How Can I Tell When My 48v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery For Golf Cart Is Bad?

How Can I Tell When My 48v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery For Golf Cart Is Bad?
Some of the benefits of a 48v 100ah LiFePO4 battery used in golf carts could be high level of durability, reliability and efficiency. As a matter of fact, these are the major reasons why people tend to be choosing the option of LiFePO4 batteries over others. There are even predictions from experts that these batteries will be used by more golf cart owners in the nearest future. Whether they have what it takes to displace other popular batteries in the industry remains to be seen.

Here is the major issue at hand
It is true that LiFePO4 batteries are very reliable when it comes to optimum performance. However, there are times when people have complained that they are performing below expectations. In other words, they have failed to carry out the functions that are expected of them.

Do you have 48v 100ah LiFePO4 battery that is not performing as expected? Are you aware that such battery may be bad? The truth is that most people are struggling when it comes to knowing whether their batteries are due for replacement or not. This post will be revealing some of the signs to show your battery is bad.

Reduced storage capacity
This is the first sign that you have to watch out for amongst others. The problem is that most people usually fail to check whether their batteries can still hold power as expected or not. If you can read in-between the lines, this is one of the easiest ways to find out when your battery is not functioning anymore. The problem of reduced capacity is probably one of the most obvious when it comes to your battery not working as expected thus, due for replacement.

For instance, your 48v 100ah LiFePO4 battery is expected to last for 72hours before charging is required. However, it ended up lasting only 36hours. In this case, it is possible that you have been using such battery in the past and it was lasting up to 72hours. This problem is usually hard to detect as the drop in storage capacity will not happen suddenly. In other words, it will not reduce from 72hours to 36hours all of a sudden.

However, such will not be sudden. For instance, it can reduce from 72hours to 68hours. That is how it will be reducing gradually until such battery can no longer power your golf cart as expected. Below are some factors that can make your LiFePO4 battery to reduce in power.

• Poor charging/discharging
• Storing such battery in a hot temperature
• Low quality battery
• Lack of proper care. Of course LiFePO4 batteries require minimal maintenance but you need to ensure they do not fall on the ground too often

Irregular charging

This is another problem that most people experience without knowing. Have you ever observed your LiFePO4 battery not charging as claimed by manufacturers all of a sudden? In such case, you will see that instead of charging for about 3hours, it takes only 30mins to charge and indicate being full. This is a sign that it is beginning to become weak as time goes on. There is no remedy for this problem as you only need to ensure there is proper arrangement to ensure it is replaced.

Despite the fact that irregular charging can be caused by ageing, it is important to note the fact that this problem can also be caused by technical difficulties. It could be that the charger is faulty or something has gone wrong. In such case, it is recommended to hire the services of an expert who can check it out.

According to battery experts, hot temperature can bring about irregular discharging in a battery with the passage of time. This may not become obvious initially. However, as such battery is being charged over and over again in a place that is hot, its charging rate will be adversely affected.

Key points to note
• If you notice any sign that your battery is charging as expected, hire an expert to have it checked out
• Temperature can cause irregular charging in your LiFePO4 battery
• Ageing is a also another factor that can cause irregular charging

Golf cart starts but stops immediately
This is another problem which has been discovered to always affect LiFePO4 batteries over the years. Have you ever tried to start your golf cart only for it to go off after few minutes? There is no need to panic about having any serious issue as such can be due to the fact that your battery has gone bad. One of the reasons why this problem is experienced is that most golf cart owners fail to monitor the performance of their batteries.

Therefore, they do not know when such batteries will begin to decrease in terms of performance. Just as said above in the case of reduced storage power, this is a more serious problem. When your golf cart starts and stops immediately, it is a sign that such battery needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Golf cart refuses to power
Have you ever noticed a situation whereby your golf cart does not power? In such case, you will see that the lights and radio are on. However, the golf cart itself cannot be powered. This is a sign that there is something wrong with your LiFePo4 battery. Three things are recommended in case you find yourself in such situation:
• Testing the battery on your own
• Hiring an expert to have it checked out
• Having it replaced

If the engine of your golf cart refuses to start while lights and radio remain on, there is every reason to believe something has gone wrong. Any of the above solutions will help in lots of regards.

Conclusion
Having seen the above, it is very obvious that there are lots of ways your 48v 100ah LiFePO4 battery can give you signs when it has become bad. If you are not observant, it will be very difficult to read in-between the lines as expected.