Solar E-Bike Trailer! Construction and Field Trip!

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 936

  • @russelldold4827
    @russelldold4827 2 роки тому +245

    I regard this video as one of the brightest among your many gems. Technology, historical context, beautiful countryside, project assessment and food independence! Thank you for sharing!

  • @martinsmith251
    @martinsmith251 2 роки тому +45

    I love the philosophy of “Just build it!” And “It doesn’t have to be perfect, good will do”. Failing/not getting it right also leads to learning so even though you might “lose” you will always win! Always love your work and videos BTW.

  • @SeanHodgins
    @SeanHodgins 2 роки тому +257

    Can't wait to see your take on an E-Bike build. That garden is amazing!

    • @paulvale2985
      @paulvale2985 2 роки тому +7

      Same here.

    • @marcryvon
      @marcryvon 2 роки тому +2

      Here too ! 👏

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 2 роки тому +2

      Same here, I want to see what bike he chooses to convert.

    • @Banditos1200
      @Banditos1200 2 роки тому

      Hopefully powerful with many extras 😀

  • @johnbutler5650
    @johnbutler5650 2 роки тому +1

    Don’t forget to tell people that, in addition to liking and subscribing to your videos; to please watch until the actual end of the video! The UA-cam algorithms will make sure to suggest your videos across a wider spectrum of viewership if the video is played completely. I don’t pretend to fully understand how this works, but several of the people that I am subscribed to have found that it helps with there performance numbers. Great video, and I hope that your foot is feeling better!

  • @billk9628
    @billk9628 6 місяців тому +4

    "Dare to cut back on your perfectionism" Great quote! Probably the best advice one can give!

  • @GreenJimll
    @GreenJimll 2 роки тому +60

    Your Dad's garden looks great - good terraced growing on the hillside. And the bike trailer looks like a top job too.

  • @prixmyo
    @prixmyo 2 роки тому +4

    Seeing your dads veggie garden reminds me of my grandfather, the older generation thought different. Being able to be self sufficient and self reliant is important.
    A great watch!

  • @spacejihadist4246
    @spacejihadist4246 2 роки тому +2

    I'm glad you weren't attacked by those cows. I was out camping a year ago and got attacked by three cows out of nowhere. I climbed the nearest tree I could see and stayed there for an hour. They trampled all over my tent and knocked down my dinner. Most of the tent poles were broken, but luckily, I had an extra tarp as a shelter. I picked up my steak from the ground, washed off the dirt and cooked it again. With a full belly, I somehow slept like a rock that night.

  • @usafrescue5816
    @usafrescue5816 2 роки тому +270

    You should build your own E-bike with just materials from the scrapyards as a challenge!

    • @semiRockethr
      @semiRockethr 2 роки тому +16

      Step 1: Visit local hardware shop and buy everything you need
      Step 2: Scrap it
      Step 3: Profit
      Seriously who dumps a working power inverter!?

    • @tattoosteveneo
      @tattoosteveneo 2 роки тому +9

      @@semiRockethr people who don’t know anything but plug it in and it works.

    • @werner.x
      @werner.x 2 роки тому

      @@semiRockethr
      people who think, every flooded electrical device is defective right away, will do such things. They're the majority in Germany.

    • @MrJoegotbored
      @MrJoegotbored 2 роки тому +8

      I endorse this comment!

    • @johnbrizendine7716
      @johnbrizendine7716 2 роки тому +8

      I agree!!! I would love to see an E-Bike build!!!! At the least it should be much cheaper to only have to buy the motor and VFD and batteries, rather than just buy the whole e-bike. Tt would leave room for upgrades and ability to charge safely while using it by adding cheap protection circuitry to it. Possibly even use the batteries in the cart as auxiliary batteries for the e-bike.

  • @wyattoneable
    @wyattoneable 2 роки тому +53

    I enjoy the projects you work on but I also enjoyed the field trip and the history of your home town. Respect to your father, his skills and his prepping are very cool.

  • @bricenwood3254
    @bricenwood3254 2 роки тому +14

    That is an amazing thing to see your home town and to see a little on the way you grow up. The place your dad has is beautiful as well

  • @jondough76
    @jondough76 2 роки тому +1

    I can see why you love nature so much. Growing up in a place with such natural beauty can have a profound effect on you.

  • @adam-qf2vz
    @adam-qf2vz 2 роки тому +31

    I like the way that you tackle your projects and explain the process. I dont understand a lot of what you do electronically but its fascinating. thank you so much for your efforts and time posting videos

  • @lennyf1957
    @lennyf1957 2 роки тому +35

    For me this was one of the most enjoyable of all your videos. I enjoyed seeing the countryside of Germany.

  • @MRrwmac
    @MRrwmac 2 роки тому +7

    Thanks for the bike tour of the old country! Especially liked you showing us where you grew up, your parents gardens and some of his work! Just wish we got some introductions…haha. It helps to explain where you got some of your interest in building and fixing things! He must be proud of his son and I know you are proud to have a Father like him! Looking forward to the ebike build!

