Best MPPT for Solar Ebike 4x 170w Sunpower panels 5.84 imp 30vmp & 48v battery

[khanh dam]

I want to make a small solar car capable of going up to 30mph with around 1500w max power draw. Using 4 sunpower flexible panels 170w each 30vmp and 5.84 imp. 6lbs x 4 =24lb total weight. Probably 52v battery. Will be using a bicycle trike frame to start out with

I was also looking at a 2s2p configuration to boost voltage to 60v so I can use a mid-nite solar KID Mppt ($300). is there a better MPPT to use. I like this one because it supports a DC load as well as battery charging.
I'm not even sure If I need an mppt? What would happen if I hooked up the solar panels directly to the battery AND motor controller at the SAME time? If the battery was full then the energy would go to the motor controller, but what happens when the battery is low and I'm going up a hill. That would be the worse case scenario.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAuVco35tzI is the video that got me thinking about this. skip to last 30 seconds.

[Ampster]

Before I worry about the MPPT controller I would worry about where I could ride that thing especially on a windy day. I have solar panels on my roof and charge my ebike and EVs from them and the grid. That way I can park my ebike in the parking lot of the local coffee shop because it doesn't take up much room. I built the battery pack that runs the bike for a lot less than that tandem trailer would cost.
Have fun with your project.

[SunEagle]

A battery connected to more than a solar trickle charger can be cooked without a Charge Controller. You get the most charging amps out of an MPPT type CC otherwise you can lose about 33% of the pv wattage going with a PWM type CC.

As for that video. I give it a couple of weeks before those rigid panels break or fall off the carts. IMO while a nice idea to get an EV bike the installation is pretty poor workmanship.

[khanh dam]

Wind is not a concern because the panels can be folded up when parked to be about half the size maybe 4x6'. I dont' usually ride in bad weather anyways. even if the panels were left flat well it would be about the same size as a car. 4x10 feet so easily park where any car parks. the video was obviously a prototype for testing only. I found these cheap $30 mppt controllers
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-MPPT-Bo...MAAOSwugJee2hv I think I will get one per panel, 4 total and try it out. If they fail, I'll upgrade to either $200 genasun mppt's or the midnite solar. unit.solar car.png

[Mike90250]

I like the morningstar small MPPT controllers, but they max out at 24v. 48V is a common voltage, 52V is going to need custom charge settings
Here's the link to the morningstar offerings

https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/prostar-mppt/

[khanh dam]

thanks I could use the 110v sunpower panels https://us.sunpower.com/sites/defaul...spec-sheet.pdf
those are only 18v, but I like the extra power of the 170W ones. the both have 25% effciency due to textured surface that concentrates the sunlight a little better. Probably will only last 5 years since that is the warranty, but much better reviews that comparable ones. I was really surprised by the 25% because even the super expensive GaAs cells are only around 30%