Solar Powered Electric Bike: First ride and checking how well it charges

Solar charging an e-bike using a 100w solar panel and a step up converter. On average yields between .3-.5 amps,
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[@alanosauras]

Very cool. Even the small shadow from the seat is killing your panel output though. Test it with the seat off and see. I'd move the panel back a bit.

[@ChatGPT1111]

You should mount another to the front since you’re already wide. Just be sure to use an MPPT Charge Controller which allows one of the panels to be shaded without sacrificing power.

[@MichaelAstrom]

This is the future !!

[@terrywright9765]

It'll be a little better in the summer with the sun higher in the sky. New subber here - appreciate your content Johnny.🍻

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Welcome aboard!

[@mikekearsley2407]

Absolutely fantastic, keep these Ebike solar panel vids coming. Thanks from Seattle

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Thanks, will do!

[@jfjoubertquebec]

OK this IS cool. I can imagine doing some summer weekend trips (smaller battery and extend the range!?) maybe camping?? Foldable solar panels? Flexible? That could be part of your back packs? Great stuff!

[@paulmagnuson1021]

Mega-judgement alert! Very cool setup IMHO.

[@whitneypl8284]

"Out here doin science in the snow!" haha

[@markweron7667]

Good info. I've been thinking about building a lightweight trailer with panel top and battery pack(s).

[@Jonni55106]

You should build a bracket that would pivot with and adjustable angle so it would always get the best most direct sun.

[@NWforager]

this will be mandatory viewing in the future Zombie apocalypse . there will be NerdOut gangs ⚡

[@captainobvious2380]

Have it fully charged in 5-6 hrs.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Thanks for the battery , top quality!

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

No problem 👍

[@irishrover63]

It Vorks!! You still have a lot of snow in Utah, still cold here, but not that bad. Non judgemental is the way to go. 👍

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Ya, i probably filmed it a month ago, but by the time I edit and publish it....

[@chublez]

Pull the saddle while charging. The shading on that panel from it will kill its output.

[@currentsupply]

yeah, i'm not sure if it's true with all panels, but i have a 100w panel that charges my trailer batteries - and Just a a tiny ammount of shade on the corner will make it basically not work at all. Maybe there are other styles of panels that don't work like that. IDK>>>>>

[@shoechew]

@@currentsupply use mppt controller

[@k04s4]

More road tests! Awesome!

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

More to come!

[@jerrypayne9617]

I''d get a folding panel and let it hanging down on both sides of the rack. Oh and make it a Mono panel. that way it will slow charge in the shade.

[@davestennes305]

I just bought Sunpower cells - the Sunpower cells are flexible and don't break (at least not easily) - I'm going for a lightweight foldout DIY panel 24-volt 250 watt that I can take on the road. Future may include upgrading panel to recharge a 36- or 48-volt ebike.

[@bloodypommelstudios7144]

I've been considering making something like this, just trying to come up with the best compromise between compactness, power generation and keeping drag/weight down for performance since I don't have the cash to keep iterating designs. How does much does the addition of this panel impact acceleration, handling and top speed? My gut feeling is that for regular ebikes you'll need some really cleaver design to make solar panels worth it but for cargo bikes etc where they're heavy and have huge surface area already it seems like a no-brainer.

[@murdercom998]

It would be dope to put the panel on a arm so its above your head and add a sun tracking gimble to it

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

yes it would

[@clubnaked]

You good at what you do.. Awesome video glad I found & subscribed the channel.

[@supjay3945]

Sounds like something I would do

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

You must be a really cool guy like me then 😎

[@stiruptheheat]

Pretty awesome. Personally I would install it onto a trailer behind the bike. Also more shadow your casting on your solar panel you lose all the performance.

[@freevideos051]

I thought about making a jacket and hat with flexible cells in it

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Sounds fancy😀

[@kfd308]

One funny man right there! Seriously. New Sub, Love the content!

[@Sanwizard1]

If your battery can charge and discharge at the same time, why not just put a small 1000wh solar generator in a bag on a rear, and plug in your ebike charger? Or just use the generator to charge a spare battery in the bag, so you can swap it fast, and then recharge the depleted one as you ride?

