Renewable Energy Global solar power User manual

EXPERIMENT MANUAL
Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG, Pzerstr. 5-7, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany | [phone] | www.kosmos.de
Thames & Kosmos, 301 Friendship St., Providence, RI, 02903, USA | 1-800-587-2872 | www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thames & Kosmos UK, Old Oxted, Surrey, UK | 01883-730122 | www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk
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WARNING! Not suitable for children under 3 years of age. There is a risk of choking due to small
parts that may be swallowed or inhaled. Keep the experiment materials and finished models
out of the reach of small children. There is a risk of strangulation if long cords are wrapped
around the neck.
WARNING! Only for use by children 8 years and older. Instructions are included for parents or
other supervising individuals. Please follow them!
Save the packaging and instructions. They contain important information.
The models are not intended for long-term operation, and should not be left to operate
unattended. In particular, the solar module should not be operated too long with a light bulb,
which emits heat. The parts may get damaged.
For models with propellers: Keep rotating propellers away from the face and long hair, and do
not reach into or hold onto them. Also, do not let other materials (such as strings, cords, or
paper) get into the propellers.
››› Do not perform any experiments using the
household current supply! The high voltage can
be deadly dangerous.
››› To operate the solar cell, you will need a 1.5-volt,
type AAA/LR03 battery or a 1.2-volt, min. 800
mAh/type AAA rechargeable battery, which is
not included in the kit due to its limited shelf life.
››› It is not possible to charge a rechargeable
battery through the solar cell.
››› Avoid short-circuiting the batteries. A short-
circuit could lead to overheating of circuits and
battery explosions.
››› Always insert batteries in the right polarity
orientation, pressing them gently into the
battery compartment.
››› Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
They could explode!
››› Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from
the toy before being recharged. Rechargeable
batteries are only to be charged under adult
supervision.
››› Exhausted batteries are to be removed from the
toy.
››› Dispose of used batteries in accordance with
environmental provisions.
››› Be sure not to bring batteries into contact with
coins, key chains, or other metal objects.
››› Avoid deforming the batteries.
››› Do not mix old and new batteries.
››› Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or
rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.
Notes on experimenting with batteries
With all of the experiments that use batteries, have an adult check the model to make sure you have assembled it
properly.
After you are done experimenting, remove the battery from the battery compartment. Note the safety information
accompanying the individual experiments!
DEAR PARENTS!
Before starting the experiments, read through the instruction manual along with your
child and discuss the safety information. Check to make sure the models have been
assembled correctly, and assist your child with the experiments.
We wish you and your child a lot of fun with the experiments!
Notes on disposal of electrical and electronic components
The electronic components of this product are recyclable. For the sake of the environment, do not
throw them into the household trash at the end of their lifespan. They must be delivered to a collec-
tion location for electronic waste, as indicated by the following symbol:
Please contact your local authorities for the appropriate disposal location.
Solar CAR | SAFETY INFORMATION

1
DID YOU KNOW …
The production of electricity from sunlight is becoming more
and more common. If you keep an eye out for dark blue solar
cells, you will start seeing
them on the roofs of lots of
houses, and sometimes even
on cars.
Solar CAR
An experiment to help you hit
the ground running
Can you really get electricity from sunshine?
Try it, and prepare to be surprised!
WANT TO LEARN
MORE?
Then come along into the
sunny world of solar
energy…
Using the power of
the sun
YOU WILL NEED
› Solar module
› 2 motor shafts
› Sunlight
HERE’S HOW
1. Insert the motor shafts into the solar
module short end first, and slide the
module switch to the “sun” symbol.
Hold the solar cell in the sunlight or a
few inches away from a light bulb. What
happens?
2. Move the module farther and farther
away from the light source (if you are
outside, move it into the shade). Does
the shaft rotation speed change?
3. Cover part of the solar cell with your
hand. Does that have an eect on the
shafts?
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
The solar cell converts light energy
into electrical current, which in turn
drives the module’s motor. It makes
a big dierence how bright the light
source is — the motor becomes slower
as you move it away from the light —
and how large the solar cell is.
Solar energy is a very good type of
energy, because it is renewable.

