EDIT: Now Portable Solar + Fat MAC Rear Hub (Trailer will follow..)
I want to build a single wheel powered trailer (like a stretched extrawheel) for my fat bike for long dirt road touring, with solar assist (some assist but mostly fold out when not riding). I want it to be transportable as checked luggage on flights ie. 70x70x18cm max. As I recall it's around 62" LxHxD but our local carrier adds maximum dimensions as an extra challenge.
I had my head full of parameters and constraints so to force a start I bought the panels:
30w x 6
The size fits and the number is probably the maximum manageable (for now), (I plan to have three assisting and fold out to six for charging when stopped... so its pretty modest 90-180w but I think can still be pretty well streamlined with three panels , 1 top 2 sides, maybe a fold flat mechanism for easy roads/ light winds.. I don't need speed, just cruise and hill help)
I initially considered the concept of using a similar 26" fat wheel but there doesn't appear much advantage (other than swapping to getting the bike out of an emergency)
I'm considering a 20" rim on a FB hub.
It seems intuitive that a small wheel on a bike that may see some rough roads and track be powered remotely, ie. not a hub motor?
Any suggestions for a reliable robust cog drive motor that could be linked to a chain or belt drive? Maybe i'm overthinking already and a hub drive would be ok? but its not going to get much airflow (once the trailer is loaded around it), will be 'low' and seems a bit vulnerable.. & A hub wouldn't eat up cargo space..
Any input appreciated (go easy, i'm a newby with little related experience.. other than being able to weld and wire).
Ta.
I want to build a single wheel powered trailer (like a stretched extrawheel) for my fat bike for long dirt road touring, with solar assist (some assist but mostly fold out when not riding). I want it to be transportable as checked luggage on flights ie. 70x70x18cm max. As I recall it's around 62" LxHxD but our local carrier adds maximum dimensions as an extra challenge.
I had my head full of parameters and constraints so to force a start I bought the panels:
30w x 6
The size fits and the number is probably the maximum manageable (for now), (I plan to have three assisting and fold out to six for charging when stopped... so its pretty modest 90-180w but I think can still be pretty well streamlined with three panels , 1 top 2 sides, maybe a fold flat mechanism for easy roads/ light winds.. I don't need speed, just cruise and hill help)
I initially considered the concept of using a similar 26" fat wheel but there doesn't appear much advantage (other than swapping to getting the bike out of an emergency)
I'm considering a 20" rim on a FB hub.
It seems intuitive that a small wheel on a bike that may see some rough roads and track be powered remotely, ie. not a hub motor?
Any suggestions for a reliable robust cog drive motor that could be linked to a chain or belt drive? Maybe i'm overthinking already and a hub drive would be ok? but its not going to get much airflow (once the trailer is loaded around it), will be 'low' and seems a bit vulnerable.. & A hub wouldn't eat up cargo space..
Any input appreciated (go easy, i'm a newby with little related experience.. other than being able to weld and wire).
Ta.