DIY 1,500W solar-powered electric bike beats cars on kids trips and groceries

Last month we Amazing DIY Solar Cargo Trailer That Electrek A leader made for his electric bike. In case our readers need more proof that they are the most convenient and smartest eco-DIYer on the planet, here’s another impressive solar-powered bike. This time it will serve as a school drop-off vehicle and grocery getter for children.

This build comes to us from Electrek Reader Luke built this project during the pandemic with the goal of replacing the family car with a highly practical electric bike.He did so by making his major changes Rad Power Bike RadWagon4 Electric cargo bike.

The bike is already an impressive cargo electric bike With lots of utilities Luke has made several upgrades to better perform the heavy-duty everyday use that the bike requires.

Here’s a list of all the upgrades Luke has made before going into the addition of solar.

First, he replaced the stock controller with one that had twice the power. The new 1,500W controller is mounted underneath the varnished plywood platform he created for the midframe. On top of that platform is a 200W DC-DC converter that provides a 12V outlet for the accessories Luke wants to run from his bike. He also painted it white to prevent it from getting so hot in the sun. Next to it is a solar charging controller, which we’ll talk about soon. He used waterproof SAE connectors for all connections to make the system as water resistant as possible.

Note that doubling the power of the controller essentially doubles the power drawn from the battery and supplied to the motor, almost certainly invalidating the bike’s warranty. But at Luke’s level of ease of use, I’m not sure if he really needs a guarantee anymore.

Experience has also shown that if you push the motor too hard, especially in hill climbing and other high power scenarios, running the motor at high temperatures with an overpowered controller can eventually lift the motor. .. However, Luke is paying attention to the power supply to curb it. He explained that if he had cooked the motor, he would just replace it.

He then replaced the mechanical disc brakes with hydraulic ones. He said this was significantly improved by adjusting the brakes and reducing the need for adjustments. Hydraulic brakes don’t bother with cable stretch. Cable stretch can be exacerbated by children and heavy-duty electric bikes that stop many times with gear. He also added a suspension seatpost to the saddle to improve the ride quality of the rigid frame bike.

Finally, he added a solar setup. 50W SunPower Solar Panel It is mounted on a custom lightweight plywood frame. He used foam door seals to reduce vibration and used captive threaded inserts instead of nuts for a cleaner look.

The frame was connected to Rad PowerBikes Conestoga Accessories,mount Radian awning canopy shade..

Solar panels GenaSun MPPT Boost Charging Controller Charge the battery of your electric bike directly from the panel.

The 50W solar panel trickles the battery. In the sun for a day, about 50% of the battery’s charge can be returned to the battery. In other words, as long as Luke uses less than about 50% of the battery a day, you won’t need to plug your bike into an outlet to charge it.

This is a clear possibility as the bike is used for two main tasks. Dropping children at school and running a grocery store for the family. In the former case, the kids sit behind (and Luke added gorilla grip tape to the floorboards, which made the wood less slippery when wet). The front basket contains a backpack on the way to school.

Rad Power Bikes Conestoga Accessories Solar panels are mounted on top and include a waterproof enclosure for rear seat passengers.Luke used one of them to keep himself dry Chinese scooter waterproof canopy.. He didn’t have a real photo, but explained that the bike “looks like a bright blue rickshaw when installed.” He pulls it out only in heavy rain, but it works well and can withstand speeds of up to 35 km / h (22 mph) when properly tensioned at the front. I explained.

For grocery shopping, Luke can put a cardboard plastic box in a children’s carrier and put about four shopping bags in it.

It’s a sophisticated solution that shows how electric bikes can be an effective vehicle alternative for heavy cargo-intensive tasks such as shopping or carrying multiple passengers.

The project included far more major changes than most people would need, but it also turned Luke into a unique electric bike that was perfect for his exact needs. It means that.

In the past we have seen others Simplified electric bike solar charging setup (Me too Reproduced myself) And even learned about the cases that other riders have Saved tens of thousands of dollars in a few years By giving up their car in favor of electric bikes.

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