Solar Electric Bike Push Trailer

Check out final product video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYGsqqch4Tg Was built for our journey across the United States to visit sustainable communities and film a documentary called WIthin Reach Movie (http://www.withinreachmovie.com) about them and my journey to transition into one. This bike trailer with electric assist will be powered by brake regeneration, pedal regeneration, and solar power. It will be able to be slept in with an extendable trailer. Currently in production. Made in Google Sketch up. Music: "Day by Day" Brett Dennen

Copyright 2007 Ryan Mlynarczyk

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• solar
• bike
• push
• trailer

[Qfort1]

where are you at with the construction and testing part of your project? We would be interested in seeing some progress or joining your journey. Let me know.

[simplerlife]

HI there, we are still improving the trailer but we are about to post a clip of our actuall testing. it works great...but is a bit heavy. needs to be ligher..and longer battery life...lithium ion batteries will help as will brushless motors. call us....616-566-4884

[simplerlife]

yes i made this in sketchup! :)

[thiago497150]

Can you ride only with solar power or it is just for some help? I calculate about 200w for normal bike speed and for this you´ll need between 1 and 2meters square of solar panels, but in my project of a solar bike, the weight of the solar panels was ecessive, and i still using a pedal only bike.

Good luck in your travel!

[simplerlife]

it is just for help up hills. and yes i am planning to make the panels lighter by removing the metal siding and just using the panels alone.

[ivegotyourpants]

what was the name of that song?

nice.

[simplerlife]

Music: "Day by Day" Brett Dennen

[CanisLupusSeeUs]

Wat's the point of this video, except to bemuse the viewer with a silly song? Some intelligent narrative would've assisted. The music was as useful as a solar panel on a bike-trailer.

[7188181]

Beware of anyone using the words "solar" and "bike" in the same sentence.

[CoWolArc]

I'm worried about one aspect of your design. The batteries are a bit too far forward, so your bike's front wheel might be too 'light' on the pavement for reliable emergency steering/braking, especially if you hit bad weather.

I'd try to put them as close to the trailer's wheels as possible; maybe an inch forward of being centered over where the axle would be.

Cheers and best of luck,

Wolfe.

Otherwise, it's awsome.

[HierPower]

vibration will kill the panels if you dont protect them, the new lightweight military style ones might be best, but they are expensive, also if you have alot of batteries the extra weight is going to require the motor to always run. even a 400 watt motor takes alot of panels.

[peyto]

did you make this with sketchup? looks like it