Solar panel for charging battery for bike light
04-13-15 | 05:09 AM
#1
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Solar panel for charging battery for bike light
I have looked at a lot of solar chargers on ebay but not sure what to get for my bike light LED Cree XM L T6 Bicycle Bike Headlamp Head Light Torch Rechargable 2000 5400LM | eBay
I bought it with the back light being solar so i know enough sun is available as i ride...maybe as the front light is a lot stronger i might need to put the panel and battery somewhere in the sun before i ride. Anyone got ideas about panels? Also would they have a connector or would i have to adapt something? I am not going to spend too much but i am thinking this wills ave me money :0)
I bought it with the back light being solar so i know enough sun is available as i ride...maybe as the front light is a lot stronger i might need to put the panel and battery somewhere in the sun before i ride. Anyone got ideas about panels? Also would they have a connector or would i have to adapt something? I am not going to spend too much but i am thinking this wills ave me money :0)
Last edited by rapattack; 04-13-15 at 06:20 AM.
04-13-15 | 05:54 AM
#2
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From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Most of the CREE lights run on 8.4V
The most common small solar panel is 12V.
You can buy extension cords for the CREE battery packs that you could build a connector with. As far as I can tell, the battery packs come with a charger controller and an over voltage cutoff.
What I haven't tried to do is to connect a small 12V panel into an 8.4V pack. If it was lead acid, the battery pack would pull down the voltage of the panel, and the panel would raise the voltage of the battery pack. I'm not quite sure what would happen with the Lithium batteries.
Perhaps it would be ok with a small panel. How many days a week are you using it?
The most common small solar panel is 12V.
You can buy extension cords for the CREE battery packs that you could build a connector with. As far as I can tell, the battery packs come with a charger controller and an over voltage cutoff.
What I haven't tried to do is to connect a small 12V panel into an 8.4V pack. If it was lead acid, the battery pack would pull down the voltage of the panel, and the panel would raise the voltage of the battery pack. I'm not quite sure what would happen with the Lithium batteries.
Perhaps it would be ok with a small panel. How many days a week are you using it?
04-13-15 | 06:07 AM
#3
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Most of the CREE lights run on 8.4V
The most common small solar panel is 12V.
You can buy extension cords for the CREE battery packs that you could build a connector with. As far as I can tell, the battery packs come with a charger controller and an over voltage cutoff.
What I haven't tried to do is to connect a small 12V panel into an 8.4V pack. If it was lead acid, the battery pack would pull down the voltage of the panel, and the panel would raise the voltage of the battery pack. I'm not quite sure what would happen with the Lithium batteries.
Perhaps it would be ok with a small panel. How many days a week are you using it?
The most common small solar panel is 12V.
You can buy extension cords for the CREE battery packs that you could build a connector with. As far as I can tell, the battery packs come with a charger controller and an over voltage cutoff.
What I haven't tried to do is to connect a small 12V panel into an 8.4V pack. If it was lead acid, the battery pack would pull down the voltage of the panel, and the panel would raise the voltage of the battery pack. I'm not quite sure what would happen with the Lithium batteries.
Perhaps it would be ok with a small panel. How many days a week are you using it?
I use the bike everyday but not too often the bike lights as not always out at night.
I wonder if this would be suitable even though the outlet is a usb port https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/foldabl...r-smartphones/
Last edited by rapattack; 04-13-15 at 06:21 AM.
04-13-15 | 12:08 PM
#4
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From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Here is your CREE Extension Cord:
New Extensive Cable for CREE XM L T6 LED Headlamp Rechargeable Headlight FF | eBay
Your USB solar charger puts out about 5.5 V.
You need something that puts out greater than 8.4V.
You could wire two of those in series which would give you about 11V which would be somewhat closer than the 12V panels.
You might also consider a DC DC voltage converter. I'm not sure if the boost and buck converters are the same, but they would allow better tuning of your voltage output, and perhaps only requiring a single solar panel.
LM2596 Buck Step Down Power Converter Module DC 4 0 40 to 1 3 37V LED Voltmeter | eBay
DC DC 4 5 32V to 5 52v XL6009 Boost Step Up Module Power Supply LED Voltmeter | eBay
Oh, another calculation.
Your battery packs use four 18650 Lithium batteries.
4.2V, with 2 to 6 ah each. So, (qty 4) x (4.2v) x (4 ah) = 67.2 watt hours for full charge.
