Folding rig
#51
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Looks like fun! My Voltaic does something similar in the east home window as well as my 1W panel 5Wh solar bank. I'm looking forward to this seasons energy power gains & uses like my laptop PC on tour. I'm thinking 12v waterlilyturbine.com in a few months. I like your red camp chair thou mine was forest green until I broke it. My black steel chineze folder looks similar to yours except of course folding wire baskets. Love your solar panels wish YT could smarten up diy knowledge base to do as you. Sometime I'll post my rusty rig image. Wheres the snow?
#52
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Bikes: Surly Disk Trucker, 2014 w/Brooks Flyer Special saddle, Tubus racks - Duo front/Logo Evo rear, 2019 Dahon Mariner D8, Both bikes share Ortlieb Packer Plus series panniers, Garmin Edge 1000
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Mark - the chair is an Eskimo, the smaller model. It's my most used folding chair. It is for ice fishing - and that is why I got it. However, I started using it in the garage when I was working on things. The chair is excellent for up-right posture sitting working on things - and it has a back on it. I keep it easy to grab as I use it along my rides for snack breaks etc a lot also, not just when I park myself for a lunch break. The chair is very quick to deploy.
I have an REI Flex Chair also, in the yellow dry sac on the table on that trip, that is a much more comfortable chair to relax in. However, it is a recliner and not good for working on anything out front - cooking, working the radio, organizing gear, what have you. If I stop somewhere and need a "table", though, I can use the Eskimo as the table and the Flex Chair as my chair.
I have an REI Flex Chair also, in the yellow dry sac on the table on that trip, that is a much more comfortable chair to relax in. However, it is a recliner and not good for working on anything out front - cooking, working the radio, organizing gear, what have you. If I stop somewhere and need a "table", though, I can use the Eskimo as the table and the Flex Chair as my chair.
#53
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#54
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Say do we have similar taste in tire pumps? I have a 13 yo folding Topeak Road Morph with pressure gauge floor pump and grease the o-ring yearly. My tour table is a 5.2 lb Guide Gear 3 legged folding stool with old steel shelf placed on top. Its still raining out.
#55
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Good stuff Mark. Yep that butterfly chair is quite similar.
I don't have any portable/bike-mounted pumps that have gauges. I have a Trek pump with a gauge that usually stays behind unless I am headed out to do any test rides or calibration runs where I know I need to change pressure and air back up with accuracy.
I don't have any portable/bike-mounted pumps that have gauges. I have a Trek pump with a gauge that usually stays behind unless I am headed out to do any test rides or calibration runs where I know I need to change pressure and air back up with accuracy.
#56
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Was looking at this $30 18 oz 200 lb capacity aluminum stool https://www.rei.com/product/765283 4.5 stars 160 reviews then checked out the 2 lb steel stool closeouts for less than half price at https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/c/camping-chairs with free shipping until 3/27/2020 on every order.
#57
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They had a sale so for $180 & no tax ordered the bundled 12v waterlilyturbine.com to charge my Jackery 167Wh battery when its convenient. Now my folding rig setup uses free carbon neutral energy like solar wind hydro biomass hand-cranking. Still pay for some fossil fuel. Found my Coghlan's Backpackers Trowel & roll of tissue. Still thinking about a solar cooker but in the meantime sunshine warming food cans in the cycle basket suits me.
#58
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NOTE CORRECTION: My generic solar bank is a 1W solar panel with 25Wh battery. Not quit as efficient or sized as my Voltaic System. It was was a nice starter for my budding interests and still in use.
#59
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Thinking 2 lb $139 GoSun Go solar cooker for my solo travels boiling & heating sustenance during cycling pit stop rest periods roadside:
https://www.amazon.com/GoSun-Go-Ultr.../dp/B07CJP52D6
https://www.amazon.com/GoSun-Go-Ultr.../dp/B07CJP52D6
2 LB Solar Oven, GoSun Go: How To
#60
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I was out a couple days ago now (the 17th) on a day trip. It was cloudy and I was getting 170mA, or .17A, out of both my panels combined. In full sun I got 1.27A, or 1270mA, out of them. That is a little more than 1/10th the wattage.
The point - yea, its not much power, but even when its cloudy I can get some power.
If you have the same power conversion out of your 60w panel - that may get you close to an amp, 3/4 amp or so, of charge current when its cloudy. That is a pretty respectable amount.

