A golf course in a cold region keeps its lithium carts in an unheated shed. On winter mornings some carts will not take a charge, and the fleet manager wants to understand the temperature limits and plan charging for the season.
LiFePO4 cells can discharge in the cold, but charging below freezing can damage them, so the BMS normally blocks or reduces charging when the pack is too cold. That is why a cart in a cold shed may refuse to charge in the morning. Check the charge temperature range on your pack’s data sheet, charge where the pack is above that limit, plan charging after use when the pack is warmer, and follow the supplier’s storage instructions for the off-season.
Why the BMS stops charging
- Cell chemistry. Charging a cold LiFePO4 cell can cause lithium plating, which reduces capacity and can affect safety.
- Protection. The BMS reads pack temperature and blocks or limits charge current outside the allowed range.
- Charger behaviour. A charger that talks to the BMS will follow its limits; others may show a fault or stop.
Planning winter operation
- Charge after use. A pack is warmer straight after driving than after a night in the shed.
- Location. Charge in a building kept above the pack’s minimum charge temperature where possible.
- Rotation. Use fewer carts more often in quiet weeks, and store the rest correctly.
- Storage. Follow the supplier’s storage charge level and temperature; see our stored pack article.
- Chargers. Use the approved charger so it follows the BMS limits; see our charger selection article.
Reading the data sheet
Look for separate charge and discharge temperature ranges; the charge range is usually narrower. Ask the supplier whether any low-temperature option is available for your model, and confirm details at quotation. Redway’s temperature and storage page gives background. Redway’s golf cart warranty is 3 years, and 5 years on the 48V 100Ah model.
Risk limits
Do not bypass BMS temperature protection or warm packs with improvised heaters. Follow the supplier’s instructions for your model. This article is general guidance for fleet managers.
Additional perspectives
Move charging to the end of the day in winter. It solved most ‘will not charge’ calls on our course.
Redway Tech Editorial Team – Fleet manager perspective
A cold-blocked charge is protection working, not a fault. Check pack temperature before replacing anything.
Redway Tech Editorial Team – Service technician perspective
Send us your lowest overnight temperature and where carts are kept. We can advise on charging and storage for your model.
Redway Tech Editorial Team – Supplier engineer perspective
Specifications are taken from Redway product pages as of October 2026. Where a figure isn’t published, this article says so. Confirm current specifications for your model with Redway before ordering. This article is general guidance, not a site-specific engineering assessment.
Related products
- 48V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Golf Cart Battery OEM (BMS 200A)
- 48V 150Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Golf Cart Battery Factory
- 48V 160Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Golf Cart Battery Manufacturer (BMS 200A)
- 36V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Golf Cart Battery Factory
- 48V 100Ah Lithium Golf Cart Battery OEM Factory
Related topics
- LiFePO4 Temperature, Storage & Heating
- Golf Cart Battery Maintenance, Storage & Winter Care
- Golf Cart Battery Charging & Chargers
- Golf Cart BMS, Monitoring & State of Charge
- Golf Cart Battery Safety & Protection
- Golf Cart Battery Troubleshooting & Repair
- Golf Cart Fleet & Commercial Battery Systems
- Golf Cart Battery Testing, Life & Replacement
- 48V Golf Cart Battery Systems
- Lithium vs Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries
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