That USB charger puts out about 7W max, when pointed directly at the sun at noon (probably a bit optimistic). So, it would take at least 10 hours of peak power generation to recharge the battery from drained to full. I'd guess maybe a couple of days (which isn't too bad).
New Extensive Cable for CREE XM L T6 LED Headlamp Rechargeable Headlight FF | eBay
Your USB solar charger puts out about 5.5 V.
You need something that puts out greater than 8.4V.
You could wire two of those in series which would give you about 11V which would be somewhat closer than the 12V panels.
You might also consider a DC DC voltage converter. I'm not sure if the boost and buck converters are the same, but they would allow better tuning of your voltage output, and perhaps only requiring a single solar panel.
LM2596 Buck Step Down Power Converter Module DC 4 0 40 to 1 3 37V LED Voltmeter | eBay
DC DC 4 5 32V to 5 52v XL6009 Boost Step Up Module Power Supply LED Voltmeter | eBay
Oh, another calculation.
Your battery packs use four 18650 Lithium batteries.
4.2V, with 2 to 6 ah each. So, (qty 4) x (4.2v) x (4 ah) = 67.2 watt hours for full charge.
That USB charger puts out about 7W max, when pointed directly at the sun at noon (probably a bit optimistic). So, it would take at least 10 hours of peak power generation to recharge the battery from drained to full. I'd guess maybe a couple of days (which isn't too bad).
Last edited by CliffordK; 04-13-15 at 12:19 PM.
04-14-15 | 09:30 AM
#5
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I strongly suspect that a small solar panel would not provide enough power to charge the headlight's battery to any significant extent. Stuff like that may be available in a year or two but not yet. You'll need to plug this battery in, for sure. You may want to buy a spare battery and carry it for occasions when this one discharges on the road.
It's a lot of work, to my thinking. I'm super pleased with my dynamo powered systems. I only rely on battery powered headlights briefly and infrequently nowadays.
It's a lot of work, to my thinking. I'm super pleased with my dynamo powered systems. I only rely on battery powered headlights briefly and infrequently nowadays.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-14-15 | 10:00 AM
#6
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Irvine
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL3, Nishiki Pro Hybrid SL
How about getting a light that uses external batteries. I have a night rider light that takes 3 AAA batteries. For long rides I just carry 3 spares. The key is to get really good rechargeable batteries that last. I use the eneloop pro AAA batteries that carry a 950mAh charge when most standard rechargeable only carry 750mAh.
04-15-15 | 09:41 AM
#7
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From: Sydney
Bikes: ncm paris+
Here is your CREE Extension Cord:
New Extensive Cable for CREE XM L T6 LED Headlamp Rechargeable Headlight FF | eBay
Your USB solar charger puts out about 5.5 V.
You need something that puts out greater than 8.4V.
You could wire two of those in series which would give you about 11V which would be somewhat closer than the 12V panels.
You might also consider a DC DC voltage converter. I'm not sure if the boost and buck converters are the same, but they would allow better tuning of your voltage output, and perhaps only requiring a single solar panel.
LM2596 Buck Step Down Power Converter Module DC 4 0 40 to 1 3 37V LED Voltmeter | eBay
DC DC 4 5 32V to 5 52v XL6009 Boost Step Up Module Power Supply LED Voltmeter | eBay
Oh, another calculation.
Your battery packs use four 18650 Lithium batteries.
4.2V, with 2 to 6 ah each. So, (qty 4) x (4.2v) x (4 ah) = 67.2 watt hours for full charge.
That USB charger puts out about 7W max, when pointed directly at the sun at noon (probably a bit optimistic). So, it would take at least 10 hours of peak power generation to recharge the battery from drained to full. I'd guess maybe a couple of days (which isn't too bad).
New Extensive Cable for CREE XM L T6 LED Headlamp Rechargeable Headlight FF | eBay
Your USB solar charger puts out about 5.5 V.
You need something that puts out greater than 8.4V.
You could wire two of those in series which would give you about 11V which would be somewhat closer than the 12V panels.
You might also consider a DC DC voltage converter. I'm not sure if the boost and buck converters are the same, but they would allow better tuning of your voltage output, and perhaps only requiring a single solar panel.
