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  1. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  2. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  3. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  4. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  5. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  6. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  7. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  8. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  9. solarEbike

    My "Mark 2" solar trailer

    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...
  10. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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
  11. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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.
  12. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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.
  13. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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.
  14. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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.
  15. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    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...
  16. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    As long as this thread is getting bumped to the top, allow me to throw in a YouTube video recommendation. Light Speed is a new documentary about last year's World Solar Challenge in Australia. These solar race cars were the inspiration for my project back in 2006. I thought "sure, these cars...
  17. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    Exactly right. There's no meaningful conflict. When my battery charge is at 90% or higher, regen braking may briefly drive the voltage up to 4.2V/cell so solar charging is briefly interrupted but it immediately resumes when braking stops and the battery voltage drops. Can you connect both...
  18. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    Just one flat tire on day 1, thankfully. No serious mechanical issues. My trailer's suspension "collapsed" on the way back but fortunately it was just a bolt that worked it's way loose from all the vibrations and I caught it before I lost any hardware so I was able to tighten everything up and...
  19. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    Here's a teaser from a project that's currently in my video editing queue.
  20. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    Here are the trip stats from the end of the video. 20,104 Wh and 12 days looks like 1675 solar Wh/day but that includes solar Wh generated during my non-travel days. If I add up just the travel days, I averaged 1472 solar Wh/day with a low of 1079 Wh and high of 2118 Wh. Keep in mind this...
  21. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    Bypassing Canada would be preferable to delaying by another year. Ideally, I wanted to do continuous overland travel from end to end on each continent but that's looking much less feasible now than it did a couple of years ago. It sounds like maybe you were thinking that I was planning to start...
  22. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    I genuinely laughed out loud. Thanks for that. I cringe every time I see the title of this thread. Some of the delay has been me grossly underestimating the amount of effort it would take to build the rig I had envisioned. Some of it had to do with changes to my career situation. Finally, when...
  23. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    I took a trip down the coast to visit relatives and put the whole rig, gear and rider to the test. I figured I would post here when I got back but I'm not finding the motivation for a detailed write-up. Here's a video I put together. How about an open question and answer session? What do you...
  24. solarEbike

    One stop for solar charging ebike info?

    These look awfully similar to the one Alex reviewed except they added under-speced 12v and 5v outputs (6w and 5w only?!). You can buy just one unit for US$30 on eBay or AliExpress including shipping. Search “boost solar charge controller” tN6ykK9Q-CQ
  25. solarEbike

    Around the world on a solar ebike

    It was surreal. At New Brighton beach, there was some light ash falling and water-dropping helicopters flying directly overhead. The total area burned so far is only about 1% of the Australia bush fires last summer but it will take weeks to get all the fires under control. The thunderstorms that...
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