How to Use a Solar Panel to Charge a Golf Cart
Golf cart owners who experience the frustration of the cart having a dead battery may want to consider installing a solar panel to maintain the battery's charge while the cart is inactive. Connecting a solar panel to your golf cart's battery can save you time by automatically charging the battery, and save you money by preventing you from frequently replacing the battery. Additionally, solar panels are environmentally friendly and will allow you to reduce your carbon footprint.
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Things You'll Need
- Golf cart
- Solar panel, approximately 12-inch x 12-inch, with electrical wiring
- 4 self-tapping screws, 1/2-inch
- 4 nylon washers
- Electric drill
- 5 to 7 black zip ties
- Wrench
Instructions
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Mounting the Solar Panel
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1
Place the solar panel on the rear of the golf cart roof on the side on which the under-seat battery is located.
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2
One at a time, place a self tapping screw with nylon washer through the mounting brackets of the solar panel, then drill each screw into the roof of the golf cart.
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3
Place the solar panel's electrical wiring along the golf cart's rear roof support.
Securing Electrical Wiring
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4
Use zip ties to secure the electrical wiring along the rear roof support, moving from the top to the base of the support.
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5
Secure the remaining length of electrical wiring to the frame of the golf cart's seat back using zip ties.
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6
Flip forward the bench seat cushion to locate the cart's battery.
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7
Remove the nut located on the negative battery post, followed by the nut located on the positive post
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8
Connect negative wire end to the corresponding battery terminal and replace the nut, then connect the positive wire end onto the corresponding post and replace the nut.
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9
Return the golf cart's seat to its original down position.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use caution when working with any golf cart battery.
References
- Photo Credit electric golf cart image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
