Solar E-Bike Charging Setup

I’m showing how simple it is to set up a solar charging station for your e-bike! The setup employs a folding 160w solar panel, a DC-DC Step-Up Converter, and an In-Line Ammeter for power measurement.
I’m getting 2A @ 58v of charging.

[@barrytaylor9030]

Ive been using a 600W DCDC boost converter that I can attach direct to the car or a solar panel. In Australia we get lots of sunshine ... so I have managed to charge my bike totally by the sun for about 3 years now.

[@buntina1]

That's exciting news. When it's ready count me in.

[@ridingmtl]

Thanks for sharing, verry simple exactly what i was needing to understand. 2A just like the charger. So you need above 110 W for normal Charging. Awesome.

[@Chris_1024_]

Whiile this works with overzsized solar panels and excellent conditions, a MPPT boost charge controller is FAR better for this job. The go-to unit in that range is the CTK300-II mppt boost controller. So why is that? In this video, the primitive stepup seems to work fine, doesn' it? Well, as long as the panel delivers more power than needed, this is totally ok. The unit is set to delivering 2A to the output at 51-57V or whatever the battery range is. So it looks at the current, limits it and takes care no more than the configured max voltage is at the output. It just doesn't monitor or care for the input. As long as the power at the output is delivered by the solar panel, everything is fine. But once the solar power drops due to clouds, there is only say 40W available when the output at 55V and 2 A needs 110W. The simple converter doesn't know what to do as he cannot take energy out of nothing to get the 70W missing to do what he was configured to, delivering 110W. So the regulation loops just simply break down, as this unit is totally incompetent regarding solar input regulation. It just fails if less then 110W is available. That also means you have to have a significantly larger panel than needed to make it work and have margins. In conditions below 110W, this unit will not charge ANYTHING, even though e.g. 40W are available. An MPPT charge controller has 3 regulation loops, not 2 as this unit: - Current limiting -Output Voltage limiting -Solar voltage regulation. A solar panel has it's highest output at a panel and temperatrue specific voltage. You want to keep it there to get the most out of your panel. That is why mppt have a 3rd loop that regulates a 36 cell panel's output voltage is at about 18V. If the panel delivers more than the other 2 loops /Amp/Volt" are delivering, the solar panel volt loop is doing nothing. So like the unit in this video. But if less voltage is available,, the MPPT starts only regulating input voltage and that way it is working at every power level the solar panel delivers and outputs just the same power that is coming in. That is whyy an mppt charge controller is by far better. You can charge the battery with any panel, even smaller one's and get the most out of cloudy conditions.

[@lifelies]

Hello, thx a lot - can you pls advise on the model of DC-DC step-up charger? Will make it for sure as now I use 220V charger plugged to my ecoflow device what is connected to the solar system - but this is certainly not the right way due to lost of power. Thanks a lot

[@andrecardoso8726]

And how long to get a full charge?

[@mariosallusti6873]

bonjour , quelle model le boost chargeur ??

[@minerran]

Any idea how efficient this DC-DC converter is (how much power the converter itself consumes?) Where did you order this?

[@electromotivemods2293]

I understand that the Boost Converter efficiency is at least 90%. That is better than using a A/C inverter AND a A/C charger in combination

[@ryanthompsonatl]

Did you cut the male adapter off of the stock charging adapter?

[@electromotivemods2293]

No, this unit plugs into the charging port on the battery itself.

[@electromotivemods2293]

I have an adapter from XLR to XT60, and visa-versa

[@gregyohngy]

Based your knowledge, could you please send me what is wrong charging my Ebike while it is operating using this method, a MTTP charge controller, or via a solar generator using the 110 V inverter and the regular charger. I have seen other videos that showed solar power and a charge controller did operate fine. Did I miss something?

[@electromotivemods2293]

I just uploaded a video this weekend with a MTTP charge controller box and battery running a A/C charger. This is certainly not the most efficient way to charge the bike. The setup I showed in the video you commented on would be much better efficiency. An A/C inverter needs a battery behind it, it won't run straight off solar power. I use a small Ah battery in a different setup for that configuration.

[@electromotivemods2293]

That scenario would be horribly inefficient. Double converting the solar voltage for one thing, then a mobile solar panel, which is constantly changing angles.

[@rickylapuz8897]

self charging while the ebike running?

[@electromotivemods2293]

No, this is for charging when out in remote areas, charging in-between rides.