Radio memory w/o battery?

[Bonnewagon]

I would like to install a marine grade battery cut-off switch in my wagon since it tends to sit for long periods. But then the radio pre-sets get lost. I could wire the memory only to the battery while the car is dormant, but then I risk draining the battery if I let it go too long. When I disconnect the battery for any kind of service I attach a 9 volt battery to the cables to save the radio memory. Is there something like that, maybe a low voltage Lithium Ion battery that would keep the memory alive, then get recharged when I run the car? If it was a boat, I'd say wire the radio (and bilge pump) to a deep cycle battery to sacrifice, and have a separate starting battery to start the motor and recharge both. But dual batteries in a car is a bit much.

 

[pontiacgp]

what about a solar panel? A small 6 watt panel will keep the battery charged easily with the memory for the radio on even if it's not sunny every day

 

[DRIVEN]

A small float charger would cost less than another battery. Mine has a quick-connect plug on the cables. Came with attachments with alligator clips, a pigtail to hardwire to the battery or fusebox, and a cigarette lighter plug.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Yeah, I use the solar chargers too, very handy. But they don't work at night and I notice that on cars with a lot of voltage leaks they fall short. I bought my daughter's boyfriend this double size one for his truck because after 3 days the battery was dead. Lots of voltage leaks what with radio, alarm, door locks, auto-start, etc. All those drain current. Mine would just be the radio, maybe it would be fine after all if I got the double size unit for myself.

 

[tc1959]

I keep mine on a Battery Tender. Haven't had a battery problem since.

 

[pontiacgp]

what about this, you can keep the battery charged and stay in shape at the same time, and no need to thank me, I like trying to help you guys.. 🙂

 

[Bonnewagon]

Steve! All joking aside, do you have a link to that bike alternator? I am toying with that idea too, to run my furnace/hot water heater in case of a power outage.

 

[pontiacgp]

Mark, that is just a picture I found but when I googled bicycle generator there was alot of links about how to build one.

here's the article with the picture I posted

http://www.aboutgenerator.com/2011/09/


but you might want to read this one first

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/05/ ... ators.html

 

[Bonnewagon]

Thank's Steve, that was a very interesting read. I already knew that a DC generator was best, and using the motor from a treadmill makes the most juice at the lowest rpm. I actually have an exercise bike just like that one, so I have a flywheel, and it's an upright position. What I wanted to do was run a DC generator, use an old GM voltage regulator, and charge a 12 volt car battery. The battery would then power my furnace/water heater which actually runs on either 12 or 24 volts after the household 110 AC is converted. Since this is an emergency device, all I need is to pedal long enough to charge the battery up. During the day I could even wire a fairly large solar charger to keep it powered up. Seems doable, no?

 

[pontiacgp]

that does seem like it will work....it's an interesting project and I'm glad I was able to suggest it....and here you were thinking I was just joking....