LM2596 Buck Step Down Power Converter Module DC 4 0 40 to 1 3 37V LED Voltmeter | eBay
DC DC 4 5 32V to 5 52v XL6009 Boost Step Up Module Power Supply LED Voltmeter | eBay
Oh, another calculation.
Your battery packs use four 18650 Lithium batteries.
4.2V, with 2 to 6 ah each. So, (qty 4) x (4.2v) x (4 ah) = 67.2 watt hours for full charge.
That USB charger puts out about 7W max, when pointed directly at the sun at noon (probably a bit optimistic). So, it would take at least 10 hours of peak power generation to recharge the battery from drained to full. I'd guess maybe a couple of days (which isn't too bad).
04-15-15 | 09:42 AM
#8
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From: Sydney
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I strongly suspect that a small solar panel would not provide enough power to charge the headlight's battery to any significant extent. Stuff like that may be available in a year or two but not yet. You'll need to plug this battery in, for sure. You may want to buy a spare battery and carry it for occasions when this one discharges on the road.
It's a lot of work, to my thinking. I'm super pleased with my dynamo powered systems. I only rely on battery powered headlights briefly and infrequently nowadays.
It's a lot of work, to my thinking. I'm super pleased with my dynamo powered systems. I only rely on battery powered headlights briefly and infrequently nowadays.
04-15-15 | 10:29 AM
#9
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,637
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
See my blog post for details. The headlight is a Philips Saferide which may not be available any more. Busch & Müller makes a huge variety of dynamo powered lights, all of them excellent. Peter White sells them and so does a too-short list of bike shops in the U.S.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Last edited by noglider; 04-15-15 at 02:53 PM.
04-16-15 | 01:31 AM
#10
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See my blog post for details. The headlight is a Philips Saferide which may not be available any more. Busch & Müller makes a huge variety of dynamo powered lights, all of them excellent. Peter White sells them and so does a too-short list of bike shops in the U.S.
04-16-15 | 02:44 AM
#11
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From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
I think Germany requires generators by law, so that is where all the good generators are. I'm getting tired of constantly recharging my batteries, and will probably setup a generator shortly.
04-16-15 | 05:26 AM
#12
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I was curious about this. The first search result I found is not from the German government, but seems reliable:
From the European Cyclists' Federation Report on "Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity) and Reflectors of Bicycles":
From the European Cyclists' Federation Report on "Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity) and Reflectors of Bicycles":
Germany – Dynamos are required by law, they must be attached, the battery light alone is not permitted (except for race bikes), no obligation to sell bicycles equipped with lights
04-16-15 | 06:09 AM
#13
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I was curious about this. The first search result I found is not from the German government, but seems reliable:
From the European Cyclists' Federation Report on "Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity) and Reflectors of Bicycles":
From the European Cyclists' Federation Report on "Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity) and Reflectors of Bicycles":
Germany: Lights
StVZO§67 Bicycles have to be equipped with front and rear dynamo lights. The
lights have to be powered by a 6V/3Watt dynamo. Only race bikes are allowed
to be used with battery light. The front light beam must be at least as inclined
as its centre at 5 m forward of the headlamp is only half as high as it emerges
from the headlights. The rear red light must have a the lowest point of the
illuminating surface not less than 250 mm above the ground
Reflectors
1 white at the front
2 yellow or white at the spokes (or a reflecting band at the tyres)
2 yellow at the pedals
2 red at the rear
StVZO§67 Bicycles have to be equipped with front and rear dynamo lights. The
lights have to be powered by a 6V/3Watt dynamo. Only race bikes are allowed
to be used with battery light. The front light beam must be at least as inclined
as its centre at 5 m forward of the headlamp is only half as high as it emerges
from the headlights. The rear red light must have a the lowest point of the
illuminating surface not less than 250 mm above the ground
Reflectors
1 white at the front
2 yellow or white at the spokes (or a reflecting band at the tyres)
2 yellow at the pedals
2 red at the rear
04-16-15 | 08:36 AM
#14
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04-16-15 | 09:00 AM
#15
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I recently read that Germany loosened the law in 2013 and a generator is no longer required. The regulations of beam shape probably still remain, and countries which don't have that requirement are indirect beneficiaries of the regulation. It has resulted in a large quantity of lights being mass produced that cast a really well shaped beam.
@rapattack, there are two common types of generators which are also called dynamos. There is the hub generator, where the power cable comes out of the hub. And there is the sidewall generator, also called a bottle generator because of its shape. The bottle generator is bolted to the frame. The generator hub replaces a regular old hub.
