In our previous post, we discussed 3 ways to reset a golf cart battery meter when it is not showing accurate readings. By keeping an eye on your battery levels, you will be able to optimize the charge, which will prolong the battery’s life.
What if the battery meter still shows inaccurate charge levels after all the troubleshooting? The last resort in this scenario is to replace it with the best golf cart battery meter that shows accurate battery levels.
Today’s blog post will explain how to install a battery meter on a golf cart. But before we go into the nitty-gritty details, let’s first refresh why you should have a golf cart battery installed in your cart.
Why Do You Need A Golf Cart Battery Meter?
The most important function of the battery meter is to show how much charge batteries have left. Knowing this lets you maintain your cart batteries properly charged and prevent frequent discharges. Here are some other reasons that you must have these tiny devices in your cart:
- Anticipate Battery Needs: Driving a golf cart without knowing its battery status is risky. The battery meter acts as a reminder for you to know how much power remains. If you don’t have it, your cart could run out of control inconveniently, leaving you stuck.
- Enhance Battery Life: There is the best working range for golf cart batteries. Keeping draining them to deficient levels or overcharging them can hurt their general health and shorten their lives. A battery meter can help keep this from happening by letting the owner know how much to charge the battery, saving much money in the long run.
- Safety And Convenience: The unexpected death of your golf cart’s battery might be disconcerting, especially in isolated or challenging terrain. These scenarios can endanger safety and cause unneeded interruptions. Battery meters on golf carts make the journey worry-free. This helpful function ensures their car has enough power to return safely.
- Efficient Time Management: Knowing when to charge a golf cart and how long to use it can enhance your car’s performance. It ensures your cart is always ready to use, especially when taking back-to-back rounds.
- Cost Savings: Getting a new battery or charging it in an emergency can cost a lot of money. By always knowing how your battery is doing, you can make intelligent decisions about when to charge and avoid the costs that could come with battery problems.
How Does a Battery Meter Work?
The battery meter is a voltage reader to monitor your golf cart’s battery system. The gadget continuously analyzes battery voltage to determine the charge. The data is then shown visibly via LED indicators or a digital display. This live monitoring meter can adjust to the battery’s 36V or 48V voltage. Continuous feedback helps customers understand the best charging time, minimizing wasteful battery depletion and extending longevity. These meters are essential for battery health and cart use due to low-charge notifications.
How To Install a Battery Meter on a Golf Cart?
To install a golf cart battery meter, here are some steps you need to follow. But before installing it, you should have the equipment to install it safely. This includes:
Tools Needed
- Dremel to cut the slot for the meter.
- Razor knife
- Holesaw and drill, if you have a round meter
- Screwdrivers
- Vice Grips or Crimper
- Digital or Analog Voltage Meter
- Butane Torch or Lighter
- Wire cutters and wire strippers
List Of Supplies
- The desired length of wire is 14-18 Gauge.
- Heat shrink or Electrical tape
- Butt Connectors
- F2 Terminal Connectors
- Mounting Screws
Safety Precautions
- Go slowly
- Wear safety goggles and a mask.
- Appropriate cloth
- Power safety and manual
Step-By-Step Battery Meter Installation
Step 1: Choose A Mounting Location
When choosing a location to mount your golf cart battery meter, ensure it’s visible from the driver’s seat. Surface mounting is a straightforward option. If using zip ties or Velcro, create a hole for wires to pass behind the console. Given that golf cart battery meter wires typically span 6 to 12 inches, you might need extra wiring. Alternatively, an in-dash installation requires sufficient space behind the chosen spot. When cutting a hole, exercise caution to avoid damaging crucial wires and to ensure the meter fits well in the designated space.
Step 2: Verify Your Battery Meter’s Connection Options
Battery meters typically feature 2-3 contacts: positive, negative, and sometimes a “C” signal or common terminal. The “C” can power the meter without measuring input voltage and is often connected via the ignition switch for easy on/off control while using the cart. Some golf carts have built-in wire harnesses, eliminating the need to connect to the primary power source. Additionally, power reducers, often used for lights and accessories, can serve as power sources for battery meters. If these reducers are key-switched, a separate cut-off is unnecessary.
Step 3: Unplug The Positive Terminal Of The Battery Bank
Before starting, disconnect the positive terminal of the main battery bank to avoid unintended shorts during the process. Since fiberglass and electrical fires are dangerous, prepare in advance: secure your desired length and quantity of wires, gather the necessary tools, and put on safety goggles for protection.
Step 4: Prepare Opening If Mounting In Dash
Mark the dashboard where you want to cut, then use a drill or Dremel. Ensure the space behind fits the battery meter. If attaching a signal wire, adjust the key switch for terminal access. Drill a hole if adding a toggle switch for battery indicators. However, the meter’s power draw is minimal, so a constant on-mode might not significantly drain batteries.
Step 5: Connect Your Wires
Ensure you have a hole ready for your wires to the power source. Use butt connectors to keep wires organized or twist them together, securing them with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent shorts. Connect positive wires to positive terminals and negative wires to ground or negative terminals. Finally, add a lug connector on the wire end for a secure connection to the switch and battery.
Step 6: Establish Connections
Refer to the manual for connection instructions. Before embedding components into the dashboard, test your connections. Reconnect the positive lead to the battery pack to see the charge indicator. If your key switch links to the charge meter, turn it on to ensure the charge level is displayed.
Step 7: Mount The Charge Meter
Lastly, place all components back into the dashboard and secure the charge meter. This completes the installation of your golf cart battery digital meter, giving you a clear view of your cart’s remaining mileage.
Golf Cart Battery Meter Wiring Diagram
Direct Connection 3 Contacts
Key switch Connection 3 Contacts
Direct Connection 2 Contacts
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Battery Meter
When installing a golf cart battery meter, it’s essential to do it the right way. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid:
- Don’t skip manuals; otherwise, it leads to improper installation.
- Incorrect writing connections also damage the meter correctly.
- Disconnect the main battery terminal to avoid electric shock or short circuits.
- Avoid placing the meter in a spot where it’s hard to view from the driver’s seat.
- You shouldn’t over-tighten the connection; otherwise, it will damage the meter or dashboard.
- Test the meter before driving it to avoid time-consuming troubleshooting.
- Remembering calibration can result in accurate meter readings.
How To Test And Calibrate The Battery Meter After Installation?
After installation:
- Test the battery meter by starting the golf cart and checking the reading on the meter.
- With the help of a multimeter, compare it to the voltage of the actual battery.
- If there are differences, check the meter’s handbook and change the parameters (often using knobs or software) until the results match the battery voltage.
Calibration guarantees dependability and accuracy.
Final Thoughts
Battery meters can be a valuable asset for golfers if they are fond of long drives on the course. With the help of a battery meter, they can analyze how long they can go and when they need to charge a battery. It will enhance battery performance and lifespan as well. So, get a battery meter installed in your golf cart today.
