800 CCA but deep cycle batteries have much less CCA power.
• Deep cycle batteries have thicker plates to handle higher, more sustained electrical loads. That is why Deep Cycle batteries are recommended for campers, boat trolling motors, etc. Anything that will require power usage for much longer than the 3-5 seconds like an automotive battery is rated for, requires much thicker plates to have longer lasting power output.

AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat.

It basically is a different type of battery construction that uses fiberglass material between the lead plates of a battery to hold the electrolyte in place near the lead plates. The fiberglass material also helps to give the battery vibration resistance, which is why AGM batteries are recommended in extreme applications.

• CCA stands for Cold Cranking Amps. It basically is a measurement to determine the power a battery can deliver. The higher the CCA, the more power it can deliver.
• For the scientific explanation: The CCA measurement is to signify the current a battery can deliver at cold temperature. SAE J537 specifies 30 seconds of discharge at –18°C (0°F) at the rated CCA ampere without the battery voltage dropping below 7.2 volts

Water should be inspected depending on the application. Keep in mind that CHARGING your battery is what promotes water evaporation in a standard golf cart battery. So the more you charge the battery, the more often you want to check the water. We recommend to start off checking your battery water levels about once per month in the beginning. Over time, your application will determine water usage. You may determine that water is not needed every 3-4 months….again depending on usage. Therefore you can adjust your maintenance schedule.

Chances are your charger is just fine. Golf cart batteries will discharge to a lower voltage when not used for extended periods of time (months). Golf cart chargers will look for a minimum voltage before they activate or turn “on”. Therefore, if you know the golf cart has been sitting for extended periods, measuring the voltage should give an indication if this low voltage issue is occurring. If low voltage is determined, each battery will need to be charged on its own by another type of charger (bench charger) or if you can get the golf cart or batteries to a reputable battery specialist, they can charge it for you. However, please be aware that age of batteries can determine if the batteries can be salvaged with a charge!