Solar Generators?

[OldGoatMTB]

I'm planning my next long van trip, and this time I have an e-bike. I am considering getting one of those "Solar generators" (basically just a big battery with an inverter) to charge the bike battery, and charge/operate a few other devices. Of course the "generators" need to be charged, which would require either finding AC from time to time or actually putting a solar panel on the roof, which is probably what I would do. Has anyone ever used one of these solar generators to charge their ebike?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I think (maybe incorrectly) .. that @routrax had some in van charging options ?

 

[118]

Prior to lockdown, when I went away for a weekends worth of riding, I used a 100w flexi solar panel (charge controller/leisure batteries/inverter) attached to the inside of my windscreen using threaded suction cups. I'll admit it makes driving a little hazardous, if left in place to do so, however I'm lucky enough to have a vehicle big enough, to store inside, when not in use.. Just be sure to park your vehicle, facing the sun..

 

[arawa]

A friend has one fitted in his motor home to charge his and his wife’s bike. He has a 350 watt solar panel that feeds a leisure battery. Then a cheapo inverter (ie, not pure sine wave) connected to the leisure battery with the bike’s charger plugged into the inverter. It works perfectly and has done so for over 2 years now.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Prior to lockdown, when I went away for a weekends worth of riding, I used a 100w flexi solar panel (charge controller/leisure batteries/inverter) attached to the inside of my windscreen using threaded suction cups. I'll admit it makes driving a little hazardous, if left in place to do so, however I'm lucky enough to have a vehicle big enough, to store inside, when not in use.. Just be sure to park your vehicle, facing the sun..

On first glance the flexible panels look appealing, but most of them seem to die within a few years.

 

[arawa]

On first glance the flexible panels look appealing, but most of them seem to die within a few years.

Things might have changed since I researched the issue thoroughly before fitting solar panels to my boat, but all the reviews and dealers then recommended rigid or semi-rigid ones for both longevity and best output. My friend’s panel is rigid and is mounted on the van’s roof where it just works quietly away when driving or parked.

 

[118]

On first glance the flexible panels look appealing, but most of them seem to die within a few years.

Technology improves.. The reasoning behind installing it inside the van, was to keep it cooler and cleaner, not scrambling upon the roof to clean etc.. Perhaps a 100w is somewhat overkill..! My flexi panel has a 15yr guarantee and as it's not exposed to the elements, i'd hope it will out last, both my leisure and eeb batteries..

I will agree that glass panels produce slightly more power, however, the flex tech is closing the gap.

 

[routrax]

I think (maybe incorrectly) .. that @routrax had some in van charging options ?

You've got a good memory Zim!

I've got this installed in my van, with two 110ah leisure batteries and 150w flexi panel on the roof.

Charges from the engine via a voltage sensing relay (top middle black box), 240v with the blue charger on the right. I've also got a 15a victron mppt controller.
I run a fridge and charge a laptop/ebike/whatever with no difficulty in the summer.
Works pretty well, but another 150W would be a good idea in the UK.

 

[urastus]

I have subscribed to this youtube channel. Much of their interest and content is about solar power in RV's and vans. They're based on your side of the pond too

 

[routrax]

Got these on the roof of my boat

800w into a Tracer mppt and a 225ah 24v battery bank (4 x 6v semi traction batteries).
This works brilliantly and runs all of my domestic electricity (fridge freezer, TV, xbox, laptop, charging ebike, etc) for about 9 months a year. In the winter I need to run a generator and charge my batteries that way.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Nice setups. I'm thinking maybe 200 watts or so of panels on top of my Ford Econoline running into something like a Jackery or Bluetti solar generator. The most complicated part of the install would be mounting the panels onto a roof rack. I like the idea of charging from the engine, but don't think I'll be driving enough on the average day to keep the batteries topped off. In addition to charging the ebike I'll want to charge my other devices and maybe run some small appliances a little. I may eventually want to add a DC powered refrigerator, too, but for now make do with an ice chest.

 

[BrianWansle]

I use 2 100 watts of Renogy panels and Renogy Pure Gel Battery. I decided to use Renogy when I read this article

 

[Akiwi]

It might be worth looking at the travel DC Charger (if its available for your motor type) as it will be more efficient. otherwise you are converting from DC to ac and back to DC when using the inverter. each time loosing efficiency. I can't find it on the bosch site any longer..

