Renewable Energy Global solar power User manual

1
EXPERIMENT MANUAL
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solar power | Contents
Recommendations .................................................... 1
Parts List .................................................................... 2-3
How Does a Solar Cell Work? ................................ 4
Using the Solar Panel ............................................... 5
About the Gears ......................................................... 6
About the Sprockets ................................................ 7
Tips and Tricks for Building the Models ............ 8
Solar Powered Models ............................................. 9
Model 1 - Steam Locomotive ............................. 10
Model 2 - Bulldozer ................................................. 12
Model 3 - Backhoe .................................................. 14
Model 4 - Single-Prop Plane ................................ 16
Model 5 - Helicopter ............................................... 18
Model 6 - Twin-Prop Helicopter ......................... 20
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1
Recommendations | solar power
GENERAL ADVICE AND WARNINGS FOR PARENTS AND USERS
1. Please read these instructions, follow the safety rules, and keep them for reference. We
recommend that you make the models in the order given. You will then be able to better
understand the assembly and operation of the parts.
2. This kit has been designed for children over 8 years of age. It aims to help children discover solar
power and how solar cells work in a hands-on way as they build fun models.
3. Discuss the safety warnings and possible risks involved with the children before allowing them
to build these models.
4. Do not insert the wire connectors and other components into any electrical sockets, which will
cause serious damage. Only the recommended batteries are allowed for use in this kit.
5. Cleaning:
• Clean only with a cloth that is slightly dampened with water.
• Never use soap or detergent.
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
1. Don’t expose the solar panel to a high temperature light bulb for a long time, so as to avoid a
short circuit.
2. While activating the solar vehicles with a light bulb, keep your hands away from the bulb to avoid
any harm that could be caused by accidentally touching the hot light bulb.
3. Please experiment with an incandescent light bulb that is at least 60 Watts, or the sunshine
outside on a sunny day. An electric flashlight, fluorescent lights, and most low-voltage halogen
bulbs are too weak to activate the solar vehicles.
4. Regular, non-rechargeable batteries must not be recharged.
5. The rechargeable batteries can only be charged under the supervision of an adult.
6. Do not force open the battery.
7. Do not throw the battery into the fire.
8. Pay attention to the correct polarity.
9. Do not short-circuit batteries. They could explode!
10. Do not mix new and used batteries.
11. The exhausted batteries must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
12. Remove the batteries when you do not use the kit for a long period of time.
13. Misuse of batteries can cause them to leak, which damages and corrodes the area around the
battery, creating the danger of fire, explosion, and personal injury.
WARNING TO PARENTS
This toy is not suitable for children under 3 years of age. It contains small
parts that a child could swallow. This toy must be kept out of the reach of
very young children.
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2
solar power | Parts List
TOTAL 177
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
PARTS NAMES
SQUARE FRAME - GRAY
SHORT FRAME - BLUE
DIGGING BUCKET
REVERSIBLE MOTOR/GENERATOR
EXTRA LONG AXLE
LONG AXLE
SHORT AXLE
MOTOR AXLE
WHEEL AND TIRE
LARGE GEAR - YELLOW
MEDIUM GEAR - BLUE
SMALL GEAR - RED
LARGE SPROCKET - GRAY
MEDIUM SPROCKET - GRAY
SMALL SPROCKET - GRAY
3-HOLE ROD - GRAY
5-HOLE ROD - GRAY
PART SEPARATOR TOOL
3-HOLE DUAL ROD - GRAY
LONG 7-HOLE DUAL ROD - YELLOW
PCS
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
4
5
3
2
2
2
8
6
1
3
3
No
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
PARTS NAMES
11-HOLE ROD - GRAY
CONCAVE BLOCK - GRAY
SPOKED ROUND BLOCK - GRAY
CURVED ELBOW ROD - GRAY
AXLE LOCK
SHAFT PIN
SHAFT PLUG
ANCHOR PIN
HINGE - GRAY
ROD CONNECTOR
DRIVE CHAIN UNIT - BLACK
TWO-TO-ONE CONVERTER - GRAY
90 DEGREE CONVERTER R - GRAY
90 DEGREE CONVERTER L - GRAY
WIRE CONNECTOR - RED
WIRE CONNECTOR - BLACK
ADJUSTABLE SOLAR PANEL
BATTERY HOLDER
BATTERY CHARGER
PCS
3
6
2
5
2
4
5
20
4
3
53
2
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
Axle locks are used to keep
gears and axles from slipping.
