Solar electric bicycle touring trailer for luxury camping
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- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- For information about my two books about sailing: www.robertberiault.com
I wanted to experiment with solar charging my Pedego battery while underway and in camping mode. So I bought a kit that included a 100 Watt solar panel and an MPPT controller. To hold the panel, I built a cargo trailer out of light-weight Coroplast and made it large enough to hold all my gear and keep it protected from the rain. I used the axle, wheels and towbar from my Burley cargo trailer for the hardware.
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a Pedego, It was gifted to me while I was homeless. I put 8,000 miles on it. I really like this. I ride my pedego for pleasure now.
You're doing great! Keep it up!
I've always considered becoming a nomad on a bike, and I have to say this here is the greatest setup I've seen.
Thank you. I'm pretty happy with it, except that the solar panel would have to be 300-400 Watts instead of 100. There hasn't been a breakthrough in solar technology for several years. Is it about to come? Let's hope.
@@RobertBeriault753 can't you carry a solar generator?
Great build, well thought out
You could add more panels on the back and sides, they'll add some extra juice and provide faster charging.
Or a flip-up panel on each side. Thanks for reaching out.
What a fantastic idea! The number one thing that turns me off of electric assist bikes is the distance and time restrictions- I like loooooong rides! This is a simple yet genius solution! Thank you!
For me getting there isn't as important as going there :-)
Thanks for your input.
Robert
Absolutely stunning I've walked Across Australia pulling a trolley, twice to date first time I used a off the shelf trolley called a wheely solid tyres second time I made the trolley myself alot better, on my next mission this bike trailer has given me lots of ideas thanks very much for posting bren new subscriber
Congratulations on your travel achievements. What I should learn from you is to slow down! Thanks for subscribing and hope you'll find some of my videos useful or entertaining.
Love the fact you feel luxury and comfort is touring with a homemade trailer rather than a couple of panniers! You must feel your house is a palace! Hope you have lots of fun on your trips. Xx
It wasn't quite up to the standard of a palace, so the following year I built my mobile palace:
ruclips.net/video/PIv8wU0SL5s/видео.html
Thanks for your good wishes.
Really well made, looks ultra lightweight , looks really cool too.
Thank you.
Wow. I am truly impressed that you choose to do that distance and camp with that bike.
Thanks for following me.
Wow. Looks like he had a background in model aircraft or something - that looks so lightweight on the inside, yet solid when closed. Great job.
Thanks
Killer setup! I've been looking at get an electric pedal assist bike for a while. I just did a 450 mile trip across the Czech Republic and am totally hooked now.
Great! Keep it up.
Nice rig but I had an electric bike once and it wouldn't go more than 20 miles on a battery. How far do you intend to travel each day?
I am so in love with your stamina, inventions and videos! I think you rock! I will try to fins a solar panel for my cargobikewagon I am going to build.
Hi Anette,
Glad you like it. Good luck with your building project. Keep me posted on your progress.
I love this! I've been looking at a way to have a bit of the convenience of van life travel without the economic and ecological impact. This looks like a much better way to go touring than what I've seen before!
I call it container camping. So much more practical than saddle bags. What I will try to do is to add another 200 Watts of solar panels. That would save having to find campgrounds with electrical service. And it would even allow me to practice stealth camping.
Wish I'd had a similar setup when I did my tour across America. Right about the problems with Panniers ,but I made it. Prevailing Wind=No matter which way you going, the wind is always blowing against you.
Good build Bob.
Thank you. Wind: With electric assist, it doesn't get you tired. It only affects your range, positively or negatively.
That is really cool. You did a fantastic job in designing a nice trailer with minimal weight. Thanks for showing us.
Be safe out there and God Bless.
Thank you. May we all make it a better world.
Nice I love it. Very organized. I hope I can buy something like this
I'm afraid you can't buy this at the hardware store. You'd have to improvise with a Burley cargo trailer and plastic storage boxes.
Great build!
Thank you.
Love the enthusiasm. I am 73 years old and still riding
Great! Keep it up!!!
