This is so inspirational!! I’m very interested in doing something like this myself.
@SolarTrails7 күн бұрын
Go for it! It's fun, exciting, and rewarding. Plus, it's much cheaper than buying a sports car or going on an exotic trip around the world.
@PenguinEmpress878 күн бұрын
First time watching! Fun video! Can’t wait to learn more about what you’re doing!
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@georgeholder50768 күн бұрын
What are the Pros/Cons of attaching the trailer to the axil ? What are the Pros/Cons of attaching the trailer to the Seat post ? Side Note - I also like the long form 20/40 min 😎
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
I never tried a seat post attached trailer so I cannot comment on that. The axle attachment is said to be more stable and handles better at high speeds and during turns. I'm quite happy with this attachment method. Cons: sometimes, when I'm on rough terrain, it can jerk loose the skewer's quick release lever of the rear dropout. Thanks for your feedback on length. It is much appreciated!
@banksarenotyourfriends8 күн бұрын
Just to complicate things, I will go against the grain and say I prefer the longer video format! For me, around 20-40 mins is the sweet spot - but to be honest if you just make shorter videos and put them in a playlist, I suppose it makes no difference really 🙃 You should definitely talk a bit more or add written comments on screen that explain more about the area you are in though. P.S. I love flooded forest ecosystems, they are so rich with life. It looks like 2024 is going to be a good year for amphibians (and their predators) on the Danube!
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thank you! Very useful advices. In future videos I'll try to provide more comments on the environment I'm in. Yes, these floodplain forests are incredibly interesting, a whole new world.
@MarkSpohr8 күн бұрын
I would like to hear more about history and culture. Perhaps you could add chapter markings to longer videos.
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thanks, Mark! Your suggestions are always useful!
@skyl4rk8 күн бұрын
I prefer shorter video, but otherwise your format is good. Shared to subreddit solarebike.
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Awesome, thank you! Your feedback is much appreciated.
@TalalNasser728 күн бұрын
Thank you for this amazing video. In terms of feedback, i agree with the other comment that 15-20 minutes are great. I also think it depends on the trip.
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thank you! Your feedback is appreciated, duly noted!
@SB-hr5yr8 күн бұрын
My opinion would be around 15 20 minutes. I'm guessing 40 minutes would be okay if it was very specific detailed information or reviews of a certain products but just as a general bicycle touring video 15 -20. I guess it's possible to make longer videos and to divide them up into two or three shorter ones Míg egy 40 perces videó túl hosszú lehet az általános közönség számára, a szűkebb, elkötelezett nézők körében jól működhet. A szélesebb vonzerő érdekében célozzon 15-20 percre, kiegyensúlyozva a részletes tartalmat az érdekes vizuális elemekkel és személyes reflexiókkal.
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thanks! Your feedback is much appreciated! Köszönöm.
@VeloSolarTech_Alex9 күн бұрын
That jumper idea was smart. I am going to copy that but not in a way to connect more panels. More like a On/Off switch for when leaving the bike to go into a store for an example. Nice video. Btw. I have my wattmeter connected after the Genasun so I see exactly what they put in the battery.
@SolarTrails8 күн бұрын
Thanks! Yes, I know I messed it up a bit and realized it too late. However, Genasun claims 98% efficiency, so the difference should be minimal. At the next overhaul, I will definitely put the wattmeter after the charge controller.
@michaelbrownlee949711 күн бұрын
Why not design your trailer to double as a cot, keeps you off the ground, for healthy outdoor sleeps.. Also place battery in trailer, low center of gravity and its water proof. A bigger light wieght tent, small cooking stove. Then you can sit on your chair, in your tent, by your bed, with a hot cuppa surfing on your laptop, e book...bigger tent put bike in there for security and privacy
@SolarTrails11 күн бұрын
I've been thinking along these lines, too. However, I don't currently have the right structure for it. This trailer is not sturdy enough to bear my weight. A sturdier trailer would add even more weight to carry around. I was considering a foldable tent that can easily and quickly be folded out or back into the trailer, so the trailer would only carry the weight of the tent, not mine. I'm still exploring options.
