Solar Vehicles

I have made my 24v scooter run from 7 lifepo cells (10ahr)
I have put a 5v 5w solar panel on each cell.
I like this better than charging a string and worrying about balancing.
I never run it down too far and leave it in the sun 2 or 3 days. Between rides. Luckily it never seems to overcharge the cells as they are all around 3.3 v when ever i measure them.

Complex question, but what is the optimum voltage to charge cells at in theory. Would i be better with a 4v 5w panel?
Im wondering if a cell charges proportionally to the voltage? In theory does a 5v 1amp charger put power in better than a 4v 1.25a charger?

Solar/wind charging, 4 wheel hub motors, I'm interested.

Stinger Motors Inc. Looks like they don't have a website yet but they are featured on this site:

http://www.sunvee.com/solarevs.htm

They do have a pdf though

I'm just thinking ahead here..

I just ordered myself a vectrix, and I was thinking: there must be a way to recharge this with the power of the sun.
Not directly, but indirectly of course.

I don't know much about solar stuff or electronics, but could the following be realistic somehow?

-Find some old or cheap solar panels
-hook them to recharge (enough) (old car-)batteries
-convert the 12V DC to 220 V AC
-plug in vehicle when needed.

I have no idea how to set this up, but I guess some people here could help me out with the theory?

from here I'm just guessing:

-A car battery gives about 45 - 60 AH? lets take 50.. so that would mean 50amps, 1 hour? or 10 amps 5 hours? 10 amps 12v = 120w
-I believe the vectrix needs 5KW to recharge? spread over 5 hours = 1kw/H
-so if I'd hook 10 full car batteries together, they could deliver 5 hours x 1KW? is that a correct assumption?
-let's assume 200w worth of solar panels.. how long would it take to recharge those batteries?

maybe I'm off somwhere?
It may seem a silly idea, but it would make my vectrix really CO2-free!

This amazing solar car is currently in Seattle. Marcelo will be driving down the west coast in the coming weeks. If you can see the car, it is like a UFO on the road.

http://peakoilgarage.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/solar-car-xof1-in-seattle-now/

The story, the gallery and a cool video are at that link above.

A solar car has been developed at National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, built to compete in races such as the Australian World Solar Challenge (WSC). It's not clear whether they mean to produce these for sale on the market.

It's a low speed EV but due to it's light weight they can completely charge the pack in ?3? hours of sunlight.

There are links below -- the gizmodo article calls this ugly, so much for taste.

I am thinking about using these for a Non-EV prototype

if any one has this months Pop-science they did an article on them and the processes on how they make solar panels with No Silicon!

if any one has more info please tell me

MiKeM

Been cruising the the forums researching ways to fine tune my recent e-scooter acquisition. I figured I might as well post a picture of our Lido. 2x 175w AEE panels, 48v 3000w brushed motor w/ 'turbo button'.

I have scavenged some vintage panels from the Carrizo install in California hoping to arrange a full time charging 'station' for my scooter so perhaps it too will qualify as a solar vehicle.

Enjoy, and thanks to the forums for all of the helpful information.

My E-Toy
Is a real solar scooter, as in, was made that way.
MiniSport, SS 2000 (red) Solar Scooter.

"Specifications:

•Dual speed settings: "turbo" (0-15mph) and "economy" (0-9 mph)
•Range: 18 miles (distance varies with rider weight, tire pressure, terrain and other variables)
•Capacity: 300 lbs. on level ground; 200lbs. up a 10 degree grade
•Drive Train: 24V permanent magnet DC electric motor; High-torque 10:1 reduction transmission; Sealed precision ball bearings for wheels
•Braking: Two enclosed drum brakes, manually-controlled via morot-scotter-style handlebar levers; Dynamic motor-braking system controlled via a push-button swotch on handlebars
•"Smart" Controller actively charges the battery while coasting
•Controls/Guages:Acceleration-deceleration via motor-scooter-style, twist gripe throttle control; Key switch on/off; Economy/Turbo speed control switch located on left handset for easy switching; Horn button; Speedometer with intergrated analog volt meter (SS2000); Manual headlight/taillight switch (SS2000); LED volt meter (MiniSport)
•"Smart" Digital Electronics: Automic shutoff after five minutes of non-operation; Over-discharge protection for increased battery life; Delayed acceleration circurity for smooth starts; Charge circuitry safety loop to prevent scooter operation while charging; Battey charging is enabled when coasting downhill; Over-voltage protection, 50 Amp breaker-type fuse
•Battery: 24 Volt, 20 Amp/hr, sealed lead acid gel-cell battery
•Charging Systems: High efficiency 300 milliAmp solar panel charger (built into deck); Overnight 1.5 Amp wall outlet (120/200 VAC) charger (included); 3-5 hour 4.0 Amp wall outlet (120/220 VAC) rapid charger (optional)
•Folded Dimensions: 19" H x 16" W x 47.5" L
•Weight: MiniSport-75 lbs. total curb weight, 46 lbs. (w/o battery and rack/cowling assembly);
SS2000-79 lbs. total curb weight, 49 lbs. (w/a battery and rack/cowling assembly); Battery-27.5 lbs.
•Turning Radius: 41"
•Wheel Base Lenth: 32"
•Seat to Floor Height: 31"
•Ground Clearance: 3"
•Tires: Three 10.5" pneumatic
•One year warranty on parts for manufacturing defects, 90 day replacement warranty on battery and labor
•Color options: Cobalt Blue (metallic), Royal Red (metallic), Snowy White or Raven Black"

This scooter was bought for my mothers husband back in 2000 by my brothers and I.
Pa, didn't like the way the leaning front part of the frame worked and locked it up. He also bought a dual rear wheel set-up from the factory and it has dual rear wheels now.(5 tires total)
After they gave it to me last fall I bought a new battery set and now want to change the front end a bit, (chopped and tilted a bit back at top and forward at bottem side).
What I'd really like is some more power and speed!!!!

Don Dunklee's DIY Solar Cycle
by Dominic Muren, Chicago, USA on 04.20.05
Cars & Transportation

TH_bikermain_031905.jpg We 'huggers loves us some scooters. They're gorgeous, efficient, and lot of them even go electric which opens up all kinds of alt-energy potential. Even so, most of us would probably end up charging our electric bikes with the garage power outlet. But not Don. In true Treehugger style, he's converted his EVT 4000E into a mobile electric solar power station...

Living for the past 20 years off the grid, Don is no stranger to rigging solar power systems. And with a need to commute to work every day, a solar electric scooter was a natural choice.

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