Triumph Speed Triple 1050
Triumph Speed Triple 1050
07 Feb 2021

Solar Panel Charger

So I have been looking for different solutions for charging a battery without a power supply in the garage. I tried the small Oxford solarizer panel but it was useless. Saw this and thought I'd give it a go. It's a proper solar panel and had good reviews.

I wasn't expecting amazing results as it is winter and most days it's overcast. However reviews and their own literature suggested I would still get a good charge despite it being overcast.

I've used it four days initially, 3 were overcast but still bright and one had clear skies and strong sunlight.

My battery started on 3.90v and after day four that had risen to 3.94v.

I was fairly disappointed. As the battery was so low I stuck it on a mains charger thinking maybe that was a reason it wasn't getting an increase in charge. I wanted the clip in panel as removing the battery is a ball ache as I have a few bits wired in and to get to the battery I have to get under the tank. I charged the battery overnight and put it back first thing. Voltage was 10.2v. I left it for another 3 days. 2 days were overcast and bright but a few showers and then one day clear skies. My voltage was exactly the same, 10.2v at the end of the three days.

I'm sure in summer you'd see much much better results, but in summer I use the bike in the day when it would be best charged. Also I don't loose charge then, it's winter time when the voltage drops so defeats the purpose of my buying it.

Long post but thought I'd share my experience!

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Comments
  • TPAG84 07 Feb 2021
    I have a 4500mAH battery pack i put in my map bag, I cut a small hole under the map case for my cord and put a cord to my Galaxy tablet i use for maps...works great
    Reply
  • Steve E 07 Feb 2021
    Solar chargers are only any good for keeping the battery fully charged. You need to charge the battery fully (12.5v) and then the solar panel should be able to maintain the full charge and negate any of the power drains (alarm, clock, etc.) that kill your battery.
    Reply
    • ST.LL 07 Feb 2021 author
      Steve E, Thanks Steve, that was my conclusion so it's good to see I'm right in my thinking.

      I'm next going to try buying a decent portable power pack. My rough calculations suggest that I should get three days of trickle charge off my datatool charger leaving it plugged in over night. That works much better for me.

      I'll post up my results when I try!
      Reply
  • Russell Taylor 07 Feb 2021
    Idea! Get a new battery. A battery starting at 3.9v is unlikely to ever get back to 12.5v and last for any length of time. Keep the battery wired to a battery tender, an intelligent charger that only charges when needed. They normally come with a set of leads to permanently attach to the battery so you don't have to strip bodywork or take the battery out to charge it.
    Reply
    • ST.LL 07 Feb 2021 author
      Russell Taylor, it is a new battery. the drain is from winter and a tracker.

      I have a trickle charger that only charges when needed. What I don't have is a power supply, hence trying a solar panel. Next I will try a portable power pack.
      Reply
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