How I charge my e-bike with solar power

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Published 2024-03-31
In this video, I show you a typical charging scenario. Essentially, I use three types of charging:

1 - While riding, the solar panel attached to the trailer provides some power to the battery. This is the least efficient variant due to the continuously varying angle and shadows. In these conditions, I estimate an average of 25-50W.

2 - When I stop, I orient the panel to the sun. In clear weather, this typically yields about 80-90W.

3 - I attach the second (200W) solar panel to the circuit. In these conditions, the arrangement provides a maximum of 160W. This is because the battery management system (BMS) limits the power despite the solar panels being able to provide more.

Equipment:
bit.ly/43Epf0c


Timecodes:
0:00 Intro
0:11 Status at arrival
0:50 Unpacking the trailer
2:02 Connections
3:30 Schematics
4:05 Attaching the second solar panel
4:38 Tea time
6:18 Status after charging and leave

All Comments (21)
  • @solarcabin
    Looks good! I put my solar ebike camper together 3 years ago. I use a power station and the charger that comes with the ebike so it works with any ebike and I have power for other small appliances and gadgets when camping.
  • @kenastl
    That jumper and power meter are great ideas. Thanks for sharing. I want to do something like that.
  • This is impressive. Excellent work. I see a person here with dedication, experience, and knowledge. I aspire to build something similar for myself in the future, and make trips to the south of my country, Chile.
  • You connected the panels in series, that way you will only reach max 200W combined. If you connect the panels parallel you will in theory reach the max of 300W - that way it is also better when one panel gets shaded.
  • @Bobster986
    I didn’t see a tool or first aid kit, important items you should always carry in your cart. 😊
  • Nice setup. Going to test mine next week when the weather opens up. I also have a 300wh solar station as buffer. By the way, keeping the panel clean helps with free watts 👍 and your rear tire seems slicker than my road bike 😅
  • @Ro-Bucks
    Love your setup, mine hirst my back. I use the same trailer almost, but I made a tight metal roof for my panels. I also just started up on YT myself so people can see my build. It's not done yet so maybe I'll re do a few things with your tips. like using the panel as a lid so I don't need to bend over so bad. I have 90w of panel but it's all I need.
  • @pascalj4331
    Upgraded solar panel from red one in last video. What are the improvements of this one, and was other one failing in some way?
  • @kierank01
    Have you thought about packing the extra panels on top of your other gear? That way, you could be charging with higher power, while you unpack & pack each time...every joule of energy counts
  • @HansKeesom
    I have been trying to do the same and although technically it is working there are 3 problems I never use it. - buing a second (swappable and/or external in trailer) battery gave me range more then I wlll need - as illustrated by the electricity pole in the background at 3:15, electricity is everywhere and so are outlets you can use when you ask friendly and show how little you use with a portable meter - solar is often very slow, both while drivng or when stationary compared to the 1 kWh you can charge overnight However, just for the fun of it, I am thinking of an extension pole for my Burly coho, so I can drive with longer solarpanels The subject still fascinates me -)
  • @ckeilah
    I have that solar panel! After only a year or two the surface degraded into a strange opaque brownish haze. I wonder if anyone is making more durable panels and/or if that brand got better--I bought mine about five years ago.
  • @TejpekJxv
    So you are able to charge your battery while riding? I checked the link and it doesnt mention that.
  • @SB-hr5yr
    What make is the trailer, are you happy with it? I'm looking at the Burley flatbed trailer but they are expensive, don't want to buy some cheap Chinese special that is not robust or last long :-)
  • @AB-kg6rk
    i love the intro song, whos the Artist and the name of the song???
  • @MarkSpohr
    Looks like you have changed the solar charge controller from the Genusun to the Boost MPT-7210A. Does this work better?