For Trojan golf cart batteries, use distilled or deionized water to maintain electrolyte levels. Tap water contains minerals and impurities that accelerate sulfation and corrosion, shortening battery life. Always refill after charging, ensuring water covers the plates by ¼”–½” (6–12 mm) without exceeding fill tubes. Trojan’s Hydrolink watering system simplifies this process, enabling safe refills in 30 seconds for full battery banks.
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Why can’t I use tap water in Trojan batteries?
Tap water contains dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium) and chlorine that form conductive deposits on lead plates. These impurities increase self-discharge rates by 15–30% and reduce capacity by up to 20% over 6 months. Pro Tip: Store distilled water in food-grade containers to avoid contamination from plasticizers.
Beyond mineral content, tap water’s ionic conductivity creates micro-short circuits between cells. For example, Florida’s hard water (300+ ppm hardness) can coat Trojan T-105 plates with insulating calcium sulfate within 50 cycles. Always use ASTM D5127-grade distilled water—its <5 ppm TDS (total dissolved solids) prevents stratification and preserves charge efficiency.
How often should water be added to Trojan golf cart batteries?
Check levels every 8–10 charge cycles or monthly. Water consumption depends on usage—frequent deep discharges increase gassing and evaporation. In 72V systems (six 12V batteries), average refill intervals are 45–60 days for daily-use carts.
Practically speaking, water loss accelerates above 40°C (104°F). A Trojan J250G battery in Arizona summers may need weekly checks, while mild climates extend intervals to 90 days. Pro Tip: Mark “Max” and “Min” lines on translucent Hydrolink tubes for quick visual inspections. Underwatering exposes plates to air, causing irreversible sulfation; overwatering dilutes electrolyte below 1.225 specific gravity.
| Usage Frequency | Check Interval | Water Added per Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Daily (30+ mins) | Monthly | 15–30 mL |
| Weekly | Quarterly | 5–10 mL |
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FAQs
No—boiling removes microbes but concentrates minerals. A 2024 study showed boiled tap water still contains 85–120 ppm TDS vs. distilled’s <5 ppm, accelerating plate degradation by 3x.
What if I accidentally overfill the cells?
Use a turkey baster to remove excess fluid. Overfill dilutes electrolyte, reducing voltage by 0.2V/cell. Rebalance by charging at 14.7V (12V battery) for 2 hours to restore specific gravity.
