[RE-wrenches] Solar Golf Cart

[Mac Lewis]

Hi Jason,

I think a few people have mentioned it here, but the Genasun controller
will charge a higher voltage battery than the solar output.  It's a very
basic interface but they work fine.  You could add a Victron shunt to give
more of a view into what's happening.

https://sunforgellc.com/product/gvb-8-wp/

On Sun, Aug 17, 2025 at 7:20 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> 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
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-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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