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08-17-08, 09:03 AM
How small is a small solar panel? How much would it weigh? How much would it cost? (I've contemplated this with my Li-Mg set-up.)
A very small (couple mA's) panel is all that's needed to prevent plate sulfation in lead chemistry. Other chemistries need not apply though - SLA (lead) is the only chemistry I'm aware of that benefits from even a small trickle of current back into the battery immediately following a drain.
It doesn't need to replace any measurable charge, just something (trickle) flowing back into the battery immediately following use is what helps keep the plates clean.
Riders that drain their lead batteries and leave them sit a few days before recharging experience the worst battery life - 50-100 cycles in some cases as opposed to 300 or more if you practice charging immediately following a ride.
A very small (couple mA's) panel is all that's needed to prevent plate sulfation in lead chemistry. Other chemistries need not apply though - SLA (lead) is the only chemistry I'm aware of that benefits from even a small trickle of current back into the battery immediately following a drain.
It doesn't need to replace any measurable charge, just something (trickle) flowing back into the battery immediately following use is what helps keep the plates clean.
Riders that drain their lead batteries and leave them sit a few days before recharging experience the worst battery life - 50-100 cycles in some cases as opposed to 300 or more if you practice charging immediately following a ride.