Battery Winter Storage

We have made a video on how to safely and efficiently store your electric car, and protect your batteries over a Saskatchewan Winter. The Double Charge and Disc-Connect is the most effective way to accomplish this. If you have any questions, please ask below.

[@pauldowling6821]

I was told by Club Car Calgary to just put my 2005 Club Car Precedent into Tow mode, then leave it plugged in. The on-board computer sends a trickle charge into it monthly. It has worked for me for 13 years in Sask.

[@AceofCartsSaskatoon]

Yes Paul, you're correct, that will work. However there are issues that can arise from this method that could potentially have the batteries freeze. The main issue being the breaker. If by chance the breaker is flipped off, blows, or there is a power outage while the car asks for a charge it can fault the OBC, causing it to go ultimately into "limp" mode. With our long winters this can, of course not always, cause issues.
Also - The OBC does not trickle charge, it will turn on, monitor battery voltage, and if required bring on the charger, if not, go back to sleep. Typically it does this every 14 days.

[@dontdoodatt6609]

Is this method for indoor storage or for like in a shed over winter?

[@Darrenatace]

Indoor, Outdoor, basically anything long term storage.

[@chrisgibson8995]

Once I follow these directions is my cart ok to leave unattended on outside storage for 6 months?

[@AceofCartsSaskatoon]

Chris, if you do the double charge and dis-connect, then yes you should be fine to leave in storage for 6 months unattended.

[@rongoudreau1402]

Is it any different for an EZ GO RXV. I was told that I have to charge the batteries monthly by disconnecting and connecting the cable from the charger to the golf cart or that they will die.

[@Darrenatace]

Ron, If you have completely dis-connected your batteries, you do not have to charge monthly. PLEASE NOTE: This is if you have dis-connected your batteries from the car completely. This is why we strongly recommend dis-connecting both the positive and negative posts. Also make sure all your accessories are dis-connected as well (from the batteries).

[@rongoudreau1402]

@@Darrenatace What you say makes a lot of sense and what I thought I would do and I was also going to put a trickle charger on each battery but apparently do not have to. The cart will be in my garage in Florida for the summer at a temperature that will reach 115 degrees F. I presume that doesn’t matter either?

[@Darrenatace]

@@rongoudreau1402 You should be fine; providing the car is dis0connected. Most FLA (Flooded Lead Acid Batteries) have a decent NO LOAD Shelf life; we find 6 months is not a problem; then when you re-connect make sure to fully charge the car and give a good drive.

[@rongoudreau1402]

@@Darrenatace Great! Thanks for your help!

[@chrisgibson1884]

Even is sub zero temperatures? Will the batteries freeze?

[@AceofCartsSaskatoon]

A fully charged battery has a freezing point of approximately -76dF/ -60dC