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High power USB solar charger bicycle rear rack and a high capacity battery kit with multiple power outputs and inputs.

Featured in WIRED.COM 

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/11/solarcycle-a-sun-powered-usb-port-for-you-bike/

About the Solarcycle Delux Kit

Thanks for visiting this Solarcycle Kickstarter fundraiser project! Feel free to click around and send a message with any questions about the project.

Using a bicycle as a primary mode of transportation makes one come to the realization that a smart phone would run out of power using GPS navigation, stopping to take pictures, surfing the web, using apps, making phone calls, watching videos and listening to music. The possibility of attaching a solar panel on a bicycle to charge a phone and any other USB enabled device then becomes apparent. That’s how Solarcycle was founded. This product will allow cyclists to enjoy the advantage of their Smart Phones and other USB enabled devices on their trips without having to worry about running out of power. The lightweight, high-power, weatherproof Solar USB charger allows charging of any USB device directly from the sun. 

Where Do the Funds Go?

We need your help to fund the New Solarcycle Delux Kit, which includes the Solarcycle Pro and a battery, and bring it into production. A new battery case needs to be designed and a minimum order of 200 units needs to be made so that the prices come down to a reasonable level. We are partnering with various battery and solar panel businesses to provide you with the smallest most powerful USB chargers on the market. Made in USA

What about the Cheaper Solar USB Chargers on the Market?

Solarcycle only uses the best solar USB chargers on the market, period. The cheap solar chargers simply DO NOT work for our kits. Watch the YouTube video below for a full comparison review, demonstration, and test of the Solarcycle Kit versus other cheap competitors:


How Long Will it Take To Finish Production?

In order to complete the Solarcycle Delux Kit, the design for a weather resistant aluminum battery case that mounts to the bicycle frame needs to be finished and put into production. Experience in designing and manufacturing parts leads to an estimate of a 4-month lead-time from the time the funding goal is met. This lead-time includes a small batch run, quality testing, and ramping up to full production. If the funding goal for this project is met, then the Solarcycle Delux Kits should be available by next spring.

Does it Work?

Last May, an early prototype of the Solarcycle Pro (without a battery) was tested on a 300-mile supported bicycle tour from New York City to Washington, DC. During this ride, the Solarcycle Pro kit kept the smart phone charged the entire trip while everyone else had to rely on finding a wall to plug their smart phone in to. Even when it was raining, there were a few hours when the sun broke through the clouds and it was enough to charge the smart phone. So the answer is, yes it works incredibly well! In fact, Solarcycle has signed up for the next charity ride in May and the new Solarcycle Delux Kit will  generate even more power!

http://climateride.donordrive.com/participant/isaacporras2012

Is the Solar Panel Fragile?

The solar cells have been incased in plastic making it a very strong composite material. This solar panel can be dropped and hit without breaking it. 

Can thieves steal it easily? 

This question comes up many times. Protecting any bicycle component, and the bicycle itself is always a matter of judgement. For commuting, after you lock up the bicycle, the solar panel can be detached easily and you can take it with you to charge your USB devices away from the bicycle. If the bicycle is kept in a secure outdoor bicycle facility (like Bike Valet Parking or in front of your work with security cameras), then the Solarcycle Delux kit can be left outside to charge the battery in the sun. On long distance touring rides, it is less of an issue because for the most part, your bicycle is with you and/or with your friends at all times. 

Solarcycle Delux Kit Features:

* Rugged 5 Watt Monocrystalline Folding Solar Panel with built-in USB Port

* 6.125" X 11.5" Open Solar Panel Size

* Light and Strong Aluminum Rack and Battery Case Construction

* 6700 mAh Battery with 2 charge ports, 3 output ports, and 1 USB output port

* Maximum 1.6 Amp battery input and .75 Amp power output

* Weather Resistant

* Compatible with most bicycle seat posts and water bottle mount locations

* Able to charge from a dynamo wheel hub and a solar panel at the same time for a maximum power of 8 Watts!