  • @leybraith3561
    @leybraith3561 2 роки тому +2

    Good video, Kudos to your father for allowing the revelation of his prepper setup to the public and allowing his inventor son to attach a heavy prototype trailer to his light weight Ebike. A very tolerant Dad. Well done both of you.

  • @m3chanist
    @m3chanist 2 роки тому +4

    Words of wisdom re cutting back on perfectionism, you absolutely nailed it. It's been said before but stands repeating, e.g. "Perfection is the enemy of the good" "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without" . Much respect to your folks and to you. Keep on keeping on, you good thing.

  • @stephencoster9532
    @stephencoster9532 2 роки тому +2

    Hiya,
    Like father, like son. As always a great video, and a great build. Thank you for sharing your father's farm, it's far more than a garden. Please thank your father too. I love the local historical references, please continue with these, we need to remember our past, it's what made us what we are. I was born in RAF Hospital, Wegberg Nr. Coln. Dad was a clerk, not a pilot. I wish my knees and hips worked so I could have an E-Bike. Not easy to use crutches on a bike.
    Stay safe, Steve...

  • @jparky1972
    @jparky1972 2 роки тому +20

    I love your little history lessons that you do with these videos. Great content.
    Thank you.

  • @BicycleMotors-ep6pc
    @BicycleMotors-ep6pc 9 місяців тому +1

    I think I may try to build a trailer kind of like yours. I recently found a way to make my bike easer to pedal by greasing the wheel bearings with a grease gun. When pulling a trailer that might help. Thanks for the video.👍

  • @RND_ADV_X
    @RND_ADV_X 2 роки тому +14

    I think the best way to approach charging while driving is to have multiple removable batteries for the ebike, and while you are using one, you can have the one you just emptied charging off the batteries in the trailer.

  • @Arckivio
    @Arckivio 2 роки тому +1

    Your description of how you grew up reminded me of my time in Italy. We all lived in the UK until 1979 but we went back to a tiny village in Italy & my parents immediately reverted back to rarely needing shops. We were't "land owners" by any stretch but they had chickens, raised their own pig, made wine, baked their own bread, had a few fruit trees, they grew vegetables that would last a long time. They even grew something translated as "winter tomatoes", picked when orange & kept on the vine & would just hang in the kitchen. Even made their own soap & tomato sauce for pasta. Obviously made their own pasta/pizza's too. A visit to the local small, privately owned shop was once a month for less than 2 baskets full of stuff. Now in that village, they can't live without their supermarkets & pizza delivery!!!!

  • @RedmarKerkhof
    @RedmarKerkhof 2 роки тому +5

    4:12 This type of hitch has one fatal flaw: the trailer can slip out of it through the sides, even if it's tightened down. Which can absolutely happen if you lean into a particularly tight corner. Ask me how I know. I'd recommend something with a pin through the middle, like some tractor hitches have.
    Anyway, seeing bike trailers replace cars makes my Dutch heart happy. Prost, Nachbarn!

    • @jasonnoel6548
      @jasonnoel6548 2 роки тому

      Ok can you share the hitch your talking about?

  • @ciuksza77
    @ciuksza77 2 роки тому +2

    What an amazing garden yor father has set up. My highest respect to him

  • @klschofield71
    @klschofield71 2 роки тому +5

    Thanks for sharing a part of your upbringing and background. Truly some beautiful sights. When you do your own ebike, you may consider a parallel drive system for the trailer. It would relieve the burden from the bikes drive system, which probably struggles from the additional weight, and you could move the electronics to the undercarriage of your trailer. It seems like you've got plenty of ground clearance, it would give you more cargo space, help to better balance the trailer, and lower the trailers center of gravity.
    Keep up the great videos.

    • @Mike_XC
      @Mike_XC Рік тому

      A high center of gravity may cause the trailer to tip over when cornering. It would also be useful to have some kind of suspension, even leaf suspension. Protect all electrical connections against vibrations. A loose live wire may cause a fire!

  • @rjung_ch
    @rjung_ch 2 роки тому +1

    Your dad is a busy man, guess that's where you find the motivation and energy to do what you do. Thanks for sharing.

  • @o0julek0o
    @o0julek0o 2 роки тому +16

    The garden was 10/10, cannot wait to see it in full bloom!

