December 21, 20214 yr ebike solar charging is impracticle for a moving bike as the array of panels need to be quite large for any decent charge and then there is the time needed for such a charge. A touring set up in summer with a trailer might be better with panels on a trailer to charge a second batter. For long rides, yes. But for commuting journeys of a few miles, panel size is not going to be the limiting factor because you have all day to charge whilst not being ridden. As an example, my hilly 5 mile round trip consumes about 100Wh. On an average day in the summer half of the year, a 25 or 30W panel could cover that. Cost wise, probably no point where mains is available but energy wise, makes good sense.
December 21, 20214 yr That's why I said touring as touring involves distances, a complete waste of time for short journeys. I have only met one ebiker using solar as an optional source for charging and that was for charging a spare battery. He was proper touring doing long rides with camping gear and a trailer.
January 21, 20224 yr Have you guys ever wondered where these panels come from? Here is an interesting article on this topic. I will leave the link here - https://www.gildshire.com/the-history-of-solar-panels/
January 21, 20224 yr I also recommend reading this article about conventional inverters. Find out how they work here
January 21, 20224 yr C I also recommend reading this article about conventional inverters. Find out how they work here Conventional inverters are of no use on a solar ebike. The critical components are robust efficient lightweight panels such as Sunpower and 'boost' mode solar charge controllers such as the Genasun and Elejoy.
February 1, 20224 yr C Conventional inverters are of no use on a solar ebike. The critical components are robust efficient lightweight panels such as Sunpower and 'boost' mode solar charge controllers such as the Genasun and Elejoy. May be safe, but microinverters are more practical for panels
February 1, 20224 yr If you are interested in how the panels for 24 watts. I recommend that you visit this article - here
February 1, 20224 yr When you install solar panels you wonder what inverter to install. Normal or micro inverter. Here is an article on the subject
February 1, 20224 yr When you install solar panels you wonder what inverter to install. Normal or micro inverter. Here is an article on the subject Seriously! Don't need inverters, micro or otherwise, on a solar ebike.
February 1, 20224 yr You need something to turn the variable DC volts (depending on how bright it is) into either fixed DC to feed the battery, or 240v AC to feed the charger. There are some 12v (ish) panels to drive canal boats and caravans iirc, but not sure about 48+v ones to drive bike batteries.
February 1, 20224 yr You need something to turn the variable DC volts (depending on how bright it is) into either fixed DC to feed the battery, or 240v AC to feed the charger. There are some 12v (ish) panels to drive canal boats and caravans iirc, but not sure about 48+v ones to drive bike batteries. Techniques and equipment are known and available, a good source of info is Grin's website blog at ebikes.ca, and for a top notch build story look up Mark Havran on endless-sphere. The repeated links to inverters stuff above is not relevant to this thread.
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