Topic: Question about testing solar trickle charger

[juntjoo]

It's a little 250ma one. Right now, today it's drawing 75ma, and my bike battery about the same. If I read the bike amps with solar charger connected should I see a sum of both, 130-140ish milli amps? Or if I'm doing a ll wrong how do you test it's operation? When I connect it I don't get any extra amperage.

Solar trickle charger testing https://imgur.com/a/qo9cu

[FuZZie]

You mean the solar panel is producing 75MA?

IF: 250MA is the max in perfect conditions, my maintainers are 2 and 3 amp if the battery is low it can take a couple of days to charge up

MA * hours of good light * days = to farking late!

[juntjoo]

You mean the solar panel is producing 75MA?

IF: 250MA is the max in perfect conditions, my maintainers are 2 and 3 amp if the battery is low it can take a couple of days to charge up

MA * hours of good light * days = to farking late!

It was $20. Fits perfectly behind my seat attached to the oh crap handle. You really think it's useless?

[crazypj]

I checked no load  voltage on one at 19V DC. It's really designed to keep the battery at same level as it's 'self discharging' rather than actually re-charge a battery

[juntjoo]

Oh. I was trying to give the battery some help whenever sun is available especially if I'm charging my phone for ex. Maybe I should look into a 500 MA one. Is that 1/2 an Amp BTW?

[FuZZie]

Yea but your test only produced 75MA, if that turns out to be your adv production you'll only get to 150MA.

[crazypj]

Looking at picture, it wasn't in sunlight but overcast haze?
If bike is 'leaking' 75ma I would put a battery disconnect switch in circuit if your not using it for a few weeks (or just disconnect battery?)

[FuZZie]

Looking at picture, it wasn't in sunlight but overcast haze?
If bike is 'leaking' 75ma I would put a battery disconnect switch in circuit if your not using it for a few weeks (or just disconnect battery?)

I can't see him getting to "leaking" (discharge?)
You need to stop it when the battery is fully charged and then measure discharge over time.

If he does make it to enough amps to charge without some form of charge controller circuit batteries could be damaged (or life span).

[BomberMann650]

Yeah, 150mA won't do diddly for a motorcycle battery.

But if you use it to charge one of those lithium ion jumpstart pocket packs...that'd be a combo to keep in the saddlebag

[TwoTired]

Motorcycle battery is probably 14AH or 12AH.  OP doesn't state what the f* he has.  Hardly a surprise, I suppose.

So, the indefinite charge rate is 1/10 of rating (1/10C), which is 1.4 or 1.2 Amps.  This is safe for Lead acid, (which the OP also doesn't regard as in any way important info, HA!)  The 1/10C charge rate won't create too much electrolysis separating H and O from H2O (depending on ambient temperature, of course).

Lead acid batteries self discharge all by them selves at about 5% per month.  5% of 14AH is 0.7 A.  So, a 150MA charge rate 10 Hours a day from Sunlight might just overcome (mostly equalize) self discharge characteristics.  This rate, however, would be inconsequential relative to 25A or more starting motor current draw, and approximate 10-15 Amps electrical loads that most bikes have.

Then again there are theories that the flap of butterfly wings, can cause hurricanes hundreds of miles away.  So, if you are an extreme optimist...And extremely susceptible to the green movement propaganda, you should really stick to your solar power cure all idealism and hopeful benefits, while you wait for the tow vehicle by the roadside.

Cheers,

[scottly]

Lead acid batteries self discharge all by them selves at about 5% per month.  5% of 14AH is 0.7 A.  So, a 150MA charge rate 10 Hours a day from Sunlight might just overcome (mostly equalize) self discharge characteristics.

150 mA rate at 10 hours= 1.5 AH per day.
To the OP, to test your solar panel, first connect the meter, configured to read DC volts, to the output wires from the panel, with the panel pointed directly at the sun; this will be the maximum no-load (zero current) voltage it's capable of producing.
Next, re-configure the meter to read amps (this should be done with extreme caution, as improper use can blow a fuse, if you're lucky, or seriously damage your meter if you aren't so lucky. ). Connect the meter to the output wires, and note the current, again keeping the panel pointed directly at the sun. This is the "short circuit", or maximum current (zero voltage) the panel is capable of producing.

[BomberMann650]

Motorcycle battery is probably 14AH or 12AH.  OP doesn't state what the f* he has.  Hardly a surprise, I suppose.

So, the indefinite charge rate is 1/10 of rating (1/10C), which is 1.4 or 1.2 Amps.  This is safe for Lead acid, (which the OP also doesn't regard as in any way important info, HA!)  The 1/10C charge rate won't create too much electrolysis separating H and O from H2O (depending on ambient temperature, of course).

Lead acid batteries self discharge all by them selves at about 5% per month.  5% of 14AH is 0.7 A.  So, a 150MA charge rate 10 Hours a day from Sunlight might just overcome (mostly equalize) self discharge characteristics.  This rate, however, would be inconsequential relative to 25A or more starting motor current draw, and approximate 10-15 Amps electrical loads that most bikes have.

Then again there are theories that the flap of butterfly wings, can cause hurricanes hundreds of miles away.  So, if you are an extreme optimist...And extremely susceptible to the green movement propaganda, you should really stick to your solar power cure all idealism and hopeful benefits, while you wait for the tow vehicle by the roadside.

Cheers,

Jeez twotired, don't belittle the OP like that.

Don't underestimate the effectiveness of photovoltaics either!
There are 2 & 6 amp 12v solar chargers that would work great in this application.

[FuZZie]

There are 2 & 6 amp 12v solar chargers that would work great in this application.

That's getting a bit beyond 20 bucks and being able to sit on the bike... 

[Yamahawk]

There are 2 & 6 amp 12v solar chargers that would work great in this application.

That's getting a bit beyond 20 bucks and being able to sit on the bike... 

Incorporated into a fairing cover, or perhaps like a rickshaw, you could have an effective charge. I have a 15 watt charger from HF that I keep on the dash of my box van for winter! Works great and is only about 16" long.
Charlie

[crazypj]

Looking at picture, it wasn't in sunlight but overcast haze?
If bike is 'leaking' 75ma I would put a battery disconnect switch in circuit if your not using it for a few weeks (or just disconnect battery?)

I can't see him getting to "leaking" (discharge?)
You need to stop it when the battery is fully charged and then measure discharge over time.

If he does make it to enough amps to charge without some form of charge controller circuit batteries could be damaged (or life span).

All diodes 'leak' in reverse direction it's just when it becomes excessive you have problems. Don't forget, the rectifier regulator unit has to be capable of 'containing' at least 3~4 amps without burning out (and probably more when battery is low). I've tested CB400T putting out 20A from generator (guy fitted 2 x 100w spotlights in addition to stock lights)