Regenerative Golf Cart

As a part of our quest for complete energy independence, we've made two solar golf carts! Get a genasun charge controller here:
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[@SkinnyMedic]

I am fired up for this video! This is the whole reason Mrs Skinny Medic and I bought a golf cart!

[@noshoes]

Just have to say I have been watching off and on over the years and watching this video reminds me how much I appreciate the way you live. God bless.

[@WillProwse]

I did this on my golf cart and it was horrible. Took 4+ days to charge my 5.5kWh NCA golf cart battery. And leaving my cart outside would kill the tires and cook the batteries. I now use a small 400W solar array in my backyard and run the cable into my air conditioned garage to charge up my golf cart. Works great and my cart will last for ages.

[@practicalpreppers7798]

My cart has been outside for 7 years. No tire issue and no battery issues as the charge controller works. We have been installing a lot of 400+ watt solar panels that double as great cart roof.

[@WillProwse]

@@practicalpreppers7798 holy cow that's awesome!

[@zarbonida]

@@WillProwse you have to use a mppt boost charger like genasun (300$) or gtk300 (30$ on Aliexpress). They are more powerful than the mppt step down you used in your golf cart. For a stationary battery, mppt step down charger are ok. But when you move every single second your solar panels, you need a very fast solar charger mppt boost.

[@thehightechredneck9777]

I've been wanting to do something like this with my cart as well... Just gotta pull the trigger on a panel... And I usually park mine in a shed so was thinking might just mount my panel to the roof of the shed

[@om617yota8]

@@zarbonida Look at some of Will's videos. He knows how to get every watt out of a charge controller.

[@jamesdriver8131]

Hey! Shout out from charleston, I have watched your video 100 times and used it for a basis for my electric sailboat conversion. I gutted a golf cart system and installed it in place of the diesel. Thanks bunches for putting me on to the genasun boost controller. These things are miracle makers!

[@peterscherling9000]

This is my next vehicle and needs to seat 3 children and my wife! Added a trailer with another solar panel and room for storage or a fold out tent!

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

Boom! You're an "overlander". 😄

[@mloomis1978]

I have one of these golf carts. My firewood guy built it for me after I saw his. He has one that he's ran for 7 years and never once has been plugged in. I've been using mine for about a year. I use it to run all over my 40 acres and love it.

[@kevinrowbotham545]

Regenerative AG... Awesome! Looking forward to following along.

[@courtneyheron1561]

Amazing! Love Greg Judy, Joel Salatin, Holistic Management videos and more.Thanks for sharing your creative expression! 😊🙏

[@jeremyjedynak]

It would be great to see an update on how these are going two years later!

[@ronaldharris6569]

I'm glad you are having a good time with solar, the silence is intoxicating, compared to a gas or diesel powered work cart

[@PM-7636]

I too found a solar panel that was new, but overstock for $115 on Craigs List, It is a 72 cell and sized for my 36 VDC golf cart. Just got it installed and it was making power under the carport @ 5 PM. Pulled it out into the sun and it was doing much better. This was the second usable idea I got from your channel, the 1st (Need help getting your water off the grid - Dec. 20, 2014) was a simple pump installation pumping to a water tank inside my pump house, and Dankoff Slow Pumps provides water to the house and garden. Thanks for sharing the innovation.

[@brettjohnson6807]

I've been wanting to get a used 4x4 electric 72v cart and use dual panels for the roof to charge it for years. Good to see someone actually use it in practice.

[@ericsteenburg3389]

I've always wanted to do this. Awesome job!

[@TonzieNorman]

I can’t wait for more.

[@ScottieBMan]

My exact envision…you beat me too it! This is awesome

[@sigmacentauri6191]

This is so cool! Golf cart manufacturers should make this a standard feature. 😻🌞🔋💚

[@scottw2157]

I agree to a point. Battery technology is where its at, with Lipo and Life battery technology (smaller lighter and more powerful) these are what should be included by the manufacturer. I also think the controllers and motors currently used are weak links. Manufacturers need to follow RC (radio control hobbies) manufacturers lead, use their data for some R&D.

