Solar Charger for Elec. conversion?

[shuckymomo]

Is it possible for a solar charger set-up for when the electric part isn't running? Basically, charge it for a stretch you don't want to pedal. Mainly, on longer tours...

[Radical Brad]

It will work, but will offer very low return. In fact, if you add wind resistance, you will probably loose energy, even on the brightest of days.

Parked for 8 hours in the sun.... now that would give you a bit of return.

Brad

[likebikes]

I have been trying to charge small devices like my phone and my GPS with one of those small solar panels that they sell to put on your dashboard to plug into your cigarette lighter socket but with no success so far. The heavier batteries in a motive unit would never charge with small panels. Theres the additional issue of hooking them up correctly. If you're running a 36V system like the one I have, I'm not sure how you'd wire it. You'd need three panels because they only put out 12V ea and I don't know if the batteries would need to be disconnected to charge them all at once or not. Maybe the panels could be wired in series?
This has been on my mind as well but as you can see, I'm not very far along either.

[John Lewis]

Like this?
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/09/solar-trikey-ma/

Joe says this really works to keep batteries charged and to provide a bit extra on the run home up into the hills where he lives. He did comment that the power enabled him to pedal one or two gears higher. He still has to pedal. Of course our max motor output here is limited to 200 watts.

John Lewis

[xanda2260]

I'm thinking of a similar setup. A solar panel on my cycle bully. If you're only using the electric assist for hills, rather than cruising constantly, it should be quite affective. The short bursts needed for hills wont drain packs severely, and the panels could put the energy back over the next hour or so. I've found a 28w panel that should fit, but it's £300!!!

[shuckymomo]

I'm thinking of a similar setup. A solar panel on my cycle bully. If you're only using the electric assist for hills, rather than cruising constantly, it should be quite affective. The short bursts needed for hills wont drain packs severely, and the panels could put the energy back over the next hour or so. I've found a 28w panel that should fit, but it's £300!!!


Yes, I'd mainly do it on hills and spurts on flatland when I want to take a break from peddling.

[Odd Man Out]

My turn to stir the pot...

Have you thought about this;
How much less energy you would use to pedal if you did not incorporate all the wieght from the motor, batteries, solar panels and trailer???

I think if one were to stage a competition between an unladen recumbent and and one with all the "extras" that the lighter less restricted rider would win regardless of the terrain.

Seems like a zero sum gain.

[Dave X10]

I built an All Terrain Robot (one of Brad's ideas). Mine lived in the backyard ready and waiting to chase away deer or raccoon. I mounted two small solar panels on the robot and would park it in the sun.

Weight wasn't an issue as the robot was mostly battery and motors... the camera stuff and remote control gear didn't weigh much. The panels made up for the small drain and degrading of the battery power. The robot could set and wait in the yard for weeks... without losing much power.

But after actual use... the robot needed charged. Charged the old fashioned way.. hooked up to a battery charger.

Although.. it may still be a bit ambitious.. charging much smaller batteries for use on a GPS, and/or LED light might be more realistic.

[SirJoey]

I think if one were to stage a competition between an unladen recumbent and and one with all the "extras" that the lighter less restricted rider would win regardless of the terrain. No way, Jose. Not in MY particular case, certainly.

My electric "Bulldog" has 175 lbs of motor & batteries :eek:. Despite the excessive weight, with
absolutely no pedalling whatsoever, it has a 45 mile range at a constant speed of 15 mph.

I can't PEDAL even HALF that far, no matter HOW light the bike/trike, & couldn't
even come CLOSE to maintaining that kind of average speed, even for a SHORT distance!

...granted, I AM kind of a wimp, though. :rolleyes:


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