Visit my website to get more details on this project: projectswithdave.com/solar-powered-electric-bike/ X24 $150 Off! Use this link and code "projectswithdave150": shrsl.com/47jrv I'd love to hear your favorite method to solar power your E-Bike. Post below...
My bike camping charging system for my E-CELLS 2 motor, 2 battery EMTB is: 220 watt Off Grid TREK solar blanket and (also from OGT) an ELEJOY adjustable controller with appropriate cables. Yeah, not a cheap date but the system weighs only 14 pounds and all fits in one rear pannier. This blanket is only 3' wide and 6' long and waterproof (but protect cable connections from water.).
All well and good, Dave. Now do it with hills. ; ) Many moons ago I was what I guess would be called a hard core cyclist (NOT biker, thankyou); several extended tours, fairly high level racing, fulltime commuting ( and in the NE US too). But it's pretty hilly were I live and over time, now in my 60s, I lost interest in every ride going into physical crisis mode because of the climbs. I just wanted a nice tooling about in the countryside. Last year though I picked up a pristine, gently used, Trek Domane+ LT (e-assisted bike) and my life has certainly changed. My easiest loop of 18 miles still had 1200' of climbing but now with an assist (and well-deserved, I'd say) I can buzz through it, still working hard, but not approaching cardiac arrest. The Domane+ engine and battery are all contained in the down tube and are connected to a transmission in the bottom bracket, so the 3 levels of assist come through the pedals. If you don't pedal, you don't go no where. And it rides just like any other high end racing or touring bike I've ever owned. 50 mph downhills, no problem. Your squirreliness at high speeds is mostly because your tires weren't meant for it. They're knobby dirt tires and frankly I wouldn't be pushing those speeds on those tires. But they can probably be replaced with a less aggressively treaded tire that would be far more stable at road speeds, and still be adequate with the gentle offroading it looks like you have. if that was your inclination. Thanks much for the video, very enlightening.
Hi I agree about the tyre's most China E Bikes come with tyre's and walls are not very supportive so the tyre tends to wollow around corners and high speeds, so got myself so semi motorcycle tyre's and they stick like glue still slightly nobby but good for both off road and road good in the wet too, I'm 66 and love every trip that I do 😊
Until I started using it, I didn't realize how useful it would be in an emergency. At 30+mph I can get to the grocery store or some other fairly distant destination in reasonable time. With my solar charging I don't even need power to get around. I have to say, I really like it.
People don't buy that solar controller unless you have no clouds or birds or anything that will shade the panel's momentary because it spends most of the day resetting not charging
Thx to confirm my opinion, tried 2 of these controllers, didnt worked good for me. I just had four 30w 12v solar panels and plugged them in series to use with a MPPT controller instead of a MPPT boost controller. I guessed that its easier to lower the voltage than boost it but maybe I'm wrong. I had such a bad time with that boost controller that I didnt want a try any other but I saw somewhere that genasun has a good one.
At 5:35 "The power assist continues for about a second after you stop pedaling". Which means that that bike, and all the other electric bikes with the same "management" is just garbage, and obviously very dangerous
It's something you have to get used to. I can see they are trying to balance the annoyance of the power assist bouncing on and off incessantly. Seems like there could be a setting to adjust how long it lasts after you stop peddling.
@@ProjectsWithDave "It's something you have to get used to." No, I don't have. Years ago I found a bike where you didn't feel the motor. It was just an assistance, proportionate to the pressure applied to the pedals. I suppose it had some torque sensor in the bottom bracket or applied to the crank. Have a nice day.
In France, e-bikes can’t (legally) run without you pedaling and the motor is just here as an assistance to your muscles, and the maximum speed is 19mph. Still it is a great fun to ride !
What's the purpose of pedal and bike chain if you don't use it ? 19mph still pretty good for ur own safety. U don't need fast bike if ur living in urban areas.
@@ProjectsWithDaveUnfortunately Japan has gone the same way as the EU and been super-restrictive, too. Oh well, I'll jusr get a fast one but register it as a "pink plate" motorcycle.
