Solar Panel Trickle Chargers

Discussion in 'Clothing, Gadgets & Equipment' started by timberwolf, Mar 23, 2015.

  1. Anyone got one? I dont have power to my garage and to be honest its a pain keep running the extension cable to the optimate. I did get a sealey SPP01 1.5w solar power panel but then found out its not weatherproof.
    Anyone recommend a weatherproof one, possibly 4 watts or so? I see maplin do one but not sure if its any good.

    Ta,
    Phil
     
    #1 timberwolf, Mar 23, 2015
  2. GULP, nobody has one then..............
     
    #2 timberwolf, Mar 24, 2015
  3. My 748 has been hooked up to one pretty well most of the winter-from Maplin. Seems ok to me.
     
    #3 ibgarrow, Mar 24, 2015
  4. Make sure they have a shunt diode to prevent overnight discharge.
    I've got a few and all OK.
    Smallest is 10w.
    4w is probably the best size for a bike, but note they don't limit the charge current, so it might cook the battery on a long Sumer's day...in any case you should be out riding it then.
     
    #4 AirCon, Mar 24, 2015
  5. If it's not to far I would put some armored cable across and get a permanent power source.
    Steve
     
    #5 Birdie, Mar 25, 2015
  6. #6 Weeksy, Mar 25, 2015
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Thanks guys, those of you using them, are they open to the elements? The maplins ones state weatherproof yet in the questions section they claim they are internal only. The oxford one doesn't seem to mention the output or if its weatherproof?
     
    #7 timberwolf, Mar 25, 2015
  8. #8 Red998, Mar 25, 2015
    • Useful Useful x 1
  9. Just buy a small tube of silicon and apply it to any joints/holes. Should be fine.
     
    #9 figaro, Mar 25, 2015
  10. Mine has been indoors, just use when the garage is open.
     
    #10 Weeksy, Mar 25, 2015
  11. My Maplin one's been mounted outside over 2 winters now, and still blinks away happily. Fortuitously, it's on the side sheltered from the prevailing wind.
     
    #11 ibgarrow, Mar 26, 2015
  12. I've used one of the Solariser ones for a couple of years now. It sits on the garage roof (screwed down) and I just extended the lead by about 3m through the roof to the bike. Works a treat and keeps the bike topped up with the alarm armed. The plug from the battery is quite discreet as well so sits next to the one for the Optimiser quite nicely. I did try one of the larger Maplin ones before but it didn't survive being outside all the time. Deffo recommend the Solariser.
     
    #12 ChrishGTV, Apr 19, 2015
  13. +1 Oxford Solariser
     
    #13 did, Apr 19, 2015
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