[@Lucas_andos]

Indeed, even a cheap solar roof on the factory models could extend the range by a small amount and able to recharge the battery while unloading it or just sitting around. so it is always charging.

[@vickyschoeneweis4263]

Would you please post a close-up step-by-step video of exactly which wires are connected which wires? I have the 36V EZ-GO golf cart, a 260 watt solar panel, the correct Genasun 36V MPPT charge controller, but I'm not an electrician.

[@mattmccoy7364]

@@vickyschoeneweis4263 did you ever get this finished? How is it going? I’d like to do the same conversion as you.

[@raisagorbachov]

LOL. Now you have me wanting a golf cart!

[@RenaissanceThinking]

How many watts are the panels you are using? We have been thinking of doing this very thing for a while now but you are the first person we've seen actually do it. Thank you for sharing.

[@ryanripley3144]

Love this. Only thing id have different is a charging station for busy days lol. Very very cool idea.

[@101doreen]

I can't believe I saved your hot water heater video a while ago and never subscribed?!! I just went back to my sustainable file and rewatched that video and I saw I didn't subscribe! You, Sir, are chock full of info! Thank you so much!

[@steveg2406]

Will be interesting to see how well "this" works during winter conditions. Thanks for setting up this channel

[@vhfgamer]

Solar panels are more efficient when they're cold.

[@williambates6811]

I would go very slow installing permanent interior fencing. Install the best perimeter fence you can and use single strand temporary electric fence on interior until you know how the grass will react to management changes. I would highly suggest you split the pasture up so the large livestock stock has one or two days of feed before moving to the next paddock. I would also suggest you read Allen Savory "Holistic-Management-A New Framework-Decision-Making".

[@neogator26]

I love Genasun! I have a 2001 ish Club Car I threw a 280 watt panel on and I haven't plugged it in for over a year. The batteries read about 4.5V instead of 48V when I got it but I got the batteries back up to voltage and topped the water off and I'm still using them. She doesn't have the torque or speed she should but the batteries are next on my list of things to upgrade. I drive around my neighborhood and into my parents' and in-laws' neighborhood and not across a farm but mine also doesn't have the regen motor set up like your's appear to have.

[@rbar1234567]

Great actionable advice. Thank you.

[@taylormills08]

Awesome way to do things. I’m considering adding solar to a pull behind electric man lift. I figure that little charge controller will be perfect.

[@anthonyraines5951]

Love your videos. I've only got 16 Acres in Leesville, SC but im hoping to get into a sustainable style of homesteading

[@MrJasonace99]

Was just thinking about something like this. Nice!

[@DinoPasic]

Im waiting this video to see and i finally found it. I had similar idea, long time ago... Great Idea, thanks for sharing it.

[@terrya6486]

Ha beat you to it ! 3 years on my 48v golf cart. 1 54v solar panel and a contactor with 4 kwhs of chevy volt lithium batteries.

[@ONThree]

Amazing! I must have one!

[@keithcastleberry3224]

Tell us more about the solar panel, what make, size etc? Where did you find them?

[@willm5814]

Thanks this is great!!! Going to do it on my cart this spring - I'm always shocked by the torque you get from an electric golf cart - me and my 250 lb buddy, climbing a very steep hill...no problem - would love to convert to Lithium-Iron-Phosphate when lead-acid batteries die - lighter for the same amount of stored power and longer lasting

[@dogtaurus4daisy]

This is awesome and cool golf cart 🔥🧡🔥

[@PatrickHRoss]

Awesome, this is my go to plan.