Im in the UK and max legal speed is 15.5 mph but in most cases that isnt enough power for most hills its a joke most people over here just get a 500w+ power ebike as we are not pulled over unless your actting crazy.
the electric bike is a great addition. i am 67 and bought a Fido T1 a year ago, i am back to riding several times a week now just for fun. the CIGS panel is my next addition but it will take a while to free up over 500 dollars. i have been using my jackery 240 and the ac charger to fuel up my bike for the last year. You also noticed the full on throttle issue, this is the only thing i dont like about my electric bike and as far as i have been able to find out none of the others offer a variable power throttle, only power assist levels.
It is so much fun isn't it. Adding variable throttle would cost a lot more then the current on/off switch, but I think it would be a worthwhile addition. What made you choose the Fido T1?
You see a lot of e-bike reviews on RUclips. It would be nice if there was a set standard of speed on level ground for a set time and rider weight so comparisons can be made. I do find your review the most informative I have seen so far. Thanks for your effort!@@ProjectsWithDave
E-bikes is not something I normally do, but I am a fan of scientific comparison. If I do more in the future, I'll think of a way to compare them apples to apples.
Visit my website to get more details on this project: projectswithdave.com/solar-powered-electric-bike/
X24 $150 Off! Use this link and code "projectswithdave150": shrsl.com/47jrv
I'd love to hear your favorite method to solar power your E-Bike. Post below...
My bike camping charging system for my E-CELLS 2 motor, 2 battery EMTB is: 220 watt Off Grid TREK solar blanket and (also from OGT) an ELEJOY adjustable controller with appropriate cables. Yeah, not a cheap date but the system weighs only 14 pounds and all fits in one rear pannier. This blanket is only 3' wide and 6' long and waterproof (but protect cable connections from water.).
All well and good, Dave.
Now do it with hills. ; )
Many moons ago I was what I guess would be called a hard core cyclist (NOT biker, thankyou); several extended tours, fairly high level racing, fulltime commuting ( and in the NE US too). But it's pretty hilly were I live and over time, now in my 60s, I lost interest in every ride going into physical crisis mode because of the climbs. I just wanted a nice tooling about in the countryside.
Last year though I picked up a pristine, gently used, Trek Domane+ LT (e-assisted bike) and my life has certainly changed. My easiest loop of 18 miles still had 1200' of climbing but now with an assist (and well-deserved, I'd say) I can buzz through it, still working hard, but not approaching cardiac arrest.
The Domane+ engine and battery are all contained in the down tube and are connected to a transmission in the bottom bracket, so the 3 levels of assist come through the pedals. If you don't pedal, you don't go no where. And it rides just like any other high end racing or touring bike I've ever owned. 50 mph downhills, no problem.
Your squirreliness at high speeds is mostly because your tires weren't meant for it. They're knobby dirt tires and frankly I wouldn't be pushing those speeds on those tires. But they can probably be replaced with a less aggressively treaded tire that would be far more stable at road speeds, and still be adequate with the gentle offroading it looks like you have. if that was your inclination.
Thanks much for the video, very enlightening.
Thanks for noting your personal experience and the feedback on the knobby tires!
Hi I agree about the tyre's most China E Bikes come with tyre's and walls are not very supportive so the tyre tends to wollow around corners and high speeds, so got myself so semi motorcycle tyre's and they stick like glue still slightly nobby but good for both off road and road good in the wet too, I'm 66 and love every trip that I do 😊
Yes it was, have ordered myself a system for my Engwe EP-2 Pro 😊
Nice 👍
Very cool. Like you I've been skeptical on the uses. Maybe there are some good use cases (aside from just being fun!). Thanks for sharing!
Until I started using it, I didn't realize how useful it would be in an emergency. At 30+mph I can get to the grocery store or some other fairly distant destination in reasonable time. With my solar charging I don't even need power to get around. I have to say, I really like it.
@@ProjectsWithDave it’s given me some ideas for quick trips. Thanks!
