Is there a DIY series for solar powered golf carts?
This is the first part in our DIY series for the solar powered golf cart. In this video I will show you how to install and mount the solar panels to the roof of our Yamaha G19 48v electric golf cart.
What is a custom-made solar roof for a golf cart?
Just like a typical solar golf cart kit, a custom-made solar roof for a golf cart will have the assembled solar panels, an MPPT charge controller or charge booster, and the wiring is already done on the solar board. The price of a premade solar roof is similar to that of a solar golf cart kit, only that you’ll have to pay a small assembly fee.
How do you charge a golf cart battery?
A golf cart’s battery is usually charged by plugging it into a power source. The charge powers the golf cart for a certain distance until it discharges. After this, the battery is recharged by plugging it in again.
What do you use your golf cart for?
We use the cart for getting property maintenance (we have about 10 acres), running tools, and for running back and forth to some of the neighbors. So far in the past two weeks since we have converted the golf cart we have not had to plug it in to recharge it at all!
How do you make a solar powered golf cart?
2:126:58DIY Solar Powered Golf Cart for $3600 (Mars rover on a budget)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's very simple if you're trying to build your first electric vehicle this is probably theMoreSo it's very simple if you're trying to build your first electric vehicle this is probably the easiest way to do it just swap the battery for a lithium.
Can a solar panel power a golf cart?
Any golf cart will be powered with solar as long as its battery is solar-rechargeable. A solar panel can charge most batteries (lead-acid, lithium-ion, and AGM), so yes, almost all golf carts can be powered with solar.
How do you hook up a solar panel to a golf cart?
0:414:42PowerDrive Golf Car Solar Panel Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the solar panel back on the roof of the car and snap into place connect the 15-foot extensionMorePlace the solar panel back on the roof of the car and snap into place connect the 15-foot extension cable to the pigtailed connector on the back of the panel.
How many Ah is a 48V golf cart?
On average, electric golf motors operate at 36 or 48 volts and draw between 50-70 amps of current while cruising at about 15 miles per hour. Keep in mind that the current draw during acceleration or while going up a hill is much higher.
How do you charge a 48V battery with a solar panel?
1:454:36Charging A 48V Battery with Two 24V Solar Panels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you can have a 22 volt panel or 24 volt panel. And you want to bring that 24 volt panel all theMoreSo you can have a 22 volt panel or 24 volt panel. And you want to bring that 24 volt panel all the way down to the right charging voltage on a 12 volt battery.
How much does a solar powered golf cart cost?
Go green on the green. This Solar Powered Golf Cart ($9,000) has an array of 72 photovoltaic cells that let you go 33% further between charges than standard electric golf carts.
How many solar panels does it take to run a golf cart?
The size of the solar panel just needs to be large enough to act as a roof for your golf cart. For our Cushman Hauler 800 and EZ Go Golf carts, we used 60 cell solar panels. They can be any brand. The average size of a 60 cell panel is 5.4 ft by 3.25 ft.
Are golf cart batteries good for solar?
Car batteries have thin plates to keep their weight down and are designed for a heavy discharge lasting a few seconds, followed by a long period of slow re-charge. A 6-volt golf cart battery (size T-105) is the minimum battery I recommend for a residential solar application.
What is a GV boost?
The Genasun GV-Boost Waterproof (WP) is specifically designed for adding solar panels to a golf cart. Providing the ability to use lower voltage (6V to 24V) solar panels with 36V or 48V batteries, the GV-Boost WP is the industry's most efficient voltage-boosting solar charge controller.
Can you put 4 12 volt batteries in a 48 volt golf cart?
With many golf cars requiring 48-volt battery packs, one of the most common money-saving assumptions is that purchasing fewer batteries with higher voltages will be a less expensive alternative. For example, a typical 48-volt golf car may use eight 6-volt batteries, six 8-volt batteries, or four 12-volt batteries.
Is 100Ah enough for golf cart?
Ampere 12V 100Ah Golf Cart Battery The Ampere Time golf cart battery is one of the best options out there if you are looking for something reliable and ideal for long term usage. Other than being quite reliable, it also features a battery capacity rating of 100 Ah.
How fast is a 72 volt golf cart?
19 mphSpecsExpress S2VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY500 lb (227 kg)TURNING RADIUS11.0 ft (3.4 m)OUTSIDE CLEARANCE CIRCLE22 ft (6.7 m)SPEED (LEVEL GROUND)19 mph (31 kph) max3 more rows
Our Yamaha G19 Electric Golf Cart
We picked up this golf cart a few months ago for just a couple hundred bucks since it needed some new batteries, which is pretty common for these older electric golf carts. You can see the post about fixing it up here.
Making it Solar Powered
We have decided to convert this golf cart to solar power. Our initial experience has been really good. The cart will need to rest between uses for a while to recharge. We use the cart for getting property maintenance (we have about 10 acres), running tools, and for running back and forth to some of the neighbors.
Step 1: Mounting the Solar Panels
We will be mounting two 100 watt 12 volt Renogy solar panels to the roof of our golf cart. The panels will be mounted securely using roof top mount brackets and two cross pieces of uni strut.
Whats Next for the Solar Golf Cart?
The next video will cover how to wire the solar panels to the charge controller and to the golf cart’s 48 volt battery bank. In the future we may even experiment with turning this solar powered golf cart into a large mobile solar generator!
Can you Charge a Golf Cart with Solar Power?
With a solar golf cart charging kit, you can convert your electric golf cart to solar. Getting to the bottom of this requires first understanding what drives a golf cart.
What Golf Carts can be powered with Solar?
Any golf cart will be powered with solar as long as its battery is solar-rechargeable.
Buying Solar Golf Cart Kits
To proceed with this DIY project, there’re some essentials you’ll need. A good solar panel charger kit for golf carts should include most if not all the items you’ll need:
Custom-made Solar Roofs for Golf Carts
Do you feel like the procedure above is complicated or have no time to do it as a DIY, there’s an alternative option for you, custom-made solar roofs.
Can Solar Golf Carts be bought as a Complete System?
Have you just started out in golf and want to take advantage of solar right from the start? There’re golf carts made explicitly for solar waiting for you.
Cost of solar golf carts
Most complete system golf carts cost around $9000. A golf cart in this price range should come with 72-cells modules, a 48V rechargeable battery, and 5.5-hp. Additionally, it should go without a charge for at least 50 miles.
Benefits of Charging a Golf Cart with Solar Panels
With a solar roof on your golf cart, you can be charging your club car batteries as you go about your golf course errands.
