Samlex 5W Battery Maintainer Portable SunCharger

No outlet where the bike is parked? This is the battery maintainer for that. The Samlex SC-05 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 hooks up two ways: through a 12V power plug, or straight to the battery with ring terminals. Samlex lists motorcycles, ATVs, cars, trucks, boats and RVs among its uses.

• 5W semi-flexible solar panel, rugged and weatherproof.
• 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.
• 8.03 x 11.22 x 0.52 in, 0.8 lb.
• 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 bike. Ring terminals are the tidy option for a bike that sits all season.

Want more panel? The 10W SunCharger is twice the wattage. 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 SC-05 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 at night.

How do I hook up the Samlex 5W solar panel?
Two ways. Plug it into a 12V power outlet, or connect straight to the battery with the included ring terminals. It has a 10-foot attached cable plus 1-foot leads for each option.

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.