Power

From the sun

Most classic bikes don’t get ridden every day, and if they use a battery ignition, than means keeping the battery charged and in good condition is a top priority. Sydney man Chris Zoch has come up with a practical solution to the problem, using solar, not mains power. His control unit has four independent outputs for trickle charging of batteries, powered by a single solar panel. Each output can be selected to 6 or 12V and it is suitable for both negative and positive earth bikes. The package includes a fused harness with non-reversible plug for permanent fitting to the motorcycle. Supplied also are 4 x 4m cables to facilitate quick connection of the charger to the bike. The control unit takes the feed from the solar panel to 4 separate charging regulators. Each regulator is current limited, so plugging in a half flat battery to one unit cannot rob the charge current from the other batteries on charge. There are LED indicators to show “on charge” and “float voltage”. Battery life is extended by avoiding deep discharge. Because the plug stays on the bike, it is quick and easy to connect: there are no alligator clips, no seats or side covers to remove and refit. The harness is easy to install and safe to use: fuse protected harness eliminates potential for accidental shorting of terminals and protects the bike in the event the supply cable is damaged. For a 12V/6V switchable version RRP $199 (including solar panel, 4 battery harnesses and 4 x 4m cables). For 12V only version RRP $189 (including solar panel, 4 battery harnesses and 4 x 4m cables). Available from Chris Zoch, Zochy’s Magnetos, Ph 02 96744984, Mob 0424011767, www.zochys-magnetos.com