  • @SapioiT
    @SapioiT 2 роки тому +2

    I have a few suggestions for you to try, if you want to: (1) You know bike campers? Make a bike camper with an electric bike included, and have it look like a miniature truck microcar, seating one driver, and with a single-person bed behind the seat. The microtruck would be fully electric, and offer protection from the elements, with removable transparent plastic windows and windshield, and those could be stored inside the truck when they are not needed, for example between the driver seat and the bed. At most, have the seat foldable, for sleeping, if you don't want the microtruck to be too long. (2) Terracing your garden might be better. You could make some corner cement tiles for the pathways, so rain doesn't wash away the terraces back into a slope. After placing the cement tiles, more cement can be used to cover the gaps on the side of the wall, with a groove on the corner of the tile, to allow water to go around the walkable part of the tile, and through the gaps between the tiles, instead of going over the tiles, especially to avoid ice from forming. (3) Once you have the microtruck, you could try making the plans available for the people (ideally for free, but acceptable to be paid), to popularize the microcars and microtrucks, since those could help the people who are the most negatively affected/effected (both terms work) by the increase in fuel prices, ideally also including the option for using a 2-stroke engine (the slightly more expensive version which uses cheaper normal fuel, instead of the cheap one which uses a more expensive mixture of normal fuel and oil) or a 3-stroke engine (for a total of 2-6 hp) in the same plans, for people who want to do that. There is also a website which gives people brand new chassis numbers/codes, so they can get their vehicle legalized and insurable and help them recover it if it gets stolen (just like a normal car).

  • @MattOckendon
    @MattOckendon 2 роки тому +3

    Fantastic proof of your concept and what a lovely cycling tour! I'm a huge fan of the German countryside and you've got me thinking of a cycling road trip. Thank you for your continued dedication to reuse, re-imagination and recycling.

  • @beakittelscherz5419
    @beakittelscherz5419 2 роки тому +1

    Der Garten von den Eltern ist echt geil. Sonne Schatten Gefälle Terrassen Gewächshaus und kleine Winterbeete Wasserreservoir. Alles da was das Gärtner Herz begehrt 😍😍😍

  • @FrankReif
    @FrankReif 2 роки тому +30

    Locating the trailer wheels further back, relative to the centre of gravity of the trailer/load, would provide a moment arm to transfer a greater force through the rear wheel of the bike - giving you better traction and better braking.
    Rather than hitching from the seat post, you could use a BOB Yak Ibex style mounting system on the quick release skewer. Croozer Kalle has an interesting suspension system you could try to replicate.
    edit* Consider regenerative front wheel hub motor too.

    • @RJ-nh9hw
      @RJ-nh9hw 2 роки тому

      "moment arm..." you engineers are indeed a special group. Creators who make it work!

    • @schroedingershat7912
      @schroedingershat7912 2 роки тому +5

      There's a tradeoff as in all things. Moving the wheels and coupling point further back increases the turning radius and makes it hard to get through those horrible chicane things that are put on bike paths as well as other tight spots. Still a good idea to load the trailer battery and anything else heavy you can as far forward as possible though.

    • @FrankReif
      @FrankReif 2 роки тому

      @@schroedingershat7912 I've experimented with seat post hitched vs rear axel. Including weight distribution, braking distances and handling.
      Rear axel follows the path of the bike more closely. You don't want the trailer to cut corners you take because it can clip objects that the bike easily cleared.
      The problem with the offset wheel axis of rotation is that it stresses the coupling point more. Some commercial options use rubber/spring couplers as they're both flexible and dampen shocks. But they make the ride spongy and uncomfortable.
      I think that suspension and a solid connection to the rear wheel skewer would provide the best performance. Essentially, the same hook up as the Bob Yak/Ibex, with the Croozer Kalle suspension, but with heavy duty materials.

    • @schroedingershat7912
      @schroedingershat7912 2 роки тому

      @@FrankReif Different optimization goals. Performance at speed/on rough terrain is nice, but for some uses it's better to be able to get where you're going without having to pick it up or uncouple it to deal with awful infrastructure

    • @fuckfannyfiddlefart
      @fuckfannyfiddlefart 2 роки тому

      Have you got a link to a dedicated regenerative front wheel motor (true regen not a motor) as this is something I've been looking for?

  • @cpedersen474
    @cpedersen474 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for taking us with you on your trip. Beautiful country.

  • @martyletitbee1519
    @martyletitbee1519 2 роки тому +6

    Thank you for your shows they are an inspiration. Its nice to see more of Germany it's a beautiful place. All the best & heres to more of your talents. We really do need to fix & find more of the items that get throw away as junk.

  • @peternicholsonu6090
    @peternicholsonu6090 2 роки тому

    2yrs ago at 73 I bought Merida City (Shimano) ebike. Bought online a light trailer but didn’t immediately fit it. I ride 15km to seaside regularly but 4months ago an ambulance found me sitting on a roundabout with broken shoulder and no memory of how. Bike apparently threw me against concrete barrier and went on a short distance unmarked. Next day I had a doctor ask me “do you know where you are yet”?
    I was kinda crippled for month or so but still able to unpack my trailer. Cut 200mm out to narrow it and made a side car attached to the kickstand point. Idea is to learn to ride upright to keep my daughters happy. Looks great. Test run proved I need to improve the steel brace to axle. I bent the first by leaning into my first corner. Loved you work and your country. Regards from Queensland Australia.

