Wheels

Over the past couple of months we have had customers asking for new wheels because the tyres on their existing wheels have split, So we have told them that they might not need to get new wheels but just have the tyres replaced and in doing so save about a third of the cost. Once the wheels were cleaned by us they looked almost new again.

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Accessory Station

Nowadays the market is filled with accessory stations to attach to your trolley to hold an umbrella, a drink, a scorecard and a gps system. These are great and keep everything in one place, are convenient, useful and can make your golf game more enjoyable so check them out and ask your local Pro or us about one for your trolley.

Golf Trolley Garage

Do remember that Golf Trolley Garage works with a lot of the local golf Professional's in Somerset and surrounding areas. We have introduced ourselves and met these Professional's to promote our business but also to help them provide a service to their members and make sure they do not lose any business. We have been welcomed by all at these golf clubs not just for the service but knowledge too as we are here to help and if you come in to us please say which club you play at or are a member at.

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Battery

The battery is the power source for your electric golf trolley and so should be looked after. They come in different powers 20ah or 22ah common as 18 hole batteries and 28ah or 30ah for 36 hole batteried, also a 26ah 27 hole version.

It should be charged properly in the first instance as the manufacturers details suggest and if it is new should be discharged fully before being charged again for the first few times to make it work properly and efficiently.

The terminals should be kept clean and free of any corrosion to maintain a proper connection. Such corrosion or build up has caused battery failure. This can be cleaned off by just pouring boiling water over the corrosive powder.

The lead should be break free and if there is a fuse this should be checked now and again to make sure it hasn’t blown.

A normal lead acid battery should last a couple of years with good and proper use and it hasn’t been unknown for it to last more than that but this also depends on how much usage it gets ie 36 holes regularly

Bag Support

The bag support is located half way up the frame and normally hinges out ready to hold your golf bag in place, It is a half circle shape and would have a strap attached to it to help hold the bag in place. Maintenance needed for this part is lubricant in the hinge and to check the nut and bolt every now and then for tightness.

Service Days

We are awaiting confirmation of service days at golf clubs in our local area. Chippenham golf club is booked for Saturday 17th May for their new course opening weekend so call them to get your trolley booked in, Speak to Bill or Claire in the shop.

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Motor

The motor provides the power for your electric golf trolley and is normally directly connected to the gearbox. Here are some of the symptoms to listen for or be aware of if your motor is going or has gone. No turning and so no noise, higher pitched whirling noise, no drive but power lights on and no response from the potentiometer when turned. Sometimes it may be just the brushes that need fixing or replacing rather than the motor and occasionally other problems are present along with a faulty motor but we can tell you more accurately after a look at it.

Frame

The frame and chassis is the part of your golf trolley that holds the bag and then everything else is attached to it either directly or through some other component ie a seat is held by a bracket. Little generally goes wrong with the frame although handle parts and bag support parts have been known to break under strain. 

Storage Bag

You can get a bag which fits around your electric golf trolley for the purposes of transporting it and keeping it in your vehicle. A very handy item to have and convenient but do make sure that you don’t leave your trolley in there after a particularly rainy/wet day as this would allow the moisture to get in to areas where by left will begin to rust ie axle, clutch bearings and front wheel.

Clutch Bearings

The clutch bearings are located on each side of the axle almost at the end and their purpose is to allow the axle to rotate by way of the gearbox but not the other way ie forwards but not backwards. They are sometimes fixed separately and sometimes built in to the wheel. If the clutch bearing fails then you would be able to push and pull the trolley freely in both directions. If one clutch bearing fails you can have a trolley that veers to one side.

They should be kept in good working order and be kept free of grass and towelling fibres.

Lacking Power

Sometimes the trolley will lack power maybe particularly uphill but other times not. The main causes for this are lack of voltage in the battery caused from a faulty battery or charger, the trolley pulling too much voltage from the battery causing the battery to lack power later, a faulty gearbox, a faulty motor or excessive load on the trolley.

This is where GolfTrolleyGarage can check your trolley to identify what the reason is for the lack of power and advise you accordingly.

Gearbox

The gearbox provides the gearing system for your golf trolley working directly from the motor and is another essential part of your golf trolley which should be looked after. Worn axle mounts are one area that can put extra strain on your gear box and shorten its lifespan if not sorted out so checks on your trolley are advised fairly regularly. Listen out for noises as these can be a sign that your gearbox is starting to fail.

