How Do Fuses Work?
Fuses play an important role in protecting your cart’s electrical system from overloading. If the current in your cart exceeds the safety rating of the wires or components, the fuse will melt in order to stop the flow of electrical current. Many of the electrical components in a golf cart use fuses, including lights, cigarette lighters, power outlets, fans, horns and turn signals.
Keep in mind that fuses blow for a reason. If a fuse burns out for the same application more than once a year, there is something wrong with your cart’s electronics. There are many reasons for this. It could be as simple as a loose cable connection or as complex as a faulty solenoid. If a fuse keeps blowing, it’s a good idea to have your cart serviced by a professional as soon as possible.
Where are the Fuses on a Golf Cart Located?
You can use your golf cart’s service panel to help you find where the different fuses are located. The service panel is commonly located on the rear fender, although this will vary from model to model. Trace the malfunctioning issue to the appropriate fuse. For instance, if you’re having issues with the cart’s electric start, check the inside of the service panel for the location of the electrical start fuse.
An important safety tip; before you go looking for the fuses, be sure that your golf cart’s engine is turned off completely and that the key has been removed from the ignition.
How Do You Identify a Golf Cart Fuse?
The easiest way to identify a fuse is by sight. Keep in mind that your golf cart will probably contain several different types of fuses, including blade, cartridge, mega, midi and others. This fuse chart will help you determine what type of replacement fuse you need. You can also bring the fuse into your nearest Batteries Plus store and have one of our associates identify it for you.
One important thing to keep in mind, be sure that the replacement fuse you pick is the same fuse type as the old one and has the same amperage. For instance, if the fuse is a 5 amp blade fuse, you’ll need to replace it with another 5 amp blade fuse. Often, the amperage will be written directly on the fuse itself.
How Do You Swap a Golf Cart Fuse?
After identifying the blown fuse, it’s a good idea to take a picture of the fuse’s location on your phone. That way, you won’t lose track of its location once the fuse has been removed. The inside service panel may contain a tiny pair of plastic pliers called a fuse puller, which can be used to remove the blown fuse. If you don’t have a fuse puller, simply pinch the fuse with your fingers and pull it out.
Once you have the right replacement fuse on hand, it’s just a matter of placing it into the vacated slot. Be sure that you push the new fuse in straight until it can’t go in any further. This will prevent a weak connection that could cause the fuse to fail again.
