12v battery

[markeatmark]

12v battery how to keep it charged. Anyone have ideas?

[BarelyAWake]

Have you thought of one of these? They're like $20

Solar-Powered Battery Maintainer — 1.8 Watt

Installing a regulator/rectifier may be more trouble than it's worth - it seems the jury is still out on the capabilities of the magneto on these lil MBs... I've given some thought to the bicycle light friction generators as some are 12v, though there are so many disadvantages I've pretty much scrapped that line of thought.

There is quite a bit of relevant info on this in a corresponding thread if yer interested: http://motorbicycling.com/f11/12v-tu...ing-10176.html

Keep us posted on yer project though - I for one am curious as to what you may come up with

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I use a "battery tender" on the Harley.
That solar one above looks pretty cool!

[Earthman]

I'm working on a 12v electrical system for my bike, which I hope to get licensed here in PA. It'll take some time for me to finish it 'cause it's just a hobby and I'm in no hurry. I've built a headlight using a 12v, 20 Watt landscape flood light, and plan to build an LED tail/stop light, and LED turn signals. I may also incorporate a number of white strobe lights (LED or other). I plan to us about a 4 amp-hr Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack to power the system, which should give me 1 to 2 hours of operating time when fully charged. There are nice 6v and 12v wheel hub generators available that seem like the best bet, but they are on the expensive side, so I'll try to pick up a used one. In addition to the generator, I'll probably include a small 12v solar charge like the on shown in the previous post. My electrical system will have a receptacle for an external charger, which will be the primary way to charge the battery.

I don't need the bike for transportation, just fun - as I said, it's a hobby.

I plan to run the lights whenever I'm on the bike for safety. Not long ago, while on a short nighttime ride on the neighborhood streets, a teenage driver almost run me over a block from my house while I was stopped at an unlighted intersection. I had my headlight on, a bright tail light, an orange reflective vest, and white reflective tape all over my bike. He was speeding and cut the corner of the intersection and swerved as I entered his headlights - just before hitting me (at least he had fast reflexes). He never slowed down. In any case, I'm a big believer in having lots of lights and reflective stuff and plan to have the light signature of a much larger vehicle!

[markeatmark]

on a motorcycle between the magneto and the battery is a rectifier regulator i don't know what that is. will find out

[george_n_texas]

I heard wheelchair or other mobility chairs have really deep charges to them...I am also interested in this to power my laptop in the woods. the Laptop uses very little juice and I already have an inverter I used truckin. I am sure the solar thingy would let me use it at leaste an hour or so a day.

As a side note I met a dude that had the idea of using a car alternator with plastic blades from a cheap electric fan as a windmill generator...just add voltage regulator, battery and walah. He was a roughneck from the oilfield...those guys fabricate almost half the stuff they do. He said he got the idea when his fan belt broke and he spun the alternator by hand to charge the batteries enough to get to the gas station.

[markeatmark]

Originally Posted by george_n_texas

I heard wheelchair or other mobility chairs have really deep charges to them...I am also interested in this to power my laptop in the woods. the Laptop uses very little juice and I already have an inverter I used truckin. I am sure the solar thingy would let me use it at leaste an hour or so a day.

As a side note I met a dude that had the idea of using a car alternator with plastic blades from a cheap electric fan as a windmill generator...just add voltage regulator, battery and walah. He was a roughneck from the oilfield...those guys fabricate almost half the stuff they do. He said he got the idea when his fan belt broke and he spun the alternator by hand to charge the batteries enough to get to the gas station.

GM 1999 and back have an internal regulator

[Kevlarr]

Originally Posted by george_n_texas

I heard wheelchair or other mobility chairs have really deep charges to them...I am also interested in this to power my laptop in the woods. the Laptop uses very little juice and I already have an inverter I used truckin. I am sure the solar thingy would let me use it at leaste an hour or so a day.

As a side note I met a dude that had the idea of using a car alternator with plastic blades from a cheap electric fan as a windmill generator...just add voltage regulator, battery and walah. He was a roughneck from the oilfield...those guys fabricate almost half the stuff they do. He said he got the idea when his fan belt broke and he spun the alternator by hand to charge the batteries enough to get to the gas station.

You really need a permanent magnet alternator to get the most efficiency. You have to have 12v connected to a unmodified alternator to excite the field of the electromagnet. Being a DC system you also have to have your batteries relatively close to the gen. or you'll lose a lot of voltage unless you use heavy (expensive) welding cables. Also I don't think the blade from a box fan is going to be big enough to do much. Most of the alternator wind generators I've seen have a large (4'+) prop and a gear up pulley system.

[jay sawdust]

well im gonna try the solar charger...ive got the panel,the charge controller (thanks myocardia) and a couple 12v rechargeable batteries....now i can get all automotive lights.....any sugestions?.....i was just at wallyworld and saw some driveing,fog and work lights....dont know witch would be best...im gonna mount the panel on the rack,but make it removeable....ill keep you guys posted as to how it works

[BarelyAWake]

Most of Wallyworld's $15 driving lights are 55w, tho small they are quite hungry. Still a driving light (or fog) would make an excellent headlight. They also have "trim" lights, those small ones on running boards etc. - available in both red and yellow, they would make great brake light/turn signals. Best yet those are available in LED for about $5 each.

At VIP auto (a major chain auto parts store) I saw the same style driving/fog lights in LED - I'd check those out for max batt life, prolly not as bright as the 55w halogens, I suppose you could have one of each, run the LED for normal conditions and to save power, saving the halogen for "high beam" use.

Lookin good man!

Just wanted to mention, at "Home Depot" or it's equivalent they have 12v DC halogen spot or flood bulbs w/focused housing, meant as a replacement bulb for home lighting - make a housing/mount for the connectors and the "spot" would make a great distance headlight - or one of each, flood for area light/spot for distance. They consume a touch less power and at $3.59 - it may be worth it to make a mount


WATTS-35
VOLTS-12
SHAPE-MR11
BASE-BA15D
LENGTH-40mm
LIFE-3,000hrs
BEAM SPREAD-10 DEGREES