Solar trailer rides again!

[matthewslack]

Is the 7.6Wh/mile net of the solar input, or does it include solar and battery input? What is your typical average speed?

No, this was a day of mainly flat, not much wind, slow speeds and level 1 assist, which means I am working reasonably hard, and the 7.6Wh per mile is energy coming out of the solar battery. My data logger is set up with two channels for this trip, one measures solar input to the battery, the other motor energy out. The difference is the load on the battery, which I do not measure directly.

I more typically use 10Wh per mile, more on hills and in headwind.

Speed on the move is around 10 to 12 mph in level 2 and 12 to 15 in level 2. Daily average usually falls to around 10 or 11 when breaks are included.

 

[matthewslack]

Really good day, back on track north. 81 miles, amazing views, super midgy as wind dropped. Net doing its job.

More tomorrow when midges asleep, or later if 4g comes back.

 

[Nealh]

Keep the pics coming matt, this is great little road journey to keep tabs with.

 

[matthewslack]

Keep the pics coming matt, this is great little road journey to keep tabs with.

Will do. Next couple of days look a little windy, so might be hunkered down for a while. Give me a chance to get on top of the GoPro stuff!

 

[Neilgtis]

Great to follow this
What do you do about your bike and trailer security
Neil

 

[matthewslack]

Great to follow this
What do you do about your bike and trailer security
Neil

Ride in Scotland, wild camp in quiet places, keep trailer attached so bike cannot 'wander off', park visibly, shut panniers when in a shop, keep ultimate essentials (phone, wallet, glasses) close.

But being totally truthful, absolutely nothing. Crime here especially in remote parts is almost unheard of, and except at night, the bike is never unattended for more than a few minutes due to the nature of the trip.

Sadly not an answer useful in many places.

 

[Nealh]

WIth the solar aspect for charging a 2nd battery and the trailer usage, it adds more interest to the thread. An ideal thread for visit Scotland esp cycle touring.

 

[matthewslack]

Yesterday's energy numbers were consumed 1025Wh, generated 1026, which included 170 in morning sun whilst I ate breakfast and packed. That meant I set off with a full battery and justified riding in into the previous evening.

It was an interesting day, forecast to be dull until noon and then bright. It turned out better than that, and I was able to cruise in level 2 assist most of the day. At my 3pm lunch stop, a second visit to the excellent Elphin tearooms, the battery was at 37.5V, having used 491Wh and generated only 344 whilst riding. Those extra 170 from earlier meant total gen was 514 and were the difference between happy to go on and time to stop.

Morning charging



In the lighting conditions I had, the spectacular scenery invited a photo stop every few hundred metres, so gen kept up with consumption until the last push in into evening.

The next few days have markedly different weather for west coast, north coast and Inverness. I am 19 miles south of Durness, where I turn right along the north. It looks like I can leave here before the big wind arrives, escape from heavy showers all day to mostly sunny, make good progress with a strong tail wind today and sit out the first part of tomorrow, then at Jo'G turn south for dry east coast weather from Sunday, when the west may be wet for several days

All falling into place, progress and route fitting the conditions nicely.

Time to pack and go.

I have long admired this beautiful store building right by the shore of Loch Laxford.

 

[guerney]

I have long admired this beautiful store building right by the shore of Loch Laxford.

It needs solar panels, and the owner an offer he can't refuse... Loch monsters are allergic to solar panels, and other light gathering equipment such as cameras.

 

[matthewslack]

An introduction to riding a solar bike in the rain this morning. There was a heavy early shower, then a brief bright interlude worth a few Wh, but dullness soon took over and before long full rain was falling. I peeked at the charge controllers and saw what I expected - 6W!

The day started with the battery at 37.5V, but with so little gen, it had to meet all the load, and I asked a bit too much of it as it sagged down to the level of the Shimano battery, which helped out and before I noticed had dropped to one bar. Given the weather, I was already planning a cafe breakfast in Durness, and a short charge for the Shimano battery, so that became quite important.

But no open cafe on a Friday in June. Any other day, yes, but it is low season and most cafes in these parts are not yet on full holiday footing. Just my luck.

The rest of the day was a balancing act between replenishing the solar battery, making progress on a route with several fairly big, steep climbs, and not daring to take any more out of the Shimano. Which meant for all the way from Durness around Loch Eriboll to the foot of the first big climb it was level 1 unless I couldn't manage. I had a lunch stop just before the climb to give me the best chance of getting up.