  • @wimwiddershins
    @wimwiddershins 2 роки тому +35

    This makes me wonder if a motorised/assisted trailer would be possible?

    • @jonanderson5137
      @jonanderson5137 2 роки тому +5

      A utility trike? Yes, there are all kinds available from pedal power to gas.

    • @TheRebelmanone
      @TheRebelmanone 2 роки тому +1

      That is what i thought this was going to be based on the title, but after watching it i am sitting here trying to figure what its purpose is. lol I guess just to have some electricity for for whatever. But i would hook a motor to the trailer and have it push the bike.
      Or at least have a connector where you can hook those batteries in that trailer directly into the electric bike. I was looking for a motor on those wheels of the trailer, but no motor. Then i looked for a wire coming from the trailer and connecting to the electric bike, but no wire.

    • @JohnDoe-pv2iu
      @JohnDoe-pv2iu 2 роки тому +6

      @@TheRebelmanone The man said that he didn't 'Rig-up' anything on the setup because it was his folks $3000. E-bike. I understand what you are saying but that's an expensive bicycle (on loan) from his parents.
      I would like to build something along these lines and I am considering one of those add-on gasoline engine kits for hills and range.
      Ya'll Take care and be safe, John

    • @johnclements6614
      @johnclements6614 2 роки тому +2

      @@TheRebelmanone There is a 12V power outlet so when he has his own E bike he could make a connection.
      I agree that power to the wheels could be a good idea, it may be an easier solution than powering the e bike whist on the road. It would make use of the power when the batteries are nearly fully charged or to use up power before stopping and spending time charging.
      Brakes on a heavy trailer would be good but why not make them regenerative.

    • @travismiller5548
      @travismiller5548 2 роки тому +2

      a friend of mine has made a version. it's a recumbent bike that pulls a custom trailer, in the center of which is the back half of a gas scooter. the thing is really weird and VERY sketchy. he begged me for 4 months to give it a whirl. don't get me wrong, I love sketchy shit... but one could decrease the death factor by not using a recumbent. he swears he can drive the thing drunk on the bike trails... he think he's found some legal loophole like, "I'm not riding in a motor vehicle, it's a trailer." he's nuts, I don't buy it.

  • @samvalentine3206
    @samvalentine3206 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you SO much for this excellent episode! It was wonderful the way you paid homage to your father's garden and way of life. We can see how you became who you are, as often us kids become like our parents in more ways than one as time goes on. A good thing for most. Bravo for the scenery and concepts!

  • @TheUncleRuckus
    @TheUncleRuckus 2 роки тому +2

    You might be able to hook up an alternator to one of the carts wheels to charge a second battery while you ride. I'd love to see you build your own E-Bike. 👍👍 Thanks for the upload TPAI and glad to see your doing good.

    • @johnclements6614
      @johnclements6614 2 роки тому

      That would only work if it was used as brake otherwise no.
      For the alternator to make electricity there has to be power, it would take power from the movement of the bike. You would be using one battery to move the bike and then taking some of the movement to charge a second battery. But there is inefficiencies in the motors etc so you would end up with less power.
      You have no choice but to brake at some point so that power would be lost in heat etc with normal brakes. If that power could be captured and the weight of the equipment was low enough that would be a good idea.

    • @johncoops6897
      @johncoops6897 2 роки тому +1

      @@johnclements6614 - I think Sad Panda wanted to make a perpetual motion trailer.
      On a serious yet TPAI theme... I first considered if an Auto Air Cond compressor clutch could be used to kick in an alternator when the bike's brake light switched on? Perhaps that would be too much of a on/off switch and make braking too sudden/violent?

  • @simplexicated
    @simplexicated 2 роки тому

    An ebike build is definitely call for after all your salvaged washing machine motor experiments.
    Seeing those motors being used as a mid-drive solution on a DIY ebike would be great!
    Understandably there are challenges to overcome but that's what Tpai is all about.

  • @pauln2661
    @pauln2661 2 роки тому +4

    Maybe add some electric brakes to the trailer for stopping when going down hill? Great build! I like these videos as much as the repair videos.

  • @Grumpy_Granddad
    @Grumpy_Granddad 2 роки тому

    I was un the UK army and stationed in Germany in the 1980's - and we used to use this area for cold war excersizes - your cycle trip was a real memory trip for me

  • @ALAPINO
    @ALAPINO 2 роки тому +9

    Drag and force transmission issues might make a regen brake for the trailer difficult, but you've solved harder problems.
    Keep it up!

  • @slgadgetman
    @slgadgetman 2 роки тому +1

    nice project ! ❤

  • @andymiller5611
    @andymiller5611 2 роки тому +24

    This is one of your best episodes, Gerolf. It has everything that you're good at! More videos like this will be very much appreciated! Keep it up, dude! 👍

  • @beautifulsmall
    @beautifulsmall 2 роки тому

    Your dad seems very industrious, , clearly a family trait, so nice to pass on creative talents. I post fitted a big tyre mountain bike with a bafang motor I was given , fixed two water damaged ones, kept one for costs. Custom made 1.5KWh battery from China. Love all your projects, so well executed and finished.

