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I remember seeing someone using a small solar panel to help keep their battery charged on their E pack wheel. Just wanted to see how that was working? I just bought one and am thinking that might be a good option over a spare battery?
midwest's Link
That would be BULELK1, Robb. Here's a link to the thread.
cch - you really don't need much of a solar charger unless your use is for many weeks at a time. These batteries have a really long useable life. I have never been able to run the battery down through use, even after multiple 10 mile round trips packing meat.
I did leave the battery on once for over two weeks when I was NOT using the Pack Wheel, and the battery was pretty depleted. At that point you don't need a trickle charger, but a regular, proper charge. I can charge mine from the outlet in my truck.
I worried a lot about needing a second battery when I bought the Pack Wheel. With experience, it has become a total non-issue.
Bill
Thanks guys that's great to hear. Hoping to pack some meat this fall with it.
Any tricks or items I should think about getting? I have the meat bags and of course the e wheel.
Watching g the videos it shows folks turning around to pull the pack wheel over obstacles. Is this a motor assisted pull?
If not, How does that work when going up hill with say 200lbs loaded?
I think that is for a non motorized model. There is no reverse. But if the obstacle was too big to drive over that might be the way to try. It's got a little handle on the front someone might be able to help some of you are not alone.
Watching g the videos it shows folks turning around to pull the pack wheel over obstacles. Is this a motor assisted pull?
If not, How does that work when going up hill with say 200lbs loaded?
The motor assisted models will climb over any log you can reasonably step over. It will also take a 200 pound up load faster than I can walk. Sometimes I feel like I am chasing it uphill, but in reality you can just back off the throttle and go whatever speed you like. Bill
Sorry for the late response, I've been down on the Utah Zion's Desert Ram unit for a week.
Chris, it works great and worth the few $$'s, any questions, feel free to reach out to me or Bill.
Thanks for posting the link Nick.
Good luck, Robb
Bull, have you used the solar panel in the field yet? How did you set it up?
Yes I have
I just set it up like at home, facing the sun and plugged into the battery charging port.
Trickle charge and it stays very strong,
Robb
Did you have to use a converter? Or does the panel just plug straight into battery?
Using the adapter, it plugs straight into the charging port.
Enjoy,
Robb
Here ya go--------->
From the solar panel to the accessory plug to the battery plug in.
Good luck, Robb
Wondering of you are regulated to roads only as it is a motor driven vehicle ?
How easy is it to load up with 200lbs by oneself? Once you are going the videos seem to show it’s pretty straitforward but loading it? How well does that go?
I don't think I ever had the full 200 lbs on it, although I just load back and forth each side to try and keep it equal as much as possible being on Solo DIY harvests. See the link midwest/Nick posted as it has lot's more info.
PB, I had no problems from anyone while on the mountain.
Good luck, Robb
I put the same type Solar panel on the front top/roof
I put the same type Solar panel on the front top/roof
I've been axed if I use this type trickle Solar charging on an ATV/Quad, Yes , I've used it for a few years on my RZR2 inside it's lil garage, year round.
I ran the cord from the panel inside the lil garage
Simply plug it into the Aux port and it stays one crank start-up year round
I hope this helps those out that asked,
Robb
"Wondering of you are regulated to roads only as it is a motor driven vehicle ?"
Technically and legally the answer to your question is Yes. Not supposed to take this on any "nonmotorized" road. Hate to bring that up because it is a great "pack mule"! Many game wardens, ect might let it slide, but they could cite you.
The answer above is factually incorrect. This is not a "vehicle". It does not convey people or persons. It is a cart that is controlled / pushed by a person. It is legal where wheeled "contraptions" are allowed. (Think other game carts, wheel barrows, etc.) It IS banned from all wilderness area, same as chain saws or any other mechanized device. These carts are used by many government agencies throughout the west, on almost all public lands. There are always rare exceptions, like high density parks or tourist locations. No place anybody would want to hunt. I know people like to make up problems with any new technology, but this is far less impactful than riding an ordinary bicycle. It still requires you to walk behind. And they have been found to be legal on BLM and National Forest lands, as a rule. Bill
It's nice having the Solar charge working for those snow plow days!
Good luck, Robb