Solar for golf cart to extend range of batteries

Closed Thread
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-11-2020, 10:13 AM
mykvalentin mykvalentin is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 24
Thanks: 4
Thanked 23 Times in 8 Posts
Default Solar for golf cart to extend range of batteries

Hello. Has somebody installed a solar panel on top of an electric golf cart, to extend the range of existing batteries? I’m interested on getting the solar roof or the bolt-on solar but wanted to know if anyone here has experience with it. Thank you, -myk
  #2  
Old 02-11-2020, 11:28 AM
villagetinker's Avatar
villagetinker villagetinker is offline
Sage
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Village of Pinellas
Posts: 9,585
Thanks: 2
Thanked 5,996 Times in 2,197 Posts
Default

One thing to remember, golf carts are top heavy (high center of gravity), and adding the additional weight on the roof may not be a good idea, please investigate carefully.
__________________
Pennsylvania, for 60+ years, most recently, Allentown, now TV.
  #3  
Old 02-11-2020, 11:31 AM
mykvalentin mykvalentin is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 24
Thanks: 4
Thanked 23 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Hello. Thank you for the reminder. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.. -myk.
  #4  
Old 02-11-2020, 01:13 PM
DAIII
Guest
Posts: n/a
Default

I think this is the same reason cars don't have them-- you need a bunch to make a real dent in the needs of an electric vehicle. They sell some as a trickle charger.. which works great. Doubt you will see any range maybe power a small fan with rooftop solar.
  #5  
Old 02-11-2020, 01:24 PM
Rapscallion St Croix's Avatar
Rapscallion St Croix Rapscallion St Croix is offline
Platinum member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Former Villager living in Hilton Head, SC
Posts: 1,790
Thanks: 19
Thanked 713 Times in 263 Posts
Default

Not enough bang for the buck. Fine if you want to park in the sun and wait quite a while for a top-up. Not efficient enough to significantly extend your range while cart is in use.
__________________
Black Sabbath Matters
  #6  
Old 02-11-2020, 01:57 PM
Microcodeboy Microcodeboy is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
Thanks: 0
Thanked 18 Times in 4 Posts
Default

I plan on doing this. My calculations show I would get about 4-5 miles gain per hour in bright sun. My cart has a AC motor (30% more efficient) and 180AHR lithium batteries so my range is already over 70 miles confirmed. Adding solar would reduce my charge time as well as other benefits. Panels are getting more efficient and cheaper...

Just saying.
__________________
The real joy of knowledge is in sharing.
  #7  
Old 02-11-2020, 02:03 PM
John_W John_W is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6,390
Thanks: 2,172
Thanked 2,954 Times in 1,160 Posts
Default

I had sent you the private message earlier about Jimbo of Nova Filtration. Were you able to reach him and can you let us know what info he was able to provide? This is his avatar, he's a proponent of solar golf carts.

The Villages Florida
  #8  
Old 02-11-2020, 02:29 PM
biker1 biker1 is online now
Sage
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,117
Thanks: 1
Thanked 931 Times in 523 Posts
Default

I am not sure how that could be possible. If you assume a 300 watt (nominal) panel, the most you could possibly realize in an hour would be 300 watt-hours of energy, and generally less. Are you suggesting that you are only consuming about 60 watt-hours of energy per mile? I believe your cart is consuming more like 150-200 watt-hours of energy per mile. Also, the charging is not 100% efficient. I believe a better estimate is about 1 mile per hour. Given that the cost of charing your battery from home is about 2 cents per mile and you have more range then you can reasonably use in a day, I am not sure what the motivation is.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Microcodeboy View Post
I plan on doing this. My calculations show I would get about 4-5 miles gain per hour in bright sun. My cart has a AC motor (30% more efficient) and 180AHR lithium batteries so my range is already over 70 miles confirmed. Adding solar would reduce my charge time as well as other benefits. Panels are getting more efficient and cheaper...

