Samlex SunCharger Solar Battery Maintainer

No outlet where the bike is parked? The Samlex SunCharger uses sunlight to keep a 12V battery charged during storage, so you don’t have to pull the battery or run an extension cord out to the shelter. It’s a maintainer, not a fast charger.

Which size?

• 5 W (SC-05): the one Samlex lists for motorcycles, along with ATVs, cars, trucks, boats and RVs. 8.03 x 11.22 x 0.52 in, 0.8 lb.
• 10 W (SC-10): twice the wattage, for the bigger stuff in the driveway. Samlex lists RVs, boats, ATVs, cars and trucks. 12 x 15 x 0.53 in, 2.2 lb.

• Rugged, semi-flexible panel, per Samlex.
• Charges directly, no separate charge controller needed.
• Blocks current from flowing back from the battery to the panel.
• 10′ attached cable, plus a 1′ cable with a 12V plug and a 1′ cable with ring terminals.
• 2-year warranty (US/Canada).

Setting it up: the panel needs sun, so put it where daylight hits it and run the 10′ cable to the battery. Ring terminals are the tidy option for a bike that sits all season. Use the 12V plug if the vehicle has a powered outlet.

More on winter battery care in our motorcycle storage guide, and on parking outside in outdoor motorcycle storage without a garage.

Common Questions

Can a solar charger keep a motorcycle battery charged?
It can maintain one. The Samlex SunCharger keeps a 12V battery topped up using the sun, which is handy when the bike sits in a shelter with no outlet. It’s a maintainer, not a fast charger.

Do I need a charge controller with the Samlex SunCharger?
No. Samlex says it charges direct with no extra charge controller, and it blocks current from flowing back from the battery into the panel.

Should I get the 5W or 10W Samlex SunCharger?
For a motorcycle, the 5W is the one Samlex lists for bikes. The 10W is the bigger panel, 12 x 15 inches and 2.2 lbs, and Samlex lists it for RVs, boats, ATVs, cars and trucks.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.