@michaelbrownlee949710 күн бұрын
@@SolarTrails I havent seen any nice designs either. Just my two cents, having a bike all loaded up with gear is not fun too ride. Dragging a trailer around is an improvement, especially if it's full of creature comforts at the end of the day, destination
@MichaelFergusonVideos24 күн бұрын
Interesting, thanks!
@MichaelFergusonVideos25 күн бұрын
Interesting trip!
@SolarTrails25 күн бұрын
It was!
@tdiddle8950Ай бұрын
A relaxing and informative video. Loved it.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Thank you! :-)
@merseyianАй бұрын
I have had 3 or 4 of these cheap wattmeter one miscalculates the watt hours by 1/4 and another is out by 18% on the amp. Just something t9 be aware of.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Do you have a suggestion for a more reliable alternative?
@georgeholder5076Ай бұрын
I have tried 4 times to post go to my page and look for the latest video "Moon setting , Sun rising"
@lasi_eisbaerАй бұрын
That boar situation, the comments and then the next scene where the happy music just continues as if nothing had happened 😂
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
If I had more experience in editing, I would probably have made this part less abrupt. However, I couldn't think of anything else. After all, nothing happened. :-)
@georgeholder5076Ай бұрын
@solar trails , Would you like to see a short video of the start of my weekend ride ?
@@SolarTrails Search my page for " Moon Setting Sun rising " because youtube isn't letting me post the link here
@MarkSpohrАй бұрын
The old panel seems to be holding up well in spite of the wear and tear and submersion.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Yes! I'm satisfied with this panel.
@MarkSpohrАй бұрын
Amazing! Bronze age buildings.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
I have visited this place several times (the village is called Velem), and even I didn't know about these buildings. While plotting my route on the map for this video, I accidentally discovered them and thought it would be a good place to start my trip.
@Adventures4vidaАй бұрын
Wish I had bike paths like that around here!
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Yes, the paths around Fertő (Neusiedler) Lake are well-maintained, safe, and very popular. However, this is not typical. Both Austria and Hungary have a growing number of bike paths, but much work still needs to be done.
@Adventures4vidaАй бұрын
@@SolarTrails yea you can find some really nice paths in the US but its not typical either.
@banksarenotyourfriendsАй бұрын
"The night was cold and full of errors" 😂
@AB-kg6rkАй бұрын
excellent and informative video. I like your music too.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@AB-kg6rkАй бұрын
i love the intro song, whos the Artist and the name of the song???
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Thanks, I love this song too. The title is Bad Bad Barn Yard. (bit.ly/3zkkRZ4)
@perroaventuraАй бұрын
Nice setup. I love cycling and solar gadgets. Beautiful landscape too. Good work!
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Awesome, thank you!
@nomade34.Ай бұрын
Good job
@nomade34.Ай бұрын
Hello good job
@merseyianАй бұрын
You shoot and edit some great video what camera are you using.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Thanks so much! I'm using a simple GoPro 11 and Davinci Resolve for editing.
@georgeholder5076Ай бұрын
I see you go from solar to mppt to battery -- What type of connection do you use to go from mppt to battery ? (my battery uses a 3 pin for charging)
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
My charge connection also has 3 pins, but in reality, only 2 pins are used. I googled a lot to find out what exactly this connector is and to my amazement, it turned out that it's some kind of audio connector. The name is "AC-C-X3M". You just have to find out which pins are actually used and which one is the + and -.
@MarkSpohrАй бұрын
Love your videos. Beautiful and very interesting to see a part of the world that I've only visited briefly a long time ago (and without the benefit of "slow" bike travel). I love maps and I really appreciate your animated maps of your travel. It's really interesting to see how you manage battery and charging on these trips. I'm thinking of doing some longer "solar powered" trips and this is useful information.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
It makes me really happy to see you as a faithful follower! Your feedback is incredibly welcome and valuable. In fact, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing someone inspired to create something similar. I wish you all the best and many happy rides ahead. Feel free to ask anything - I'm happy to help, even if my experience is still growing.
@rl5271Ай бұрын
Another very enjoyable trip "with" you! I am binge watching, but alas I must get some sleep. I'll be back! Ride far. Ride safely.
