Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


solar battery charger/ maintaner

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

johnnyb46
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:50 - 22 Nov 2015    Post subject: solar battery charger/ maintaner Reply with quote

subject: Solar battery charger/ maintainer
Hi to all.
I only use my small 100cc peugeot speedfight occasionally this time of the year when the weather is dry..
As a result the battery is starting to suffer, to the point a new one was fitted yesterday. Obviously I don't want this one to go the same way. I could simply bring it indoors and keep it fully charged with a charger but its a bit of a rigmarole to fit it on the spur of the moment when I want to use the bike. So instead I've bought a small 12v 1.5watt solar charger and fashioned a connector to the battery so it just takes a moment to connect.
I've had great success with my 30 watt solar panel and my caravan leisure battery for many years now but will such a small panel keep my bike battery charged.
Many thanks for reading and advice given.
Johnny
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

G
The Voice of Reason



Joined: 02 Feb 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:42 - 22 Nov 2015    Post subject: Re: solar battery charger/ maintaner Reply with quote

If it's got decent access to light, probably just about ok. Make sure it's got a diode inline so it doesn't drain at night etc.
Ideally I'd want at least 5w.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Polarbear
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:42 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had one of these so called purpose solar chargers given to me a while back. Waste of time in winter I found. Better than nothing, but not much.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Kawasaki Jimbo
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:00 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

You've reminded me that when my bikes lived outside I started a project involving a small solar panel and a Tupperware box containing a 12V battery and a solar charging regulator. The idea was to keep the bike battery topped up mainly by the second battery, which would then be topped up by the solar panel, managed by the regulator. I also had plans to add an 12-240v inverter to power other stuff but worries about rain-proofing, venting, electrocution, fire (!) and just the likelihood of it working without a proper, big solar panel stalled the project. I must have read something which suggested it was feasible but I can't remember. Anyone done this? And lived?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts
Vincent This post is not being displayed because the poster is banned. Unhide this post / all posts.

temeluchus
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Oct 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:50 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you look around you can find lithium ion jump starters that are the size of a paperback. More reliable than a small solar panel.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Kawasaki Jimbo
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:06 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

temeluchus wrote:
If you look around you can find lithium ion jump starters that are the size of a paperback. More reliable than a small solar panel.


But if you need to resort to a jump start it means that your lead acid battery has already lost some of its life prematurely in comparison to a maintained battery.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

johnnyb46
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:10 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Many thanks to all you all for your advice
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

temeluchus
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Oct 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 01:01 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kawasaki Jimbo wrote:
But if you need to resort to a jump start it means that your lead acid battery has already lost some of its life prematurely in comparison to a maintained battery.


Using a small panel won't keep it in satisfactory condition anyway. May as well have the booster pack or just remove the battery and store it in the house.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

RhynoCZ
Super Spammer



Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:21 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

What Teme says,

buy this (cheap) and keep your battery at home:
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/z/CroAAOxyx-BSbNyr/$(KGrHqV,!rUFJmkb1TZCBSbNyrCq!g~~60_35.JPG
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 10 years, 106 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.07 Sec - Server Load: 0.62 - MySQL Queries: 14 - Page Size: 65.39 Kb