How to Solar-Power your E-Bike

in #diy8 years ago

Hey everyone,
It's been a while since I posted, mostly because I ran out of all my best nature photos, but also because I didnt have much time, Steemit still isn't making enough for me to quit my job :)
So, I had a few hours this morning to do stuff, and I had a few panels from the previous project (The camping power-box, see my blog) and I decided to build a charger for the bicycle, one that is a part of the bicycle itself so that it can also extend your range while riding.
I had 2 modules of 20V / 3W each, the bike's battery is 36V.
I also had a charge controller that is meant for 24V but will work uptil 40, which is great.
I started looking for something to use as a plate to stick the panels to, and I found this old CD Stand made of wood, and thought it's top cover would be awesome!

I cleaned it a little, and ugly-drilled a big hole in the middle, to fit a broom-stick in. I also glued the stick with a two-compound epoxy thing, that hardened like steel after 10 minutes. I drilled two other holes for the wires of the panels, and sticked the panels with the same epoxy to the plate:

For the wiring, I had to wire both panels in serial, to get a total of 40V:

The final resulting wire I connected to the panel pins on the charge controller, and the battery to the battery pins, I ugly-connected it on the battery's side until the connector I got from Aliexpress arrives:

Eventually, I connected the stick to the bicycle with lots of strips and iron-wire so that it holds hard, and placed it just a bit higher than where my head would be when I ride, so that I don't shade the panels:

The panels provide about 5W together, this won't charge the battery fully in a whole sunny day, but it will add to the charge and extend the range while riding in the sun.
On the next version, I will add more panels :)

What do you think? Will you try to build one? ask me if you need help :)

-Simba

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Hi Simba it looks funny but 5 watts is better than nothing. It is good for your country, unfortunatelly not for mine.

Thanks :) new improved version will come soon :)

good tutorial

Thanks. keep following, already working on the next version :)

Hey man looks awesome. Do you have a lot of things like that you make?
You live in the Negev?

I live in the north, I love solar panels, leds and batteries, I'm always building something fun :)