solar powered battery charger?

[beemer]

Iv'e just bought one of these chargers,and it has crock clips to attach to the battery terminals,i was thinking of using a molex type of connector,with leads permanently connected to the battery,allowing me to just plug it in over the winter months to keep the battery charged,has anyone used a molex or any other type of connector in this way?these trickle chargers seem a good idea when not using the bike over winter,cheers,J.

[Bill90Loyale]

A post from the Airheads list:

Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:49:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bud Holzschuh <schuh8@yahoo.com>
Subject: Battery Tenders, Solar Chargers, etc
To: airheads@micapeak.com
Message-ID: <122280.52661.qm@web52905.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Having lived on a boat for 5 years and much of that
time on battery power, let me offer a simple test for
battery tenders, solar chargers, or any charging
system you will leave hooked up to a flooded lead acid
battery.

Put the charger on your battery and give it time to
charge the battery (size of the charger is not
important - even a 1 amp capacity charger will charge
almost any good battery given enough time).

Get a digital multimeter and check the final or "float
voltage". It should approximate 13.3 VDC if the
charger is to be left on continuously. Some will argue
13.4 or 13.5, I won't quibble. but at 13.3 volts you
will never need to be concerned about ruining a
flooded lead acid battery. At that voltage the
electrolyte will not gas off very quickly, but its
prudent to check it every month or so.

If the final voltage is much higher that 13.3 , its
not doing your battery any good to leave it on
continuously. If its much lower, either your battery
has problems or your charger is set to low to properly
maintain the battery and prevent sulphation.

Cheers
Bud in Panama City, FL
1984 R80 RT

[MPKaier]

Hi Beemer,
I started a thread on this subject about a week ago, titled Going Solar.  So far so good, I connected a BMW outlet to the end and keep it plugged in.  Works great while my bike is in the parking lot at work all day.

[beemer]

Hi Beemer,
I started a thread on this subject about a week ago, titled Going Solar.  So far so good, I connected a BMW outlet to the end and keep it plugged in.  Works great while my bike is in the parking lot at work all day.

Yes i did see your thread,but was more concerned about the connection of the unit really,but i think i will go with my molex connection idea,if i still have one in my box of spares!!!,here is the spec on the unit i'm getting.
12V Trickle Charger

    *

      Keep Your Battery Topped Up with Solar Power
    *

      Ideal For Cars, Caravans, Boats etc.
    *

      Blue Flashing LED Charge Indicator
    *

      Sturdy ABS Outer Casing
    *

      Built in Diode Prevents Reverse Charging
    *

      Cables Included
      (Croc clips & Cig Lighter)
    *

      Suction Cups for Easy Mounting
    *

      Only requires Daylight to Start Charging
      (Works fine in Dull/Overcast Conditions)
    *

      Output Power 1.5W @ 17.5v
    *

      Cable Length 2.7m (9ft)
    *

      Dimensions : 352x125x14mm

[Melena]

This is so cool!  2 people with solar powered battery chargers now.    8-)

Both of you have the lead/acid batteries.  I have a gel battery on mine now (I needed one quickly while on the road and that's what A&S Cycles had on hand for my bike).   How will these chargers work on this kind of battery.  Would it be just the same?  Anyone have any ideas about this?

[beemer]

This is so cool!  2 people with solar powered battery chargers now.    8-)

Both of you have the lead/acid batteries.  I have a gel battery on mine now (I needed one quickly while on the road and that's what A&S Cycles had on hand for my bike).   How will these chargers work on this kind of battery.  Would it be just the same?  Anyone have any ideas about this?

Yes it will work just the same,and keep your battery topped up when the bike is not in use,for the price of the unit, i think it's worth while thing to have,better then coming to your bike if it's been unused for a few weeks and finding it won't start due to a flat battery!!!let us know if you go this way too,cheers,J.

[Semper Gumby]

I have gone the battery tender route when at home but this wouldn't be too hard to do for on the road.  Lucky for me I have not had a problem in 7 years of leaving the bike for four day trips in the company parking lot.  Even in winter it always starts.  (Love the PC680!!!!!!)  Too hell with lead acid -  Too much trouble.

Hey Beemer - Where are you buying you solar cells from?

[beemer]

I have gone the battery tender route when at home but this wouldn't be too hard to do for on the road.  Lucky for me I have not had a problem in 7 years of leaving the bike for four day trips in the company parking lot.  Even in winter it always starts.  (Love the PC680!!!!!!)  Too hell with lead acid -  Too much trouble.

Hey Beemer - Where are you buying you solar cells from?

From Maplin's,an electrical outlet here in the UK,good value i thought,cheers,J.

[Melena]

I Googled "12 volt Solar Battery Chargers".  Lots of stuff comes up, so you could change that to "12 volt Solar Motorcycle Battery Chargers".  Might tighten it up a bit.