  • @CajunGreenMan
    @CajunGreenMan 2 роки тому +3

    Awesome video! Especially the bonus minutes after the usual sign off. I think you would really enjoy permaculture, although I'm sure you know of it already. Would love to see a video on all the ways to make systems to track the sun for solar panels. PLC is one, and there is one beautifully simple approach that involves two light sensors behind the solar panels, that drive a motor (stepper) to shift the angle of the panels until the sensors are once again behind the panels. Or something like that?! Keep up the great work!

  • @HiruS22
    @HiruS22 2 роки тому +2

    Great video, making, travelling, wonderful German countryside, your Dad’s workshop and garden and some great future ideas 👍

  • @freedom_aint_free
    @freedom_aint_free 2 роки тому +5

    You should build a foldable system with multiple solar panels, so when parked the trailer would charge much faster.

    • @fusion210
      @fusion210 2 роки тому

      That's a solid idea!

    • @VVerVVurm
      @VVerVVurm 2 роки тому +1

      I was wondering about making the lid reverseable .. so one could flip the lid and hide the solar panel on the inside when not needed ..

    • @uuid.uuid4
      @uuid.uuid4 2 роки тому

      Yes - this but with reflectors.
      Tech Ingredients did a video on it.
      ua-cam.com/video/FKhszB4E1_M/v-deo.html

  • @sonofedmund5004
    @sonofedmund5004 2 роки тому

    I built my own ebike with a 250 watt hub motor. I'd already converted my Mum's bike for her. To be honest I have been really impressed with the cheap £120 kit I bought. I didn't skimp on the battery, it was £200 shipped from Germany. I fitted it to a classic Giant cro-moly Mountain bike I bought for £10. I have in the last 2 years covered over 2000 miles and now routinely cycle to work 20 miles a day. My cycle buddy has an off the shelf e-bike that cost over £2000, it performs no better than mine. Your Dad's garden is amazing!

  • @fizzwidgy
    @fizzwidgy 2 роки тому +6

    Oh man! I'm super hyped to see such a great maker as TPAI take on an biking setup like this!
    A real weekend treat.

  • @amorphuc
    @amorphuc 2 роки тому +1

    Very cool, thank you for sharing your road trip. Such amazing and beautiful scenery and historical notes.

  • @michaelcrumlett187
    @michaelcrumlett187 2 роки тому +6

    This is an excellent video! Thank you for sharing this project with us.

  • @omniyambot9876
    @omniyambot9876 2 роки тому +1

    what is this?? your life is literally a paradise!!

  • @gamerpaddy
    @gamerpaddy 2 роки тому +8

    4:40 is the worst hitch you can get, those tight bends on the clamps just snap off after a while. i killed two in the past.
    unfourtainly those clamps get more rare, you only find the awful ones with the ring-screw on the side or the hebie ones made out of plastic
    i once found a quick locking one from a old mopped with a pull lever on the front, much more robust, never had anything break and im using it for 3 years now with my trailer with at least a thousand kilometers on it.
    i would throw away that ring clamp and just bent a piece of steel to fit around the saddle pipe and screw it tight onto the hitch so it clamps down tight.
    i additionally put some rubber sheets between the steel and saddle pipe to not scratch it. it never moved on me, ever.
    i usually tow quite a bit, 50kg up fully loaded on a ebike, never had it fall off on its own, only when hitting a curb, the trailer tips over and releases from the hitch. i wouldnt wanna have a steel cable there, it would drag me down aswell.

  • @freespam9236
    @freespam9236 2 роки тому +1

    bark beetles - don't forget warm winters - that combined with slight droughts and some tree hugging....

  • @timeflysintheshop
    @timeflysintheshop 2 роки тому +7

    It was really neat to see where your parents live and the terrain where you grew up! Your parents seem like amazing people! Now we know from where you get your amazingness! :) Maybe you could convince your father to do a video demonstrating traditional German wood-carving? I would gladly watch that!

  • @inspector1794
    @inspector1794 2 роки тому +1

    Interesting video.
    Thanks for taking us a long on a visit home. I enjoyed the views and your fathers garden.

  • @bartarkis
    @bartarkis 2 роки тому +5

    American history books have a different end for the Bismarck. Interesting to hear it from the German point of view.

    • @mruberkinger8701
      @mruberkinger8701 2 роки тому

      Well my history book says, the ship was shot to smithereens and was basically dead in the water, so the first oficcer decided to scuttle the ship to prevent it form getting captured. In the end 2104 of the 2200 man crew died.

  • @gwstubbs7046
    @gwstubbs7046 2 роки тому

    Wow your father deserves a pat on the back for all of his hard work put into buikding that garden. Truely insiring.