* Will fully charge the latest smartphones from 0% to 100% in 1.7 hours in the summer and 2.2 hours in the winter!

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Solarcycle Product Website:

http://www.solarcyclepower.com/index/Delux.html

FAQ

  • Can the Solarcycle Delux Kit Power an Electric Bicycle Motor?

    I used to own an electric bike, so I have experience in this issue. The Solarcycle Delux kit produces a maximum of 8 Watts and the minimum power for an electric bike motor is between 100 and 200 Watts. That means that it would take nearly 40 days to store enough energy to ride the electric bike for only 1 hour! Also, I have noticed that hardly any electric bikes have a USB port for charging phones. However, the European electric bikes, like the Smart bike, are starting to have USB ports. That said, it would take a large solar panel array, probably 6ft x 6ft, to power an electric bike for daily use. 

    Last updated: Thursday Nov 17, 2:29pm EST
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8
Backers
$1,372
pledged of $90,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on January 10, 2012.

Funding period
Nov 11, 2011 - Jan 10, 2012 (60 days)

  • Pledge $1 or more

    2 backers

    Thank you for your contribution! Every dollar counts towards this project and is much appreciated!

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    3 backers

    You get a Solarcycle Sticker! Thank you for your contribution!

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
  • Pledge $150 or more

    2 backers

    You Get a Folding Solar Panel + Sticker: This weather resistant solar panel is the smallest most powerful USB solar charger on the market! It has a 5 Watt USB output and can fold in half! It is compatible with the latest smartphones and other USB devices.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
  • Pledge $200 or more

    0 backers

    You Get a Solarcycle + Sticker: This Solarcycle universal ratcheting swivel mount kit allows your USB devices to be charged directly from the sun! It is easy to install and is the smallest, most powerful weather resistant USB solar charger on the market! Just pull the ratcheting rubber strap around a round bar and adjust the swivel mount for optimal solar charging! Solar panel included.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $225 or more

    0 backers

    You Get a Solarcycle Flex + Sticker: This Solarcycle Flex tri-pod kit allows your USB device to be charged directly from the sun on almost any terrain! The tri-pod legs bend to the shape you need and have rubber grips that stick to surfaces! It is weather resistant, easy to use and is the smallest, most powerful USB solar charger on the market! It can even wrap around tree branches and metal poles! Solar panel included.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $250 or more

    0 backers

    You Get a Solarcycle Pro + Sticker: This Solarcycle Pro bike rack allows your USB device to be charged directly from the sun on and fits most standard bicycle seat posts! It is easy to install and is the smallest, most powerful USB solar charger on the market! This rack is weather resistant and is also compatible with standard bike rack bags. Solar panel included.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $400 or more

    0 backers

    You Get a Solarcycle Delux + Sticker: This Solarcycle Delux Kit includes the Solarcycle Pro and a high capacity battery with multiple outputs and inputs. The battery can store the energy from the solar panel and a dynamo wheel hub at the same time for a maximum of 8 Watts! This will include a brand new redesigned aluminum battery case that is weather resistant and half the size of the current prototype. Solar panel and dynamo hub cables are included.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $500 or more

    0 backers

    You Get a Solarcycle Delux [Special Edition] + Sticker: This Solarcycle Delux Kit includes the Solarcycle Pro, a high capacity battery, and your choice of color for the anodized aluminum case on the battery and on the Solarcycle Pro. Colors come in purple, green, pink, gold, silver, blue, and red. The battery can store the energy from the solar panel and a dynamo wheel hub at the same time for a maximum of 8 Watts! This will include a brand new redesigned aluminum battery case that is weather resistant and half the size of the current prototype. Solar panel and dynamo hub cables are included.

    Estimated delivery: May 2012
  • Pledge $650 or more

    1 backer

    Platinum Donor! You get everything in the $500 pledge Plus 1 extra folding solar panel and your name on the Solarcycle website credits in the order of amount pledged!

    Estimated delivery: May 2012