I can't believe it actually worked.
My lightly used airport 48V golf cart had new batteries about 5 years ago (batts dated 2018). As expected, the range and speed declined over time until the useless thing sat unused for the last two years, as the batteries would not charge with the finicky digital charger.
A year ago, I tried using various tricks to get some power into each 8V battery (they were showing 0.54V to 2V) Then hooking up the cart's charger and so on. Best I got was about 2-3 minutes use, then they'd go dead.
After watching a YouTube video about using an Arc Welder to desulfate flooded lead acid batteries, I thought I'd give it a try. Using care to get a spark free connection. A fan to blow away tons of explosive fumes and a 5 minute limit, I followed the procedure.
Note the DC TIG welder's ground is POSITIVE. So that's where it goes. Started at 10A, until each cell boiled, then 50A for 4 minutes and 100A for a minute, boiling like crazy, a few cells boiled over so I backed it down and up again to reduce losses. That's it, as repeated "zapping" did not seem to be necessary. As each 8V battery was showing 8.4V or so.
Hooked up the charger, and they charged normally. Battery measures at 80% after a number of miles, and 50.4V, or 95% in the morning, after charging and disconnecting overnight. I believe it restored the batteries, as I can now drive it all over the place, down dirt roads, top speed runs, (it goes 30)
Success
My lightly used airport 48V golf cart had new batteries about 5 years ago (batts dated 2018). As expected, the range and speed declined over time until the useless thing sat unused for the last two years, as the batteries would not charge with the finicky digital charger.
A year ago, I tried using various tricks to get some power into each 8V battery (they were showing 0.54V to 2V) Then hooking up the cart's charger and so on. Best I got was about 2-3 minutes use, then they'd go dead.
After watching a YouTube video about using an Arc Welder to desulfate flooded lead acid batteries, I thought I'd give it a try. Using care to get a spark free connection. A fan to blow away tons of explosive fumes and a 5 minute limit, I followed the procedure.
Note the DC TIG welder's ground is POSITIVE. So that's where it goes. Started at 10A, until each cell boiled, then 50A for 4 minutes and 100A for a minute, boiling like crazy, a few cells boiled over so I backed it down and up again to reduce losses. That's it, as repeated "zapping" did not seem to be necessary. As each 8V battery was showing 8.4V or so.
Hooked up the charger, and they charged normally. Battery measures at 80% after a number of miles, and 50.4V, or 95% in the morning, after charging and disconnecting overnight. I believe it restored the batteries, as I can now drive it all over the place, down dirt roads, top speed runs, (it goes 30)
Success