[CarGuys]

EZGO is now offering a factory backed solar panel for their carts. You can view it on the factory web site.

I contacted the Wildwood dealership. Factory reps are meeting with them next week on the cost and installation. Very clean and functional.

Good by range anxiety!

[jimbo2012]

If you can find out how many watts they are rated at please let us know .

Here is a pic of Ezgo it's a flexible unit released in January.



Looks nice but

These are called Amorphous panelsthe least efficient and least expensive to produce. One characteristic of of these is that their output reduces over time, particularly during the first few months before it stabilizes at a lower watt rating than when first sold.

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the preferred panels due to higher efficacy and higher output for their size.

They are ridged you see these under a glass top with an aluminum frame usually.

[CarGuys]

My son in the Army said they worked pretty darn well in Iraq.

I think they will do fine as a battery maintainer not as a battery total charger. A Cart company called American Pride in Florida is producing Carts with the Aluminum framed high Amp Ridgid Roof System.

My neighnor has one and has yet to charge the cart in his garage. Solar is doing it all. However the cart is sparse equipped, a refurbrished unit and has no side curtins as of yet.

Don't know the Amps rating but I will try to find out when EZ Go opens up next week

[jimbo2012]

I agree that type will augment but no really give the type of charge folks are looking for to extend range.

The type of panel I'm going to use is 230 watts and will extend the range.

The flex panels used on Ezgo I guess will be about 80 watts based on the square footage of the roof.

About 30% of a solid panel output.

I'm still interested to hear back on what they say.

[CarGuys]

Just got the specs and the panel produces 15 volts and 45 watts. Only good to trickle charge at rest in sunlight. I talked to Techtron the manufacturer and said you need more watts for extended range. They are considering this for future developement.

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

I agree that type will augment but no really give the type of charge folks are looking for to extend range.

The type of panel I'm going to use is 230 watts and will extend the range.

I'm still interested to hear back on what they say.

45 watts- How much for a 230 watt panel? You have to worry about ride height in the tunnells or it will soon be smashed.

[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.

[asianthree]

This would make us think about electric instead of gas for our next ride

[GolfCart]

Personally I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree, example 232 watt panel you need at least 58 volts to charge that gives you 4 amps. I guess you might get a few 100 extra feet.
Jumbo are you from bgw?

[collie1228]

If E-Z-GO's solar panel only provides a trickle charge in direct sunlight, with no real range extension, why would anyone want to spend the extra money on them? Is there any advantage gained? Just curious.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by GolfCart

Personally I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree, example 232 watt panel you need at least 58 volts to charge that gives you 4 amps. I guess you might get a few 100 extra feet.
Jumbo are you from bgw?

You need to recheck your math on that, and panel specs.

what is bgw?

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by collie1228

If E-Z-GO's solar panel only provides a trickle charge in direct sunlight, with no real range extension, why would anyone want to spend the extra money on them? Is there any advantage gained? Just curious.

There would be a little extra range but it too small.

[GolfCart]

Would you have done the math before buying ?

Its an option
if you drive a couple of miles and stay there for 8 hours and then drive back home yes it will help keep the batteries up.

will you get more miles out of a charge ??????

Why would people buy it!
I see people buying stuff every day and I wonder the same thing.

[thekeithfan]

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.

$900.00 holy moly. Does anyone know the daily electric rate for an average charger? What would the payback be on this?

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by GolfCart

will you get more miles out of a charge ??????

Yes you will get about 50-60 miles but we're still testing with new panel to see the distance.

Understand I'm doing this cart with a person that does solar engineering this is not on the back of napkin.

He may after satisfactory testing do it as a business here, I'm just just along for the ride.