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I wish Shimano had A DC charger. I just ordered a Jackery 1000 as they were having a Father's Day sale. Do they have that Hallmark holiday in the UK?

 

[Andrew Coates]

I’ve been using Jackery Explorer 240 for a few camping trips and it was really helpful. I was able to cook stuff in a portable oven, make some eggs and pasta on a portable cooktop, charge all the phones we had. The solar panel helps a lot because it was really sunny and I didn’t have to worry about this thing going out of charge.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

It's nice having electricity. I have a little DC refrigerator and an induction burner, and I can charge my bike and devices, too. I have solar panels, just not installed yet.

 

[urastus]

This isn't helpful to OldGoat's van, apparently hybrid cars are very effective at recharging batteries. I was subscribed to a youtube channel for van based travelers - lots of info on solar charging, toilets, showers etc. One popular choice for nomads was to use a hybrid car and not bother with solar. I think the car's engine kicked in automatically when needed, and not for long. For example, if someone was sleeping with the air con or heating on, the engine might kick in for half an hour through the night to top up the cells.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

This isn't helpful to OldGoat's van, apparently hybrid cars are very effective at recharging batteries. I was subscribed to a youtube channel for van based travelers - lots of info on solar charging, toilets, showers etc. One popular choice for nomads was to use a hybrid car and not bother with solar. I think the car's engine kicked in automatically when needed, and not for long. For example, if someone was sleeping with the air con or heating on, the engine might kick in for half an hour through the night to top up the cells.

Yes, I have a Prius, but not good for charging anything else.

 

[carlbiker]

Technology improves.. The reasoning behind installing it inside the van, was to keep it cooler and cleaner, not scrambling upon the roof to clean etc.. Perhaps a 100w is somewhat overkill..! My flexi panel has a 15yr guarantee and as it's not exposed to the elements, i'd hope it will out last, both my leisure and eeb batteries..

I will agree that glass panels produce slightly more power, however, the flex tech is closing the gap.

What’s the cost of this kind of setup?

 

[carlbiker]

Just wondering would this be an easy alternative? If you have a spare battery you have two already then this kind of thing ‘just in case’? BA2800T 5.0Ah Battery | EGO Power Plus there’s a 7.5 amp that might charge faster but it’s £100 more

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Just wondering would this be an easy alternative? If you have a spare battery you have two already then this kind of thing ‘just in case’? BA2800T 5.0Ah Battery | EGO Power Plus there’s a 7.5 amp that might charge faster but it’s £100 more

What are you asking? It looks like that EGO battery is just for their line of yard equipment.

 

[urastus]

Yes, I have a Prius, but not good for charging anything else.

I think they meant very economical at charging it's own batteries. So they use the battery power of the hybrid while camping (eg, charge up an ebike). The motor kicks in every now and then to keep the car's batteries topped up, or to whatever charge range they work on.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I think they meant very economical at charging it's own batteries. So they use the battery power of the hybrid while camping (eg, charge up an ebike). The motor kicks in every now and then to keep the car's batteries topped up, or to whatever charge range they work on.

Oh, you mean an inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter? I guess that would work but don't know if I would want to do that myself.

 

[hogicid]

You've got a good memory Zim!

I've got this installed in my van, with two 110ah leisure batteries and 150w flexi panel on the roof.
View attachment 31690
Charges from the engine via a voltage sensing relay (top middle black box), 240v with the blue charger on the right. I've also got a 15a victron mppt controller.
I run a fridge and charge a laptop/ebike/whatever with no difficulty in the summer.
Works pretty well, but another solar powered generator 150W would be a good idea in the UK.

Yes, using a solar generator to charge your e-bike is a great option for van trips. Many e-bike owners do this successfully with models like the Bluetti or EcoFlow paired with roof-mounted solar panels. Ensure the generator’s output wattage matches your e-bike charger requirements (usually 100-200W for most chargers). Solar panels can keep the generator charged, but panel size and sunlight availability will impact charging speed. For efficient operation, calculate your e-bike's battery capacity and daily usage to ensure the generator has enough capacity. It’s a convenient setup for off-grid adventures, especially when paired with solar panels for continuous power.