  • @alexmeikle1980
    @alexmeikle1980 2 роки тому +5

    maybe use aluminium for trailer to lighten it, as usual great show.

    • @VVerVVurm
      @VVerVVurm 2 роки тому +2

      I think he uses steel to be able to weld it .. however I was also wondering if at least L shaped beams would reduce the weight a bit

    • @alexmeikle1980
      @alexmeikle1980 2 роки тому +1

      @@VVerVVurm agree

  • @stevemorris3710
    @stevemorris3710 2 роки тому

    Super video, of both the bike and beautiful Germany. I was a British Cold War Soldier/Drinker in North Germany in the 80's, one of our German civilian workers built a small bicycle trailer with a battery and an electric motor that drove the trailer wheels. He didn't charge via solar, he just plugged it into English electricity all day while he worked!

  • @Albert87nl
    @Albert87nl 2 роки тому +6

    your yard has so many gem's . and i really need to vsit mine. for raw materials. but prices are menta atm lol however ours dont hold old stuff :( just big bulk industrial waste still nice to tinker with.. recently got some nice square tubing for well pennies! rusty but only surface.. going to use it to make Car body rotisery! to help fix my car!

  • @Grumpytoolguy1959
    @Grumpytoolguy1959 2 роки тому +2

    Great idea and execution! On a personal note I really enjoyed the bicycle tour as I have all of your trips into the countryside, I lived in Augsburg back in the late 80's and really love and miss terribly first the people and second the beautiful vistas, towns and countryside in Germany. Thank you and keep on doing what you do, you are appreciated!

  • @stevencowles8419
    @stevencowles8419 2 роки тому +5

    Interesting, I already have an ebike and a trailer which I use a lot so might think about doing something similar. If you want to charge directly from the battery I believe it would be better to do so avoiding the standard charger or a lot of power will be lost in the process to invert to mains AC voltage only to them drop back down into DC via the bike charger.

  • @digdilem
    @digdilem Рік тому

    Nice project! To pick up on something you say in this video, I can recommend building your own ebike, something I've done a couple of times and done many thousands of KMs with. The bafung mid drives are really good. But you won't need to charge whilst riding then, you would just take power from the trailer batteries. The bigger ebike motors do like 48v, so building a bigger battery pack may be needed, or step-up output, or stay with 24v. Thanks for the video, that's a beautiful part of the world.

  • @Alex-xh1zi
    @Alex-xh1zi 2 роки тому +3

    Great to hear the term 'fabricobbled' haha skookum as frig

  • @andrewskaggs1025
    @andrewskaggs1025 2 роки тому +1

    You never cease to amaze and amuse. I would totally work in any business you run and live everyday with the knowledge that I'm actually doing something to make the world a better place.

  • @marktubeie07
    @marktubeie07 2 роки тому +3

    Quite possibly the most wonderful video you have made. I adore your part of the world and hope to visit friends I have there soon. The bike and trailer is superb. Ha, loved the TPAI logo on the back!! Stay well Gerolf. :)

  • @kaydog2008
    @kaydog2008 2 роки тому +1

    An E-Trike or E-Cart would be a better choice. 💪🤓👍 Bigger motor for more torque, more speed, 2 wheel drive, and a lower center of gravity for a lower hitch attachment. Saving more energy. Than an E-Bike with only 1 wheel drive doing all the work on 1 friction point.

  • @detroitredneckdetroitredne6674
    @detroitredneckdetroitredne6674 2 роки тому +3

    Spectacular job Brother thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise and hello from Detroit Michigan USA Great video Brother

  • @ProtonOne11
    @ProtonOne11 2 роки тому +1

    Nice video, thanks for the ride.
    Wonder if that trailer would work for a faster Pedelec (45km/h) as well, or if it would need some suspension (maybe a simple leaf spring?) and a better trailer hitch to support that kind of bike. I guess having some breaks on the trailer (or upgrade the breaks on the bike) would be even more important when riding at these speeds. My pedelec has a hub motor and breaks with electrical switches that allows for some energy recuperation thru the motor when you pull the breaks. Maybe that electrical signal could be used for some electromechanical breaks on the trailer as well? I guess that would be easier than trying to extend the hydraulic break or bowden system to the trailer and keep it easily detachable.
    Looking forward to see your take on an eBike and if and how you solve all these challenges.

  • @martyjackson4806
    @martyjackson4806 2 роки тому +6

    I think you got scammed with the MPPT solar controller. I fell for the same bait and switch scam. Take a look inside and you will see pretty quickly that it is a PWM controller.

  • @nicholashacking381
    @nicholashacking381 2 роки тому

    Another great project and an interesting video.
    Something happens to one in middle age that creates an urge to grow vegetables. My parents were great gardeners when I was small, but I never had any interest until, in my early 40s, I thought I'd give it a try. Now I grow just about every fruit and vegetable that the North British climate will support. Die Hobby-Landwirtschaft ist toll!