The point - yea, its not much power, but even when its cloudy I can get some power.
If you have the same power conversion out of your 60w panel - that may get you close to an amp, 3/4 amp or so, of charge current when its cloudy. That is a pretty respectable amount.

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#61
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Mark - the important thing is to get out and enjoy. Sometimes the destination is the journey itself.
#62
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Yes agreed I also enjoy the adventurous rides along rail trials and road connections. Love the journeys path while enthralled with the beautiful lives
of mother natures exquisiteness & refreshing beauty which enlivens me & nurtures my spirit.
of mother natures exquisiteness & refreshing beauty which enlivens me & nurtures my spirit.
#63
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Been using my Jackery Explorer 160 after recharging the 35% battery with AC & took 3 hours to reach 99%. Since charged the camera speaker phone PC as if cycle packing. Solar panel and waterlilyturbine.com next week. A cloudy 53F today.
#64
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My USB head & tail lights were charged. The steel stool to support my DIY table, solar panel and guest seat came. The flashlight on the Explorer 160 shoots a beam about 20 feet down the path to the rest pit. Really enjoying the energy meter readout indicating input/output wattage and battery energy percentage level. I'm very pleased so far with this years bikepacking gear.
#65
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Ordered a safari vest & 12 oz camera tripod I've been wanting. The Jackery 60W solar panel plus Explorer 160 battery with all cables equals 8.8 lbs on the bath scale. Solar panel measures less than 12 x 17 inches folded and less than 17 x 35 inches unfolded. Roughly 3/8 inch less per dimension.
56F and overcast. AC charged at 38Wh input. Solar clear skies 36-38Wh input. White clouds 16-19Wh. Gray clouds 11Wh. Not the perfict angle to the sun with the attached kickstand but I'm pleased.
56F and overcast. AC charged at 38Wh input. Solar clear skies 36-38Wh input. White clouds 16-19Wh. Gray clouds 11Wh. Not the perfict angle to the sun with the attached kickstand but I'm pleased.
#66
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OK on all Mark.
Yes, with clouds you can still harvest some photons - just not near what you can in direct sunlight.
The solar cooker looks interesting. I have heard of that method of cooking before but have never tried it. I like white gas most in a backpacking/biking set up. Aside from that - propane. However, there aren't any backpacking/biking size stoves that run on propane (or a way to store/transport it smaller than a 1lb bottle that I am aware of).
Speaking of white gas - I found an old Coleman dual burner suitcase stove (lighty used, still in the box) that runs on white gas when I was at my cabins over the summer. I believe it was my grandfathers or uncles from back in the 80's or earlier. I do not recall that we ever used any stoves/cookers of any type other than charcoal grills and big propane burners up there (on the boats for shore lunches etc) as far back as I can remember so the Coleman stove just doesn't fit anywhere in my recollection. That is one of my "projects" - to go through it to check it over and see about running it.
Yes, with clouds you can still harvest some photons - just not near what you can in direct sunlight.
The solar cooker looks interesting. I have heard of that method of cooking before but have never tried it. I like white gas most in a backpacking/biking set up. Aside from that - propane. However, there aren't any backpacking/biking size stoves that run on propane (or a way to store/transport it smaller than a 1lb bottle that I am aware of).
Speaking of white gas - I found an old Coleman dual burner suitcase stove (lighty used, still in the box) that runs on white gas when I was at my cabins over the summer. I believe it was my grandfathers or uncles from back in the 80's or earlier. I do not recall that we ever used any stoves/cookers of any type other than charcoal grills and big propane burners up there (on the boats for shore lunches etc) as far back as I can remember so the Coleman stove just doesn't fit anywhere in my recollection. That is one of my "projects" - to go through it to check it over and see about running it.
#67
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Coleman stove history at Google & YT is interesting. Search make model & serial # which I did with my fathers lamp & stove made in 1969.
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#68
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More stuff & a few of my bicycle fantasy's back when https://www.flickr.com/photos/63218948@N05 Received my eyeglass mirror recently by turning my head side to side helps scan the horizon behind. Got my WATERLILYturbine.com while the wind, creeks & rivers are flowing. The $9 camera tripod is terrific. Ordered a SJ9000 videocam with 170 degree lens, WiFi and remote as well as a old Canon SX120 camera for this years outings.
