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  1. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    No perfect solutions here. But avoiding glass covered one for mobile applications would have to be a must. We started with the semi-flexible versions. A couple of players in this field. We used the following...
  2. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    Great work on the Sonic 7 Kiwi. Most impressive build! That is one serious controller you are after. I found it hard enough to find a 56V MPPT system and it can only give 8 amps. Mind you on a Trike that's 'oodles'. We will keep an eye on your thread to see how you go. I have no idea if...
  3. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    Hey ddk, good to see you have still been so active both in the forum and on the trike! Yep, 27 deg South makes a big difference. With the old Eco-worth panels, we were able to generate a 140+ W in ideal conditions (stationary trike with the array tilted towards the sun). Generally we were...
  4. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    Sure. The array adds about 15kg. But it more than pays for itself energy-wise. The proof is in the pudding. Day 3 ride of CQ2013 looked like this: Many conventional riders thought one of the toughest days they had encountered. We survived it really well as we stayed "shaded" and monitored...
  5. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    Never been an issue. Low profile + our total weight with both adults is around 200 kg + plus we are a cruiser, not a racer. Our CoG is naturally higher and it is advisable to keep it on 3 wheels when cornering (else Stoker gets narkey!). We get more wind effect on our motorcycle.
  6. launchpad

    How to Solar Charge an Electric Bicycle

    Been off forum for some time. Time to re-engage as we are solarizing our second trike. Our first effort (2013) is below. Specs are: Greenspeed GTT (including SS couples - packs away in a bike box - seats in a bag) 240W Solar Panels on custom made frame. Genasun GV Lithium Boost MPPT...
  7. launchpad

    Perth to Sydney by ebike - ride preparation

    Wet thun - I will be interested in how it recovers - (note to self: "another reason to avoid water above rims, on top of 'pisses the stoker off when she gets covered both front and back'"!) Will be interested in your data - a good benchmark against our tandem. Would you mind supplying your...
  8. launchpad

    Solar Powered Tandem Recumbent - Solar Pedal Assist

    Yes, sunny Queensland, Australia. State motto used to be "Beautiful one day, perfect the next". Lack of sunlight tends not to be the issue. The photos above were taken around the winter Solstice. Never. I don't claim to have any answers, only lots of questions..." What answers I do have I...
  9. launchpad

    Solar Assist Tandem Recumbent - Finished!

    Yes, your handiwork is most impressive. Only something us 'mere mortals' might dream to achieve (in my case it would turn out a nightmare). For the lesser craftsman amongst us it is nice to achieve with off the shelf products and a little technical advice. I do like these newer lightweight and...
  10. launchpad

    Solar Powered Tandem Recumbent - Solar Pedal Assist

    Correct. As a pedal assist, we are cruising at 25km/h on the flat using about 80W. So battery remains topped up for those "dang" hills. On an average grade we are pushing at 20km/h using around 300 - 400W. Interestingly, the torque sensor cannot pickup the stoker as she is only on my left...
  11. launchpad

    Solar Powered Tandem Recumbent - Solar Pedal Assist

    Winter here currently, but we are peaking about 170 W of max 240W. Still to work out the watt hours, but our consumption and production during normal trips are equal. Now doing some hill trials and will post some numbers shortly.
  12. launchpad

    Solar Assist Tandem Recumbent - Finished!

    A big thank you to this fabulous forum. With the fantastic info on this site we were able to achieve the following: Solar Powered Torque Sensor Pedal Assist - GTT. Full details are listed in the e-bike photos and video section, but I just had to share our joy (yes, that's my stoker in the...
  13. launchpad

    Solar Powered Tandem Recumbent - Solar Pedal Assist

    Is there a better beast to convert to fully solar? Starting base: Greenspeed GTT. We have had this baby for about 10 years. Done lots of kms including a couple of 600 km tours. If people can carry canoes on their H-bars, why can't we carry solar panels? Current Configuration...
  14. launchpad

    Hall Effect Throttle Question

    Thanks. While the throttle works fine as a standalone, when I route the throttle signal through the cycle Analyst, the voltage between the throttle signal and the +ve remains flat. Can't really make sense of it. Going to try another controller...
  15. launchpad

    Hall Effect Throttle Question

    That is a good question. Currently the throttle is setup as Pass-Thru. It registers a throttle directly into the CA V3 and shows the appropriate change in output voltage. I can even register this change at the input pins to the controller. My next step is to change to Current Throttle, etc...
  16. launchpad

    Hall Effect Throttle Question

    This is a supplementary question to my CA V3 - post earlier. I have a Crystalyte Controller and Motor. If I plug my thumb throttle directly into the throttle input it works fine. The thumb throttle 3 pins are +5 V, Gnd, Signal (1 - 4V) One of the Cycle Analyst strategies for using it as a...
  17. launchpad

    CA V3 throttle controller problem.

    Hi, I have spent a day to try and get the proper throttle control from the CA V3 working, but my ignorance and lack of understanding even amazes me. I have read and re-read the CaV3_UUG_B22_20130315_1650.pdf, including Appendix A. My setup is a Crystalyte HS3548, Crystalyte C3640-CL, Cycle...
  18. launchpad

    Magic Pie 3 - resistance to rotating wheel

    OK, thanks. 2 Qs please: 1) If I remove a/the faulty controller, should the wheel spin normally? 2) Is it possible to add an external controller to the MP3? Seems to defeat one of its principle advantages, of course assuming that the internal works properly. Peter
  19. launchpad

    Magic Pie 3 - resistance to rotating wheel

    Hi All, I have done some research but are none the wiser with this problem & solution. I have a new Magic Pie 3 - 20" rear wheel on a GTT recumbent tandem. Have done a couple of short test rides. Have a Cycle Analyst 3 in parallel, but the GM controllers don't yet go through the CA3. Last...
  20. launchpad

    Solar Panel Configuration

    Yes, we will use the extra 50W panel as both a spare/replacement for the trike and to charge lead acid or other batteries as suggested. We are going to add 2 x 20W panels in parallel (same Voc as the others) to the front of the solar array on the roof of the trike as they will take about the...
  21. launchpad

    Solar Panel Configuration

    Understood. Thanks. Looks like we will be traveling lighter or use 2 smaller panels instead of the one 50W. Off to do some more maths... Thanks, Peter
  22. launchpad

    Solar Panel Configuration

    Thanks John. Yeah, don't have room for a 6th panel anyway. I was planning on having both strings at 44V. One would be 2.25A max and with the other being 3.4A (I think). Would this work with the 5th panel as above? Both the voltage and current should be well within limits? Peter
  23. launchpad

    Solar Panel Configuration

    What a great forum. Excellent content and discussions. We have a Greenspeed Recumbent Tandem which we take on 9 day Cycle Queensland (Australia) rides. Fully loaded we are around 200kgs. This weight and bad knees don't make the mountains even slightly enjoyable (at least going up). So we have...
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