Recent content by solarEbike

The LightLeaf panels appear to be rigid enough and strong enough to survive on a bike trailer with just two mounting points near the centerline. Both types of CMP panels appear to be designed for mounting on a solid surface as evidenced by their installation photos and instructions, not to...

Or just drill a small hole through both connector halves, perpendicular to the mating faces, and hammer in a spring pin or threaded hole with M3/M4 screw if you need it to be removable? It's been a few years since I bought PVC plumbing parts for a project and I remember it being stupid cheap...

I hear you. When I tried to replace my US-made Therm-a-rest mattress halfway between Sydney and Perth last year, the price was just about double what I paid back home. When I tried to order a replacement handlebar for the recumbent, I was quoted $600 shipping on a $60 part from Germany. As for...

Yeah, sorry about that. I put a ton of effort into testing the CTK-EV-300 vs the Genasun, created a bunch of spreadsheets, edited video footage and then got busy with work and dropped the ball on posting my results. As I recall, they performed almost identically in steady-state conditions but...

I believe it may be possible to salvage the connectors. Cut the tubes 50mm from the bonded ends to salvage as much of the tube as possible for future use elsewhere. Clamp the connector in a vise and slit the remaining 50mm of tube that is glued to the connector with a Dremel. Heat the carbon...

Ground clearance was a bit of an issue but that was mostly because the linear actuator was an afterthought on that trailer and I was looking for a low-effort way to attach the actuator I had on hand, which was too long and over-specced. The internal mechanism appealed to me as an engineering...

I'm enjoying the quality of the discussion here. Hoping this can serve as a guide for others going forward. I believe it was 0.035". It wasn't a huge surprise that it didn't work. Halfway through that build, I realized it was going to be a stepping stone to something much better so it became...

Yup. Main tube is 44.0mm OD, 41.3mm ID. Functionally, it's similar to a driveshaft in that it transmits torque. The main difference is that the goal is to prevent rotation. Check out this YouTube video about carbon fiber driveshafts for F1 cars, tested to destruction. My main takeaway from that...

Hi Ewan, Congrats on a great project. I've consulted on dozens of solar bike builds over the years but I think you're the first to go all in on the scratch-built carbon fiber single wheel trailer design. I'm both honored and terrified that I've steered someone else down this path. My trailer is...

Currently in British Columbia, heading to Alaska. Stopped at Grin Technologies for a pit stop and to record another update video. Trip statistics: Trip logs

Well, nothing is written in stone but it’s just too dang convenient to just follow the ACA route. Thank you! I started this tour in Vancouver, BC and plan to pass through British Columbia and Yukon Territory on my way up to a Alaska next spring.

It’s looking good for Saturday when I head out from St. Paul toward St. Louis but temps are getting down to just above freezing in the mornings.

Thanks! I originally planned to get closer to Chicago before switching to the ACA "Bicycle Route 66" but I got a slightly later start than planned and slightly lower daily mileage so I'll be heading south toward St. Louis after my stop here in St. Paul.

It does, thank you! I plan to ride from San Diego to Alaska next spring and then continue on to Japan and Australia in August/September if the Covid situation allows it.

Quick update for anyone who doesn't already follow me on InstaGram or my blog. I'm midway through a 4500 mile (7000 km) shakedown cruise from Vancouver, BC to San Diego, CA. Currently making a pit-stop for some well-timed maintenance and repairs in St. Paul, Minnesota thanks to the generosity of...