Revolutionize Your Golf Carts with Game-Changing DIY Hybrid Powertrain Solutions from Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight Hybrid: A Cheaper Way to Juice Up Your Golf Cart
Facebook Marketplace is where you’ll typically find golf carts that are, well, golf carts. And that’s great, but let’s be real, sometimes they’re a little… lacking. Like when the batteries are dead, and it’s just too expensive to swap them out. That’s where Jimbo’s "petroleum battery" powertrain comes in – a innovative solution that turns a Harbor Freight engine into a golf cart powerhouse.
How It Works
Jimbo’s setup is relatively simple. The Predator engine from Harbor Freight drives an alternator, which serves as both a power source and a DC motor controller. It’s a bit unconventional, but it works wonders. The system is powered by a single 12-volt battery, and the PWM power supply helps control the flow of juice to the motor. All this is made possible by severing a connection on the alternator and doing some clever mods.
Performance
In his testing, Jimbo saw some impressive results. The powertrain can support a driver and passenger, or around 300 pounds of payload. And get this – it managed 40 miles per gallon! That’s incredible for a powertrain that’s still in its early stages. Jimbo is already planning to swap it into a two-owner Club Car, which is no doubt going to be a hot ride.
The Future of Golf Cart Engineering
Jimbo’s project shows that with some creativity and tinkering, you can breathe new life into your golf cart without breaking the bank. And it’s not just about saving money – it’s about building a more efficient, more reliable system that’s also environmentally friendly.
Key Takeaways
• Jimbo’s "petroleum battery" powertrain uses a Harbor Freight engine and alternator to create a golf cart powerhouse.
• The system is powered by a single 12-volt battery and PWM power supply.
• In testing, Jimbo saw a 40 mile-per-gallon fuel economy, and the system can support around 300 pounds of payload.
• The project shows that with some creativity, you can revive a dead electric cart without sacrificing performance or functionality.
Images
[Image: The goal is to get rid of all these.][1]
[Image: Jimbo’s test setup in an old Cushman cart.][2]
Video
What do you think? Got any questions or comments for Jimbo? Contact us at [email protected]!
[1] https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-23-at-2.14.05-PM.png
[2] https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-23-at-2.07.57-PM.png
