Jean-Louis came to see me with his solar bike, he lives a few kilometers from my house and I didn’t know it! He’s a good handyman: equipped with a lathe, he made all the aluminum parts he needed, he built and programmed a databox. Sporty and active in the associative world, he has no time […]
Meeting with a future suntriper ! Lire la suite »
I had met him in Pau last summer, he had come to meet the participants of the Sun Trip France 2020 and to see their solar bikes. He was very enthusiastic about this mode of transport, and we had a good chat! Grégory has made his project a reality: since last fall, he has been
He goes to work by solar bike! Lire la suite »
From my first participation in the Sun Trip in 2017 until today, I have experimented with different configurations of solar bikes. Here are the basic principles that guided my constructions: – from 2017 to 2019, I wanted to be able to take my vehicle by train. So I opted for a classic bike associated with
The evolution of my solar bike from 2017 to 2021 Lire la suite »
Here, I have finished a little video which traces my preparation for the Sun Trip since March, with moments of enthusiasm and the vagaries of this spring. N.B .: Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, German, and French! Views: 479
Video summary of my preparation for Sun Trip Europe Lire la suite »
Obviously, this month of April will have been marked by the re-containment and the limit of 10 km around the home! Luckily, half of my perimeter was surrounded by nature and was quite hilly. It was also the opportunity to discover or rediscover side roads and small forgotten roads … I saw spring unfold visibly,
Preparation of the Sun Trip Europe in April Lire la suite »
It was the 3rd great preparation outing for the Sun Trip Europe before the reconfinement. I was able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Côte-d’Or, visit corners that were unknown to me. And I even drove a bit in Saône-et-Loire. It was good to ride in the sun, without fear of miles. To say that
April 2: 3rd Sun Trip Europe preparation outing Lire la suite »
The first outing being conclusive, I wanted to continue my momentum and exceed 200 km during the day. The sun was 100% with me, but the solar power is obviously less in March than in summer (between 60% and 70%). I wanted to see the amount of energy produced by the panels under these conditions.
March 31: 2nd Sun Trip Europe preparation outing Lire la suite »
Installing signs on a bicycle raises many problems. The solutions are many and varied, as we can see during the various Sun Trips. The designer is led to make choices, according to his priorities, his taste and his budget. Most often, priority is given to a type of bike (classic, recumbent, cargo bike, trike …)
Installing solar panels on a bike Lire la suite »
In the last issue of Télérama magazine, the article entitled “Happy traveling differently” offers the reader to “give character” to his vacation by visiting Bourgogne-Franche Comté. For my last test trips, I followed this advice with a tour of Southern Burgundy. Because testing your solar bike does not prevent you from discovering the heritage and
D-5 before the Sun Trip France! Lire la suite »
Two months is the time, from May 11 (deconfinement) to July 11, to test and test my new solar vehicle. You have to work hard! The challenge # 1: taming the recumbent bike, for me it’s brand new! Know its road behavior with the solar roof, with the trailer, in turns, potholes, in gusts of
Training with the Solarduino Bike 2020 solar bike Lire la suite »
Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2 : the electric assistance Part 3 : the solar equipment Solar panels cannot be connected directly to the battery, they must be connected through a solar regulator. 3.1. Solar regulator This is responsible for adjusting the voltage to that of the battery (36 or 48
Build your solar bike Part 3: solar equipment Lire la suite »
Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2 : the electric assistance Part 3 : the solar equipment The electrical assistance system includes at least a battery, a motor, a motor controller (sometimes integrated inside the motor), a control and display console. Other elements can be added: pedaling sensor, torque sensor, speed sensor,
Building your solar bike Part 2: electric assistance Lire la suite »
A solar bicycle is made up of the following components: a bicycle, sometimes combined with a trailer, an electric assistance system, and solar equipment. We will describe these elements below, and consider the different possibilities available to those who want to build their solar bike. Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2
Building your solar bike Part 1: the bike Lire la suite »
I discover this amazing video made by Olivier Coste. He designed a solar powered machine to carry his equipment in a desert environment: “Solar Explorer”. In 2018, he crossed the Badain Jaran Desert in China. His vehicle allowed him to tackle the highest dunes in the world loaded with more than 150 kilos of equipment,
Crossing a Chinese desert, on foot and in solar mode! Lire la suite »
Preparation for the Sun Trip 2020 was organized this weekend in Lyon. It brought together 30 participants from the fifty or so registered participants and took place in an atmosphere that was studious, fascinating and friendly. To effectively prepare for this solar bike rally, many themes were addressed: – administrative aspects, border formalities and visas,
Sun Trip 2020 preparation seminar Lire la suite »
This morning, I came across this picture: it makes me dream ! This is the cover photo of a book by Raphaëlle JAVET and Raphaël DOMJAN. I just ordered it, obviously … Views: 306
A solar-powered flying bike? Lire la suite »
The after Sun Trip Tour: from Valence to Dijon via Châlon-sur-Saône On July 20th, I leave Valence in TER to join Châlon-sur-Saône. I use the idea that guided the design of my solar vehicle: to take the train. Principles: – a standard bike is always accepted in the TER and in some TGV, – the
To take the train with a solar bike ! Lire la suite »
In May: first technical test outlets to bring out any weaknesses of design, make improvements that will then be tested in turn (~ 1000 km approximately). In June: outings to train the cyclist and test the machine on long journeys(~ 2600 km approximately). Ver en pantalla completa Views: 224
Training for the 2019 Sun Trip Tour Lire la suite »
It was at the Sun Trip 2019 and 2020 preparation weekend that I discovered this innovation. Thanks to Ralf! So I decided to replace the BMS of my battery (battery management system) by a model with a bluetooth communication device. It cost me about thirty euros and a little more time than I imagined for
The battery of my solar bike connected in bluetooth! Lire la suite »
Apparently nothing has changed between the March version and the April version 3.1. I simply changed the 3 solar panels! I replaced the old economics panels with high quality panels, made of the latest Sunpower ™ Maxeon photovoltaic cells, in the highest “class” or “grade”. Indeed, after manufacture, the cells are sorted into different classes
New on the Solarduino Bike: version 3.1 in test! Lire la suite »
Previous editions of the Sun trip have seen a wide variety of bikes: Classic straight bikes, tandems, but also recumbent bikes, recumbent tricycles, tandem-lying tricycles, cargo bikes, a seated/reclining tandem and, for a short appearance, a family bike with 4 wheels… But no mobile bikes had yet participated. This will be the case this year
A new type of solar bike on the Sun trip tour 2019! Lire la suite »
It was during the course of preparation for Sun trip 2019 and 2020, in Lans-en-Vercors, that Christophe Dugué gave us important information about solar panels. In a very clear presentation, he explained to us the design and operation of a solar panel, the definition of its technical characteristics (maximum power) etc… Christophe also informed us
The operation of a solar panel, by Christophe Dugué Lire la suite »
In mid April, the Sun trip team organized a weekend of preparation for the Sun trip. The aim of this internship was to help the participants better prepare themselves from a technical point of view: understand the operation of solar panels, know the different components of a bike with electric assistance (motor, controller, battery…), share
Preparation for Sun Trip 2019 and 2020 Lire la suite »
This week, I installed new, very good quality solar panels on my bike. Their real power is 86% higher than that of my old panels. I went from Solarduino Bike 3.0 to version 3.1! How much did my new 2019 solar bike cost? I counted the different elements used. I acquired some for the first
Cost of my new solar bike: Solarduino Bike version 3.1 Lire la suite »
