Technical
Storage Facility for the Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles
The first step in good maintenance practice is to have a suitable storage facility for the vehicles. This facility has to be laid out in such a way that the rotation of the golf buggy fleet can be ensured; meaning that all of the buggies will be used equally and so will their battery packs. Hydrogen is released during the charging
process of the batteries and we all know how volatile this little gas is. Therefore, good ventilation of the storage area has to be ensured. It is recommended the volume of air is circulated five times an hour. The ventilation system has to be installed in such a way that there is no chance of hydrogen build-up in pockets of the ceiling. Also, keep any flames or sparks away from the charging area at all times and do not smoke in the vicinity. It is strongly recommended that one
charger is dedicated to one particular vehicle, i.e. the chargers are numbered according to the numbers of the buggies and buggy number 15, for example, is only charged by charger number 15. This way a possibly faulty charger will only affect one particular buggy. The electric power supply to the chargers has to be stable during the complete charging cycle and a maximum of two chargers are protected by a single fuse. During prolonged storage of the vehicles
the battery packs have to be charged and watered monthly.
Regular Maintenance
Before getting started, be sure to wear the correct protective clothing when handling batteries or electrolyte; as a minimum, rubber gloves and goggles. The following tools will be required:
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) - Distilled or De-ionised Water - Voltmeter -Hydrometer
“ Cleanliness
The ventilation system has to be installed in such a way that there is no chance of hydrogen build-u
the ceiling
- Insulated Spanner(s) - Post Cleaner or Wire Brush Batteries should be inspected on a regular
basis (preferably weekly, but as a minimum monthly) in order to detect and correct potential problems before they can do harm.
- Examine the case of the battery. Look for cracks in the case or for discoloration, warping or raising of the case. Inspect the top of the battery. The posts (terminals) and connections should be clean, free of dirt, fluids and corrosion. Repair or replace any damaged batteries.
- Any fluids on or around the battery may be an indication that electrolyte is spilling, leaching or leaking out. Follow the instructions under ‘Cleanliness’ below in order to clean the batteries. Leaking batteries must be repaired or replaced
- Check all battery cables and their connections; look for loose or damaged parts. Battery cables must be intact; broken or frayed cables can be extremely dangerous. Replace any cable that looks suspicious. Cable connections need to be cleaned and tightened as battery problems are often caused by dirty and loose connections. Follow instructions in ‘Everything Secure’ below for correct torque settings.
up in pockets of
Cleaning batteries is an important issue. Battery tops should be clean and dry, as dirt and moisture actually provide a conductor to allow a discharge across the grime on top of the case. This discharge may cause the terminal clamps and nearby metalwork to corrode, which will cause a high resistance at the connections, resulting in power consumption due to heat generation. The heat can lead to cables melting or battery terminals distorting or melting which, in turn, will slacken the battery terminals and connections, thereby increasing the problem. Therefore, there will be a reduction in the performance of the battery pack and voltage drop during use. It is recommended that the battery tops
be cleaned monthly. However, if the batteries are cleaned with a water hose (without first neutralising any acid) the acid from the top of the batteries will just be moved to another area of the vehicle or storage facility, where it will attack the metal structure or the concrete/asphalt floor. Also, after hosing down the batteries, a residue will be left on the battery, which is conductive and will again contribute to the discharge of the batteries. The correct cleaning technique is to spray
the top and sides of the batteries with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water. This solution is best applied with a litre-sized hand sprayer. The solution should consist of two teaspoons (10 ml) of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed with one litre of clear water. In addition to the batteries, special attention should be paid to metallic components adjacent to the batteries which should also be sprayed with the sodium bicarbonate solution.
- Ensure that all the vent caps are securely in place to prevent any contamination from entering the battery
- Spray the battery tops, sides and nearby metalwork with the above solution of baking soda and water
It is strongly recommended that one charger is dedicated to one vehicle
The correct tools and PPE are essential when working with batteries
PC APRIL/MAY 2014 I 127
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