Advantages to hub generators: lower noise, much lower drag and greater reliability. The bottle generator can be knocked out of alignment.
Advantages to bottle generators: lower cost, lighter weight, no drag whatsoever when not in use.
Then again, the drag of a generator hub when not in use is extremely small. In fact, I can't perceive the drag when I do use it. The drag is so small that I run my lights day and night because it doesn't hurt, and maybe it helps me be seen in the day.
Read more on Peter White's site. Even though you probably won't buy from him, it is very informative.
On one of my bikes and two of my wife's bikes, I combined an antique bottle generator with modern LED lights. It's a nice compromise. I got the generators cheap on ebay. They power the lights just fine, and modern LED lights that are intended for generator power cast really well shaped beams.
I don't know about Australian vendors, but I've had some very good luck buying generator lights from xxcycle in France.
@rapattack, there are two common types of generators which are also called dynamos. There is the hub generator, where the power cable comes out of the hub. And there is the sidewall generator, also called a bottle generator because of its shape. The bottle generator is bolted to the frame. The generator hub replaces a regular old hub.
Advantages to hub generators: lower noise, much lower drag and greater reliability. The bottle generator can be knocked out of alignment.
Advantages to bottle generators: lower cost, lighter weight, no drag whatsoever when not in use.
Then again, the drag of a generator hub when not in use is extremely small. In fact, I can't perceive the drag when I do use it. The drag is so small that I run my lights day and night because it doesn't hurt, and maybe it helps me be seen in the day.
Read more on Peter White's site. Even though you probably won't buy from him, it is very informative.
On one of my bikes and two of my wife's bikes, I combined an antique bottle generator with modern LED lights. It's a nice compromise. I got the generators cheap on ebay. They power the lights just fine, and modern LED lights that are intended for generator power cast really well shaped beams.
I don't know about Australian vendors, but I've had some very good luck buying generator lights from xxcycle in France.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Last edited by noglider; 04-16-15 at 09:03 AM.
04-16-15 | 09:04 AM
#16
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Sydney
Bikes: ncm paris+
I recently read that Germany loosened the law in 2013 and a generator is no longer required. The regulations of beam shape probably still remain, and countries which don't have that requirement are indirect beneficiaries of the regulation. It has resulted in a large quantity of lights being mass produced that cast a really well shaped beam.
[MENTION=199576]rapattack[/MENTION], there are two common types of generators which are also called dynamos. There is the hub generator, where the power cable comes out of the hub. And there is the sidewall generator, also called a bottle generator because of its shape. The bottle generator is bolted to the frame. The generator hub replaces a regular old hub.
Advantages to hub generators: lower noise, much lower drag and greater reliability. The bottle generator can be knocked out of alignment.
Advantages to bottle generators: lower cost, lighter weight, no drag whatsoever when not in use.
Then again, the drag of a generator hub when not in use is extremely small. In fact, I can't perceive the drag when I do use it. The drag is so small that I run my lights day and night because it doesn't hurt, and maybe it helps me be seen in the day.
Read more on Peter White's site. Even though you probably won't buy from him, it is very informative.
On one of my bikes and two of my wife's bikes, I combined an antique bottle generator with modern LED lights. It's a nice compromise. I got the generators cheap on ebay. They power the lights just fine, and modern LED lights that are intended for generator power cast really well shaped beams.
I don't know about Australian vendors, but I've had some very good luck buying generator lights from xxcycle in France.
[MENTION=199576]rapattack[/MENTION], there are two common types of generators which are also called dynamos. There is the hub generator, where the power cable comes out of the hub. And there is the sidewall generator, also called a bottle generator because of its shape. The bottle generator is bolted to the frame. The generator hub replaces a regular old hub.
Advantages to hub generators: lower noise, much lower drag and greater reliability. The bottle generator can be knocked out of alignment.
Advantages to bottle generators: lower cost, lighter weight, no drag whatsoever when not in use.
Then again, the drag of a generator hub when not in use is extremely small. In fact, I can't perceive the drag when I do use it. The drag is so small that I run my lights day and night because it doesn't hurt, and maybe it helps me be seen in the day.
Read more on Peter White's site. Even though you probably won't buy from him, it is very informative.