Hi, RB V,
The boost controller is a Sunride, 57V, 8A Charger for lithium ion pack. It is available from www.sunridepower.com. They also sell the whole solar kit for adding to your own Pedego bike, including a 100W solar panel and the required wiring and connectors.
Have fun!
It's Oct 19, 2019 and I just saw your comment. Thank you. Somehow or other, I did discover Sunridepower and did buy the solar panel kit from them. That's what I used for my solar electric trailer.
I wanted to build a bike trailer, such as yours, and YTube brought forth your video. Crazy.
Great!!
What a great idea! Riding an ebike and camping sounds perfect
It's the best way to travel
Very nice! Very organized! Well done. Have a good tour.
Thanks, Kim.
I love it!! I don't know how bad of a problem jackknifing is. But if it's bad enough, trailer brakes might be worth inventing.
Jackknifing might occur if braking suddenly while taking a curve too fast. Because the tongue is attached to the axle as opposed to the saddle tube, it is less likely to unbalance the bike. But it is something to be careful about.
Would be easier to simply reinforce the clamp for the seat post and run a bolt or pin through it so it cant turn. If needed you could add a limited joint in the arm so that it drags less in turns.
awesomest lightweight trailer! Partition boxes are good too!
Glad you like it.
Good job. It is very nice and neat. I think if you increase the cells area and charge rate to 250 Watt, it may save moscles power more in long trips. I suggest, you add a roof extension panels on bicycle as an option. It also might protect you against intensive sun light or rain if any.
I agree that 250 Watts would allow me to be independent. I'm just a little hesitant about having a large amount of panels sticking out in the wind. What you suggest already exists: www.sunridepower.com . I'd still need to install another 50 Watts somewhere.
I love the concept. Honestly though I think your wasting the solar trying to supplement your output. It would be far more efficient to have 2 batteries and switch between them when your in use battery reaches about 25-30%. Always have one charging and always have one connected. From what I understand about batteries you cannot charge them while draining them. If that were the case it would make more sense to run the motor directly from the panels. Obviously that doesn't work so in a nutshell 2 battery set up is the way to go. Could do 3 and simply have 1 on full charge for standby but might be overkill and or just extra weight. I love the drilled out boards to lighten the load. Very smart touch. The best thing about DIY projects like this is they have room to evolve over time as the craftsman gains new insight. Keep building and keep connecting to nature and the community and your inner creativity.
Hello, TSM. I am planning to do just what you are proposing with my Bosch Cube, having 2 batteries, and charging one off the bike while the other powers the motor. As for charging while running, many solar cyclists have done this, such as: ruclips.net/video/5_SGoka_LzI/видео.html
Thank you for your good wishes.
Robert
I love comments like this not hating but giving good advice and ideas I wish everyone was like this.
Thank you savagefoxdesigns you have given me ideas as well.
Great system you put together,you are doing what I would love to do.
I hope your circumstances allow you to do it one day.
Excellent job GOD Speed We are all pulling for you , keep a stick on the ice. 2 flip up narrow solar panels on the sides for camp time .
That could double my solar capacity. A step towards self-sufficiency.
That will be good in the Philippines am gonna copy ur invention sir w a little modification nice idea!
Have fun
Robert@ So nice of you to encourage pulzomo.
Awesome trailer. You do good work. Enjoy the journey. Shalom
Thanks. I plan to do much more next summer.
Everything in place& order.
As a German, I appreciate that very much👍🏻😉
Right on! It might be because i have 1/8 th German blood. My great grandfather was a Frederic whose parents had immigrated from Germany.
Great little trailer, nice to be independent like that. Would be nice to see you riding with it on a video..
The year after I built this trailer, I built my Beriault bicycle camper and then never used the solar electric trailer until last summer when I lent it to a friend who accompanied me on a trip using my Bosch Cube: ruclips.net/video/jnrlxFWeMUY/видео.html
Thanks for the video , I'm building an electric trike and using photovoltaic , the intention is to voyage for extended periods of time .This video will convince my wife that I'm not the only one doing this sort of travelling ....Merci beaucoup
I hope she will appreciate why you want to do this. Best regards.
