Powakaddy FAQ

Batteries & Chargers

Before going further do read the instructions that come with every battery and charger supplied by PowaKaddy.

How long will my battery last?
Most Lead Acid batteries seem to die in their second or third season and often without any apparent reason. Lithium Batteries have a longer warranty and last longer. Very hot weather and very cold weather don't help; failing to charge the battery after use doesn't help; carrying heavy bags doesn't help. Even batteries that are treated identically have different life spans.

My new battery gets round but seems a bit sluggish at the end?
A new battery does take time to fully "activate" it will get better with each round and can take up to 6 rounds to reach peak performance.

My battery is failing prematurely. Is there anything I can do to try and improve it?
First check that the trolley is running well with no excessive noise and with the wheels running freely. Secondly, have your charger checked to make sure that this is not the problem. You should always have your charger checked when replacing your battery. A faulty or unsuitable charger can ruin your battery in a matter of rounds. Keep your battery on charge permanently. Keep the weight of your bag to a minimum.

A friend has told me to fully discharge the battery as this will improve its performance?
This is VERY BAD advice. Do not do it. Draining a battery excessively will damage the capacity of the battery and the battery may never recover. Draining a Lead Acid battery to less than 8 volts means that the charger will not recover the battery and will invalidate warranty. Deliberately discharging a Lithium Battery is fatal for the battery and will again invalidate the warranty.

Will the battery be damaged if I leave it on charge all of the time?
A PowaKaddy charger is designed to recognise a PowaKaddy battery and knows when the battery is fully charged. So, it will not damage the battery. However today's "best practice" says that, when the charger light goes green and the battery is fully charged, it is safest to remove the battery from the charger.

Is my battery ready to use as soon as the green light shows on the charger?
With a Lithium battery, when the green light shows, the battery is ready to use. Conversely, if the green light doesn't show after charging for 12 hours, something is wrong. You should have the battery and charger checked by a Service Agent.

Can I play more than 18/36 holes in one day?
Standard Battery: the battery is for 18 holes and needs to be charged for a minimum of 12 hours after the round. We are aware that some golfers will try to stretch these batteries to 27 holes, this may damage the overall capacity of the battery and may result in an early failure. Extended Battery: this can handle the occasional 36 holes and this is as much as you should use it for before fully charging it again. Regularly using the battery for two rounds of golf on consecutive days means that the battery cannot be fully re-charged in between and will damage the overall capacity of the battery. This will result in an early failure. If you regularly play two rounds of golf in one day, buy two batteries.

I only played a few holes do I still need to recharge the battery?
Yes. Regardless of the number of holes played the battery must be charged every time it is used.

I'm not using the battery for an extended period. Can I disconnect it from the charger?
Yes, first make sure the battery is fully charged. Our advice is to store the battery in a cool dry place and, if possible, recharge monthly.

I play at least 4 times a week with my 18/36 hole battery is this too much for one battery?
This level of use is fine.

I dropped the battery and there is a dent in the case?
This is normally terminal for a battery because the cells or circuit components inside may have been damaged. Exercise extreme caution in such a situation because the protection circuit module may have been disabled thereby increasing the risk of fire. You should have the battery and charger checked by a Service Agent.

The charger gets hot?
Yes the charger does get hot. It may even get hot enough to damage polished surfaces or carpet. With this in mind don't place the charger on a surface you value! Charge in a dry, ventilated area on a hard surface.

Can I connect my charger to the mains using a time switch?
No, this does not guarantee the battery will be fully charged.

I use an extension lead to plug my charger in, will this affect the charging of the battery?
This can affect the charging of the battery especially if you have other appliances plugged into the same extension. To guarantee a good charge then plugged into the wall socket direct is best.

Can I use a different charger?
No, the chargers we supply have been approved by the battery manufacturers we use. This means the charger will deliver exactly what the battery needs. Other chargers may not do this and this will invalidate warranty

Trolleys

Before going further do read the instructions that come with every trolley supplied by PowaKaddy. We also list below a few of the questions we get from time to time.

What's the best way to keep my trolley clean?
Wipe your trolley down after each outing to ensure it runs smoothly and keeps its good looks. You can use a damp cloth, mild detergent and warm water. Main wheels are easily removed and so can be washed separately. Never jet wash, steam-clean or use a compressed air hose on your trolley. Whilst your machine is more than capable of coping with the elements, cleaning in these ways can force water into the electronics and the gearbox of the trolley. This will invalidate the warranty.

Is there any other maintenance I can do?
Yes, it is best to check nuts bolts and screws from time to time to make sure they are all secure. All of these are set during manufacture using a torque setting but vibration over a period of time might loosen them. So the best guide is hand tight. Also check (visually) wiring and wiring connections. Any sign of damage to cabling or connections could lead to a serious fault with your trolley. There are drain holes in most battery trays, check they are not blocked. Should you notice damage, please contact your nearest PowaKaddy Service Agent.

Should I have my trolley serviced?
Many PowaKaddy Service Agents offer an annual service. To keep your trolley at the peak of its performance a service every couple of years is a good idea. Clogged wheels or bearings and misaligned components can increase the drain on your battery and limit the range of your trolley.

My trolley doesn't run straight?
The PowaKaddy steers straight and true, as any electric trolley should. However, like any electric trolley, there are at least two conditions which may cause it to steer with a bias. The first common cause is a lop-sided bag. The offset centre of gravity tries to tip a cart sideways slightly and gives the cart an annoying tendency to steer to the right or the left. This can normally be prevented by balancing the bag so that its centre of gravity is in line with the main beam of the cart. This is why PowaKaddy offers a CartBag. CartBag pockets are laid out symmetrically on either side of the centre of the cart with pockets for balls and drinks down the centre. All the pockets are accessed from above. This means that they can be loaded in a balanced way. The PowaKaddy CartBag also features a locking base which prevents the bag twisting and potentially getting into a lopsided condition. This also means that your clubs are always presented to you just the way you like them.

Secondly... If the cart receives a bad knock, say by running at speed into a kerb or a root, slight deformations in the chassis can lead to an annoying tendency to steer to the right or the left. This is why newer PowaKaddy trolleys feature on-course adjustment of the front wheel to correct this problem should it happen. If you have an older model check if the problem is down only to the trolley, place it on flat even ground and freewheel the trolley for 10 yards. The trolley should not veer either left or right by more than 1 yard over the 10 yards. Should the trolley be veering more than 1 yard over 10 yards then you can adjust the front wheel alignment. Refer to your Owner's Manual for instructions on how to do this. If you loosen the front wheel nuts for any reason, make sure to tighten them up afterwards. Also check that the main wheels are running freely. Dirt or mud on the tyre can affect the running of the trolley.

Is my bag too heavy?
During our prolonged life testing we use bags weighing up to 20Kg, this is extreme. However should bear in mind that more weight demands more power and this can reduce the life of your battery or reduce its range.

My trolley is noisy?
A new trolley will have a slightly different pitch to a trolley that has been used for a few rounds, the moving parts are all new and take time to bed in. Most of us will try our trolley for the first time indoors and of course this means the running trolley sounds louder, take it out and try it with a bag on we're sure you'll be pleased. Never asses noise in a quiet room only on the golf course. If your trolley is not new and is making excessive noise have a quick check underneath the trolley. Is anything loose or damaged. If you cannot see or rectify the problem then contact a Powakaddy Service Agent. Trolleys with the EBS function have a slightly different pitch to normal trolleys. This is because the gearbox is different and has many more moving parts. The difference in pitch/noise will not usually be noticeable on the course.