It’s easy to put axle locks onto
axles without removing gears or
axles.
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3
Parts List | solar power
1
6
12
18
23
30
36 37 38 39
31 32 33 34 35
24 25 26 27 28 29
19 20 21 22
13 14 15 16 17
7 8 9 10 11
2 3 4 5
x 3
x 2
x 3
x 1
x 2
x 3 x 53 x 2 x 8 x 1 x 1
x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1
x 5 x 2 x 4 x 5 x 20 x 4
x 3 x 3 x 3 x 6
x 2 x 2 x 2 x 8 x 6
x 2 x 1 x 2 x 4 x 5
x 2 x 1 x 1
x 1
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4
solar power | How Does a Solar Cell Work?
Load
electrode
antiglare layer
n-type
semiconductor
p-type
semiconductor
electrode electric
current
A solar cell is a device that uses an electronic component called a
semiconductor to convert light energy into electrical energy.
In a solar cell, electrons in the semiconductor are excited into
motion when they are exposed to light energy. The solar cell
is designed to make the electrons flow in a specific direction,
creating a negative pole on the side where there are more
electrons and a positive pole on the side where there are
fewer electrons, or more “empty holes” for electrons. This
results in a voltage and an electric current.
The current and the voltage of a single standard solar cell are weak.
It is common to strengthen them by wiring solar cells together in series
or in parallel.
ADJUSTABLE SOLAR PANEL
The adjustable solar panel in this kit has several solar cells.
They are integrated into the black strips located under the protective
layer of clear plastic. If you turn the panel over, you can see the
individual cells very clearly. This solar panel is just the same as the big
ones that you can see on the roofs of some houses, except that it is
smaller and produces less electricity.
REVERSIBLE MOTOR/GENERATOR
The reversible motor can be activated by the electricity produced
by the adjustable solar panel or a battery (size AA) mounted in the
battery holder.
The reversible generator can generate electricity using mechanical
(turning) energy too.
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5
Using the Solar Panel | solar power
ACTIVATING THE REVERSIBLE MOTOR
You can experiment to activate the reversible motor as the pictures
show.
1. Mount the adjustable solar panel on the battery holder.
2. Connect the battery holder and reversible motor with the
wire connectors. Make sure you pay attention to the plus (+)
and minus (-) symbols on the battery holder, the solar panel,
and the motor when you attach the wire connectors. The
red wire is the positive wire and the black is the negative.
3. Insert the motor axle into the reversible motor and mount a small
sprocket on the axle.
4. Take your model into bright sunlight and orient the adjustable
solar panel toward the sun to drive the reversible motor. You can
clearly see the sprocket turning on the motor axle.
A diode allows electric current to flow in only
one direction. The electronic symbol for the
diode (the arrow) indicates the direction in
which the electric current can flow. Generally
speaking, only if the electric current is forward
current with a voltage of 0.7 V, will it be able
to pass through the diode. However, when the
electric current flows in the opposite direction
(as in the case when the positive and nega-
tive poles of the solar panel or the wire con-
nectors are reversed), it will be blocked, which
is shown by
the electronic
symbol. When sunlight
shines on the solar panels, electric
current is produced and flows to the positive
pole of the rechargeable battery, and slowly
charges the battery. As the sunlight disap-
pears, although the voltage the solar panel
decreases, the diode prevents the stored
electric current from flowing backward and
draining out again.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR OWN SOLAR MODELS
1. Become familiar with the example models shown in this manual.
2. Brainstorm ideas for the mechanism you want to build and write
them down.
3. Coordinate the power source and the mechanism on paper.
4. Determine the size of the mechanism.
5. Make every connection as accurately and securely as possible.
Reduce the friction of connections as much as possible.
6. Experiment on the mechanism and make modifications to get
proper movement. Then attach the motor.
7. Complete the project by reviewing the things you learned.
OPERATING THE BATTERY CHARGER
WITH THE SOLAR PANEL
There is a diode
inside the red
battery charger.
electronic symbol:For example:
TIPS!
