[RE-wrenches] Solar Golf Cart

[Jason Szumlanski]

I'm hoping to have a single panel for simplicity and charge a 48V LFP
battery. The voltage is an issue, however, with the Vmp being too low in
most cases. I know a guy that use this cheap DC-DC booster and he says it
works fine:

https://a.co/d/2nHKVat

I would like to use a higher quality booster if something like that exists
from Midnite/Victron or another well known manufacturer. Bluetooth
connectivity would be a plus.

He used an Aptos 440W biracial. I could use the currently available Aptos
460W, but I was thinking REC Alpha Pure RX for the higher voltage and
beefed up frame with cross members.

Then I need to see if I can affix some grab handles to the module frame
without overstressing it. I'm thinking of maybe using some XR10 rails to
beef up the long sides of the frame. I'm thinking some MLPE T-bolts could
go through the existing mounting points. Then I could affix the grab
handles to the side of the rails.


Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208

On Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:56 PM John Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Jason, I have done several .  My first one had 3  85 watt panels on Unirac
> rails attached to the same support as the original plastic roof.  Worked
> great but the rain leaked through the panel spaces. Then a few years ago I
> replaced the 3 panels with one Solarworld 250. I had to beef up the front
> mounting points on the front hood but otherwise have run it continuously
> for over 13 years with just one battery replacement and never charged from
> the grid since panels were installed.
> Used Genesun 36v charge controller
>
> The next one was a 8 passenger stretched
> Cart.  The quick and dirty conversion for this one was two wood strips
> screwed to the fiberglass roof the length of the roof spaced to fit just
> inside the two 325 watt panels.  Used a Victron charge controller for this
> 48v cart, 2 panels in series.  Both carts have been used at Solarfest
> events and the first one also on
> Our sheep farm year round.  I Leave it out all winter and shovel up to two
> feet of snow off it at times.
>
> Go to Solarfest.org.      Click on
> Home, then scroll to the bottom  and the scrolling photos have the 8
> passenger cart.  That rig ran non-stop for the 3 days and nights hauling
> people & band equipment and
> And never ran out of charge.
>
> Let me know if you want more photos.
>
> John Blittersdorf
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone done a conversion with a solar panel to replace the entire
>> roof of a golf cart?
>>
>> I would love to get some tips on that. I'm surprised a quick search did
>> not bring up a lot of kits.
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>> Florida Solar Design Group
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
>> other:
>> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20250817/719a33b5/attachment.htm>