  • @RubenKelevra
    @RubenKelevra 2 роки тому +3

    Actually, you could skip the wheels on the side entirely and put a single monowheel in the back - behind the box. This would reduce the axis of movement to two: up/down and left/right. It would reduce the drag (cause you avoid the second wheel) and would make it much more stable, as there's basically no way for any trailer-swing to occur.
    This way the whole trailer could also lean into the curves, avoiding the force pushing the back wheel to the outside of the curve, which can be quite dangerous if you're on gravel and have to brake.
    The single wheel could be driven by a small motor, where you tap into the output Amps of the main motor of the Pedelec and replicate it in the back. This would also allow for braking - as you can put a lever on the bike which then adjust the amount of braking force on both motors.
    The main advantage of this (additionally to the regenerative braking of course) is that you can incorporate anti lock braking action. My e-scooter does the same, and it's insanely good: It just turns off the regenerative braking if the tire is below 2 kph and turns it on again when it's above (with a small delay). I can even brake on black ice pretty nicely.

  • @vaux_wolf4281
    @vaux_wolf4281 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for showing us your parents home, absolutely beautiful! Germany is such a wonderful place and has some hidden gems. Thank you for sharing. Chris Manchester

  • @ciganyhipervandor132
    @ciganyhipervandor132 2 роки тому +1

    One idea:
    maybe you should bulid 1 or 2 motors on the trailer as well with a switch, so when you are going down on a hill you can switch it on and it can charge the batteries. At the end of the downhill you can switch it of or you can use it as a plus help if you go uphill.

  • @MHH2121
    @MHH2121 2 роки тому

    Great video! I think you putting the batteries closer to the front is a good choice. It’s better for safety to prevent trailer swings, and it gives you the most practical space!

  • @Stuartrusty
    @Stuartrusty 2 роки тому +2

    Great to see that trailer being used once more. That will be very useful for many more visits to the scrapyard for smaller, lighter items. Well thought out design and practical for daily use. As you say, not perfect, but good and useable. "Perfect is the enemy of done." So many uses this can be put to, a great restoration.
    Saddle tube = seat post. I know English is not your first language. Generally the bicycle seat is called a saddle, but what it's fixed to is generally referred to as a seat post. English is so confusing sometimes, even for the English!
    Shame to see those forests suffering from drought. If most of it has been cut down, this may well be part of the drought problem. Roots and high organic content in soil help to sequster more water. Most modern farming methods have reduced organic content to around 2%, not enough to hold water or soil nutrients for growing nutritious food. Great to see your father's smallholding, looks like there will be plenty of fresh garden produce.

  • @bigunone
    @bigunone 2 роки тому +1

    Love the pictures of dad's gardens ! It will be neat to see them in the fall

  • @josephsteffen2378
    @josephsteffen2378 2 роки тому

    Gotz ta dig that urban gardening. Maximization of square meters and available resources. Augment the sunshine with LED lighting. Prices of equipment has reduced. While the technology has increased... Yeah, digging the German countryside. Could put a self destruction device on the bike trailer and solar panel. So if a thief jacks with equipment...he ends up paying for it(meaning with his life, "bought-it", or some serious bodily injury...haha). LED lighting for setting up the campsite ROCKS! I hate erecting a tent or cooking in the dark. After which darkness is ok. Thanks for the video.

  • @nobuckle40
    @nobuckle40 2 роки тому

    You have not made a video yet that I did not like. Watching you reuse things that you find inspires and encourages me to be more resourceful. Thank you.

  • @Halfapint01
    @Halfapint01 2 роки тому

    Prepping in the USA has kind of a negative association because some people just think it's all about guns. Personally my idea is learning how to sew, grow food, collect seeds from said food, leather work, tree work, carving, wood working, etc. It's having the skills and knowledge to take care of yourself, and your community. No one can predict the future and geopolitics in recent months have proven that. You and your dad are smart.
    My wife and I just scouted down to the very bottom corner of our property and have set markers to start making garden plots down there as it gets a lot more sun then other parts. Keep up the great content!

  • @madddog7
    @madddog7 2 роки тому

    Luv the scenic, picturesque views and your parents place. Very beautiful

  • @jasonbrindamour903
    @jasonbrindamour903 2 роки тому +1

    I agree with cutting back on perfectionism....it tends to hold projects back quite a bit.

  • @Bristoll170
    @Bristoll170 2 роки тому

    I'm an avid follower of your content, often learning tricks for restoring/repairing as an electrical/electronics trade person. This has been a wonderful and welcome addition to your normal content. I live in New Zealand, and lovely to see a beautiful part of the world that you live in.
    Cheers
    Pete'.

  • @Martin-pb7ts
    @Martin-pb7ts 2 роки тому

    Great advice on trying things and making sure you don't set yourself up for failure with too high expectations. Do stuff, rather get it done than aim for perfection. Don't forget though that with continuous improvements you can often approach a level that you did not feel is possible with the first attempt.

