battery optimiser-Solar

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   Hi new falco owner, Oh my god it is phenomenal, I dithered a bit wondering if this was the bike for me, But I’ve been grinning ever since my 2 hour ride home.
Anyway my question is this, unfortunately I only get to ride at weekends and sometimes not for a few weeks, so to keep the battery at its peak has anybody used a solar charger?, I’ve seen them advertised for keeping caravan batteries charged, I thought they might be equally good for bike batteries?

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mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List L Plates Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: battery optimiser-Solar Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 13:25
	Hi new falco owner, Oh my god it is phenomenal, I dithered a bit wondering if this was the bike for me, But I’ve been grinning ever since my 2 hour ride home. Anyway my question is this, unfortunately I only get to ride at weekends and sometimes not for a few weeks, so to keep the battery at its peak has anybody used a solar charger?, I’ve seen them advertised for keeping caravan batteries charged, I thought they might be equally good for bike batteries?

Spookshow Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto2 racer Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spookshow Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 21:15
	I've never used one mate but I don't see why it shouldn't work. Anything you can do to keep the battery awake is better than now't. I think my optimate chucks out about 200mA so you're not looking for a lot of current. Just make sure whatever you hook up is designed for a 12V battery. Hopefully it'll have some kind of voltage regulator built into the circuit and diode protection so that it doesn't do anything odd at night when it's not generating voltage.

Ian75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto GP Alien Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 274	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2011 at 20:33
	Hi, My mate uses an oxford solar charger for his RC8 as he has no power in his garage, it works a treat, always starts first time. Apparently the oxford one has bits inside to stop it charging when its at peak power and as it runs down it kicks back in and charges again. I mention this because cheaper ones on eBay apparently just keep charging. I don't know how right that is, just hearsay, but I do know the oxford one works. Hope this helps. Ian
	RSVR - Not just a bike, it has a soul

mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List L Plates Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 2011 at 08:49
	Hi, thanks for the info. I've bought one from maplin £10 for a small 2w briefcase solar charger. I've hooked it up to my car for a trial as its going to be left for the next 3weeks and the battery does seem to loose its charge when left, so I'll let you know if it works.

wayno Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List L Plates Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Location: High Wycombe Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote wayno Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 2011 at 10:00
	I use one of the oxford solarisers, they're very good, in winter they keep enough charge to stop the clocks resetting but not really enough to start the bike. Great in summer though

mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List L Plates Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2011 at 15:56
	Hi, thanks for all the advice. just thought I'd post an update. Now this is by no means scientific as I have not measured the output of the solar chargers beyond the voltage with both being about 12v. I thought I'd try a solar charger on the car first, its a pretty old 2ltr SAAB which I've had for many years and have never replaced the battery, but lack of use and last winter seem to have taken its toll so after a couple of weeks left idle the battery always struggles to start the car. Since using a £9.99 Maplin solar charger I have had no problems, with the battery having plenty of power. I have since bought a second larger solar panel and have used it to keep the aprilia Falco battery fully charged, so far no problems. as an addition I used the solar charger on a flat battery on my BMW Boxer, left it a few days and the bike started first time and appears to have a fully charged battery. Happy days. Not sure if this is any help to people but I'm converted.

mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List L Plates Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2011 at 16:01
	Hi using solar chargers now both on my car and the bikes, so far no problems. I have also used it to charge up a flat battery on my BM boxer, left it a few days and the bike started first time and appears to have a fully charged battery. Happy days. This is by no means a scientific test, but I'm converted.

Spoonz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admins Group Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: North Devon Status: Offline Points: 10957	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spoonz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2011 at 21:33
	Where in Devon r u Mike ?