Golf Buggy Winter Storage - My Golf Buggy

Tuesday, 14th October 2014

Petrol Golf Buggy - Long-Term Storage

To reduce the possibility of severe injury or death resulting from a possible explosion:

Do not handle fuel in an area that is not adequately ventilated. Do not smoke near the fuel tank or refuel near open flame or electrical items which could produce a spark.

Store vehicle in a clean, dry area. Do not store in same area as a stove, furnace, water heater, or other appliance that uses a pilot light or has a device that can create a spark.

When refuelling, inspect the fuel cap for leaks or breaks that could result in fuel spillage.

Always wear safety glasses while refuelling to prevent possible eye injury from gasoline or gasoline vapour.

Keep hands, clothing and jewellery away from moving parts. Use care not to contact hot objects.

Raise the rear of the vehicle and support on jack stands before attempting to run the engine.

Preparing the engine for a prolonged storage period (30 days or more) calls for a few simple steps to prevent a build up of varnish and gum in the carburettor and corrosion in the engine.

Steps to Prepare the Engine for Prolonged Storage:

Raise the rear of the vehicle and support on jack stands. Refer to 'Lifting the Vehicle' for proper lifting procedure and safety information.

Disconnect the fuel hose at the fuel tank and plug hose.

With proper ventilation, depress the accelerator pedal and allow engine to run until it stops due to lack of fuel.

Remove spark plugs and pour about 1 oz. (30 ml) of engine oil into each cylinder. Replace spark plugs, ground spark plug wires and use starter to turn engine over a few seconds to distribute oil.

Add a gasoline additive to the tank in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Reattach fuel line to tank and drive the vehicle for several minutes to circulate the additive through the carburettor.

While engine is still warm, change oil.

Clean body, chassis and engine of debris, mud, chaff or grass.

Electric Golf Buggy - Long-Term Storage

Battery charger, controller and other electronic devices need to be disconnected since they will contribute to the premature discharge of batteries.

During periods of storage, the batteries will need attention to keep them maintained and prevent discharge.

In high temperatures the chemical reaction is faster, while low temperatures cause the chemical reaction to slow down. A vehicle that is stored at 90° F (32° C) will lose .002 of specific gravity each day. If a fully charged battery has a specific gravity of 1.275, and the battery is allowed to sit unused, it will become partially discharged.

When it reaches 1.240, which it will do in less than twenty days, it should be recharged. If a battery is left in a discharged state, sulphating takes place on and within the plates. This condition is not reversible and will cause permanent damage to the battery. In order to prevent damage, the battery should be recharged. A hydrometer can be used to determine the specific gravity and therefore the state of charge of a battery.

In winter conditions, the battery must be fully charged to prevent the possibility of. A fully charged battery will not freeze in temperatures above -75° F (-60° C). Although the chemical reaction is slowed in cold temperatures, the battery must be stored fully charged, and disconnected from any circuit that could discharge the battery. For PDS vehicles, the controller should be disconnected from the batteries by setting the Run-Tow/Maintenance switch, located under the passenger seat, to the 'TOW/MAINTENANCE' position.

For portable chargers, disconnect the charging plug from the vehicle receptacle. For on-board chargers, disconnect the charging harness from the batteries. The batteries must be cleaned and all deposits neutralised and removed from the battery case to prevent self-discharge.

The batteries should be tested or recharged at intervals not exceeding 30 days.