Golf Trolley Garage

Golf Trolley Garage has been operational for over 10 years specialising in repairing and servicing electric golf trolley's whatever the brand and/or model. We have extensive knowledge, Spares, Tools and the facility to cater for every requirement be it a battery test, axle change or complete overhaul.
We are an authorised service centre and battery testing centre for the following:
Motocaddy
Powerbug
Golfstream
Leoch

Plus an authorised service centre for:
Powawalker
Electrokart
Motora

And because we know what we are doing and talking about, Grass Hopper, Groundhog, Mocad, Gokart, Ecaddy, iMotion and Bentley are happy that we carry out work for them and supply us with their parts and these companies are on a long list that are happy to let us carry out work for on their electric golf trolleys and ride on golf carts.

We are Somerset's biggest independent electric golf trolley workshop and we have a service agent to cover Wiltshire.

Just give us a call, Email us or even better pop in to our unit in Worle to see how we can help.

GTG

Top Tube

The top tube is attached to the bottom part of the frame by way of the hinge half way down, it connects with the hinge by rivet and has the handle attached to it at the top through screws and It also has the bag support riveted to it. Generally speaking not a lot happens to this part although the odd breakage has been known and if this does happen it does take some time to dismantle and replace because the bag support, the hinge and the handle are all attached to it.

Trolley Noises

Sometimes we hear noises from our trolley and this little article is to clear up some of those noises so you understand what they are.

A whirling noise normally associates itself with a motor problem.

A clicking or knocking type noise is associated with the gearbox or may be a wheel.

Grinding noises can be bearings, clutches (also clicking) or axle problems.

Clicking noises can be to do with the control box and associated electrics.

Although these are sounds that are normally associated with a particular item, it has been known that a different component has failed.

Electric Golf trolley

At Golf Trolley Garage we promote looking after your electric golf trolley whether it be a Powakaddy, Motocaddy, Powerbug, Mocad, Hill Billy or any other brand and model.

Our services include servicing, repairs, sales and testing at our fully equipped workshop in Worle near Weston Super Mare. Come and visit us so you can see how we are equipped to look after any requirement for your electric golf trolley. Our prices are competitive and you’ll receive a report of our recommendation of future problems or issues that your electric golf trolley needs.

We offer a collection and delivery service to your doorstep and/or to your local golf golf club with the backup of a loan trolley so that you are back on the course with the minimal of fuss.

Axle Pin

A small problem that we have come across over the years…..

The trolley is connected to the battery and switched on, The motor starts and turns the gearbox only for the trolley to remain stationery……

Not always but sometimes all that has been required to fix this problem has been axle pins. They can break through wear but also because of the strain and I have known for one to fall out.

Battery Connector

If the battery connector needs to be replace this can be done very easily by following our instructions below.  The connector will be held in place by two nuts and bolts, one on each terminal with washers on. You will need a spanner and Phillips screwdriver to take off the connector, start on the positive side undo the bolt and take out then detach from the terminal then do the same on the negative side. Clean the top of the terminal by using a file or wire wool so that the terminal has a corrosion free connection once it’s all put back together. Attach the new connector by attaching with the washer, nut and bolt in reverse order from before and starting on the positive side. Tighten up then do the negative and if the new connector has a fuse double check it is ok then connect up with the battery and do a check to make sure it works.

Very important that the red wire and black wire are connected as they were- red to positive and black to negative (normally) so that this matches the motor connectors and in turn the right power through the control box otherwise the control box is prone to being blown, An expensive job and unnecessary if procedures have been followed.

Charger

The charger is generally a smallish black box,  supplied with your trolley to charge up the battery.  The charger plugs into the mains at one end with the other attaching to the battery terminals.

Most have a red light to show the battery is charging  at full voltage output (bulk charge) with a green  light to show it’s dropped to a low voltage output (float charge) and the battery is ready for use. Some chargers may also have a yellow light to indicate nearly charged.

The most common fault with a charger is when the voltage output malfunctions and causes the battery to prematurely deteriorate. This is not easy to identify as the lights on the charger normally still function.

The answer is to have your charger periodically tested (Golf Trolley Garage have the neccessary equipment), also to purchase a new charger if yours is over 4 years old.

Cleaning

You can easily clean your electric trolley yourself and we advise that you do so fairly regularly to maintain the trolley in a good condition. There are a few areas to concentrate on :

The front wheel and the build up of grass and mud lodged in the wheel housing behind the wheel and towel fibres around the axle.

The main side wheels where mud and grass collect around the wheels and across the tyres and also towel fibres around the axle.

It is advisable to not use a hose or any power washer on your trolley as water  may seep into the electrical system. Simply bucket filled with warm water and washing up liquid and a sponge with a rag or towel to dry will always produce a worthwhile result.