golf trolley battery

[codswallop]

After charging my golf battery all indications are thar it is fully charged.But when used it only last 9-10 holes.Is there any check that will tell me if the battery is holding its charge or there is a "leak" in the system? Thanks.

[Hymie]

Disconnect one of the battery terminals and connect an ammeter between the battery terminal & the disconnected lead. With everything off, there should be no current flow.

You could also charge the unit in this state and observe that the charger is charging the battery.

Charge the unit just before use - if it does not last as it should, you can be fairly certain that the battery is shagged.

Borrow someone elses battery that you know is OK & give it a try.

[codswallop]

Cheers for all the prompt info. Thanks!!!!

[codswallop]

ps to that, does it matter + or - terminal?

[Hymie]

You could disconnect either battery terminal, however it might be best to disconnect the battery positive lead.

By convention, current flows from positive to negative. Ensure that the ammeter is connected such that the current flows in to the meter + connection and out through the - connection, otherwise the meter will read a negative value, or if of an analogue needle type, cause the needle to head in the wrong direction.

[cazzzz1975]

here is a way.

Connect the battery positive to the battery, switch everything off (no lights displays ect)

stroke the negative lead on the negative battery terminal, if it sparks there is a leak. no spark = no leak

[codswallop]

Thanks again Hymie!!

[codswallop]

I'm getting quite a little dossier on the subject.
Thank you all for these and any more that may come through!!!!

[Hymie]

Using Cazzzz'es method could lead to a false indication if the circuit has a capacitor somewhere across the battery - which results in a spark due to charging of the capacitor.

If using Cazzzz'es method results in a spark, quickly break and remake the battery negative connection - if it sparks both times, you have a leak.

The big advantage of this method is that you do not need an ammeter.

[cazzzz1975]

I did specify everything has to be off hymie.

[Hymie]

If there is a capacitor in circuit before any switch, the switch will have no effect on the capacitor charging.

[cazzzz1975]

The point of the post was enabling an easy answer , It is a quick test, as he may not have an ammeter.

If he does get a spark then there is draining that he will have to investigate further, If no spark at least he knows there is no drainage when attached to the cart.

Without the details of the trolley and its fixtures its diffcult to make a prognosis of his problems without resorting to nit picking about capacitors....

He may also like to visit his pro shop as they will do a diagnosis/repair for a reasonable price

[Lord Unstone]

how old is the battery? If it is over a couple of years, I reckon you have had your money's worth.

[codswallop]

10 months only!!!!!

[cazzzz1975]

Have you checked your battery yet cods? its been a few days

[codswallop]

Everything seems to check ok but it did the last time until I played a round of golf.Because of the bad weather my course is closed to trolleys so I've been unable to see if your replies are the answer. Thanks for the interest.

[vinc0001]

as a battery gets older it charges quicker but hasnt as much charge stored so will only do fewer holes ,try running the battery completely flat by jacking up back wheels and run to a stop this can give a bit more life after recharging.