When the sunlight is not strong enough,
you can remove the adjustable solar
panel from the battery holder and
insert a AA battery (sold separately)
to run the model. It is possible to add
more battery holders with adjustable
solar panels (from another kit) or AA
batteries (sold separately) connected
in series to increase the power. Solar
panel and battery can work together.
D
SOLAR
PANEL AA 1.2 V
R6-size AA
Rechargeable Battery
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6
solar power | About the Gears
The gear set contains both spur and bevel gears. This kit contains “spur gears,” which mesh in the
same plane and regulate the speed or the turning direction of the shafts, and “bevel gears” (the
beveled edges of the gears) which mesh together at right angles to the initial turning plane of the
gears and shafts to change the plane of rotation.
1. Use two red 20-tooth gears and two yellow 60-tooth
gears to build the assembly shown here. You will need
to use axles to put the gears on the frame. Gear B is on
the same axle as gear C.
2. How many times do you have to turn the small gear A in
order to make the second large gear D turn once?
The small gear A turning the large gear B yields a 3-to-1
gear ratio. The second small gear C is directly driven by
the axle attached to gear B, and it produces another
3-to-1 gear ratio with the second large gear D.
Did you find out that you had to turn the small gear A
nine times to turn the second large gear D once?
The overall gear ratio of the system is 9 to 1. (A gear
ratio of 3 to 1 multiplied by another ratio of 3 to 1 yields
a total gear ratio of 9 to 1).
3. Add a third red 20-tooth gear to the short drive axle at
(x). Why does the system lock up?
4. Add a blue 40-tooth and a red 20-tooth gear to the
system as shown. Can you work out mathematically
what the gear ratio of system would be? Count the
number of turns. Were you right?
1. This gear box uses a combination of red 20-tooth gears
and yellow 60-tooth gears. There are four pairs of red
20-tooth and yellow 60-tooth gears. Each pair produces
a gear ratio of 3 to 1.
The overall gear ratio would then be
3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81.
If gear B is turned 81 times then gear A would turn once.
2. If gear A could be turned once then gear B would turn 81
times! Can you add another pair of gears to make a ratio
of 243 to 1?
A
C
D
BX
D
B
A
C
40
20
A
B
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7
About the Sprockets | solar power
1. The power transmission in chain gear systems depends on chains instead of the direct meshing
of gears. Chains must fit on the teeth of chain gears. Gears used with chains are called sprockets.
The “working” diameters of the sprockets in this kit are about 10 mm (10-tooth), 20 mm (20-tooth)
and 30 mm (30-tooth). Try to ensure that when connecting drive chains they are neither too tight
nor too loose so that the motion of one is transmitted eciently to the other. If the chain lengths
do not exactly fit, opt for adding an extra chain segment: a chain that is a little loose will work
better than one that is too tight. However, the chain has to be tight enough so that it does not
fall o the sprockets. Chain gear systems can be found in normal bikes or escalators.
2. Connect a 10-tooth sprocket to a 30-tooth sprocket as shown.
3. Use a pencil point, or something similar, to turn sprocket B.
Which direction does sprocket A turn?
Would this be the same if A and B were two gears meshing?
How many times do you have to turn A for B to rotate once?
The gear ratio of these two sprockets would be __ to __ ?
4. Repeat the experiment for the two assemblies below and make a table of your results for all
three.
5. Try chaining a 10-tooth sprocket and two 30-tooth
sprockets together as shown. Turn A clockwise.
What happens to B and C?
Do they turn in the same direction?
Do they turn at the same speed?
6. Now try to chain the 10-tooth sprocket C as shown.
Turn A clockwise. What happens to B and C?
Do they turn in the same direction?
Do they turn at the same speed?
7. By connecting two sets of chain gears together three
speeds can be obtained.
This system is widely used in the transmission on bicycles
by adding a gear shift in between.
