Can a golf cart get wet ?

For many golfers, the golf cart becomes a more preferred vehicle over the traditional car. Taking the golf cart out for a round of golf or around the neighborhood can be a great experience. However, many golf cart owners are reluctant to take their golf cart out in wet conditions.

Knowing that you have battery terminals, battery cables, an engine compartment, and more on the golf cart with you can increase concerns about having the cart out. If you have wondered if golf carts can get wet and what water damage can do, we have you covered.

Is it ok if my golf cart gets wet?

A golf cart can be in some relatively short-lived heavy rain or moderate rainy conditions and experience no damage. Golf carts have a roof and a windshield to help protect them from getting water damage. Golf cart batteries will need to stay dry.

As any owner of electric carts will tell you, the deep cycle battery and even Lithium golf cart batteries are very sensitive to water, and even a bit of water in the wrong location can create extensive damage.

Be sure to check out our recent post on Gas golf cart vs electric golf cart.

This comes as a surprise to some, as many golf carts come with a golf cart battery watering system. The interesting thing here is that golf cart batteries often need water in them, but when the water sits on the cables or on the terminals, it will cause damage.

Tips to keep your golf cart from getting water or weather damage 

If you want to avoid golf cart repair, or from causing damage to your ride, you will need to keep your golf cart relatively dry. This is especially important during the charging process as you will not want to create any dangerous conditions or permanent damage.

This tip is especially important if you have your own golf cart with a Golf cart bluetooth sound bar or a high end stereo system. Water can certainly cause damage to any electrical components you have in your Golf trolley.

Let’s take a look at some of our best tips for avoiding damage from playing golf in the rain and wet conditions.

Stay out of the rain – When possible

If you can avoid it, take a break from the golf course on rainy days. Getting those few extra holes in won’t be worth it if you end up with a bad battery. Typically speaking, if you are uncomfortable out there and can’t stay dry, it’s probably time to go in.

Get a cart cover

One of the easiest ways to keep your cart and yourself out of the rain is by investing in the Best golf cart cover or enclosure you can afford.  Golf cart covers provide great protection from the elements including the rain, but will also keep you warmer in the cold fall and winter months.  With a good cover, you can also use a Golf cart heater to provide a bit more warmth inside the enclosure. 

Buy The Premium Tires

When shopping for a golf cart that you will spend long periods of time using, make sure to buy the premium tires. Keep the tire pressure up on these tires and follow all proper maintenance procedures. The weight of the vehicle should be considered when filling the tires.

The writers at AEC Info have recently completed another review for the best Golf cart tires which you should check out. 

Be smart about rough weather conditions

When you see cloudy conditions, there is a chance that the rain is not far behind. As we have mentioned, a bit of rain will not make any difference. The golfers that struggle with their carts in the rain are driving through large puddles and letting water get into their battery compartment.

This can lead to other shortages and even wire fraying over time.

Is driving a golf cart in the rain safe?

Driving a golf cart in the rain can be dangerous. Not only are you looking at chances of water damage to the golf cart, but there are a few other issues that can come up. Before you take your golf car out for a spin in the rain, keep these in mind.

• Brake lights will be harder to see for golfers driving their cart on the road.
• Sometimes feet can slip off the brake pedal or gas pedal get wet; water exposure can also cause rusting of the brake pads and brake liner.
• Going through a body of water that has accumulated on the golf course or on the side of the road could end up meaning your golf cart gets stuck.
• Long-term impacts of running a golf cart in and through the water include battery leaks, decrease in battery life, void of any battery warranty, battery failure, and more. To keep the battery healthy, make sure that you are looking for battery corrosion and damage after being in bad weather conditions.

Can i wash my golf cart ?

With all of this talk about the battery issue and rusting and damage that water can do to your cart, you may be wondering if it is even safe to wash your golf cart. Luckily washing the golf cart is not an issue and is something that golfers should be doing.

When you wash your cart, make sure that you use clean water and that you are not spraying any water into the battery post or battery compartment. This area of the cart can be cleaned but not by spraying water. If you happen to do this, you will see quick signs of water damage.

We recommend drying the cart of any excess water just to make sure that it is not going to have any lingering water issues. Things like spark plugs and any electronics do not need to be sprayed.

Can golf carts be stored outdoors ?

It is best to store a golf cart inside. Not only are there issues with water, but there are other problems with the battery voltage and the golf cart battery chargers that you will run into. Essentially the wet cell batteries can also struggle with temperature changes that occur when begin placed outside.

For long-term storage options, speak with a golf cart expert about the best ways to ensure battery health. Sometimes an automatic battery charger can be installed to help keep the battery charging from time to time and maintain the battery’s health.

Golf carts left outside may struggle with more than just battery issues. The upholstery and other areas of the golf cart are more susceptible to damage. Don’t set yourself up for a problem with your battery load or longevity; simply find a great indoor storage facility for the cart. Even a garage works.

What to do if an electric golf cart gets wet ?

The first thing you will want to do if an electric golf cart gets wet is to get it out of the poor weather conditions. One thing that all golf cart owners can attest to is that golf cart battery maintenance means paying attention to the batteries.

When you get in from the rainy conditions, try to dry any excess water that may have made its way to the battery compartment. A bad golf cart battery will cost hundreds of dollars, and it can easily be avoided.

Some golf cart owners notice they have trouble charging after a rainstorm. Although this could be a bad battery charger, chances are your battery charger charges when everything dries out. If any battery cable connections are still wet, it may not provide enough current for a proper battery charge.

Let the cart dry out a bit, and then call in an expert if you still notice a problem.

Conclusion

Ideally, it is best to keep your golf cart out of the rain. These conditions will impact the cart, and there could be long-term issues. Always make sure that your cart has a roof, a windshield, and protection for the batteries.

If you can do this, you will likely end up with fewer worries when it comes to the battery characteristics and the longevity of your golf cart as a whole.

Please be sure to check out our other Golf cart reviews that were recently published, including Why golf carts back fire.