R-pod Owners Forum : solar charging e-bikes https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Miscellaneous / Off-topic : solar charging e-bikes Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 28 May 2026 14:23:25 +0000 Tue, 01 May 2012 08:51:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2525 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ solar charging e-bikes : As long as the solar panel/battery/inverter... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23928#23928 Author: TIDALWAVE
Subject: 2525
Posted: 01 May 2012 at 8:51am

As long as the solar panel/battery/inverter system produces 110VAC you should be ok.  You need to be certain that the inverter will shut off power completely if it cannot produce adequate AC voltage/current.  Less voltage might burnout the e-charger. My e-charger takes about 2 hours to do a complete charge using household current.]]> Tue, 01 May 2012 08:51:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23928#23928 solar charging e-bikes : Hi again, I'll wait for battery... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23865#23865 Author: ajzuma
Subject: 2525
Posted: 28 Apr 2012 at 4:17pm

Hi again,  I'll wait for battery technology  to improve.  Can still pedal a regular bike though I'm slowing down. Might just convert a regular bike to a e-bike when its time. Would it make sense and be safe connect a e-bike battery charger to a inverter that's connected to a agm  battery that's connected to a solar panel? Trying to avoid using a gas generator. I have a 400 watt inverter. Thanks for the heads-up guys. AJ     ]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:17:00 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23865#23865 solar charging e-bikes : https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23864#23864 Author: ajzuma
Subject: 2525
Posted: 28 Apr 2012 at 2:45pm

]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:45:47 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23864#23864 solar charging e-bikes : Warning about e-bike batteries!... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23844#23844 Author: TIDALWAVE
Subject: 2525
Posted: 27 Apr 2012 at 9:41am

Warning about e-bike batteries!  I own an e-bike which uses a 36V10aH Lithium-Polymer battery.
When I bought the bike I was told that the battery could be charged 800-1000 times. What they don't tell you is that if you if let the "automatic" battery charger stay on for any time longer than a full charge...the charger will click on and off.  This off-on action acts as if it were one of the charge times. You must use a charger specifically made for lithium batteries, quite a few cases of fire/explosions when using a non-lithium charger.
I did not allow the battery to go below 20% charge (I carefully followed the charger instructions).  Max battery power dropped to 80% after the first summer, 50% the second summer, and now won't charge higher than 20% at the beginning of the third riding season.
Battery replacement will cost $350!
I contacted the retailer and was told the 800-1000 charge times (as advertised for most e-bikes) is the "maximum' to be expected...not average.
If you don't believe me about lithium bike batteries, browse a couple of e-bike forums...you will find a lot of disappointed/angry pedal-assist e-bike owners.
]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:41:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23844#23844 solar charging e-bikes : It is possible, although that... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23838#23838 Author: techntrek
Subject: 2525
Posted: 27 Apr 2012 at 7:53am

It is possible, although that battery chemistry can be tricky to charge safely.  I recommend you head over to the Wind Sun solar forum and post your question there.  Lots of full-time off-gridders there which can point you in the right direction.
 
http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/forum.php
 
]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:53:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23838#23838 solar charging e-bikes : Hi Everyone, Thinking of buying... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23828#23828 Author: ajzuma
Subject: 2525
Posted: 26 Apr 2012 at 7:28pm

Hi Everyone,  Thinking of buying a electric pedal assist mountain bike. It has a 500 watt rear hub motor that is powered by a 36 volt 12 ah lifepo4/ li-ion battery. Is it possible to re-charge the battery with a solar panel system. I own a 80 watt portable  solar charger (two 40 watt panels) used to charge 12 volt rv batteries while boondocking. Have anyone tried this and how?  Thanks, AJ]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:28:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525&PID=23828#23828