solar battery charger/ maintaner

johnnyb46 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Karma :

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

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

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.

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

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.
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Kawasaki Jimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :

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?

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

I've tried one, and it did nothing...my battery was bigger than yours though.
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temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

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.
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Kawasaki Jimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :

johnnyb46 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Karma :

Many thanks to all you all for your advice

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

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
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