A B
A BA B
A B
C
A B
C
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8
solar power | Tips and Tricks for Building the Models
1. Both anchor pins and joint pins can be used to join rods and frames. (Fig. 1-1)
But only a joint pin can allow a rod to rotate on a frame as shown. (Fig. 1-2)
2. Use a long axle to push the joint pin out of the rod. (Fig. 1-3)
3. Frames can be connected directly to each other end to end. (Fig. 2)
4. When attaching a gear or a wheel onto a frame with an axle, be sure to leave a gap of about 1
mm between the gear or the wheel and the frame. This will decrease the friction caused during
operation so that the model will run more smoothly. (Fig. 3)
5. Make sure that when you connect the drive chains they are neither too tight nor too loose so
that the motion of one sprocket is transmitted eciently to the other. If the chain lengths do
not exactly fit the distance between sprockets, making the chain a little looser will work better
than making it too tight.
6. Chain links can be connected with each other, end to end, to make a drive chain of a desired
length.
7. Make sure that you attach the chain links together with the smooth side always on the inside,
so that the transmission can run eciently and smoothly. (Fig. 4)
8. Use the end “A” of the part separator tool to pry o an anchor pin. (Fig. 5)
9. Use the end “B” of the part separator tool to remove the battery as Fig. 6 shows.
ANCHOR OR JOINT PIN
Fig.1-1 Fig.1-2 Fi g.1-3 Fig.2
Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.5
AXLE
CONNECTOR
OK! (with gap) NO! (without gap)
B
Fig.6
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9
Solar Powered Models | solar power
Model 1
Steam
Locomotive
Model 4
Single-Prop Plane
Model 2
Bulldozer
Model 5
Helicopter
Model 3
Backhoe
Model 6
Twin-Prop Helicopter
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10
solar power | Model 1 - Steam Locomotive
DID YOU KNOW...
The first steam locomotive started with the combination of the steam engine and rail vehicles in
1781. The steam locomotive powers its wheels with mechanical energy generated from steam
produced by heating water with burning wood or coal. George Stevenson, an English engineer,
created a steam locomotive called “Rocket” in 1829, which could move at a speed of 30 miles per
hour (47 km per hour). The speed of man-made machines began to surpass that of horses.
The horizontal cranks fixed on the train wheels transmit power equally to each wheel. This is a
feature unique to the locomotive.
Parts needed
1 2
3
124 6 7 811 12 16 17
333028262524
2321
18
35 36 37 38
X3X2X1X2X1X1X5X2X1X3
X1X2X2X4X2X4X10 X1X6
X1X1X1X1
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11
Model 1 - Steam Locomotive | solar power
4 5
6
7
Back Front
Completed
NOTE!
1.The long axle cannot
stick out of the blue
medium gear.
2.
The gray rod should
be kept parallel to
the ground. If it is lop-
sided, please rotate
the front blue gear to
adjust it.
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12
solar power | Model 2 - Bulldozer
DID YOU KNOW...
Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best each experimented with a variety of steam bulldozers for
plowing fields in the late 1800s. In 1904, Benjamin Holt successfully developed the first steam
powered bulldozer. In 1925, Holt’s company and Best’s company merged to become what is
now Caterpillar Inc. Today, Caterpillar is famous worldwide as a construction machinery and
heavy duty equipment manufacturer.
A bulldozer works by using a broad, steel blade in front to level mounds of earth or other
materials with mighty mechanical power.
The word “bulldoze” first appeared in 1876. “Bull” means a male cow and “dose” is an old term
that means to heat violently. “Bulldozer” used to describe a person who threatened others
with violence. Later on, bulldozing was considered as a method to accomplish something.
Today, “bulldozer” has come to describe the mighty machine that can level mounds.
Parts needed
1 2
3 4
1245 6 7 8 9 11 12 14
33312928252423
2221
18
17
16
15
35 36 37 38
X3X2X1X1X1X1X1X2X2X2X1
X1X1X2X1X3X6X1X4X2X13 X4X29 X2
X1X1X1X1
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13
Model 2 - Bulldozer | solar power
Front
Completed
Back
5
7
6
8
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14
Parts needed
solar power | Model 3 - Backhoe
DID YOU KNOW...
Early in the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci designed a backhoe. However, the unsophisticated
manufacturing technology of his time kept his backhoe design from becoming a reality.
In 1835, William Otis succeeded in combining the steam engine and the mechanical hoe, and the
backhoe finally became a reality.