2
Solar CAR | The parts in your kit
1
5
11 13 1412
6 7 8
910
2 3 4
x 1
x 1
x 2
x 4
x 2 x 11 x 1
x 6 x 2 x 2
x 1 x 2 x 1
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
No.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Description
SOLAR MODULE with Motor
BODY PANEL, large
BODY PANEL, small
PROPELLER
3-HOLE ROD
5-HOLE DUAL-ROD
3-HOLE DUAL-ROD
Description
MOTOR SHAFT
MEDIUM AXLE
WHEEL
JOINT
ANCHOR PIN
ANCHOR PIN LEVER
STRING
Qty.
1
1
2
1
1
6
2
Qty.
2
2
4
2
11
1
1
Item No.
714002
714003
714004
714005
714120
714121
714122
Item No.
702801
703238
714006
714123
714124
702590
714240
Total 37
x 1
You will also need:
Source of energy (sunlight, 1 x 1.5-volt battery, type
AAA/LR03, or 1 x 1.2-volt rechargeable battery, min. 800
mAh/type AAA, light bulb (only halogen energy-saving
bulb, 42 W)), ruler, sheet of white letter-sized paper, pencil,
scissors, paper clip, chair
GOOD TO KNOW!
If you are missing any parts, please
contact Thames & Kosmos customer
service.
Any materials not included in the kit are
indicated in italic script under the “You will
need” heading.

3
Contents | Solar CAR
Safety information ................. inside front cover
Experiment to hit the ground running ........... 1
The parts in your kit .............................................. 2
Contents .................................................................... 3
Tips and Tricks ......................................... 4
MODELS AND EXPERIMENTS
Solar Car ................................................... 5
Experiment 1: Vroooooom... The solar cell
lets your car zoom across the floor in an
environmentally friendly way.
Solar Helicopter ................................... 9
Experiment 2: Whup whup whup… With the help of
the solar cell, your helicopter is ready for lifto.
Wind Maker .......................................................... 13
Experiment 3: Whooosh… Your solar cell can really
help you make a lot of wind.
Solar Jet .................................................................. 17
Experiment 4: Ready to take o? Your solar jet is
sure to get some attention.
Gyrocopter .............................................................. 21
Experiment 5: Whirrr… What is a gyrocopter, and
what does it have in common with maple
seeds?
Copyright page ............. inside back cover
TIP!
You will find additional
information here: “Check It Out”
Pages 25, 26, 27, and 28

4
A
B
Solar CAR | Tips and Tricks
1
2
TIP!
When assembling the solar module,
always make sure you are doing it as
indicated in the drawings. Otherwise, your
experiments won’t work.
THE ANCHOR PIN LEVER
Take a look inside the kit box and find a little tool — the anchor pin lever.
1. The “A” end of the lever lets you remove anchor pins easily.
2. Use the “B” end to remove the battery from the solar module.
MOUNTING BARS AND ANCHOR PINS
Use the anchor pins to connect rods (Fig. 1).
Some of the components can also be connected
without anchor pins (Fig. 2).
THE SOLAR MODULE
Take a look at the solar module. It has two
energy sources — the dark solar cell area and
a battery compartment. You can switch back
and forth between these two sources by using
the switch (with one symbol for the sun and
another for the battery). Set the switch to the
middle position to turn o the motor. Always
use the solar cell when you can.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
TIP!
If the sun isn’t shining brightly enough,
you can use a halogen energy-saving
light bulb or insert a battery into the
module.

5
Solar CAR
Solar Car
Can a real car run on solar energy? Sure it can! Of course,
the car has to be very light and it has to have a large portion
of its surface area covered with solar cells. You can use the
components in the kit to build your own car powered with
energy from the solar cell.