[@titanpreparedness]

Awesome cart. A buddy is selling one and was looking at seeing if i could make it fully electric. Pretty neat your in pickens im right beside you in oconee

[@steffybael1245]

I have put very large multi colored Anderson connectors on my 36 volt easy go. i use it as a power bank for my pull behind camper for mobile power. the connectors allow me to drive the cart on 36 volts and then unplug 2 and plug some in to have 12 volts. i also have a engine connected to a chevy alternator to charge the batteries. pipe from the exhaust go into a big insulated pot with 2 bricks to set a stainless steel pot with a lid inside to use the waste heat of the engine to heat water! NO SOLAR PANEL YET! but ill BUY THIS SET UP SOON

[@michiganporter]

Great job fellers! Love the easy concept 💡 brilliant!keep it simple stupid is what I tell myself.

[@GeoFry3]

Did the same with my boy's john deer toy tractor No more sad little boy because momma forgot to plug it in after he wore it out the day before. (10watt 12v panel no charge controller) If it still popular next year I'll upgrade it with a bigger battery bank and add in the controller.

[@chadengemann8237]

with you having two different carts this would be the perfect way to test out the Battle born or Dakota drop in kits for golf carts. I know you are already preaching go lithium. it would be a fun series of vids.

[@mhaggerty7484]

There's some other videos out there that have conversions from the lead acid to Lithium zero maintenance and longer lasting battery packs. They can even swap out the motors or have them rewired for more efficiency and speed.

[@linmal2242]

Great little solar golf cart, but it needs some bracing on the uprights, as the aerial view of it moving shows the flexing of the canopy. Just give the uprights some strong angular bracing ! Terrific idea and practical use.

[@lufacarbon1260]

Thank you for the video and the information. I have a 36 volt cart. That I would like to do this to. I plan on purchasing the charge controller. But I have no idea what panel to get. What are you using? And what are the specs?

[@jasonbroom7147]

Dirt to Soil is a great book that you might be interested in, for managing grazing land. It goes along with what Joel Salatin mentions. Any plans to swap out the SLA to LiFePO4, when the lead batteries die? A lot less weight, per amp hour should get you around a little longer between charges?

[@hillbillybassfisherman8181]

they still have the jockey lot in pickens on wed. i live just south of you.i had new stemulator put in at your hosiptal

[@offgridphilosophy7959]

Buster's such a good boy😊

[@TheTikka308]

Awesome video as always been watching for years since the micro hydro project on dads farm. I’m hoping you can answer a question he got a parcar utilitruck cheap 36v completely stock. It’s awesome but it’s time for batteries and I’m curious if you know what golf carts pull in amps going up hills. We have similar here in KY and I’d love to go lithium but everything I’m finding in a reasonable price range say less than 2,000 only do 100-150 continuous and have a few seconds of peak at 300+. 48v conversion is possible but even at that voltage do the amp numbers work or is that still not enough. The battery’s have the same ratings in amps. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@earnestbass4043]

Another great video. I’ve got a 72v golf cart I’d like to add a solar panel to along with 120v outlet. Is there a good 72v inverter/charge controller you’d recommend? We also run a grass fed cattle operation and crossed our angus herd into beef Galloway for a smaller carcass size and better marbling on grass.

[@sandybartlett1333]

Awesome video thank you.

[@priscillaencarnacao637]

What gauge wires did you use to go from the Genasun controller to the batteries? And did you just use 10AWG extension cables for the solar panels to the controller with butt end connectors?

[@phinphan3059]

Can you please add a link to the solar panels.

[@jeremyb66]

Now I’m looking for a cart!!!!

[@gerardjachymiak5822]

i do not know how much range you need but some repurposed lithium cells from big battery would work well

[@dig1035]

Looks like excellent plastic dump beds too! No lithium batteries? Why? Tell us about the panels?

[@drunkbuzzard3237]

My neighbor did this to his cart 15 years ago and he's still driving it around.

[@1painter4hire]

Wow Sir, this is awesome thanks

[@Fentertainment]

Another SC content creator, I've often wondered if you were from south carolina.

