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Step 2State-Of-Charge Indicator
This golfcart has flooded lead-acid batteries. If you overcharge them, the only problem is you'll have to add distilled water eventually. It's actually good to overcharge them from time to time. It mixes up the electrolyte and prevents stratification.
To make sure I didn't over-overcharge, I got a $3 alternator tester from harborfreight.
It has a series of LED indicator lights showing 5 ,12, 12.5,13,13.5, and 14 volts.
I wired that to two adjacent 6 volt batteries in the bank. When it gets over 13 volts I'll pull a cap on one of the cells. If I see bubbles I unplug the panel. Then I watch the battery voltage and when it gets down toward 12 I'll plug the panel in for a recharge.
Over-discharge is a lot worse for a flooded lead-acid battery than overcharge. That's what wrecks most car batteries.
To make sure I didn't over-overcharge, I got a $3 alternator tester from harborfreight.
It has a series of LED indicator lights showing 5 ,12, 12.5,13,13.5, and 14 volts.
I wired that to two adjacent 6 volt batteries in the bank. When it gets over 13 volts I'll pull a cap on one of the cells. If I see bubbles I unplug the panel. Then I watch the battery voltage and when it gets down toward 12 I'll plug the panel in for a recharge.
Over-discharge is a lot worse for a flooded lead-acid battery than overcharge. That's what wrecks most car batteries.
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