Looks good. My mate built a trailer from an old folding camp bed so he can sleep in that. no tent required. He then cycled through eastern Europe
Has he put pictures of his rig online? Sounds interesting.
@@RobertBeriault753 Unfortunately no pictures. It was a very low tech build made so it could be fixed easily with only a few tools.He didn't like the side attachment so welded extensions
to the seat stay tubes terminating at the back of the wheel to attach his trailer. When the camp bed was folded out the tent canopy effected itself. Very ingenious.
You're ingenious! I just bought an ebike recently and looking to do a tour and this is a great option to charge on the go. Thank you for sharing. 👍🚴♂️
Good luck with your plans
Very clever, well thought out, and well put together.
Thank you, TTG
You are the best and I love your solar car bicycle 👍👍👍
Sorry, I'm a year late in replying. Thanks for the nice compliment.
Nice job Robert! Excellent design.
I'm glad you like it
Great looking trailer. Nice design with the boxes 🎯
I love the box system. I think my brain is designed this way!
Very clever. Enjoy your travels.
Thank you your good wishes.
Ingenious.....very well designed. I look forward to following your adventures. Good Luck and very Best Wishes.
Thank you! Cheers!
I am planning to build a e-bike like yours. I got lots of information from your this video , thank you for sharing .
Thanks for letting me know
Never stop exploring. Way to go!!
Right! Thanks.
Nice long dis. touring set up. If one is not closet phobic, you can make a similar extendable trailer and sleep in it.
I actually did that: ruclips.net/video/PIv8wU0SL5s/видео.html
I know necessity is the mother of invention but something like this would have been so nice to have in my younger camping days too.
Maybe it's because when you were younger you didn't really need the extra comfort.
All the best
I like the bike trailer layout very elegant nice
Thank you
Very nice! I would suggest adding more panels that you can pull out when standing.
It's worth considering this idea
Really cool! I like the old style seat on your bike. My back is screwed, want to build something similar. Need the exercise but would like to have the electric assist. Got to get at it, Spring is coming!
Get it! You'll love electric assist. There will be no more hills to climb, no more headwinds to fight. You'll be invincible!
Robert- this is brilliant! Thank you for sharing! Very well presented, both in design and video presentation.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting.
This was well thought out, I am impressed and am looking for the other video that you said you would post. Nice looking also!
Won't be long that the bicycle trails will be free of snow. Then I can move ahead on my next project.
Brilliant! I also have an electric bike, easy step through, with the batter on the back in same spot. To buy another backup battery is so costly. And then it's heavy and we wondered how to pack it.
I found that a single 100 Watt panel, in Canada, can't produce as much power in a day as a battery of the same weight. You might want to consider this before spending money on solar.
nice trailer. great build. 😁👍
Thank you.
@@RobertBeriault753 can you tell what boost converter it is?
A 12 Volt solar panel generates 18 Volts. My 48 Volt battery needs 56 Volts. The boost controller does two things. It boosts the 18 V up to 56 V and it senses how full the battery is and moderates the current so the battery doesn't overcharge.
@@RobertBeriault753 link when bought it? maybe i need it in my next video. your boost converter has good looking.
I bought it as a kit from:
www.sunridepower.com/diy-kit
I really wanted to see the tent and full camp setup
Did you see my video about my Eastern Ontario trip? The setup can be seen here:
ruclips.net/user/edit?o=U&video_id=s66AGne4Fl8
@@RobertBeriault753 " Oops, something went wrong." - link not working
I am so glad I happened upon this video you are a genius
Wow! Thanks for the generous comment.
Robert, this was beautifully thought out...
A beautiful compliment. Thanks
Loving the camper and the accent! Great stuff
Glad you enjoyed it
A really great design chap.
Thank you.
Fabulous set up, well done Cheers Mike
Never heard of a Caterham. Quite impressive, even if it isn't electric.