[@guyh.4121]

Is there a disconnect switch for a bypass if you have to use a charger?

[@soberbrent]

I did this with an ezgo txt 36v. I use one to get around my home town(it’s legal in the town). I put two 160w solar panels for a roof with the genasun boost controller. I have shunts monitoring power in as well as power to the motor. I have not had to charge this cart in over a month and I would say I drive 5-10 miles per day. On flat paved road the motor is only using 350-400 watts. During the day the panels are always bringing in 200-300 watts. Could almost drive on just the panels alone.

[@tomtom9879]

Hello. Very interesting video! I have a few questions which I would appreciate if you could answer: -How many miles do you typically run with your karts per day? and, -Do you really never charge from your grid? -Where is your approximate geographic location? Thanks.

[@slimpickens0000]

Scott, I think a good fencing video would be helpful for a lot of people given your teaching style. I'm looking to put up a fence myself on our two and a half acres

[@practicalpreppers7798]

Soon. I hope to start re- fencing the property. I have a lot of trees an overgrowth to clear first.

[@TheBurnsStuff]

Typical EZGOs (Cushman are the same thing). Wobbly tops, squeaky and weak suspension, rotting out battery trays, overall junk carts. Stay faaaaaaar away from the new 2008 and newer RXV carts. Club Car or Yamaha make way better, more reliable carts. I'd offer this setup to my customers. Unfortunately, 95% of them are in wooded campgrounds with very little sun penetration during the summer months. Not to mention, most of them are tighter than 2 coats of paint when it comes to something like this. I, personally like the Navitas (I'm a dealer) controllers better. I've had altraxx controllers fail and burn up so I'm hesitant to recommend them. So far, the Navitas are much more hardy, phone app over bluetooth (no laptop needed to make changes). Their AC conversion kit is AMAZING! Its pricey but amazing. Good stuff, Scott!! I really like what you are bringing to the RE community!!

[@bosborn1]

Ain’t that the truth. I’ve got 8 Ezgo TXTs and they are garbage . The one Yamaha I have is 15 years older than my TXTs and is in better shape and is an overall better cart in every way. Ezgo can make a good cart. I’ve got a Prowler EV that I love. You can’t beat a 72v two motor 4wd golfcart.

[@TheBurnsStuff]

@@bosborn1 Its unfortunate, too. They used to have a solid platform back in the mid 90s (89-90 almost ruined them). They were late to the 48V party and used the weaker Curtis controllers. Their gas counterparts were solid until they stopped using the twin cylinder Robin engine. They moved onto the FE400 Kawasaki engine. Its a strong engine, just cheaply and poorly designed.

[@joemonstermaker4784]

The RXV will outperform every other cart. You’re just apparently not smart enough to work on a modern cart. And it’s got a limited-slip rear axle. It’ll go where those others you mentioned won’t. And it’ll get there sooner too.

[@joemonstermaker4784]

And the RXV doesn’t need an AC conversion, it already is an AC cart.

[@TheBurnsStuff]

@@joemonstermaker4784 Considering that you don't know me or what I know, you just won't know how smart I am. Let me know how that pile of junk works our for you when it starts breaking down.

[@Customsouthernarms]

Did you ever do an update on this cart? Like, how it's held up & what not? I couldn't find a part 2.

[@JerryDLTN]

I'm surprised EzGo doesn't do that for all their electric golf carts. I worked at a golf course in high school...they had 24 rental carts and 144 privately owned carts and we had to keep them plugged in in the barn all the time. Occasionally the chargers go bad and cook the batteries

[@goodcitizen4587]

A 400W panel would be even cooler. Could it handle the weight? Of course tossing those lead batteries would be a great improvement.

