Solar Panel on top box
Solar Panel on top box
Anyone done this to charge small devices? I have a small peli case for which I've made a mount for my S1000. I fancy mounting a small but robust panel on it. I see from ADV rider that a guy's done but it was to trickle charge his bike and his panel is large. I only want to charge a phone and an ipad
Re: Solar Panel on top box
You could just Google it.Mike54 wrote:Anyone done this to charge small devices? I have a small peli case for which I've made a mount for my S1000. I fancy mounting a small but robust panel on it. I see from ADV rider that a guy's done but it was to trickle charge his bike and his panel is large. I only want to charge a phone and an ipad
"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Re: Solar Panel on top box
Ill be helpfull...check output of panel in watts, boats use them as do i on my camper but a 150w panel takes all day to give anything...
Them car dash panels are crap....and where would you strap the tent lol..
Them car dash panels are crap....and where would you strap the tent lol..
Re: Solar Panel on top box
V-Rider wrote:You could just Google it.Mike54 wrote:Anyone done this to charge small devices? I have a small peli case for which I've made a mount for my S1000. I fancy mounting a small but robust panel on it. I see from ADV rider that a guy's done but it was to trickle charge his bike and his panel is large. I only want to charge a phone and an ipad
I did, hence my mention of advrider.
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Re: Solar Panel on top box
Unless you live or travel in an area of high sunshine the output from a small panel is going to be minute.Just a thought but you could use the excess from you onboard genrator to parrallel any excess charge to a second battery for such things like in a camper trailer type system.
There is an Austraialn member on the My-Mc forum that installed panel to his bike trailer but its much larger than any you could fit but only gives around 15-20w.
There is an Austraialn member on the My-Mc forum that installed panel to his bike trailer but its much larger than any you could fit but only gives around 15-20w.
Re: Solar Panel on top box
I have fitted a couple of these to camper vans and in my experience the back wiring that joins the solar cells to each other is of vital importance. On cheaper panels any shadows on the panel takes out any cells on the non output side as well. I chose powerfilm panels as they are wired to avoid this and are tough enough to walk on, a video even shows one being tested by firing a shot gun at it and it still worked afterwards. Personally I would wire the panel as a trickle charger to the bike battery and take a output off of the battery. That way you replace any charge you have taken from the battery constantly when parked but retain quick charging of devices. This would not be ideal on a lead acid battery but OK on a gel type.
Powerfilm have some informative youtube videos on the subject.
Powerfilm have some informative youtube videos on the subject.
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Yamaha XT1200Z, Sertao, Herald 250, Xcountry & Vanvan
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Re: Solar Panel on top box
Yes I did read a while ago about the panel sections being wired in different configurations so that loss of some did not affect all charge output.So I guess that why some are dearer than others.
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Re: Solar Panel on top box
Have a look at the Jesse Luggage website. Al Jesse lent a bike to San Manicom last year and I'm fairly sure the topbox had a solar panel.
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Re: Solar Panel on top box
Not being funny , but if you have an alternator that gives out 300w when the engine is running , why would you want a solar panel that gives out a tiny charge, you could just get a USB socket to fit the bike , surely.