The panels are 39" wide, so about 3" wider than the trailer. The panels are about 84" long, so less than the trailer cap's 96" length.
I will use this charge controller and set it at the proper current and voltage limits for the ebike battery, connecting the output directly to the battery.
As a rough estimate of performance, a 300W panel will produce about 900 Watt-hours per day, depending on shading, clouds and tilt angle of the panel.
I estimate that I can travel with a power use of 20 Watt-hours per mile, which means I could expect 45 miles of travel from solar power on an average day.
The 20 Watt-hours per mile estimate assumes that I am pedaling along with the motor, and that the speed is low, about 10 to 15 miles per hour.
I would expect to ride 3 to 4 hours a day to accomplish the 45 mile distance.
Here is a documentary of the Sun Trip, a race from France to China using solar powered bicycles:
Here is a spreadsheet with data on power use and distance traveled by some of the participants in the Sun Trip race:
Here are two examples of electric bicycle motors that could be used:
This is a low cost, reliable hubmotor kit that would provide adequate performance in flat terrain, but would tend to heat up while climbing long hills:
A quality battery is essential to the electric bike system. This is a vendor with a good reputation for providing quality batteries. This battery would have adequate capacity and be a good choice:
I took the trailer out for a ride around the block. It did fine, although with a little tow arm flex, which I had expected. I will try to weld a tow arm out of steel square tube.
Towing a trailer is quite a bit slower than without, but it did roll fine. I went over a number of bumps and potholes and it survived. I did not notice any bad handling traits.
Ready for Rain Test
Last edited by skyl4rk on Mon Dec 16, 2019 8:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I spent about a half hour in the trailer this evening. Outside temps at 15F. I was pretty warm under a heavy quilt but with some cold spots, which I think I can remedy by putting a quilt underneath and one over. There is some condensation. There seems to be enough ventilation, perhaps too much. The trailer is stable. It is a bit squeaky when I move around but quiet while laying there. The trailer is not designed for cold weather, but it seems to work with enough insulation in the quilt. I need to find a way to hold the door closed while sleeping, I fear raccoons might try to steal my chips and cookies and climb over me to get them.
I spent the first night in the trailer, and got a decent amount of sleep. There is enough room, and there was no condensation this time, likely because it was warmer, at 38F. One of the stands was digging into the ground which put a little twist on the frame, so I put plywood pads under the stands.
First Overnight at 38F
Last edited by skyl4rk on Mon Dec 16, 2019 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
When I took my trailer for a ride around the block, I could feel a little flexing when speeding up or braking. Originally I had bent an aluminum tent pole into the angle needed for a tow bar, and it did work, but was a little too flexible. So I built a new tow bar out of 1" aluminum square tube.
Stronger Tow Bar
I haven't tried it yet. I am starting to get tired of the cold weather and winter is just getting started.
I would like to find a different solution for the inner door. I have some ideas but have not found a solution I like yet. I may try camping in the trailer as is for a while and see if I learn any ways to improve the design. Most of my ideas to fix the inner door issue result in a complete rebuild of the trailer and perhaps new construction of another trailer. I probably should try to learn more about the good and bad points of bicycle trailers before building another.