On one of my bikes and two of my wife's bikes, I combined an antique bottle generator with modern LED lights. It's a nice compromise. I got the generators cheap on ebay. They power the lights just fine, and modern LED lights that are intended for generator power cast really well shaped beams.
I don't know about Australian vendors, but I've had some very good luck buying generator lights from xxcycle in France.
04-16-15 | 09:10 AM
#17
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,637
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Charging while riding is much more complicated than you would imagine. There are a few gadgets you can get which will take the output of a generator and charge a battery, but the cheap ones are crappy and maybe dangerous. The good ones are surprisingly expensive. B&M makes a headlight that also provides USB charging output, but I believe you can only run the light or the charger, not both at once. And it's about $180, so it's justified only if you're going to use it a heck of a lot.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body.
So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body.
So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-16-15 | 09:23 AM
#18
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Sydney
Bikes: ncm paris+
Charging while riding is much more complicated than you would imagine. There are a few gadgets you can get which will take the output of a generator and charge a battery, but the cheap ones are crappy and maybe dangerous. The good ones are surprisingly expensive. B&M makes a headlight that also provides USB charging output, but I believe you can only run the light or the charger, not both at once. And it's about $180, so it's justified only if you're going to use it a heck of a lot.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body. So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body.
So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.
04-30-15 | 06:49 AM
#21
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Charging while riding is much more complicated than you would imagine. There are a few gadgets you can get which will take the output of a generator and charge a battery, but the cheap ones are crappy and maybe dangerous. The good ones are surprisingly expensive. B&M makes a headlight that also provides USB charging output, but I believe you can only run the light or the charger, not both at once. And it's about $180, so it's justified only if you're going to use it a heck of a lot.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body. So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.
The battery on the light you bought is fairly big, and it needs a lot of charging current. To provide that much current with solar, you'd probably need panels covering the entire bike and your entire body.
So as I said before, plug it in every night and consider getting a spare.This is the panel and battery.....Instapark® Mercury 10M Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Built-in Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all other USB Compatible Devices, 5200mAh Battery Pack
04-30-15 | 07:02 AM
#22
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I have small foldable solar panel that weighs 12 oz, measures 9"x6" and it puts out 10W in direct sunlight. It will charge an i-phone in 60 minutes. I have not used it on my bike because my Panasonic 3400mAH batteries provide plenty of power for an allnight ride and carrying a spare set is much easier and lighter than trying to charge on the fly.
This is the panel and battery.....Instapark® Mercury 10M Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Built-in Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all other USB Compatible Devices, 5200mAh Battery Pack
This is the panel and battery.....Instapark® Mercury 10M Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Built-in Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all other USB Compatible Devices, 5200mAh Battery Pack
04-30-15 | 07:19 AM
#23
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I dreamed about solar panels on my property but the investment recovery time is still not acceptable to me.
If I was off-grid, I would have panels, wind generation, and one other source of power. On the grid and solar just is not cost effective and I pay 21 cents per KWH.
My portable panel is more for backpacking where you would be out for many days and where you can orient to the sun for a couple hours.
If I was off-grid, I would have panels, wind generation, and one other source of power. On the grid and solar just is not cost effective and I pay 21 cents per KWH.
My portable panel is more for backpacking where you would be out for many days and where you can orient to the sun for a couple hours.
04-30-15 | 07:23 AM
#24
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From: Sydney
Bikes: ncm paris+
I dreamed about solar panels on my property but the investment recovery time is still not acceptable to me.
If I was off-grid, I would have panels, wind generation, and one other source of power. On the grid and solar just is not cost effective and I pay 21 cents per KWH.
My portable panel is more for backpacking where you would be out for many days and where you can orient to the sun for a couple hours.
If I was off-grid, I would have panels, wind generation, and one other source of power. On the grid and solar just is not cost effective and I pay 21 cents per KWH.
My portable panel is more for backpacking where you would be out for many days and where you can orient to the sun for a couple hours.
04-30-15 | 07:39 AM
#25
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I visited Sydney area on business trip once. Loved it. I brought my BikeFriday and rode every morning along Manly Beach before work. I did a long 3 or 4 day weekend bike ride up to the Hunter Valley vineyards and to a town called Muddpie or something like that but it was harder going than expected up there and I looped back and stayed a night at a hotel and played golf near the famous Borkenwood Graveyard vineyard.....I felt like I belonged there after doing such a long ride.