Tough going, with hints of the 40 mph winds in my face, then full force on my side at the end of the loch, and finally tail wind up the big hill.

Remarkably the cloud and rain dispersed just ahead of my slow, photo interrupted progress into Durness, and it remained bright for the rest of the day.

A short day, as priorities were a sheltered camp, and 4G for weather reports. I'm in the lee of a spit in the Kyle of Tongue, by the causeway, with gentle buffeting gusts moving the tent, and the sound of 40 mph near gale in the small trees about 10m away. Too close to the high tide mark, so either an early start to move on, or to shift the tent before morning high water.

719Wh consumed, 965 generated and the battery is now full. Distance was only 92km, so 7.8Wh per km, 12.5 per mile. High considering the limited use of level 2, which reflects the amount of ascent and the head wind.

Many pictures today, to better convey the grandeur of the area.

These are after the sun came out. I'll add earlier ones in another post.

 

[matthewslack]

And pictures from the early part of the day.

Paparazzi!



Nice light, view of Foinaven.



Clearing up.



Water, water everywhere, and even some to drink.



Data logger leaving camp, with starting numbers for today's calcs.



And quite some miles later.



Used is 171 - 69 = 103, gen = 52 - 43 = 9Wh. Can't go on for long like that. If the weather had not cleared, then Durness and only 20 miles would have been end of day.

 

[flash]

This is an great adventure. Making me very excited for my own trip to the Outer Hebrides a week tomorrow.

 

[guerney]

Unusually - no cars passed close tonight, on my 16 mile journey home. These extra wide reflectors really do work. I generally got about 2 to 3ft extra space on the passing side. Here's how they look at night (I've straightened them since). Well worth less than £20, in my opinion, keeping drivers away.... Also the spiral spoke reflectors, which I am using as cable grips (not available new AFAIK) reflect light well, and far better than the reflective tape I applied to the back of my Zefals - should have bought genuine 3M Scotchlite. A bit untidy but functional

 

[matthewslack]

Early morning tide watch. I can empty the tent and move it in a minute or so, but if I can get through high water just after 6am, I can relax this morning.

 

[guerney]

How good is your German?

https://twitter.com/OpenBikeSensor

I should use sonar by making clicking noises, as some very skilled blind people can. Does look like a system which could be adapted to sound loud beeps at increasingly smaller time intervals as metal boxes on wheels get closer to a trailer or bike.

 

[matthewslack]

I Canute believe it! The waters stopped rising! Just like the tide chart said!







Although never take the height of tide for granted, half metre variations due to weather are commonplace.

I will move on today, but perhaps not far. The battery is at 40.5V this morning, so a good 25 miles in the tank, plus whatever the sky allows. The wind comes back in late morning and there is a hill and high ground crossing I'd like out if the way beforehand.

 

[matthewslack]

This is an great adventure. Making me very excited for my own trip to the Outer Hebrides a week tomorrow.

My first long trip was Oban to Oban via Castlebay and Butt of Lewis. Brilliant ride.

There are sockets in the passenger areas of all the ferries, ask crew if you can't find them, and also in the waiting rooms both sides of the Sound of Barra and Sound of Harris ferries. All good for a top-up charge, except Berneray, where the building is off-grid and the power is not always on!

 

[Neilgtis]

Unusually - no cars passed close tonight, on my 16 mile journey home. These extra wide reflectors really do work. I generally got about 2 to 3ft extra space on the passing side. Here's how they look at night (I've straightened them since). Well worth less than £20, in my opinion, keeping drivers away.... Also the spiral spoke reflectors, which I am using as cable grips (not available new AFAIK) reflect light well, and far better than the reflective tape I applied to the back of my Zefals - should have bought genuine 3M Scotchlite. A bit untidy but functional


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It does the job
What saddle are you using
Neil

 

[guerney]

It does the job
What saddle are you using
Neil

It's this one, because Dahon's original ultra-light saddle was ver ver uncomfortable - this is very comfy, wider, but heavier. Cheap keeps me cheerful, 11.99. Had to change the saddlepost to fit it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LASUAVY-Bicycle-Shockproof-Punching-Mountain/dp/B0734WKV7N/ref=

 

[matthewslack]

My homegrown data logger is not perfectly calibrated. This image from 09:28 this morning allows the zero offset error of the purple channel to be accurately measured, as no current, and a good idea of the solar yellow channel, as not much gen overnight. The logger was reset at 17:22 yesterday.



So purple is undercounting by about 52/16 W, near enough 3. Yellow is within a watt.