[thekeithfan]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Well one thing I see here you and I are one of the few DIY here, I know that you can do an oil change for less but Mobil one is not $4,

What about the oil filter? How about oil & filter $10-12 sound about right?

Folks that take their cart to stealer for service do pay about that.

Also if you change it once a year that means you do less than 250 hours a year. Because that is the requirement.

So if you use $15 a month in gas (4 gallons) you are using it about 160 miles a month or 4 X 40 mpg.

That just over 5 miles per day you hardly use it, in your case electric would have served you well.

Cost of new replacement engine is about $1800 plus installation.
Any engine can blow even if maintained.

As far as cost a new gas or electric cart, they cost about the same.

Keith as I said electric & solar is not for everyone.

The subject of this thread is not gas v electric it is Solar, perhaps if that is the debate you wish to discuss a new thread should be started.

.

Not buying it!

I will admit a quart of Mobil 1 has gone to $6.00 so thats $6.00 a change there is no filter on the gas Yamaha. I change it twice a year spring and fall whether it needs it or not.

I stand by my statement if you change the oil regularly on a gas engine you should NEVER replace it. Certainly for the verry few that do I would not put an $1,800 charge into my calculation.

Sorry but those are the facts!

[Golfer in Sanibel]

[collie1228]

My point was not to debate one against the other. My point is that if you post pro's and con's, you shouldn't slant the "facts" toward one conclusion. The debate between gas and battery power has been beaten to death on this site, and is never going to settle the issue. It comes down to personal choice, which I'm all for.

[capecodbob]

So I looked here to find out which to buy...gas or electric. Good info, but I'm still on the fence.
Why can't we have an electric cart with a gas backup?
Or, since Obama spent BILLIONS of our tax $$ on solar companies, why can't we have efficient solar panels and generators on each wheel (I do remember a physics class that said anything turning can make electricity).
It all seems like it could be a reality but private enterprise needs to jump in here and make it happen!!!!

Bob

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Yes the figure is calculated at about $700 a year to charge your batteries

If you follow this thread it is detailed.

Most folks don't realize that.

Even if the math is right in that thread you mentioned it for 35 miles per day X 31 days of the month. How many of us do 35 miles per day in the cart? Every day of the month? Sometimes yes, most days not even close.

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by capecodbob

So I looked here to find out which to buy...gas or electric. Good info, but I'm still on the fence.
Why can't we have an electric cart with a gas backup?
Or, since Obama spent BILLIONS of our tax $$ on solar companies, why can't we have efficient solar panels and generators on each wheel (I do remember a physics class that said anything turning can make electricity).
It all seems like it could be a reality but private enterprise needs to jump in here and make it happen!!!!

Bob

Ask and you shall receive....

EXCEED HYBRID TECHNOLOGY

[jimbo2012]

Neat idea, not really engine but a mini generator, it should work.

[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

the height is not an an issue I would think, it's less than 2-3".

How much clearance is in there?

The cost of this 195 watt panel & control is about $900, it will install easy, 4 bolts panel to roof no mods needed.

Then mount control & wire to battery bank I think It would take less than an hour.

Jimbo, just found this thread. Sorry I was late! I'm very much into solar, as part of my house runs on it. I self installed it and have been interested in adapting cars and carts but have not had the time until lately.
I think your acquisition cost is way too high as panels have come down lately. I have 120w Kyocera panels that only cost 500 each (retail 750) about 5 years ago. I need to check (and will and get back to you) but I would think a panel over 200w would only be about 350-400 now. Also a controller MAY not be necessary based on the use. I do have one of the most expensive controllers (Outback) on my house though, so understand their need.

[jimbo2012]

John the cost hasn't come down that much but the controller is $$ and design issue my friend is working on.

He thinks it can be done <$1,000 but needs more time on the project to finalize it.



What R U using solar for on your home pool or hotwater?

I intend to install a hotwater system when I move there.

[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

John the cost hasn't come down that much but the controller is $$ and design issue my friend is working on.

He thinks it can be done <$1,000 but needs more time on the project to finalize it.



What R U using solar for on your home pool or hotwater?

I intend to install a hotwater system when I move there.

I still think it can be done for much less. I did some checking on ebay and 48 volt units are not listed but several good 24 volt ones are. Of course, that means it takes 2 if you need 48V. It shouldn't take much of a controller for that little power setup.

I'm using solar on the house itself, about 1000 watts so far. Long story. I started out 6 years ago to produce a backup system for power outages (after some hurricanes it's been as long as 2 weeks). Then rewired part of the house in a dual system for a natural gas generator, which as it turns out can be anything that produces electricity, ie, solar. I just got carried away some. I'm still experimenting. Sometimes I use it to power the refrigerator (which was my main original goal) and then a window ac. Lights and other electronic stuff is easy. My biggest problem is not enough sunlight. I have too many large oak trees blocking it as well as lots of cloudy days. Would work much better in Florida. I also need to upgrade my batteries.

I'm also getting ready to experiment with solar hotwater. Like you, I'm a DIYer.

[jimbo2012]

I have 4 18' collectors for 72' which will tie into two Super Stor indirect tanks for domestic HW

I hope I can get two copper runs in the attic before it gets closed up.

That's a long story can't use 48's. The controller is not that simple,
that's taking the most time to design.

[George Bieniaszek]

A previous poster stated approximately $700 per year to charge the batteries?? That computes out to $60 per month. Seems a little pricy to me.

My electric bill is in the $60 range in the months that I am not here and around $85 per month when I am here. The additional $25 covers the added electrical demands from AC, appliances, etc. and charging my electric cart. When I am here in TV, we drive the wheels off the golf cart averaging 20-30 miles per day.

At $900 for a solar panel to get a negligable increase in mileage, take the $900, put in the bank, in 4 years withdraw $600 for a new set of batteries and take the leftover $300 and start another battery fund.

Until the solar panels get better and transfer more energy than barely a trickle charge into the batteries on a good day, I think that they is still a novelty.

[jimbo2012]

George the trickle charge is the Ezgo design.
It is not anything at all like the full panel I'm testing.
The mileage should be significantly higher not negligible.

I think you may be mixing the two designs up.

The $900 est cost will be recovered in about 15 months.

Look at a four year projection

Standard elec charging 4 years $2800 In 4 years new batteries $600 or $150 per year.

Solar $900 Batteries will last longer

So you should save about $2000 in 4 years and continue to save on going

Until you pass judgement wait to see it running at TV.

.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Standard elec charging 4 years $2800 In 4 years new batteries $600 or $150 per year.

Until you pass judgement wait to see it running at TV.

.

I am waiting, interested and hoping you have grand success.

I am interested with the numbers you quote to charge. I have always read it costs about 1.5 - 2.5 cents per mile to charge an electric cart. Someone on TOTV documented their experience and found it was 1.7 cents/mile.

Staying with round numbers if I use my cart 100 miles per week @ 2 cents/mile, 5200 miles per year, the cost to charge my cart is $104 per year.

I am a fan of the project, just not sure why your charge numbers are so high?

[George Bieniaszek]

Sorry Jimbo! I didn't realize that you were designing an "Amped Up" (sorry for the pun) solar panel. If your design will be able to charge up the batteries at a quicker rate, then I am all for it and would be very much interested in seeing this.

I am familiar with the benefits of solar as a source for heating but felt that the technology was lacking a bit in charging batteries, so I guess I stand corrected. Even an old dog like me can learn something new every day.

I just questioned the earlier posts about the cost of electricity to charge electric golf carts. I do not see a noticible increase in my bill when I am here in The Villages and when my home is vacant.