How to Maintain Golf Cart Batteries in Extreme Summer and Winter Conditions
As golf carts are used more and more for fun and work, it is important to take care of their batteries in all seasons. Many people ask us at Himax Electronics:
“How can I keep my golf cart batteries safe in extremely hot or cold weather?”
To help answer this, we’ve compliled a detailed guide. It explains how to store, charge, and maintain LiFePO₄ (lithium iron phosphate) batteries in both summer heat and winter cold conditions. Following these tips will help your battery last longer and work safely all year.
1. Summer Tips (Temperature above 35°C / 95°F)
Why this matters:
High temperatures can accelerate your battery aging, degrade capacity, and compromise internal components. While LiFePO4 batteries are know for their thermal stability, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can still cause damage if not managed correctly.
Storage Recommendations:
- Maintain a State of Charge (SOC) between 30–50% during storage to prevent over-voltage stress and reduce internal aging.
- Always disconnect the battery pack from the cart or system if it’s not in use for longto avoid parasitic loads that may slowly drain the battery.
Charging Guidelines:
Keep the charging current ≤ 0.3C (for example, max 18A for a 60Ah battery) to reduce heat generation during charging.
Make sure your battery has a BMS (Battery Management System) that stops charging if the battery is too hot (above 50°C).
Maintenance Tips:
Every 3 months, do a full charge cycle:
First, fully discharge the battery → then fully charge it again.
This helps maintain accurate SOC readings and balances the cells internally.
2. Winter Tips (Temperature below 0°C / 32°F)
Why this matters:
Cold weather presents a different challenge. Charging LiFePO₄ batteries below 0°C can lead to lithium plating, an irreversible process that degrades battery life and can even pose safety hazards.
Storage recommendations:
- Maintain SOC at 40–60% before placing the battery in storage.
- Never charge a LiFePO₄ battery when its internal temperature is below 0°C.
- If long-term storage is required during winter, remove the battery from the golf cart and store it in a climate-controlled environment above 5°C.
Charging Guidelines:
Ensure the battery’s internal temperature is above 0°C before charging.
If possible, use battery packs equipped with self-heating features, which warm the cells to a safe temperature automatically before charging begins.
Reduce the charging current to ≤ 0.2C when operating near 0°C to minimize internal stress and preserve cycle life.
Maintenance Tips:
Allow the battery to rest at room temperature for at least 24 hours after exposure to freezing conditions before use or testing.
Confirm that the BMS low-temperature protection is functioning correctly to prevent accidental charging under unsafe conditions.
3. Quick Comparison Table
| Item | Summer (Hot Weather) | Winter (Cold Weather) |
| Storage Power (SOC) | 30–50% | 40–60% |
| Charging Temperature | 0–45°C | 0–45°C |
| Risk | Battery aging | Internal lithium damage |
| Maintenance | Calibrate every 3 months | Check every 3 months |
4. Helpful Tools
To ensure safe and optimal use of your golf cart batteries system throughout the year, we recommend having the following tools on hand:
Temperature Monitoring
Infrared Thermometer:
Quickly check battery surface or terminals temperature.
Bluetooth Battery Monitor:
Allows real-time tracking of voltage, current, SOC, and temperature via smartphone app.
Built-in Display Screen:
real-time battery status directly on the device, including voltage, SOC, and temperature. Convenient for on-site checks without external tools.
Charging Equipment
Use a special LiFePO₄ charger with these specs:
Input: 110V–240V AC
Output: 58.4V DC (for 48V battery packs)
Features: Auto shut-off, short-circuit protection, and temperature control.
5. Emergency Tips
If the Battery Overheats (Summer):
- If BMS cuts off charging due to high temperature, do not use the battery again immediately.
- Let it cool down naturally, then get it checked by a professionalbefore using again.
If the Battery Freezes (Winter):
- Do not charge or usea frozen battery.
- Let the battery rest at room temperature for 48 hours, then test it before using.
Extra Safety Notes
In –20°C, your battery capacity may drop by up to 50%.
- Always wear safety gloves and goggleswhen handling batteries, especially in extreme weather.
6. Final Words
Weather has a big effect on lithium battery life and performance. But with proper care, your golf cart batteries can stay safe and strong for many years.
At Himax Electronics, we are here to help you get the best from your battery. Whether you need a custom design, a battery for hot/cold weather, or technical help — just let us know.
Need help choosing the right battery for your climate?
Contact us now — we’ll be happy to support you!