Could be a very nice setup even for world tours. Getting the push just for steep climbs. Very nice work.
For a world tour, you would have to make special arrangements to have the trailer transported across the oceans. But it would be nice to have on a long tour. Next summer, if my health permits, I plan to ride from Ottawa to Halifax, N.S. (1500 km). For the trip back I'll decide if I have the bike and trailer shipped or if I'll ride back. My battery will be 4 years old then. I hope it won't have lost too much of its capacity. A second battery would be very expensive. $1000 CDN for the 10 Amp, $1500 CDN for the 15 Amp. I don't want to put more money than necessary on that eBike, since it's not the ideal bike for long distance touring.
Robert Beriault I ride recumbents for long distance tours, with a radical trailer, very comfortable setup (no electric assistance).
I do watch on RUclips the sun trip a race they organize from Europe to eastern countries, once Turkey once Astana, and they setup is huge, not practical but give them full support.
I think your setup is more in the bicycle spirit, means: have electric support for some steep climbs.
I guess in the near future with some improvements in the solar cells and battery like graphene tech, it will be very possible.
A recumbent looks so comfortable! The majority of electric recumbents I've seen are tricycles, which are too wide for highway travel, in my opinion. I would like to try an electric recumbent bicycle.
It is really important to try your first recumbent as they are different from normal bicycles, geometry, feeling, comfort, activity.
Every one has different body features and that's the reason why is important to try.
Here is my last baby. ruclips.net/video/rSgdQoJ3Yys/видео.html
I could say, that the lightning P38 could be something to consider. It's easy to start, comfortable, not to recline, very clean chain line. www.lightningbikes.com/p38/index.html
Had a look at the P38 online. With its 700c wheel, do you think it could take the Bionx ebike conversion kit?
Nice! The range aspect worries me for longer journeys so this might be the answer. 'Might' because on a cloudy day you would still need an electric socket at the end of the ride, I imagine.
Thank you. Your suspicion is correct. Watch my video about cloud effect:
ruclips.net/video/EUUOfdXc028/видео.html
Well thought out design. 👍👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
This guy is a genius!
Only my mother ever told me that :-)
Love your spirit sir!
Thank you
Nice but If I would have built it I would have made the inside trailer frame of Aluminum. A few pounds more but much more durable. other then that, I LOVE IT. The best part is the 12 to 48 volt DC Boost controller. I need one of them for a project, Thanks, didn't know they made them. I was using a Heavy Inverter and Transformers to go from 12V to 120V then back to a 48VDC Converter. This one is more compact and lighter. have a safe trip.
The idea of the wooden frame was to test the idea without spending a lot of money. Now that I see it works, I might redo the frame in aluminum. Genasun also makes boost charge controllers
Hey super nice! I'm going to build one!I've been thinking about buying one but yours is far superior. Do you have a PDF for the plans? I'm practical though and could probably make it looking at screenshot of yours if not. Happy camping with it, Sir!
I don't have plans on PDF, but there are some details about its construction on www.robertberiault.com
Click More, then Drawings and more pictures
Hope that helps.
Robert
fantastic !! I will definitely make a similar one, congratulations Robert. thanks
Good luck. Let me know how it went.
Excellent! Formidable!
Merci!
Very nice ,congratulations!
Merci, Lucie.
Have a great summer!
cool man. It would be better though if it were a bit longer and wider so one could sleep on top of it, with a PVC or fiberglass hoop cover perhaps in case of rain and/or mosquitos. Carbon fibre would be a good shell material. It should also be sturdy enough to hold a spare battery, a 1000 watt gas powered generator, a Fender Stratocaster or an acoustic-electric guitar and a small Roland battery powered bass amp, delay pedal and loop station. Then it would be an infinite self funding travel machine.
That's a tall order, but I did work on another idea: ruclips.net/video/nDf6_T3ZHoM/видео.html
I like this building can you show me how i build one or any guide you provide me
Write me at robertebikes@yahoo.com and I'll send you a plan for the inside box. As for the frame and outside box, you can figure them out from the video.
