Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Has anyone any experience with solar powered battery trickle chargers, pros and cons, the good ones and the bad ones and where to get them.

rooster wrote:Has anyone any experience with solar powered battery trickle chargers, pros and cons, the good ones and the bad ones and where to get them.

my race car sits outside most of the time between events (you only run maybe 8-10 weekends a year)
so
I got a 12v 3AMP solar screen array (aimed funnily enough for the camping/caravan guys) for it
the solar panel, approx 20x35cm sits on the dash and is clipped to the battery terminals.

does it work..?
I check every weekend (winter and summer)... the battery is 100% charged

and has done so for the past ... geeez how long? maybe 6-8 years, so no complaints from me

Smitty wrote:

rooster wrote:Has anyone any experience with solar powered battery trickle chargers, pros and cons, the good ones and the bad ones and where to get them.

my race car sits outside most of the time between events (you only run maybe 8-10 weekends a year)
so
I got a 12v 3AMP solar screen array (aimed funnily enough for the camping/caravan guys) for it
the solar panel, approx 20x35cm sits on the dash and is clipped to the battery terminals.

does it work..?
I check every weekend (winter and summer)... the battery is 100% charged

and has done so for the past ... geeez how long? maybe 6-8 years, so no complaints from me

So you are charging straight from the panel ? and no issues ?

rooster wrote:

Smitty wrote:

rooster wrote:Has anyone any experience with solar powered battery trickle chargers, pros and cons, the good ones and the bad ones and where to get them.

my race car sits outside most of the time between events (you only run maybe 8-10 weekends a year)
so
I got a 12v 3AMP solar screen array (aimed funnily enough for the camping/caravan guys) for it
the solar panel, approx 20x35cm sits on the dash and is clipped to the battery terminals.

does it work..?
I check every weekend (winter and summer)... the battery is 100% charged

and has done so for the past ... geeez how long? maybe 6-8 years, so no complaints from me

So you are charging straight from the panel ? and no issues ?

straight from the panel (it has a little circuit board on the back.. to control overcharging from memory)
I cut the lead when I bought it and fitted a quick disconnect connector. (as the leads are taped to the battery posts- race rules)

problems...? absolutely none. juts make sure you get the right size. You don't need a 5A solar panel for a bike... maybe 2A at most