How to Test Golf Cart Batteries 2025

Collage of How to Test Golf Cart Batteries with Multimeter

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Got a golf cart that’s running out of juice faster than you'd like? It might be time to check those batteries! And knowing how to check golf cart batteries is a valuable skill that's easy to learn. Here’s a quick guide to help your test your cart's batteries using a multimeter.

Steps for Golf Cart Battery Test

1. Physically Inspect the Batteries

  • Look for any signs of damage, corrosion, or leaks.
  • Check for any visible cracks, leaks, bulging, corrosion or damage. Damaged batteries need immediate replacement.
  • Ensure that all cable connections are tight and clean.
  • This is a good time to check your battery electrolyte levels, and perform routine golf cart battery maintenance

2. Use a Multimeter to Check Battery Voltage

  1. Set your multimeter: Turn the dial on your multimeter to DC volts (V).
  2. Connect the positive (red) probe to the positive battery (+) terminal of one battery.
  3. Connect the negative (black) probe probe to the negative terminal (-) of the same battery.
  4. Read the voltage: The multimeter will display the battery's voltage reading.
    • A healthy 6-volt battery should read MORE than 6V (around 6.3 to 6.5 volts).
    • A healthy 8-volt battery should read MORE than 8V (around 8.4 to 8.6 volts).
    • A healthy 12-volt battery should read MORE than 12V (around 12.5 to 12.6 volts).
  5. Repeat this process for each of your cart's individual batteries.
  6. Once you have done for each single battery, add all voltage values together for full battery pack voltage.
    • A healthy 48-Volt battery pack should read between 48-52 Volts.
    • A healthy 36-Volt battery pack should read between 36-40 Volts.

Golf Cart Battery Test Performed with Multimeter

3. Perform Load Testing (not necessary, but recommended)

A load test simulates how your cart's batteries perform when they are in use. This is considered the most accurate way to get a real health test of your battery capacity and strength.

Tools You'll Need

  • A load tester (available online or at auto parts stores).

How to Load Test Golf Cart Batteries

  1. Ensure batteries are FULLY CHARGED first.
  2. Connect the load tester to the battery terminals on one of your cart's batteries.
    • Apply the load: Once activated, the tester will apply a simulated electrical load to the golf cart’s actual operation.
    • Check voltage: Observe how the voltage changes under load. You should expect to see the voltage drop, but not too much.

Load Test Results

  • Good/Healthy Battery: Voltage will be higher than what the battery is rated for. For instance, a 12-volt battery might read 9.6-volts under load.
  • Bad/Failing Battery: Significant voltage drop (beyond 50%) indicates a failing battery.

Golf Cart Battery Test Chart

Our battery test health chart below can give you a signal of how healthy your golf cart batteries are when testing them:

GCTS Golf Cart Battery Health Chart
% of Charge 6V Battery 8V Battery 12V Battery 36V Battery/System 48V Battery/System
100% 6.37 8.49 12.73 38.20 50.93
90% 6.31 8.41 12.62 37.85 50.47
80% 6.25 8.33 12.50 37.49 49.99
70% 6.19 8.25 12.37 37.12 49.49
60% 6.12 8.16 12.27 36.72 48.96
50% 6.02 8.07 12.1 36.31 48.41
40% 5.98 7.97 11.89 35.87 47.83
30% 5.91 7.88 11.81 35.44 47.26
20% 5.83 7.77 11.66 34.97 46.63
10% 5.75 7.67 11.51 34.52 46.03

Proprietary table above was created by GolfCartTireSupply.com.

For accurate voltage readings, batteries must remain idle (no charging, no discharging) for 24 hrs.
If a battery registers below the 10% row values after a full charge + idle time, then battery(ies) need to be replaced, because:

  1. The battery was left unused / in a state of discharge too long.
  2. The battery has a bad cell.

Conclusion

Regularly testing your traditional lead-acid golf cart batteries ensures reliability and extends their lifespan. And it will for sure save you money and prevent silly and unnecessary breakdowns! Remember to always use a multimeter in DC volts, or a proper golf cart battery tester for accurate results. Testing your golf cart batteries isn't complicated! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll keep your ride will stay dependable.

If you have any questions regarding golf cart batteries or golf cart accessories, call us any time at 1-844-422-7884. We are always happy to help!

Updated: 2/27/2025

Article Author

Written by Greg Sturwold

Greg Sturwold is a lifelong engineer and self-taught technology expert. Before becoming an author for the Golf Cart Tire Supply, Greg worked for 40+ years in the industrial business world at STABILUS, a spring manufacturer. Greg was Director of Sales and helped develop numerous products for the Class 6, Class 7 and Class 8 vehicle industry, Agricultural industry, and heavy equipment sector. When he’s not sitting behind his computer writing, you’ll find him exploring the latest trends in Bitcoin, Graphene and new technologies. Or enjoying time driving his EZGO golf cart around Ocean Springs, MS, where he resides. With a plethora of self-taught mechanical knowledge and formal training under his belt, Greg brings multiple decades of practical experience to the features he carefully crafts for Golf Cart Tire Supply. Find his expertly-curated technical guides, lifestyle news pieces, and more on at the GCTS Blog—your source for all things golf cart wheels and tires, Accessories, and Parts. You can find him on LinkedIn

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