@rl5271Ай бұрын
Thank you for a very enjoyable ride through beautiful countryside. I'm new to e-biking and this made me want to start planning for a trip. I really liked seeing the old ruins! I already have the bike, a trailer, both panels and a sleeping bag, so I should have no excuse for not getting out there. Also, I like your choice of and variety of music! Best wishes. Ride far. Ride safely.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
Thank you so much! I wish you many nice rides!
@Bobster986Ай бұрын
Isn’t it dangerous for the controller if you charge it while the bike is on? 😮
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
The built-in Battery Management System (BMS) plays a crucial role here. It ensures safe operation by regulating current flow (input from the panels and output to the motor). It works independently of the controllers (motor controller and solar charge controller). However, it's important to ask a qualified professional for advice before replicating this setup. Different battery chemistries and BMS features can impact safe operation.
@solarcabinАй бұрын
Looks good! I put my solar ebike camper together 3 years ago. I use a power station and the charger that comes with the ebike so it works with any ebike and I have power for other small appliances and gadgets when camping.
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
You have some awesome videos! I subbed to your channel!
@DeafsiglanguagewolrdАй бұрын
Cycle camping hiking Volga you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ world 🌎🌎🌍🌍🌍 good 👍👍 you
@djfmitvАй бұрын
Have noticed you've changed the solar charger you're using from the MPT-7210A to a Genasun - What is your conclusion between the two and are you going to be trying any others? Just the high price tag of the Genasun (and their rather difficult payment system) is putting me off when creating my hybrid ebike charging system
@SolarTrailsАй бұрын
The MPT-7210A has a rather annoying bug or design flaw. Whenever light intensity decreases, it resets itself and takes up to 30 seconds to ramp up production again. This wouldn’t be an issue on a clear day, but when there are clouds or the panel is moving, this power-down-power-up cycle is virtually continuous. Additionally, the MPT is not waterproof. Initially, I was deterred by the price tag of the Genasun, but I eventually decided to go for it, and I'm glad I did. As long as the Genasun works, I don't plan on trying others. Honestly, I don't think there is anything on the market that would beat it. I bought it from Grin Technologies, which offered it at a lower price than Genasun itself, and there were no payment problems. I would love to see your system! :-)
@Bobster9862 ай бұрын
I didn’t see a tool or first aid kit, important items you should always carry in your cart. 😊
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
You are absolutely right, these are essential items. The long black bag on the top tube has all the tools. Complete with pump, pressure gauge, inner tube, zip ties, multitool, chain tool, pliers, small knife, puncture repair kit, etc. The first aid kit is not waterproof so I carry it in the red food bag.
@pabloschonffeldt2 ай бұрын
This is impressive. Excellent work. I see a person here with dedication, experience, and knowledge. I aspire to build something similar for myself in the future, and make trips to the south of my country, Chile.
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Thanks mate, I really appreciate it! Go for it, it's fun, it's exciting and it's incredibly fulfilling.
@rossmunro99462 ай бұрын
Is balancing battery size to weight and panel wattage critical to be successful in long-distance e-biking?
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Absolutely! However, battery size matters most in terms of having enough range. I aim for 4-5 hours of riding, even on rough terrain. The solar panel(s) wattage should be sufficient to recharge the battery in another 4-5 hours. This ensures a complete charge and discharge cycle within a day (in good weather). As seen in many KZfaq videos, mismatched panel wattage is a common reason people lose faith in solar-powered biking. For example, a 50W or even a 100W panel simply can't recharge a large 1kWh battery in a few hours, this would be an unrealistic expectation. Math is simple: a 100W panel, under ideal circumstances (perpendicular to the sun, no clouds, light breeze to cool the panels) would take at least 10 hours to charge a 1kWh battery from 0 to 100%. This is an oversimplified scenario, of course. In reality, discharging the battery completely is unlikely, and conditions are rarely perfect. Terrain is a huge factor: it can cut your range to a fraction.
@kierank012 ай бұрын
Have you thought about packing the extra panels on top of your other gear? That way, you could be charging with higher power, while you unpack & pack each time...every joule of energy counts
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Yes, I am thinking about a different arrangement where the other solar panel can be more easily accessed. I don't have a definitive plan in mind, but sooner or later, I'll get there. At the moment, this arrangement works pretty well. Given my lazy style, on a sunny day, I have more energy than I can possibly store in the battery.