@@RobertBeriault753 thanks .i will contact you sir have a good day
Hallelujah, Happy Advent, Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Thank you for all your good works, God bless you...🙀😇🌲
Thank you for your kind wishes.
May the celebrations of the next month be happy ones.
Genius design! Would love to see your new rig.
I wonder if you've seen this one: ruclips.net/video/PIv8wU0SL5s/видео.html
Thank you.
@@RobertBeriault753 , i did actually! I just watched a few of your videos on this design and I think it's really amazing and inspiring. I'm a bit of an inventor/environmentalist as well and I think these types of endeavors really do make a difference. We have gotten so far away from how to live with nature and I find the closer we get to working in balance with nature, the better nature treats us. I travel in a small teardrop camper that is fully solar capable, (including with a solar oven), and I can vouch that it has saved me thousands over the years in just hotel/motel costs alone. There is just something special about using nuclear fusion energy from the Sun to power one's life!
I did wonder if adding two guylines to the opposite side of the camper would help when the possibility of high winds arise. Have you had a chance to test it out yet in high winds?
About to watch your video on 'How Much Energy Does an Electric Bike Really Use' and I'm wondering if you might have any input/advice on a bike I'm looking at...The Rad Power Bikes 'Radwagon'. It gets really good reviews and I love the cargo ability of the design but didn't know how it might work with a cargo trailer like yours.
We're on the same page with regards to our life philosophy.
I actually have a guyline that I attach to the pullout side in high winds. I think I mention it in one of my videos. I'm not sure. The vestibule side is already being held by the two tent pegs that hold it in place. But I haven't had the opportunity to try it out in camping mode in very strong winds.
My cargo trailer is designed to use the Burley hitch and hitch adapter. The way the baggage support is made on the Radwagon, you may not be able to attach the adapter. ruclips.net/video/UgIGpSU6MLk/видео.html
You might have to jury rid something else.
Best regards
@@RobertBeriault753 , good points. Thanks for the heads up!
That is just awesome! I love bikepacking! Last summer rode the trail around Niagara Falls ! Sooo fun, New subscriber
Keep it up!
:-)
that organization would help me alot. but I might go with bicycle camper.
Maybe this is what you need. Thanks for your interest.
Looks like a fun time.
It was!
Very nice, Mr Beriault ! Those are invaluable ideas for a future retired 💍 I hope your holidays and treks to come will give you a full satisfaction 👌
Thank you
Wonderful! Love your build. I just bought an eBike a few months ago and am learning about it. Am definitely interested to see how your camping trailer works. I’ve subbed to your channel!
I hope you'll enjoy your experience with your new ebike. Thanks for your interest.
Feeling very inspired! Nice work : )
Glad this is the effect I'm having. I'm just a tinkerer playing around.
Good on ya Robert many happy travels Smart man
Thanks for your comment.
Ingenuity. Looks great and I'm sure it will perform well too. Joe UK
Thanks 👍
Awesome! Keep the beers cold
That's the plan!
@@RobertBeriault753 just teasing you… your parked in the shade dude!
Lovely, now the route and videos of your trip please. We might go the same, we love traveling and looking for some interesting places to visit. I have fat tire ebike not so saving energy but fun to ride.
Cheers.
I'll try to post weekly videos of my trip as I go along.
Have fun with your ebike.
Best regards,
Robert
Great job Sir
Happy to hear from you. Thanks
Very nice setup thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Good idea for providing charged battery on highway for E vehicals.It should be start by battery mcg co by appointing agent in village or small town.
✔
Great work on video mate
Glad you like it.
Great stuff!
Glad you think so!
Good idea using coroplast
Thanks for your interest.
That looks awesome. I need one
Sorry, but there aren't any for sale yet. Maybe one day.
Ingenious. I am about to get into long distance touring, camping on my AZUB TRIcon recumbent tricycle. Your trailer is just what I need.
