Storing Golf Cart Batteries Over Winter

Short answer: Charge the batteries fully before you park the cart for the season, set the tow or run switch to tow (or off) so nothing draws power while it sits, and know what kind of charger you have before deciding whether to leave it plugged in. Check the cart once a month through fall and winter, and give the batteries a full, slow charge before the first drive in spring. Skip any of these steps and the batteries are the first thing to fail.

Charge the Batteries Fully Before Storage

Golf cart batteries lose charge on their own, even sitting still. A battery that goes into storage half charged will likely be dead, or close to it, by the time you want to use the cart again. Before you park it for the season:

• Run a full charge cycle, start to finish, with no interruptions.
• Check the water level in each cell if the batteries are flooded lead-acid, and top off with distilled water only after charging, not before.
• Wipe down the terminals and cable ends so corrosion does not build up while the cart sits.

Battery acid and the gas that vents during charging are both things to respect. Work in a space with fresh air, keep sparks and flame away, and if you see heavy corrosion, a cracked case, or a battery that will not hold a charge, have it looked at before you put the cart away.

Tow or Run: Set the Switch Right

Most carts have a tow/run switch near the batteries or under the seat. Leaving it on run means small electrical draws, like a clock, a controller, or a light left on by accident, can slowly pull the batteries down all winter. Set the switch to tow before storage. On carts without a clear tow/run switch, disconnecting one battery cable does the same job. Either way, the goal is the same: nothing should be drawing power while the cart sits unused.

Should the Charger Stay Plugged In

This depends entirely on the charger.

1. Smart or automatic chargers sense a full battery and drop to a trickle or maintenance mode. These are generally fine left plugged in for the whole off season.
2. Older timer-based chargers run for a set number of hours and stop, whether the batteries are full or not. These should not be left connected unattended. Charge, then unplug.
3. If you are not sure which type you have, treat it like the older style: charge it, unplug it, and check again in a few weeks.

Never charge in a closed-up shed with no airflow, and never charge a battery that is leaking or visibly damaged. If that describes your setup, have it checked rather than guessing.

Monthly Checks and Spring Start-Up

Set a reminder to check the cart once a month, not just once all winter. A quick check takes a few minutes:

• Look at the charge level or voltage if you have a meter.
• Top off with a short charge if it has dropped.
• Glance at terminals and cables for corrosion.

When spring comes, do not just hop in and drive. Give the batteries a full, slow recharge first, check water levels again, and look over the tires and brakes before the first real trip. A cart that sat all winter deserves a once-over before it carries anyone down the road.

Serving Quinlan, Lone Oak, Greenville, and the Lake Tawakoni Towns

Carts around Lake Tawakoni spend a lot of the off season parked in garages, carports, and lake houses that sit empty for stretches at a time. Between humidity off the lake and the swing from winter cold to early heat, battery storage mistakes show up fast for owners in Quinlan, Lone Oak, West Tawakoni, and Greenville alike. We see the same pattern every spring: a cart that sat untouched with no monthly check and a dead or damaged battery pack as a result.

If your cart has been sitting and you are not sure where the batteries stand, or you want someone to look it over before you put it away for winter, call or text 903 458 2311. We run mobile service out to Quinlan, Lone Oak, Greenville, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, Wills Point, Edgewood, Grand Saline, Fruitvale, Alba, Golden, Mineola, Lindale, Tyler, and the Lake Tawakoni towns, or you can bring the cart into the shop. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 to 5.