Solar trickle chargers

[drkngas]

I was wondering if anyone has one or has ever used one.  There seems to be alot available.  If I spend too much time in traffic my battery seems to run low.  Tried different battery, using a Yuasa now. Tested the charging system, over 14 volts at 4k rpm.  I trickle it once a month or more at home but at the Galveston Lone Star Rally i guess I stayed at low rpms too much and had to push start it. I have not had a problem since.

Here is a couple of them:
http://www.bridgwater-electronics.co.uk/p_25_Motorcycle+Solar+Trickle+Charger.php
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200263124_200263124

[MagnaDaddy]

Cool idea!  a few months back I had to push her all the way across the parking lot at work to a light pole so I could plug in my "old fashioned" trickle charger.

[lragan]

I haven't used one on my bike, but bought two different ones at Harbor Freight.  The first one I bought on sale was a five watt unit, which I installed on my tractor -- a 60 hp diesel that gets only occasional use.  Ask anyone who have ever had a diesel, they eat batteries for breakfast! 

Well, the solar panel on my gate died, and I took the one off the tractor to replace it.  The five watt panel was way more than the batteries needed.  I replaced it on the tractor with a 1.5 watt.  Know I paid under $30 for it, and it works like a charm.  Gonna pay for itself in batteries in the first winter.

If I needed one for the bike, it would need a long lead, since I park the bike under the carport.  I would also install some sort of plug to make it easy to disconnect.

When I am in traffic, or idling for any time, I turn off the extra lights to save the battery.  So far, the bike battery has held up well.