Not until early 1920 did oil-powered engines replace old steam engines. This was a radical innovation
in science and technology because it paved the way for the constructed world we live in today. In
1928, a single-hoe backhoe powered by a diesel engine and an electric motor was invented.
In 1960, hydraulic-cable backhoes replaced electric-cable backhoes. Today, a backhoe is a powerful
tractor-like machine with a mighty hydraulic powered digger. Similar machines can be outfitted
with a hoe, pliers, piledrivers, or even an electromagnet to accomplish many jobs.
1
3 4
2
123 4 5 6 8 9
11 12
3128252423
21201817161514
35 36 37 38
X3X2X1X1X1X1X1X2X2X2
X1X1X6X2X1X2X2X1X4X2X20 X29
X1X1X1X1
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15
Model 3 - Backhoe | solar power
Front
Completed
Back
5
7
8
6
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16
solar power | Model 4 - Single-Prop Plane
DID YOU KNOW...
The world’s first powered passenger airplane took flight in North Carolina on December 17, 1903.
This airplane was named the “Flyer,” and was invented by the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville.
Wilbur Wright was born on April 16, 1867 and his younger brother, Orville, was born on August 19,
1871. They had a strong interest in mechanics and flight since childhood. They were engaged in a
bike repair and manufacturing business.
The Wright brothers had tested 1,000 and more gliding flights from 1900 to 1902, and made 200
and more dierent wings for about 1,000 wind tunnel experiments. As a result, they designed a
wing shape with more lift, allowing them to produce the first airplane. This plane’s wings were 13.2
meters long and had an elevator in the front and a rudder in the back. It was equipped with two two-
blade propellers driven by chains, a sled-type landing gear, and a four-stroke engine weighing 150
lb (70 kg) that put out 8.8 kW of power. This airplane, famous in aviation history, is now displayed in
the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Parts needed
1 2
3 4
124 5 6 7 8 9 12 14 15 16
18
17 19 20 2421 25 26 29 30 31 32 34
35 36 37 38
X3X2X1X1X1X1X1X2X3X1X1X3
X6X1X2X2X1X5X2X13 X3X2X32 X2X1
X1X1X1X1
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17
Model 4 - Single-Prop Plane | solar power
5
6
7
8
Front
Completed
Back
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18
solar power | Model 5 - Helicopter
DID YOU KNOW...
The concept of a helicopter can be traced back to the bamboo dragonfly, a Chinese children’s folk
toy popular in 400 B.C. Turning the vertical axle of the bamboo dragonfly can make it fly.
In 1861, Gustave de Ponton d’Amecourt created the word “helicopter.” According to its definition,
“helicopter” means “spiral wing” — a wing that spirals around an axle. If the axle is vertical, then the
wing will be lifted vertically around the axle.
In 1880, Thomas Edison built an experimental motor-driven propeller. He realized that the helicopter
needed an engine that was light weight but produced a lot of power. The ratio of weight to power
was supposed to be 1 to 2 kg per horsepower. However, the steam engine at that time was not
fit for flight, and therefore he started to develop the engine on his own. In the laboratory, he used
cotton-dynamite to fuel the engine but then gave up due to a serious explosion.
In 1907, Louis Charles Breguet and Charles Richet built a helicopter that weighed 1,274 lb (578 kg)
with 40 horsepower (hp). It had 4 propellers, each 8.1 m in diameter. This was the first pilot-operated
helicopter. However, it could only make a short flight — staying about 60 cm above the ground for
one minute or so, and needed to be steadied by four people. Even if the flight failed, Brequet is
still regarded as the pioneer of the propeller blades used on helicopters. The propeller blades are
kept close to the axle, helping solve the problem of asymmetrical lift caused when flying forward.
Similar blades are still used today. On November 13, 1907, Paul Cornu flew his own helicopter, which
became the first piloted, unassisted flight of a helicopter.
Parts needed
12
3
4
17
1245 7 8 11 12 14 15 16
33
32302928272524
23
212019
18
35 36 37 38
X2X2X1X2X1X1X1X1X1X1X8X4
X1X3X2X3X1X5X1X5X20 X4X2X2X2
X1X1X1X1
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