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[scottwstevenson]

Looks like the battery on that 2010 model runs on a different voltage that what 2013+ models are using.

I think (?) this MPPT controller would work to charge via the auxiliary Anderson port on the Zero, given it could be programmed to stay within the proper charging limits. (It seems to match the elcon parameters pretty well).

https://www.desertcart.us/products/36071348-mabelstar-mppt-solar-charge-controller-96-v-50-a-with-led-and-lcd-display

(At Amazon - better price when I checked: https://www.amazon.com/Mabelstar-Solar-Charge-Controller-Display/dp/B01GEQCVGO )

-S

[victor6.7y]

Are you doing this for fun and experimenting or are you looking for a green way to charge your bike?

To ensure you collect as much power from the sun as possible and be able to charge your bike, you will probably need a 14.4kwh battery 
To be clear, you probably need a second battery with the same size of you motorcycle.


I have 9 solar panels with a Peak power of 2880 W (320 W peak for each panel) on my roof. This is connected to my home system trough a 3000 W inverter.
This powers my house during the day. When the power of the sun is more than sufficient I am providing the energy net with power.  (I am using the energy net as my battery)

With this system I collect about 15kWh on a above average good day.

[DerKrawallkeks]

Get 4 Panels like I have;) then connect them directly to your aux port, no charger, inverter or battery (just a Diode).

Actually dont do this, it's not very clean, I just wanted to mention it's possible:)

[DonTom]

Get 4 Panels like I have;) then connect them directly to your aux port, no charger, inverter or battery (just a Diode).

You do have a battery in the Zero!


Was the diode necessary?  You should get a slightly higher charge current without the diode.


I wonder how well a 100V solar controller would work on a Zero battery.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[victor6.7y]

I wonder how well a 100V solar controller would work on a Zero battery.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

Issnt the output of the link, 24V??? Than It would probably not do well.


The 1N4001 diodes have a voltage drop of 1.1v. Seems like a small price to pay to ensure you do not want to power the solar panels with your battery.
Especially since the voltage of a solar panel will rise if when the load resistance is rising. (It has a maximum voltage, but still  )

[Crissa]

That one takes 100v from the panels and turns it into 12 or 24v for lead-acid batteries, Don.  I have something like that already. 

-Crissa

[DerKrawallkeks]

Hey,
The Diode doesn't make a difference, cause the current of solar panels is pretty much fixed (unless you go too high in voltage so that they can't keep up).

That means workout an mppt, like me, it doesn't even matter, the labels lush 7A regardless if it's at 113V or 11V (with Diode).
The mpp is at 116V.

I'd recommend a Diode just to be safe, technically solar cells themselves are Diodes, but the i would not want to risk anything.

[DonTom]

Issnt the output of the link, 24V??? Than It would probably not do well.

Yep, I now see that. Strange that they would rate the output current with the input voltage ie, 100V/50 amps. That can be confusing if 100V solar controllers really exist.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[DonTom]

I'd recommend a Diode just to be safe, technically solar cells themselves are Diodes, but the i would not want to risk anything.

Is it the solar panels you're concerned with?  The +100 volts battery voltage getting back into the solar panels and doing harm to them?

I still doubt it will cause any problem with four solar panels in series.

The voltage drop of the diode should be 0.7V if it is on fully. That the drop is 1.1V makes me think there is some charge current lost through that diode.

However, I agree it's better to be safe than sorry, especially since it's just an experiment anyway.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[scottwstevenson]

Issnt the output of the link, 24V??? Than It would probably not do well.

Yep, I now see that. Strange that they would rate the output current with the input voltage ie, 100V/50 amps. That can be confusing if 100V solar controllers really exist.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

Don,

I think this charge controller (i posted just above, which is what got this thread moving again, I think?) has an output that matches the Zero battery pack quite well...(?)

https://www.desertcart.us/products/36071348-mabelstar-mppt-solar-charge-controller-96-v-50-a-with-led-and-lcd-display

-S

[dukecola]

It's not worth it, the recharge cycles on your friends battery will reduce it's life.

[Crissa]

Solar panels put in series like this can draw power from the battery.

It's rated at 100V because a solar controller has an input voltage and an output voltage.  Means you get to charge better when under clouds.

-Crissa

[DerKrawallkeks]

@Don I think Victor took the voltage drop from the datasheet.
I have no idea what my actual voltage drop is.
If I remember correctly, I put 2 diodes in series and 3 in parallel (6 total).

Yes I was concerned about the voltage back into the panels. Shouldn't be a problem but yea.. better safe.

@Crissa thanks, good to know I did the right thing with the Diodes!;) What do you mean by charging under clouds?

[DonTom]

@Don I think Victor took the voltage drop from the datasheet.
I have no idea what my actual voltage drop is.
If I remember correctly, I put 2 diodes in series and 3 in parallel (6 total).

Two diodes in series will double the voltage drop. Should then be around 1.4VDC.  0.7VDC is the voltage drop on any single silicon diode, when fully on.  0.2 volts drop on the rarer used geranium diodes. But diodes can be tricky. Such as HV diodes are really many diodes in series in the same case.  So many that most ohmmeters don't supply enough voltage for them to turn on and read open when they are not.

@Crissa thanks, good to know I did the right thing with the Diodes!;) What do you mean by charging under clouds?

I think she means when there is less sunlight. The solar controller really should work best at all times, but doesn't help much during a dark night . And will never overcharge.


Solar panels want light, but not too much heat. The output can drop a bit on a hot but bright sunny day.


-Don- Auburn, CA (about ready to ride my Zero SR to Reno today, with a side trip and a couple of 8 KW charges on the way).

[DonTom]

That one takes 100v from the panels and turns it into 12 or 24v for lead-acid batteries, Don.  I have something like that already. 

-Crissa

What do you use it for?  I also use solar, but not a lot, a couple of hundred watts of it in my RV. Used to help charge my lith house battery.


I have a separate panel for the engine L-A battery, 15 watts.


Both use controllers.


-Don-  Auburn, CA