I wonder why golf cart manufacturers never thought of a sustainable solar powered golf cart like this in the first place.  The great thing about these solar carts is that they will re-charge themselves most likely during the round of golf so you never really have to re-charge them via a wall-plug.

The Solar Powered Golf Cart.
This is the electric golf cart that has an array of 72 photovoltaic cells built into the roof that collect solar energy, providing up to 33% more range between recharges than non-solar electric golf carts. The carts 160-watt array produces up to three amps per hour for its 48-volt rechargeable battery system, providing a range of up to 49 milesapproximately 10 rounds of golfbefore requiring a full recharge (overnight via its 6′ long AC adapter; 15 hours via its solar array). The array also extends the life of the battery system by 60% more than other electric golf carts. Its 5 1/2-hp electric motor and 19-spline rear axle provides a maximum speed of 24 MPH and is powerful enough to enable the cart to climb a 28° incline when fully l oaded with two passengers and golf bags, supporting up to 755 lbs.

via hammacher

Remember my post on how to make a DC Welder powered by a golf cart? Well, these guys must be golfers and must own a golf course. (or at least work at a golf course.)

Now, they figured out a way to power their batteries with a big solar panel on top of the golf cart. Now the question is, can you still drive the golf cart? This might actually be a lot more practical if they could make the golf cart solar powered.

These panels charge the cart at about 3 amps. Welding or driving draws up to 150 amps, but only in short bursts.
To my surprise I have to disconnect the panel after a day or two to keep from overcharging the pack. I probably only charge one day a week. I better add an inverter so I can power my office and other tools from this thing.

Warning:
This thing is so damn cool you’ll smile too much and hurt your face.
I probably should have put the cover back over the batteries before he started welding, cuz batteries can make hydrogen which can go pop.
You’re smart kids, you can figure out other safety warnings for this thing.

via hacknmod

Here’s a cool way you can make a DC welder powered by a golf cart!  Of course, you don’t have to use a golf cart but it is creative the way this guy did it.

Here’s the simplest welder you can make.
It’s just a pair of jumper cables and a welding rod.
Oh yeah. And some batteries to power it.
I happened to have some nice juicy batteries in the form of a Golf Cart.

Here’s me welding a trailer hitch with 1/8″ 6011 rods. Welding current peaks at around 140-150 amps with these rods and around 120 amps with 3/32 6013 rods according to a Fluke 1010 clamp probe.

via hacknmod

Check out this cool little hack, it’s an open-source motor controller for an electric bike. There’s no pictures of a finished version but can’t wait to see this circuit in action!

n brief the PicOx is a PicAxe 08M based digital Controller that performs an ADC of a Hall-effect throttle and an ADC of a Hall-based current sensor. These two parameters determine the “Mark” value of a 15Khz PWM signal that does the switching to the Output stage. At the end of the project the Controller can sustain 48V @ 75 Amps repeatedly for approx 5 second bursts and is really only limited by the In-Line breaker that cuts the supply voltage, though the entire system’s overall design objective is met reliably at 48V 50Amp operation…

via HackedGadgets

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Oh, check out this cool DIY on how to build an inexpensive Hall Effect Gaussmeter!  If you don’t want to build one, you can always buy a gaussmeter here.

Have you ever wanted to find out how strong a magnet really was, or how the strength of the magnetic field varied as you changed the distance from the magnet or the temperature of the magnet, or how well a shield placed in front of the magnet worked? Voltmeters are fairly inexpensive and easy to find, but where do you purchase a Gaussmeter (also known as a magnetometer). I built a hand-held Gaussmeter for measuring the polarity and strength of a magnetic field. It uses a linear Hall effect device and some op-amps and resistors and things from Radio Shack.

via