Solar powered Wisper on the telly!

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Guys

Here's a great interview with Guim on the New Zealand stage of the Electric Bike World Tour.

Man cycles across the world - Video Embed - Video - 3 News

The solar panel gives Guim enough of a charge to replenish his 36V 14A battery, ready for the next day.

All the best

David

 

[Mussels]

I think if I tried towing solar panels behind me in the UK it would use up more power than it supplies, I bet he ditches it when he gets to Dover.
I like the way the Kiwis can't resist having the obligatory dig at Australia at the ned.

 

[CeeGee]

I want a solar panel that will charge my battery as I discharge it - thus giving me unlimited mileage during the day. It just needs to fit on the lid of my top-box. If Wisper can get this sorted out by June when I go on holiday, I would be grateful.

Thankyou

Colin

 

[eddieo]

solar panels are very heavy

 

[Mussels]

solar panels are very heavy

The ones on his bike certainly look it.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

I want a solar panel that will charge my battery as I discharge it - thus giving me unlimited mileage during the day. It just needs to fit on the lid of my top-box. If Wisper can get this sorted out by June when I go on holiday, I would be grateful.

Thankyou

Colin

Or even better on top of your cycle helmet? I will see what we can do!!

All the best

David

 

[CeeGee]

solar panels are very heavy

Fortunate then that I don't need one until June - that gives the boffins plenty of time to develop them enough to fit on my Wisper - anything under 5kg will do me fine. Never let it be said I am asking the earth

Colin

 

[CeeGee]

Or even better on top of your cycle helmet? I will see what we can do!!

All the best

David

I think even an ultra-light panel will be a little large and heavy for my helmet. Now, a solar panelled jacket could be another thing...

Colin

 

[Orraman]

About 20 years ago the Model Engineer magazine had an article about a successful recumbent with solar panels and Cyclone SLA batteries.

Model aircraft are flown with solar panels so they need not be heavy.
Search for "thin film solar cells".
Cloth backed for a jacket perhaps?

Dave

Powerfilm Portable Roll-up Solar Panel Kits

 

[Psycosis]

it depends of efficiency as well. The black solar panels as used by NASA (i think) have been dropping in price and are far better at extracting energy from the sun than your regular commercial panels.

http://us.sunpowercorp.com/residential/why-sunpower/best-technology/

I remember reading in new scientist a while back that to enable more energy to be collected, you need more surface area, so what some people did was to create tiny nano sized preaks in the panel, effectively trippling the efficiency of the panel.

This wouldn't weigh more but but would work a lot better. Not really sure how this has come along. This is about right

Solar Panels - Conergy 30W Monocrystaline Solar Panel Solar, Hydro, Wind Power Systems Product Information : Rainbow Power Company Solar Power Systems :

 

[mrscott]

This wouldn't weigh more but but would work a lot better. Not really sure how this has come along. This is about right

Solar Panels - Conergy 30W Monocrystaline Solar Panel Solar, Hydro, Wind Power Systems Product Information : Rainbow Power Company Solar Power Systems :

Any idea how long the above would take to charge up a 36V 9Ah battery??

 

[Grizzly Bear]

solar panels are very heavy

Hi Eddie, I've just bought an 80 watt solar panel for my motorhome, it weighs 8 Kgs. and that's with the aluminium frame. I think the old ones were heavy due to the use of glass to protect the crystals, my one has what looks like some type of resin.

 

[eddieo]

Hi Eddie, I've just bought an 80 watt solar panel for my motorhome, it weighs 8 Kgs. and that's with the aluminium frame. I think the old ones were heavy due to the use of glass to protect the crystals, my one has what looks like some type of resin.

I am at the limit on our motorhomes payload....but downsizing van after this summers trip. a solar panel is now on the shopping list

 

[Grizzly Bear]

I am at the limit on our motorhomes payload....but downsizing van after this summers trip. a solar panel is now on the shopping list

Hi Eddie, do you know that you can have your motorhome re-plated, I had my one re-plated to 4100Kgs. You may have to fit airides on your rear suspension, but it depends on the base van. This is because the base vans are allowed a higher payload in some European countries, it does mean that they are then classed as private heavy goods in this country though, with some speed restrictions(still 70 on motorways), but on the plus side cheaper road tax. It cost me £250 to have this done, no inspection needed, just paperwork, I've now got 750 Kgs. payload.