[@genegoodwin8925]

You have done what I talked about back in the 70's when I first saw a car converted to an electric power in a magazine. I've always said that the auto manufactures could make an electric car and have the roof, which is a separate panel these days, made of solar cells. The car would have a little longer range since it would be charging as it goes. If the car was used to go to work during the daylight hours, it would be charging all day while the driver was at work. If the person worked night shift it would be charging the next day while the person is sleeping. It all seems very simple to me. The EV's of today depend on plugging them in to the grid. The problem with that is somewhere the electricity is being produced by a plant usually using fossil fuels. Yes, there is no tail pipe on the vehicle, but it is still causing a problem somewhere else. We too, had a farm, 49.5 acres where we used a Kubota side by side and hated the thing. We now only have a few acres and use a golf cart. We used golf carts on the farm until we bought the Kubota. We both like the golf carts better. Ours is a gasoline model though, so we will not be adding a solar panel on top. Thanks for the video.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I bet this will be a standard option for golf carts in the future. Solar should be improving and more common in the next few years.

[@steveg2406]

Should already be on all vehicles, not just golf carts. That seems like common sense...

[@warrenphillips69]

Ideally you should be using the diagonal opposite terminals on the battery array.

[@artsmith103]

For the cost of the voltage step up, has anyone tried 2 smaller ~30V panels in series with a typical mppt charger? There are a lot of those slightly older ~200W panels in CA.

[@lawtonharrison5018]

Do you sell the single panel on your website as well?

[@AceZeroTV]

I wondering 2 things, can this Genasun charging system charge while in cart is in operation? I know it will still drain in total during operation but does that have any bad effect on the batteries applying charge while cart is draining at the same time? Also do u have to have a breaker switch to isolate the solar panel/Genasun controller from the 120v charging system if you have to charge off the grid with your normal cart charger, say on a cloudy week?

[@justincloncs1116]

Can't wait

[@MacMcCabe2456]

Does the Solar panel just keep charging the batteries or is there a limit function in the charge control unit that keeps the batteries from over charging and boiling over ? Thanks

[@jennybrown2998]

Does the controller stop overcharging the lead acid batteries? Just putting my shopping list together.

[@blissfulacresoffgridhomest2098]

We love ours!

[@whineysnowflake8072]

can you pull a manure drag with it? It will help that soil

[@sandybartlett1333]

Can you still use your normal.golf cart charger with it if you need a quick charge?

[@elnanin1]

I put a 50W panel, genasun boost 8a 48 volts, but the battery pack charges very slowly. How many watts have your panel in the video?

[@michaelgonzalez8863]

Nice !

[@juliemarie7854]

Super cool

[@jettamind]

How long to the golf cart batteries last before you need to replace them?

[@mcconnell51420]

Still should plug your cart in. The batteries need that 15-20amp initial charge rate to keep the battery plates from sulfating and maximizing battery life. But other than that, right on

[@carlspackler91]

I found the charge controller on your site easily enough, but either I'm really bad at searching, or the section that displays panels that are sold individually is difficult to find.

[@offgridbydesign3826]

Can you still use your regular charger with this setup or is it now solar only?

[@bobhicks2762]

I would really love to have a cart like that, but being on ssa only I cant afford one, been looking for one for over two years and none I can afford.

[@Grante15]

Hey man! If you have not yet found the "Strong.Sistas" youtube channel, you should really look them up! They are both carnivores that decided to buy an old farm together and start transforming it into a regenerative farm! I think your knowledge about energy independence and solar would be really useful for them, and their carnivore/agriculture and soil health stuff would be beneficial for you! (a possible collab maybe?)

[@glykmanagement2091]

can we have follow up vids on solar golf cart

[@aguera00]

How long would you say battery's lifetime expectancy will be extended with this feature?

[@charlesgiovanetti8776]

Now just add an inverter? I have the golf cart, genasun and inverter but just need to take the time to do it!

[@donsloan4227]

I have a 48 volt golf cart that i use at my campground, now i have no intentions to use it for work, climb hills .i would just like to charge my batteries , questions are what size of solar panel would i need and can i just use the genasun 48 volt acide 8amp controller. Any information would be much appreciated thanks.