Just saying.
  #9  
Old 02-12-2020, 07:48 AM
OhioBuckeye OhioBuckeye is offline
Soaring Eagle member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,410
Thanks: 1
Thanked 537 Times in 408 Posts
Default Ohiobuckeye

Quote:
Originally Posted by mykvalentin View Post
Hello. Has somebody installed a solar panel on top of an electric golf cart, to extend the range of existing batteries? I’m interested on getting the solar roof or the bolt-on solar but wanted to know if anyone here has experience with it. Thank you, -myk
There’s a guy in the village of Charlotte that has a solar panel on his golf cart but I don’t think I should be giving his name out. Go to the Village of Charlotte mail boxes & post a message with your phone # or someway of contacting you & I’m sure he’ll contact you, he’s a super nice guy. Sorry I can’t give out his name without permission!
  #10  
Old 02-12-2020, 07:57 AM
Fastskiguy Fastskiguy is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Linden
Posts: 464
Thanks: 513
Thanked 224 Times in 144 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by biker1 View Post
I am not sure how that could be possible. If you assume a 300 watt (nominal) panel, the most you could possibly realize in an hour would be 300 watt-hours of energy, and generally less. Are you suggesting that you are only consuming about 60 watt-hours of energy per mile? I believe your cart is consuming more like 150-200 watt-hours of energy per mile. Also, the charging is not 100% efficient. I believe a better estimate is about 1 mile per hour. Given that the cost of charing your battery from home is about 2 cents per mile and you have more range then you can reasonably use in a day, I am not sure what the motivation is.
^^^ this is why it isn't "a thing" ^^^, unfortunately.
  #11  
Old 02-12-2020, 08:13 AM
jimbo2012's Avatar
jimbo2012 jimbo2012 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LI, NY >Fernandina South
Posts: 7,268
Thanks: 92
Thanked 173 Times in 98 Posts
Exclamation

Been doing solar carts for 7 years, mine has never been plugged in, I tested mine to 70 miles.

Installed several over the years, but it was an up hill battle convincing people how well it worked.

My focus is in Nova water filters now and don't have time to do solar install/retrofits.

I have about 5 systems that if someone wanted to install one I will sell out right and explain how mount and wire up.
__________________
Nova Water filters
  #12  
Old 02-12-2020, 08:16 AM
mykvalentin mykvalentin is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 24
Thanks: 4
Thanked 23 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye View Post
There’s a guy in the village of Charlotte that has a solar panel on his golf cart but I don’t think I should be giving his name out. Go to the Village of Charlotte mail boxes & post a message with your phone # or someway of contacting you & I’m sure he’ll contact you, he’s a super nice guy. Sorry I can’t give out his name without permission!
Thank you. I will try to contact him.
  #13  
Old 02-12-2020, 08:17 AM
jimbo2012's Avatar
jimbo2012 jimbo2012 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LI, NY >Fernandina South
Posts: 7,268
Thanks: 92
Thanked 173 Times in 98 Posts
Default

I built his
__________________
Nova Water filters
  #14  
Old 02-12-2020, 08:19 AM
mykvalentin mykvalentin is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 24
Thanks: 4
Thanked 23 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Hi Jimbo. How much is it and cost for showing me how to install it. Thanks. -myk
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2012 View Post
Been doing solar carts for 7 years, mine has never been plugged in, I tested mine to 70 miles.

Installed several over the years, but it was an up hill battle convincing people how well it worked.

My focus is in Nova water filters now and don't have time to do solar install/retrofits.

I have about 5 systems that if someone wanted to install one I will sell out right and explain how mount and wire up.
  #15  
Old 02-12-2020, 08:24 AM
jimbo2012's Avatar
jimbo2012 jimbo2012 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LI, NY >Fernandina South
Posts: 7,268
Thanks: 92
Thanked 173 Times in 98 Posts
Thumbs up

The panel (Tier 1) is 265 watts and the charge controller I sell for $575 along with the time to detail the install

Bob
__________________
Nova Water filters
Closed Thread

Tags
solar, cart, range, golf, batteries

Thread Tools

You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. Click here to revert to the old version.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:50 PM.