[@DIYJIM]

I like it, I will have to let you know when I make my video maybe i will have to connect a solar panel also. I'm from Pa maybe you live near me.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

I’m in SLC currently

[@BarnabyWild13]

Heck yeah

[@deltoncbaker]

What you might try next is clothing with micro generators inside. Kind of like the human version of regeneration recovery of energy spent.

[@rdkuless]

johnny.. currious about the specs.. Battery: Volts..? AH..? Solar boost/charge controller..? Solar panel: watts, amps, efficiency rating..? All these things play into the range..

[@rdkuless]

You could use actuators to keep the panel aimed at the sun.. Light sensors on each side cause the actuators to turn towards the sun.. You efficiency and range will go way up.. :)

[@itsokswallow]

badass

[@neon_tom]

This is extremely cool ⚡⚡⚡

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

That is pretty awesome! As close to a perpetual motion machine as I've seen. To avoid blocking the sun while riding long trips wouldn't mounting the solar panel to a trailer help? Ride on & enjoy;)

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

It would. I already have a single wheel trailer to do that with. Just trying out a super compact rig. That trailer adds almost 8’

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

@@JohnnyNerdOut I was only suggesting for those long road trips where you want to hyper-mile it. I totally get what your going for in a single compact ride. It's way cool! I almost did a cargo e-bike build...until I measured my building elevators;(

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

@@michaelsprinzeles4022 for sure 👍 what about a mid tail cargo bike like a Kona “minute” or the Benno carryon? Still too long? I just love cargo bikes, the ultimate adventure ride 🚴‍♂️🚵

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

@@JohnnyNerdOut Cargo bikes are pretty cool. I'm cheap so any new bike would have to fill a new niche. My old Cannondale fitted with a rack & panniers comes close enough to a smaller cargo bike to make them not worth it. Even my hybrid city e-bike can haul lite loads. I was hoping for something I could do a Costco run with. BTW I got my dog out in the new trailer for the 1st time. Thanks for the advice. Because of the narrow elevator doors it doesn't fit with the wheels attached. Fortunately it fits neatly in my station wagon. We walk to the car, giving her a chance to empty before a ride. It actually works out pretty well. We don't go as fast as when she ran alongside but it's nice to have her on rides;)

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

@@michaelsprinzeles4022 awesome! I use that trailer to do Costco runs. Between that and my bags it hauls quite a lot!

[@jolive3743]

you coulda glued the Panel to ya Hat, then you wouldn't have looked like an idiot tsk tsk.....you are brilliant mate

[@jaycarneygiants]

So its safe to charge your 48 volt lithium battery while discharging them as well?

[@tayloranderson456]

This is awesome, definitely the future. So can it charge and discharge at the same time?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Yes!

[@MrJob91]

if you mount it ontop of your helmet it will never catch your shade

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

😂

[@stevehawkins7826]

Jonny how do I access your shops

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Johnnynerdout.com

[@joaomarveloso1049]

So you can ride and charge the battery at the same time? I thought you shouldn't use the battery when charging? Does this reduce the life of the battery ?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Yes it does. No it shouldn’t harm it

[@joaomarveloso1049]

@@JohnnyNerdOut great :)

[@bushcraftjoe1]

What set up are using? I have the 36v 13ah system with 500 w hub motor for the bike and pulling the burly nomad trailer so mileage is cut in half. Solar ontop the rack of the trailer would great

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

100w panel off amazon with a step up converter plugged directly into battery

[@billrimmer5596]

I'm judging u. U r a nerd. But a real cool one. Thank u! My bike is up and running!! Thank u for prompt service!!

[@One_-_Man-_-Clan]

(Kids) Quick!! -- throw rocks at the dork with a window on his bike!! AH-HA-HA-HA-ha-ha!!

[@ammerudgrenda]

Very cool. What’s the efficiency of your solar cells?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Hard to say. I plan on addressing that when the sun is more directly overhead. (Summer) maybe 40%right now?

[@lyndonp6296]

I like your vids.... but if I left one of these out in the sun where I live... someone would steel it.

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

Ride through a narrow tunnel and get stuck LOL

[@thoxbui]

What are the dimensions of your panel?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Approx 3’x 2’

[@thoxbui]

​@@JohnnyNerdOut Thank you. mine is about the same size (36.5" x 26"), but i think it's only rated for ~80W. Great vids.