@GroovyVideo22 ай бұрын
I have a Sur Ron with 3000 all solar powered miles on it
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Amazing! Way to go!
@HansKeesom2 ай бұрын
I have been trying to do the same and although technically it is working there are 3 problems I never use it. - buing a second (swappable and/or external in trailer) battery gave me range more then I wlll need - as illustrated by the electricity pole in the background at 3:15, electricity is everywhere and so are outlets you can use when you ask friendly and show how little you use with a portable meter - solar is often very slow, both while drivng or when stationary compared to the 1 kWh you can charge overnight However, just for the fun of it, I am thinking of an extension pole for my Burly coho, so I can drive with longer solarpanels The subject still fascinates me -)
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
You are right, of course. On shorter rides two batteries or even a single battery is perfectly fine. And if your rides are near populated areas, you should be all set as you will always have access to an outlet. In my case it is a bit different. I usually go to pretty remote places. (In this "How I charge my ebike" video I just rode out to the nearby field to demonstrate the procedure.) Difficult terrains also drastically reduce range. Dirt paths, gravel roads, grassy areas, especially with steep inclines tend to drain your battery pretty fast. Anyway, these videos are not made with the intent to tell the only true way. It's more like a proof of concept, where I would like to do experiments and show the advantages and disadvantages of temporarily being cut off of civilization. And I feel you, the subject utterly fascinates me too! :-)
@22Vets2 ай бұрын
Amazing sunset on day 1. Great video!
@22Vets2 ай бұрын
Awesome videos & very chill. 🙏 New sub here. Prost 🍻
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Thanks! :-)
@briansmythe30002 ай бұрын
Putty you can't hook into them over head Power lines Have her changed in no time 😮
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Well, there would be some drawbacks as well. :-)
@johnshortman-dh9qc2 ай бұрын
Couldn't handle the music had to stop watching
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that. I'm a beginner on KZfaq and open to changes. What was the problem? It was the volume, the genre or something else?
@johnshortman-dh9qc2 ай бұрын
@@SolarTrails too repetitive for my liking enjoyed the video though
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback!
@noexplanation4343Ай бұрын
All part of the process, your humbleness inspires me!
@noexplanation4343Ай бұрын
Very relaxing btw
@samajier25662 ай бұрын
Very nice,,,,
@charlesmuellerjr.3202 ай бұрын
Well documented! What software did you use for the beautiful maps and data reporting?
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Thank you, I really appreciate it! I use Blender to create 3D maps and a bit of coding in Python and Blender script (also Python-based) to incorporate the data from the gps track and consumption data that I record while on the go.
@charlesmuellerjr.3202 ай бұрын
@@SolarTrails Wow! Beautifully done. As a solar bike rider, one can really understand your electric use , terrain, and charging. Well done!
@georgeholder50762 ай бұрын
17:00 That's "Fast-food" delivered LoL 😎 What is the brand name of your trailer ?
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
Haha, right. I bought the trailer from a brand (and/or company) named VidaXL. I suppose the trailer bears the same name.
@AronTuber2 ай бұрын
Seeing those ruins, it felt like in a FPS game 😂. Absolutely wonderful
@solar-e-bike-touring-europe2 ай бұрын
You connected the panels in series, that way you will only reach max 200W combined. If you connect the panels parallel you will in theory reach the max of 300W - that way it is also better when one panel gets shaded.
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
At first, I tried connecting the panels in parallel, but this caused the current to exceed the upper input limit of the Genasun charge controller. The battery's BMS limits power to about 160W anyway...
@solar-e-bike-touring-europe2 ай бұрын
@@SolarTrailsOk than it does not matter. I use a 1.3 Kw 12.8V/100Ah LiFePo battery for storage in the trailer. Next to that a solar charger from Victron (75/15). This year I use a setup with 2 lightweight solapanels of 130 W each. While riding I only use one (stacked on eachother). At campsites I use both in parallel. In 2022 I used one bigger flex panel of 200W, made a 2000Km tour (4 weeks), got 36 Kw in total from the sun.
@SolarTrails2 ай бұрын
@@solar-e-bike-touring-europe I love your setup, very impressive! And I subscribed to your channel. Let's change the world! 🙂