Building Electric-Powered Bicycle Camper (PART 16)

Full Build Playlist: • Cyberdrop Build Log
In this video, I finalize my solution for the stabilizer legs, receive my custom solar panels from SBM Solar Inc. and prepare to install them with an air gap between the panel and the roof for ventilation and clearance for the solar panel junction boxes.
The next video will show the panels installed, the electrical panel wired up, and the battery build.

[@codygrinnell8676]

looks aweome

[@yvan2563]

Custom solar panels? This is amazing!

[@Jerbrown]

Yeah!!

[@pascalj4331]

Great solar design. The spacing is there to prevent heat buildup. My designs are all based on a specific sized rigid panel that acts as direct roof. Main reason is unproved durability of light panels. You seem to be making the right choices to avoid heat buildup and keep it light.

[@Jerbrown]

Yeah, i got lucky I guess. I was planning to mount it flush but the junction box being on the bottom sent me to my air gap install. Now I’m glad I did it that way and not flush because the panels get so hot.

[@simonaylett6976]

This look great, I love the 'cyber' design. I built a similar "Velopod" back in 2018 and took it 2,000 miles from UK to Syracuse in Sicily, then I upgraded it to have a hub motor in each rear wheel, to better get over the big hills. I took the improved Velopid 4,000 miles around the UK coastline in 2021 living in it for 4 months. My biggest problem was almost daily punctures from the weight reacting with potholes in the road. I also had to get the front wheel steering tube rewelded a few times, and eventually replaced altogether with steel tube replacing the aluminium. They were amazing adventures and i raised nearly £100k for cancer research! I wish you good luck on your adventure Simon Aylett

[@Jerbrown]

Hi Simon, great to hear about your experience. Sounds like an epic trip! I am worried about the wheels, but we'll see how long they last :)

[@bretthaddock8954]

Will you be using 3 charge controllers? The panels look to be different wattage?

[@Jerbrown]

Yes, actually the smaller panel I’ll be using a dc boost controller and I’ll explain why next video. The larger two panels have their own MPPT controllers.

[@normandgallant8106]

Ya ....not so bad after all........so now my 40 watt panel is 30 watts at worst , the panel that is over my head has a foam 2 by 3 top mounted underneath the panel , providing shade and rain protection . From googling . Photovoltaic modules are tested at a temperature of 25 degrees C (STC) - about 77 degrees F., and depending on their installed location, heat can reduce output efficiency by 10-25%. As the temperature of the solar panel increases, its output current increases exponentially, while the voltage output is reduced linearly.

[@lloydharrelson4805]

Looking good so what kind of charge would you be getting from this and what are you seeing for the recharge of system are you looking at ride half today then recharge in the afternoon then back on the road or will it need two days of charge to ride again

[@Jerbrown]

Actually, it will need a full week of sunny days to charge the massive battery I’ve built - 9 kWh. But on a typical day of riding I may use only half that. So it all depends on the variables. Overall, it’s supplementary to charging overnight at a 110/120v outlet.

[@anwarabrahams2413]

cant wait for the journey 🤞👍🇿🇦

[@bettinafelt-rown1419]

You’re getting close! 🍀

[@jpontheroad]

Looks great, Do you plan on traveling with it this summer ?

[@Jerbrown]

That's the plan! I want to do a test run up to silent Lake provincial park in Ontario

[@normandgallant8106]

@@Jerbrown I was gonna say shake down instead of test run but you have a suspension . on my shake down I hit a high spot and my trailer went on it's side . School of hard knocks .

[@Jarrod_D]

​@@normandgallant8106all two wheel bicycle trailers end up on there side 💯

[@normandgallant8106]

@@Jarrod_D The trailer tipped on take off . My trike is 3 wheel drive forward and reverse . One speed only, about fast joggging , I use a knife switch and take off both forward and reverse makes the trike leap . The trailer wheel was blocked , so when the wheel contacted the block , the trailer tipped . I will install a mechanisism much like a ball and cuppler for automobiles .

[@taniapeebles8426]

I love this

[@normandgallant8106]

To gap or not to gap .....I recently tested two 40 watt PV panels for heat ....two panels were side by side in noon sun , 40 watts panels same size . One panel had a 1/2 gap and the other greater than a 4 inch gap.. The small gap panel was so hot I could not leave my hand on it , one could fry an egg and the other panel was so much cooler . I used my hands as thermometers and the small gap panel was so hot that I hand to remove my hand quickly whereas the large gap panel , my hand could stay there a long time without feeling pain . Later I'll test the amperage output of these two panels and do some more research in regards to this situation .

[@Jerbrown]

Good to read your results. I’ve found my gap of about 14mm seems to reduce overall panel heating.

[@normandgallant8106]

Power from the sun , it's almost like sailing when on the level and helpful going uphill . you be rolling soonnnnnn ...

[@Jerbrown]

I like the sound of that!

[@joto5459]

Camper looks amazing dude! Well done so far, it improves every video!

[@Jerbrown]

Thanks for your encouragement!

[@Jarrod_D]

Thanks for the update 👍

[@Jerbrown]

You bet

[@Bicycle_Fungi]

I love this build! Thanks for creating this. Very inspiring, and great to watch your original concepts take shape.

[@Jerbrown]

I’m frothy for the finish line :)

[@nynut518]

awesome idea have you tried a hill test

[@Jerbrown]

Yes, but I need to find a mountain to figure out how long I can go uphill before both motors overheat.

[@nynut518]

@@Jerbrown awesome I just bought a radrunner plus ebike and thinking about making something similar to what you have can't wait to see your results looking awesome so far... If I build one I might try to make it a recumbent style that you can be inside the camper but have a removable hood so that you can also have fresh air and wind in the face lol 😅 keep inviting it gives people hope..

[@Jerbrown]

@@nynut518 Sounds cool! Why not, eh?

[@chriscansdale6389]

Hey Jeremiah, its been a while! I noticed in the comments that you have a cunning plan re the different size panels. What did you come up with for wire gauge? (And did you select fuse sizes based on that decision?)

[@Jerbrown]

Hey Chris, I went with 14 gauge for the larger two panels and 12 gauge for the small panel. Less voltage requires bigger wire to reduce voltage drop. 10 amp breakers on each panel. They all have similar current output around 6-7 amps VOC.

[@chriscansdale6389]

@@Jerbrown yeah, I knew that, that's why I was asking.. just remember that your fusing should be sized to protect the wiring. I can't recall the max amp for that gauge/distance but I'm sure you would have researched it well..😁

[@Jerbrown]

@@chriscansdale6389 Thanks for checking in on me - I always appreciate your advice. Next videos coming up will have lots more info to get your thoughts on. Always welcome, thanks!