#69
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Mark - I see you've strapped a guitar or two to your bikes. That is creative. Have you done any trips with a guitar in tote?
I've been dabbling in guitar playing for many years. I got my electric guitar when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Several years ago I ordered some Taylor guitars. The first one was a 314CE 6 string. Then the following year I ordered a 356E 12 string. They aren't quite custom guitars as the options are from their production selection, but they are also guitars you probably won't ever walk in to a store and find on the wall. I would have to give a lot of thought to take one of them along on a ride. Though, I have traveled a lot in a previous job by vehicle and always had one with me.
Keep us posted on your progress.
On the topic of portable power - I did a day trip several days ago around 65 miles. When I stopped for my lunch break I set up my solar panels. It was a real sunny day. After about an hour to an hour and a half, even with my Edge 1000 and tablet charging/pulling power off the system, the high-voltage protection kicked in and disconnected the battery = fully charged. That is the first time I've seen that happen and wasn't sure it was possible with what I run. In any event, that is good to see. It means I am more than keeping up with demand with the panels and replenishing several hours of discharge in less time than my stopped time. That certainly won't be the norm. I'd expect more clouds impacting power output. Ya never know, though.
I've been dabbling in guitar playing for many years. I got my electric guitar when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Several years ago I ordered some Taylor guitars. The first one was a 314CE 6 string. Then the following year I ordered a 356E 12 string. They aren't quite custom guitars as the options are from their production selection, but they are also guitars you probably won't ever walk in to a store and find on the wall. I would have to give a lot of thought to take one of them along on a ride. Though, I have traveled a lot in a previous job by vehicle and always had one with me.
Keep us posted on your progress.
On the topic of portable power - I did a day trip several days ago around 65 miles. When I stopped for my lunch break I set up my solar panels. It was a real sunny day. After about an hour to an hour and a half, even with my Edge 1000 and tablet charging/pulling power off the system, the high-voltage protection kicked in and disconnected the battery = fully charged. That is the first time I've seen that happen and wasn't sure it was possible with what I run. In any event, that is good to see. It means I am more than keeping up with demand with the panels and replenishing several hours of discharge in less time than my stopped time. That certainly won't be the norm. I'd expect more clouds impacting power output. Ya never know, though.
#70
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I developed two finger fret board numbness when those photos were taken. Never acquired Django Reinhardt guitar skills but wish. Yes the plan was to take my sub $100 guitars and keyboard busking in the parks. Taylor's sound beautiful. Loved my acoustic 12 string too. Miss those memories. Replaced my Gibson ES335 with a Epiphone Casino Coupe hollow body electric guitar. Still have a case & gig bag when I feel the urge someday.
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#71
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https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...icycle+busking
and don't forget to ask Google & YT, how much money busking Lots of tips at YT.
One of my favorites busking: Sultans of Swing, Miguel Montalban
and don't forget to ask Google & YT, how much money busking Lots of tips at YT.
One of my favorites busking: Sultans of Swing, Miguel Montalban
#73
Senior Member
On the amateur/ham side of the fence they are QSL cards. Although I have been around CB since the late 90's, I never got in to the "hobby" aspect of CB (making contacts, "shooting skip", "working DX" etc) - I've only used it for local comms. It is quite possible they borrow a lot of the same terminology from ham.
We hams call talking to other hams "eyeball QSO's". The jamborees sound like fun times. .....
We hams call talking to other hams "eyeball QSO's". The jamborees sound like fun times. .....
73
VE4ZD - but now temporarily in Doha, Qatar
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#74
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I've reduced my collection of 18 down to 3 guitars. In the middle my $60 acoustic electric busking guitar, on the left my classical guitar, right the hollow body acoustic electric and yes sunflowers please me. I also have a stereo Blackstar Fly Mini Amp, looper pedal, a couple ukuleles, guitalele, flutes and harmonicas. Sold my folk instruments. Music's fun when I have time.

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#75
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My $65 Canon SX120 is wonderful with two NiMH AA's, 10x optical zoom & compact camera Case Logic. I once had a Canon SX20 which I enjoyed but prefer the smaller option now. Waiting for my back ordered WATERLILYturbine.com hand crank to top off my Jackery Explorer 160 battery currently the right size for me. Thinking about a Lectric XP ebike with spare battery to pull the trailer while sightseeing the territories hilltops & valleys.