Flexible PV Panels

[Joe Blake]

I'm toying with the idea of adding two more PV panels to my trike's (on-board) array.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/saxeharp/trike/trike03.jpg

These are Uni-Solar flexibles, nominally about 2.69 watts each at no-load 12 volts.

In haunting my local lolly shop - - er, 12 Volt Shop, and surfing the 'net, it appears that Uni-Solar has discontinued manufacture of this product.

Does anybody have suggestions where I may get a similar panel to augment the present lot, or perhaps replace the entire array? They must be light, frameless, and flexible, as well as the above power rating.

I'd consider as an alternative a rigid (but unframed) single panel that would generate about 15 watts, but obviously it must be suitable to mount on the rear of the trike, and be light, as well as being of a shape that will not cause a traffic hazard - ie too wide.

Thanks,

Joe

[Ralph Day]

Hi Joe
It must be a bugger to pedal that bike uphill with the battery in there...when the battery is just LOAD and no help. Nice setup, but I wonder what happens if dogs come at you? You're awfully close to their business end (teeth) in that recumbent seating arrangement. Any personal defense items like broom handles and the like squirreled away?:amazed:

Ralph

[Joe Blake]

I actually carry a water pistol for exactly that reason. A mixture of water and methylated alcohol, painful but not permanently damaging.

I don't find the extra mass too intimidating. I use the motor either when I'm in a hurry or to get up a great big hill (Welshpool Road), but otherwise it's hardly noticeable.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/solar-trikey-ma.html

This link goes into more detail on how I created it. Continue on into the comments, because I answered some questions from some of the readers.

Joe

[Ken Kelln]

I have 32 watt Laminates in stock from Uni-Solar.
They ere used to power golf carts
Regards Ken Kelln



I'm toying with the idea of adding two more PV panels to my trike's (on-board) array.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/saxeharp/trike/trike03.jpg

These are Uni-Solar flexibles, nominally about 2.69 watts each at no-load 12 volts.

In haunting my local lolly shop - - er, 12 Volt Shop, and surfing the 'net, it appears that Uni-Solar has discontinued manufacture of this product.

Does anybody have suggestions where I may get a similar panel to augment the present lot, or perhaps replace the entire array? They must be light, frameless, and flexible, as well as the above power rating.

I'd consider as an alternative a rigid (but unframed) single panel that would generate about 15 watts, but obviously it must be suitable to mount on the rear of the trike, and be light, as well as being of a shape that will not cause a traffic hazard - ie too wide.

Thanks,

Joe

[Joe Blake]

Thanks for that info Ken. I've gotten around the problem by taking four panels off my larger array and fixing them to the back of the trike.

There's another thread showing the results.


Joe