  • @trqw7607
    @trqw7607 2 роки тому

    Tipps for your bike build: 2y ago, i bought a FREY HT with the bafang g510 (1500w, 160nm) motor and attached a surly bill trailer. That replaces my car for any transportation needs within 20km for loads up to 250kg. Look out for good brakes with the heavy loads tough. I changed to 220mm rotors after having experienced heavy fading on steep downhills twice... Now there is no problem any more ☺️

  • @Ernzt8
    @Ernzt8 2 роки тому

    The Paderborn area is beautitul and the people are very friendly as I remember from being there in my Dutch army days in the early nineties. Great project!

  • @endutubecensorship
    @endutubecensorship 2 роки тому

    "Prepper" may have its connotations.
    "Self reliant" is exactly this lifestyle. Growing some of your food, capturing rain water, recycling/finding value in and using what others have discarded as well as efficiency in energy usage is a great thing.

  • @asw19B100
    @asw19B100 2 роки тому

    Paderborn is close to Öerlinghausen where I spent 3 magical weeks flying gliders including Silver C distance in a Schleicher Ka-8 as a kid in the ‘60’s. So much fun recalling those times prompted by your video. I also enjoyed your expression of a deepening respect for your father’s good works. The carving tools reminded me of my father and his violin making tools which I was lucky enough to inherit. Wonderful video.

  • @kameljoe21
    @kameljoe21 2 роки тому

    Its a pretty cool trailer. I once met this homeless man who had one of those sit down bikes to which he had a massive 300 watt panel as his shade and another 300 watt panel on his trailer. He also had some of those flexible light weight panels that he stored in the roof of his trailer to which he would bring out and set up in like 5 mins when he was parked or stopped for a long lunch. He stopped in our town and found about 2 weeks worth of work helping out some older neighbors and see his set up and it was super cool. He said the money he makes moving from place to place has made him enough money that he was having a entire new right custom build which is lighter, faster and more stable than his current right. He came back to our town after I moved to another state, my friend said the new rig was bigger and far better and super cool. Led lights and everything and the trailer was set up to be able to sleep in it with a custom tent pop out type thing.

  • @RB-yq7qv
    @RB-yq7qv 2 роки тому

    Your dads garden is great, it will be nice to see the produce from it. E-Bike is another great project

  • @djordjeblaga7815
    @djordjeblaga7815 2 роки тому +2

    Cool build!
    For the future you might want to consider investing in a Lifepo4 battery instead of AGM. (Both for weight and performance reasons) And from my own experience I know that an ebike only needs about 50 to 100W continuous power to "sail" along at 20-25kph with no hills. So the standard 42V/2A ebike chargers should be able to keep the ebike running off solar power most of the time.

  • @roberts1938
    @roberts1938 2 роки тому +1

    Nice movie. I was happy to participate (virtually) in your bike trip.
    Those who did not produce food do not respect the work of others. The problem of this world, and especially of Europe, is not food production, but its waste (prodagility). Resource mismanagement, ejection good food and corporations that prefer to destroy a product rather than lower the price it before its use-by date.

  • @Teklectic
    @Teklectic 2 роки тому +1

    I have fond memories of working on stuff in my dad's workshop, I miss him pretty bad, but I get to use the skills he taught me everyday and pass them down to my own kids.

  • @TGIA0310
    @TGIA0310 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for such wonderful video and sharing Gerald! Cant wait for the summer to see your dad's garden in full bloom!

  • @hansmortensen5668
    @hansmortensen5668 2 роки тому

    That is a lovely garden, and hello from Texas, we are doing our best to keep the energy crises in check!

  • @ExperimentalSimplification
    @ExperimentalSimplification 2 роки тому

    I really liked that you showed us your father's homestead, the way everything is built on terrace gives me Ideas for my own homestead witch is all on slopes

  • @nathanmoak1515
    @nathanmoak1515 2 роки тому +1

    3000 euros for an ebike? wow! that area reminds me of the smoky mountains in the u.s. great job on the trailer! it doesn't hurt to be self-sufficient. i used to commute
    to work every day on a 10-speed when i was young. i couldn't afford a car. i had a trailer, but it was difficult to pull on windy days. that was 50 years ago! you should have more subscribers and viewers. we learn a lot from you.

  • @sweetchariotengland
    @sweetchariotengland 2 роки тому +1

    I've been doing clearance work and have now built 5 trailers from waste wood and parts.
    This is a great way to get away from dependency on cars

  • @KubotaManDan
    @KubotaManDan 2 роки тому

    Beautiful property. I was jazzed to see this title solar ebike. I have an ebike I bought a few years ago, not as expensive as your parents but it's a hardy build & I use it weekly. The ebike popularity has really begun to blossom. I see more ebikes local & on trails than acoustic bikes. Looking forward to your hardy eBike build. This was a great video & seeing where you grew up is fascinating. Thank you for sharing