Very useful video told me what I needed to know thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I'm wondering how good would it be if attaching this to an aero road e-bike
Wonder if it will charge while active. You could ride with a solar panel on your back.
Rolled up it won't capture very much light, but a small panel on a back pack could add something.
Awesome, 60 miles is awesome. Can you share a test without no pedals?
That's a good idea! It will take some time, but I'll work on it.
Is it heavy to ride? Is peddling a lot harder when there’s no charge?
It is a fairly heavy bike, so without boost it is a bit more effort to pedal then a typical bike.
Your bike is squirlly because its back heavy, put a rack on the front and put weight in it to solve your problem.
Use power only when going up hill😅
People don't buy that solar controller unless you have no clouds or birds or anything that will shade the panel's momentary because it spends most of the day resetting not charging
I can confirm it cuts out every time a cloud floats over. The other one I tried didn't' work at all. Do you have one that has worked well for you?
Thx to confirm my opinion, tried 2 of these controllers, didnt worked good for me. I just had four 30w 12v solar panels and plugged them in series to use with a MPPT controller instead of a MPPT boost controller. I guessed that its easier to lower the voltage than boost it but maybe I'm wrong. I had such a bad time with that boost controller that I didnt want a try any other but I saw somewhere that genasun has a good one.
At 5:35 "The power assist continues for about a second after you stop pedaling". Which means that that bike, and all the other electric bikes with the same "management" is just garbage, and obviously very dangerous
It's something you have to get used to. I can see they are trying to balance the annoyance of the power assist bouncing on and off incessantly. Seems like there could be a setting to adjust how long it lasts after you stop peddling.
@@ProjectsWithDave
"It's something you have to get used to." No, I don't have. Years ago I found a bike where you didn't feel the motor. It was just an assistance, proportionate to the pressure applied to the pedals. I suppose it had some torque sensor in the bottom bracket or applied to the crank. Have a nice day.
Nice! What bike is it?
In France, e-bikes can’t (legally) run without you pedaling and the motor is just here as an assistance to your muscles, and the maximum speed is 19mph. Still it is a great fun to ride !
It's interesting how different the rules are around the world. Thanks for the info!
What's the purpose of pedal and bike chain if you don't use it ? 19mph still pretty good for ur own safety. U don't need fast bike if ur living in urban areas.
@@ProjectsWithDaveUnfortunately Japan has gone the same way as the EU and been super-restrictive, too. Oh well, I'll jusr get a fast one but register it as a "pink plate" motorcycle.
Im in the UK and max legal speed is 15.5 mph but in most cases that isnt enough power for most hills its a joke most people over here just get a 500w+ power ebike as we are not pulled over unless your actting crazy.
I'm sorry. Freedom is in the heart. Not the laws.
so cool
the electric bike is a great addition. i am 67 and bought a Fido T1 a year ago, i am back to riding several times a week now just for fun. the CIGS panel is my next addition but it will take a while to free up over 500 dollars. i have been using my jackery 240 and the ac charger to fuel up my bike for the last year. You also noticed the full on throttle issue, this is the only thing i dont like about my electric bike and as far as i have been able to find out none of the others offer a variable power throttle, only power assist levels.
It is so much fun isn't it. Adding variable throttle would cost a lot more then the current on/off switch, but I think it would be a worthwhile addition. What made you choose the Fido T1?
👍👍👍
I beleive you aren't supposed to roll / fold CIGS panels "solar side in", though.
How many watts consumed per mile?
It totally depends on how much you peddle. I was able to go 60miles on one charge, so about 24.7Wh/mile on average.
You see a lot of e-bike reviews on RUclips. It would be nice if there was a set standard of speed on level ground for a set time and rider weight so comparisons can be made. I do find your review the most informative
I have seen so far. Thanks for your effort!@@ProjectsWithDave
E-bikes is not something I normally do, but I am a fan of scientific comparison. If I do more in the future, I'll think of a way to compare them apples to apples.
Hobotech did a whole video testing it with great nerdy info
Thanks, I'll check it out.
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