Hello,
I have a “normal” mains battery charger and it has a switch setting for the battery type - gel / lead acid / lithium.
I have an OXFORD Solariser which is a small solar panel to provide a trickle charge to the battery (if I’m lucky!) and I was wondering whether it would be OK to use with the lithium battery I now have in my 2009 Breva 750? I just has the panel and a set of leads and that’s it. Thanks for any advice. 
I guess it will depend primarily on the maximum voltage the panel can generate. Provided that isn’t greater than the battery can accept (and that will depend on whether the battery has an internal management system) then it should not be a problem.
Of course, it should not allow the battery to discharge through the panel if there’s no sun. Again, an internal management system within the battery would protect it form over discharge.
Lithium cells are very happy to deliver big currents, but they really don’t like being over, or under voltage. That will damage them, and in the worst case, trigger them to burst into flames.
Thank you Simon. When I had the original lead-acid battery I’d hoped the Solariser would keep the battery useable … but it just went flat! It’s not a large panel and having looked on their website it says “Trickle-charge current between 10mA - 100mA” that isn’t a voltage but to my electrically challenged brain it sounds as though it may be safe enough.
It has a diode in the circuit to prevent it discharging.
Thanks for your guidance.
THIS is worth a look. Very informative.
The Solariser is a trickle charger, not a float charger.
Li cells do not like being trickle charged, as it can damage them through overcharging.
So I would be a bit wary about using one for a Li battery.
PS I’ve got a Solariser - I don’t use it now, but when I did it worked very well*. Before I got my bike shed, I just used to use one of those Oxford covers with the transparent pocket for the Solariser. Good bit of kit.
*ETA on a conventional lead/acid sealed battery.
They don’t care how slowly you charge them, they very much do care about overcharge, as I said.
Depends on the BMS, if indeed it has one.
Thanks for agreeing with me.
My pleasure.
Thanks Speedy - I have one of those OXFORD covers with the clear panel. However, from what you’ve said about the overcharging possibility (it will be left outside for months with no journeys I expect) I think it’s best to set regular reminders and just check the battery … or bring it indoors and keep an eye on it there. I have a proper lithium main charger at home.
Appreciate the info, thanks.