diy solar

diy solar

36v Golf Cart Solar Conversion Questions

H

HiFiveSportsGuy

New Member
Joined
May 7, 2024
Messages
2
Location
Chicago
Hi Everyone and thanks in advance,

My plan is to convert an old 36volt EzGo golf cart to solar and I have a few questions that I need some clarification on:

1. Will I still be able to use the original plugin wall charger once the solar panels and charge controller are wired in? Will this cause any issues? Do I need any additional hardware to allow the wall charger and solar array to operate together?

2. I plan on using three of these panels wired in series. Renogy Solar Panel 100 Watt 12 Volt.

3. Is there a specific 36v charge controller I should be looking for? Any recommendations?

Thanks again!!
 
1.) Yes but it's not ideal... It'll probably get you to 80 or 85% charge

2.) they should work fine but if you can fit a fourth that would be better

3.) EP ever makes a great 40 amp charge controller but you need to make sure that it's compatible with 36 volts... If not they make a 50 and 60 amp one which would be kind of overkill but it should work
 
ericfx1984 said:
1.) Yes but it's not ideal... It'll probably get you to 80 or 85% charge

2.) they should work fine but if you can fit a fourth that would be better

3.) EP ever makes a great 40 amp charge controller but you need to make sure that it's compatible with 36 volts... If not they make a 50 and 60 amp one which would be kind of overkill but it should work
Click to expand...
Hi Ericfx1984,

Thanks for the reply!

Can you please clarify #1 a bit more?

How will the batteries and charger handle the multiple charging sources (original wall charger, and solar setup)? Do I need something to switch input over automatically when the wall charger is plugged in?
 
Welcome to the forum!

I bought HQST panels that appear identical to the Renogy, and shipped from them. I have four in series for my 48V cart. The panels are edge-bolted for strength. I made a PVC pipe tilt-frame that is lightweight, strong and easy to fabricate.

I have a MakeSkyBlue MPPT solar charge controller and Delta-Q QuiQ wall charger. Both are connected in parallel but the cart is not in the sun when connected to the wall. No problems playing together.
 

Attachments

  • golf cart.jpg
    golf cart.jpg
    490 KB · Views: 5
  • panel mount.jpg
    panel mount.jpg
    185.6 KB · Views: 5
So the cart always faces west? Or you reverse the tilt when heading east?
Why not just make the roof flat?
 
45North said:
So the cart always faces west? Or you reverse the tilt when heading east?
Click to expand...
Now that you mention it, crap you’re right! Look at the tracks where it autorotated in the snow. There must be a gyroscope inside that forces the cart that direction. Kinda like dropping a cat and it always lands on its feet. Or a slice of toast that lands butter down.
 

Attachments

  • Houston snow.jpg
    Houston snow.jpg
    261.7 KB · Views: 4
On my old EZGo 36v golf cart (has 6 - 6v lead acid batteries) I use a Genasun 36v Boost controller (GVB -8-36v-WP) with a 100w solar panel mounted on roof. We only use it a little bit in the yard as a utility cart, but never need to plug it in all summer. Ideally, they want you to input 325 watt & if I drove it more, I'd definitely try to fit another panel onboard. This has been in operation for about 4 years now. I only use the 120vac charger in the winter time to keep the batteries charged.

​

 
Renogy makes a nice little inverter for this purpose. I have one on my 48V SXS. Not weather rated, but that doesn't impact me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Help configuring solar trickle charge for Golf Cart
Replies
2
Views
188
ryanohall
R
Starke
36v Golf Cart Conversion
Replies
2
Views
338
Delmar
Delmar
Y
72v Golf cart battery to home battery generator?
Replies
0
Views
278
yourunclefats
Y
P
Vatrer 36v 105ah LiFePO4 Golf Cart Battery
Replies
2
Views
434
OldWestRanch
O
B
How to create quick disconnect for parallel 48V batteries in golf cart straight to AIO inverter as battery storage?
Replies
8
Views
313
wpns
W
Back
Top