Moped Riders Association

Tab · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:21 am Post subject: Living off the grid

This is fascinating. This guy has converted his full size electric scooter into a solar charging scooter. Here's the full story...
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4430/

Cyberian · Guest

Very impressive!

I wonder if he needs to (solar) charge the bike while at work for his 5 mile drive home?

If not, and those panels were mounted on the ground at his home, I think it would be a much nicer looking bike, and probably have quite a bit less air drag on it.

willie · Net Rider Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Grand Rapids,Mi.

I bet he does (need to charge while at work).I had an EBIKE a couple of years back and although it looked nice and rode nice it sucked juice.They claimed a 18 mile range but it was more like 5-7 miles,less if you encountered any hills.I would drive it to work,about 5 miles away and it would need to sit on charger for 2-4 hours.Then home and repeat.top speed about 18mph.I do like the solar panels though and it might work nice in say Arizona or Texas but here in Michigan I would probably be pushing it home a lot.I read an interesting article in Popular Science about a company that is developing a Fuel Cell motorcyle/moped capable of 50mph that looked very promising.Willie

Tab · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:21 am Post subject: re: Living off the grid

Actually, a wind turbine would work great here! He made many tweaks to his scoot, though. If I remember correctly, he is using Ni-Mh batteries instead of lead acid.
My trip to work is 10 miles, 1 direction - with hills for the last mile. I'd probably need two battery packs!

HondaNC50 · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject: re: Living off the grid

most of those full size electric scoots go pretty damn good and a lot of them will smoke a gas scoot off the line the EVT brand ones do get 30-45 miles off a charge i been thinking about buying one either an EVT or an Ego2LX unless i see a better one for around the same money

im not worried about range too much since i can walk to my work in 5 minutes and all the stores are right down the street around here they would be great

willie · Net Rider Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Grand Rapids,Mi.

Although I will probably stick with 2 strokes,there does appear to be a lot of interesting electrics coming out recently.Check out the higher-end ones on this site.http://www.electric-bikes.com/motorcys.htm Some claim speeds of 80mph and dynotested HP ratings of 18 horses...How about the $18000 electric chopper for Smitty...Willie