I just installed a Bafang BBS02 750W mid-drive kit onto my recumbent and would like to incorporate some sort of charging system. My solar panel boost controller just arrived in the mail, and I will purchase an appropriate solar panel soon. I really like your idea of using lift-out boxes. Any suspension on your trailer? Water about water resistance? Stuff stays dry inside?
Point of clarification: you can ride and charge the battery at the same time while riding under power? Didn't know you could do that. Good job. I'll have to put on my thinking cap and see what I can come up with using my Maya trailer. Thanks for posting. Are you still riding nowadays?
Thank you for your interest in my idea. You could add two lift up solar panels on either side. if you made the top a little wider that the wheel track, you could ride with them down and raise them when you are stopped. I would like to try a trike. They are very rare where I live. I don't know why we hardly ever see one.
Very cool solar bike！
Thank you.
Best regards.
Hi Robert. The trailer looks awesome. How much did it cost to put together? Would you consider getting into the business of building these for sale?
The wood, Coroplast and hardware cost under $200 CAD (I didn't keep track). The solar panel and boost controller $500 CAD. I didn't have to buy the wheels, axle and towbar since I vandalized my Burley trailer for those. I'm presently waiting to hear from my Burley dealer for a quote on a set of those items because I want to restore my Burley trailer to make it operational again. From looking at the Burley website, I think those parts would come to about $250 CAD. So all told, this adds up to about $1000 CAD, or about $700 USD.
*Perfect Job !* you have Perpetum Mobile, Its great idea.
Respect 🙄😉😂
Please can You send me some link with plan for that trailer ?
It is really amazing idea.
I would like to see some technical information about it 😉☺
Sure! You can find construction details on my website: www.robertberiault.com
I don't have detailed plans, but there are sufficient details there to get you started.
Good luck!
You should mount a panel on your bicycle, kind of like a roof for your bike. Then make your trailer twice as long since they are so light & add another solar panels on that, during the day you can run directly off the solar energy.
Very good suggestion. I'm still working that out. Thank you.
I was just thinking about doing getting an e bike and solar charger for camping last night and the best way to do it and then this pops up lol. I should buy a lotto lol
I hope it can be useful
Your video is the first I came across in my research on building a solar trailer for long distance touring on my e-bike. Thank you so much for sharing your design. I love the organized boxes - imagine not having to roll up your tent each day 😄. I subscribed to your channel and looked through your videos but could not see a follow up. Was your trial run a success?
I used it only one season and the following year I built the Bériault bicycle camper. This configuration isn't enough to be self sufficient. But if you made the trailer bigger and fitted a 170 Watt panel on top with a second one hinged onto the back to make it twice as long, that would be enough. Food for thought...Here are a few more videos about the solar camper:
Effect of cloud: ruclips.net/video/EUUOfdXc028/видео.html
Rob’s Solar Trailer Ebike Tour of Eastern Ontario: ruclips.net/video/s66AGne4Fl8/видео.html
Rob' Solar Trailer Effect of angle of the sun on a solar panel: ruclips.net/video/PnKo51DMkmY/видео.html
Shadow on solar panel has big effect on charging power: ruclips.net/video/4Hvk2wW06gk/видео.html
@@RobertBeriault753 Thank you for the clarification and the links.
Very, very cool! You should sell the idea to Pedego!
It's free if they want it.
I got a 'Rad Power Wagon' and was thinking of a trailer set up like yours , but I think I am gonna get a spare battery ...
The Rad looks like good value for the money. There's a lot to be said for a second battery!
What a great design.....Are you using the MPPT charge controler mentioned in the description ? How did you attach the corners and waterproof the whole thing ? Its a good size and the boxes inside are perfect....Well done !!!
All the joints are waterproofed with yellow duct tape and the panel is simply taped onto the top with the same tape.
Brilliant. Hi from Arizona USA
Nice thing about AZ is that you've got more sun to feed a solar panel than we have up here.
Well done looks nice
It's a compliment, coming from an old time engineer.
Looks nice. Good job 👍👍👍
Thank you.