Solar

Discussion in 'Ducati General Discussion' started by Mike Richard, Jul 9, 2014.

  1. I just need a bit of info....
    I luckily have a garage to store my treasured motorbike!
    The problem is I have no power running into the garage.
    I have looked at the solar option and the Oxford range seems to be a good one.
    However i believe the connector is different from the one on the bike.
    Does anyone use this type of charger or have any solutions etc.
    Also maybe I'm being over cautious as I only intend leaving the bike for approx 10 days does the battery run down in this time??
    Comments eagerly required!
    Thanks
     
  2. Probably Ok for 10 days as long as battery condition is good in the first place.... You'd only find out when you were kitted up ready for a ride though!

    I'd be investing in power to the garage though if it was me. Bit of armoured cable and a consumer unit and you're off!

    If not that then a decent extension lead down the garden. That way you know it's going to be good to go!
     
  3. A bit of a problem with getting power to the garage because of distance/location etc looked into all options and its a def no-go!
    Have you or do you know of a good solar option??
     
  4. how do. spare battery.
     
  5. Yes thanks for that...I was hoping to hear from someone with experience of using the solar option!
     
  6. Mike , What is the distance from the house to your garage. ( I'm a sparky)
     
  7. I know a few who have a garage in a block and use solar panels, quite expensive tho tbh for what they use it for. Old car battery for a light and spare bike battery in case. Cant imagine bike should go dead in 10 days tho leave mine weeks and its fine
     
  8. Well there is the problem... its across a public road so unless I get permission from the council and hire a digger etc.
    However I everyone needs a good electrician do you live in Manchester!
     
  9. Thanks
    I have a tracker fitted and that can sometimes drain the battery faster than normal
     
  10. Most if the cheaper options are portable ones, whats the risk of it getting nicked?
     
  11. AH ok I see. Yeah I doubt the council would be happy having their road dug up!

    Pass on the solar...I dont know enough
     
  12. Mike I'm in West Sussex. Also without power to a garage!

    In fact I haven't had any power in the garages that I have been using for the last 10yrs.

    I get round this problem by having a car battery ready to use should I need it for jump starting, and riding my bikes regularly. Every 3 months or so I put the battery in my car's boot, take it back to my house and put it on charge.

    Those Trackers do use a significant amount of power. I removed my tracker that was fitted to the bike when I bought it, and also removed the bloody alarm, which was more trouble than it was worth.

    If i was to go down the solar route, I would pay particular attention to what safety features are incorporated in the circuitry to prevent any potential problems that could occur.
     
  13. I use a Maplins solar charger to keep equipment I use in my job charged. I have had no problems so far. I'm sure they would assist with connectors for your battery too. The sighting of the panel would be the tricky bit.
     
  14. Stick a propeller on a car alternator and stick it on the roof and connect that to a car battery
     
  15. And again? But next time in English :)
     
  16. Thanks for all the helpful comments I will let you all know how I get on.
    Im tempted to leave it for the 2 weeks and see how I get on its the maximum time I will ever really be on holiday.
    I suppose its probably reading about some bikes having problems starting after a short period.
     
  17. I may be able to assist/advise you with solar pwr as I use it @ wk .... pm me if you still want to go this route. As usual how successful it is does depend somewhat on your budget :rolleyes:

    P.S. I leave my bike easy 2 weeks & it's got an alarm/immobliser & the Battery's fine (I did worry about it when I 1st bought the bike as I'm guessing it's the orig batt on an 07 which had always been plugged into a batt tender, but having diff plug to mine it had to be left to chance)
     
    #18 DucatiDave, Jul 10, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2014
    • Like Like x 1
Do Not Sell My Personal Information