Should a Golf Cart Charger Get Hot?

All golf cart owners may wonder if their cart’s charger should get hot, and the answer is yes, but this happens for various reasons. You can continue using a charger for years, as long as you remember to get it checked regularly. Golf cart chargers have high longevity, although they still eventually go bad.  This article presents some crucial points like why a golf cart charger gets hot, is it bad for a golf cart charger to get hot, should you consider a new golf cart charger if it gets hot, and how long should you keep the charger plugged in.

Why Does A Golf Cart Charger Get Hot? 

There can be numerous reasons why a golf cart charger may get hot. As electrical power flows from one terminal source to another, the golf cart typically gets a little warm. However, overcharging and straining the battery forces the battery to get excessively hot.

Usually, charging the battery for a long time will fully charge the battery and then continue to charge it, but some golf cart charger brands switch off automatically after being charged for about 16 hours. This prevents the batteries from getting extra hot.

Golf cart batteries may also get heated up due to low water level in the battery. You should regularly check the water level to maintain accurate balance in the battery. Often, a mark on the tank designates the amount of water required in it. If your cart becomes dry, it causes the battery to produce more heat than normal – this can seriously damage the battery’s health, so maintaining the water level in golf cart batteries is a must. If you ever notice your golf cart getting heated up as soon as you plug it for charging, it may be low on water in the battery.

Lastly, take proper care of the electrical connections. If the cable connections are incredibly tight, loose, or dirty, it can cause the golf cart batteries to become hot while charging them. 

Is It Bad If You Notice Your Golf Cart Charger Getting Hot?

It is entirely normal for golf cart chargers to get hot while charging them golf cart batteries. When the golf cart battery charger is plugged in, it gets hot and produces an odor. The heat from the golf cart charger is normal when used for long continuous hours. The charger may also get hot depending on how long it has been since the batteries were replaced. It also depends on how long a golf cart charger takes to fully charge a battery.  

So, if your golf cart charger is getting hot, it’s completely fine, but only when it has been charging for a long time. If the charger gets heated up in a few minutes, it indeed has some issues with the wires and cables. Make sure to get it checked or replaced. You can contact a battery manufacturer to ensure the charger’s proper functionality.

Should You Stop Using A Golf Cart Charger If It Gets Hot? 

As we mentioned earlier, it is entirely normal for a golf cart charger to get hot, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is not any less usable. You can still use a golf cart even when it’s getting hot. You need to check the plugins, cables, and wires properly. Turn on the electrical power to ensure whether electricity flows through the charger or not.  

Consider going to a battery manufacturer if you think your golf cart charger is getting heated up quite quickly. Before throwing them away, you should get them checked. If the golf cart charger heats up immediately after plugging in or if you think it gets especially hot, you should check the water levels in the battery; it’s not always about the charger, the battery itself may have issues.  Poor wiring and cables can also cause heat in chargers – try changing those, and it may help with the heating issue. But to put it simply, you should not stop using a golf cart charger if it gets hot. It is entirely normal, but if you want to be extra careful, get the charger checked.

Can A Golf Cart Charger Go Bad? 

Generally, a good quality golf cart charger lasts for years, but golf cart chargers will eventually go bad. This may happen due to the irresponsibility of the user, or technical and wiring issues. Another important reason for golf cart chargers to go bad is low water level in batteries. Dried-up batteries require more energy and lose the ability to charge, so all the pressure comes up to the charger, which tries to charge the bad battery, limiting its potential to work.   If you need a new charger or battery for your golf cart, J’s Golf Carts has both items available today.

The voltage levels also determine a charger life. If your electrical source is not stable and robust, your golf cart charger can go bad. The wiring inside the charger gets damaged and sometimes burnt. In this case, try changing the wires or directly contact an electrician to fix your voltage problems. 

Should You Leave Golf Cart Plugged Into The Charger All The Time?

A golf cart battery tries to charge and discharge and recharge again in this cycle. It is not ideal to leave your golf cart charger on for a long time.  Golf cart chargers tend to heat up, and leaving the cart plugged in only worsens this. If you are a business and need to leave your golf carts plugged in most of the day, please remember to check on them often to ensure that they do not overheat.  However, if you have your cart for personal use, you may want to unplug the cart once it finishes charging.

What Causes a Golf Cart Charger to Get Hot?

1. High Electrical Current: Golf cart chargers often get warm due to the high electrical current flowing through them. When charging a battery, the charger converts AC (alternating current) from your electrical outlet into DC (direct current) for the golf cart’s battery. This process naturally generates heat. However, if the charger gets excessively hot, it could indicate that the charger is working harder than it should, possibly due to a poor connection or an old battery that is struggling to charge properly.
2. Old or Worn-Out Charger: Over time, all electrical devices wear down, including golf cart chargers. If your charger has been in use for many years, it may start to overheat more frequently. The internal components can become less efficient, causing the charger to heat up. If your charger has been in use for several years and is getting excessively hot, it might be time to consider replacing it.
3. Blocked Ventilation: Proper airflow is critical for keeping a charger cool. Many chargers have ventilation fans or air vents to help dissipate heat. If these vents become blocked by dust, debris, or objects placed too close to the charger, it can lead to overheating. Make sure your charger is placed in a well-ventilated area with enough space around it to allow for proper airflow.
4. Overcharging the Battery: Leaving the charger connected to the battery for too long can result in overcharging, which not only overheats the charger but can also damage the battery. Some chargers are equipped with an automatic shutoff feature that stops charging once the battery is full. However, if your charger doesn’t have this feature, it’s important to monitor the charging time and unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged.

How to Prevent Overheating in Your Golf Cart Charger

1. Monitor Charging Time: Avoid leaving your golf cart charger plugged in for longer than necessary. Overcharging the battery not only risks overheating the charger but can also degrade the battery over time. Set a timer or reminder to unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged.
2. Inspect Connections: Ensure all connections between the charger, battery, and electrical outlet are secure and clean. Loose or corroded connections can lead to higher resistance, which generates more heat during the charging process.
3. Keep the Charger Clean: Dust and debris can accumulate on the charger’s ventilation ports, blocking airflow and causing the device to overheat. Periodically clean the charger with a soft brush or compressed air to ensure proper airflow.
4. Avoid Overloading the Circuit: Plugging your charger into an outlet that is already powering multiple devices can cause the circuit to overload, leading to overheating. Try to plug the charger into its own outlet to reduce the risk of overloading and ensure steady power flow.

When Should You Worry About an Overheated Charger?

While it’s normal for golf cart chargers to get warm, there are some warning signs that indicate a more serious problem. If your charger becomes too hot to touch, emits a burning smell, or shuts down unexpectedly, you should stop using it immediately and have it inspected by a professional. These could be signs of electrical issues that could pose a fire hazard or damage your golf cart’s battery.

J’s Golf Carts

We hope that this article has helped in figuring out the issues regarding golf cart batteries. If you still have questions regarding your golf cart’s charger heating up when you plug your cart in, feel free to reach out to us at J’s Golf Carts.  We are experts in the field and will be able to help work through what exactly may be wrong with the charger or the golf cart.  Fill out the form below and someone will contact you shortly.