[@frogface3975]

do you have a link to a good solar panel? thanks

[@03treefitty]

Hows well does it work on cloudy rainy days? Or snow?

[@sussijensen3988]

Very good idea 🙂👍💚💚🌍💚💚

[@kezzatries]

OK ya got me I subbed. More info on your cart set up, please.

[@solarT.D.I.Y.20]

What the information on the solar panel, part number or watts. Thanks!

[@solarT.D.I.Y.20]

What's the voltage on the solar panels? Do you have the part number?

[@brettmoore3194]

You could make a radiant charging circuit easily. It would involve a antenna or CB whip 20ft. With a 3inch sphere as a top hat. A ground bar that you would have a jumper to hook up when not in use. I could send a circuit diagram. Just two capacitors ,bridge rectifer, and a neon bulb as a spark gap, that will regulate the voltage

[@brettmoore3194]

Just heard it was 48v so 4. 12v neons in a series

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks for all you do for the prepping community. I have a EZ GO (around 2006). It is 36V and has a lift kit and fold down back seat/work platform on it. I would like to convert it to 48V with Lithium batteries for the farm as well as for a mobile power station for grid down emergencies. And, ultimately I would like to make it solar like you did to your carts. Is there a "kit" or someone you could point me to that would be able to help me with that conversion? I'm pretty handy with most things but golf carts are out of my expertise. Also, what Lithium batts do you recommend? I fell like I need to convert to 48v because it's so hard to find a decent 36v to 120v inverter. Thanks for any help you can give me alan

[@keithcastleberry3224]

My opinion, buy a 48volt cart… otherwise you will be replacing everything electrical on it, including the motor. I watch your channel regularly, grew up in East Texas, now live on a small piece of land in Central Texas. I bought a 48 volt cart, replaced the batteries with a RoyPow 48volt lithium, and I’m about to do the Genasun with solar system, for the same reasons you mentioned.

[@keithcastleberry3224]

I also bought a 48volt DC to 120volt AC inverter.

[@BIGALTX]

@@keithcastleberry3224 A) are you happy with the RoyPow? B) was it easy to convert to Lithium? And, thanks for commenting.

[@BIGALTX]

@@keithcastleberry3224 How many watt inverter did you get? From what I’m hearing everyone in Texas needs to get serious about some type of alternative power. They are predicting blackouts and brownouts this summer… In freakin’ Texas!

[@keithcastleberry3224]

@@BIGALTX while I believe I could have done the conversion, I had a local cart company do it. I didn't want to learn by my mistakes on a $$$ lithium battery. We LOVE the lithium conversion, and the RoyPow seems to be very well made and works well for us. I usually work our land by walking, since I'm getting older and need to walk, but our animals are spread out over 11 acres, so my wife uses the cart all the time. I use it to haul things and the power, with the lighter weight and longer battery life is well worth the money to convert it. We can go 2 weeks between charges.

[@johnwyman6331]

I'm just curious, it looks like you've got a 48 volt controller on a 36 volt 6 battery cart. Just curious why? Back in the early 90s I was interning at a small Solar Company in Michigan. He had a GE electric garden tractor that we put a small array on. It would charge between the weekly lawn mowing sessions. He also had a very small pontoon boat with a small array built on to it. It had two trolling motors and would cross a pond at a medium rate. He had the tapered ends put on the back of the pontoons upside down in order to reduce the noise from the water in the wake of the boat. Both of these would sit in the Sun for a week charging the batteries before they could be used on the weekends. Just wondering how long does it take to charge yours from empty?

[@frogface3975]

it does UP TO 48 volt

[@rjonkipper]

What is the kit he is using, I need to know where I can get the full kit to convert my electric golf cart....

[@mikefernandez2255]

I cannot find the 400watt solar panels you are using as the roof of the cart. Where can you buy these panels and what's the dimensions??