6
x1 x1 x2 x5
x2
x1
x2 x1 x4 x2 x6
x2
Solar CAR | Solar Car
16
7 8 9 10 11 12
2 3 5
1. 2.
3.
Required Parts

7
Solar Car | Solar CAR
5.
4.
Completed

8
DID YOU KNOW …
This yellow racer, which was built
at Bochum University in Germany, is
called “SolarWorld No. 1.” At a race
held in Australia in 2007, it got a prize
for being the best-looking solar car in
the world!
Solar CAR | Solar Car
EXPERIMENT 1
Can your car drive forward
and backward?
YOU WILL NEED
› The assembled solar car
› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-
saving bulb, battery)
HERE’S HOW
1. Run the car with the solar cell or the
battery, sliding the switch to the
appropriate setting.
2. In what direction does your car move?
3. Now remove the solar module from the
model along with the tires, and re-mount
it after rotating it 180 degrees.
4. Let the car run again. What happens
now?
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
The current from the solar cell or the
battery powers the motor inside the
module. Several gears transfer this
movement to the axles, and hence to
the wheels. The wheels start to turn
and your car drives forward. If you turn
the solar module around, the axles
turn in the opposite direction and your
car races in reverse.
TIP!
Try driving your car on dierent surfaces, such as a
hard, smooth floor and a carpet. If you’re testing your
car outside, you might try running it on a garden path,
balcony, or terrace. On what kind of surface does the
car drive best?

9
Solar CAR
Solar Helicopter
Lift o and fly! Helicopters are highly maneuverable and can be
deployed in many terrains for many dierent jobs — as rescue
helicopters, for monitoring trac, and for police operations.
They can easily get to impassable areas, and they can carry
large loads. See how your own helicopter’s rotor can be powered
by the solar cell.

10
x1 x1 x2
x6 x2x1 x1 x10
x1
x2
Solar CAR | Solar Helicopter
1
5 6 7 8
2 3 4
12
1.
2.
3.
Required Parts

11
Solar Helicopter | Solar CAR
5.
4.
Completed

12
DID YOU KNOW …
Helicopters can land on all kinds of
surfaces, even on snow or in a meadow.
That makes them useful for many
dierent operations. You can actually see
the downward flow of air created by the
rotor blades when the snow beneath them
is kicked up or tall grass is pressed flat.
Solar CAR | Solar Helicopter
EXPERIMENT 2
What makes a helicopter
take o?
YOU WILL NEED
› The assembled solar helicopter
› Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-
saving bulb, battery)
HERE’S HOW
1. Run the helicopter with the solar cell
or the battery, sliding the switch to the
appropriate setting.
2. Hold your hand over the rotor blades as
they turn. Do you feel a draft of air?
3. Now hold your hand beneath the blades.
Do you feel something here?
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Beneath the rotor, you will feel a
stream of air due to the fact that the
rotor blades are mounted at a certain
angle. That makes them push a stream
of air downward, which will create
enough force to make a real helicopter
lift o the ground if the rotor turns
fast enough.
That is how a helicopter can take o
and land straight up and down, which
can come in handy if there’s no room
for a runway.

13
Solar CAR
Wind Machine
It doesn’t just look like a fan, it is one. Wind machines like this
are often used on film sets. Instead of cooling things, their job is
to create wind on demand, causing the actors’ hair to blow and
their clothes to flutter. They can be used inside or outside on a
calm day. Now it’s time for you to build a wind machine of your
very own!

14
x2 x4 x2 x6
x1 x1 x2 x5
x2
x1
x1
x1
Solar CAR | Wind Machine
15 6
7 8 9 10
2 3 4
11 12
1. 2.
3.
Required Parts

15
Wind Machine | Solar CAR
5.
6.
4.
Completed

16
DID YOU KNOW …
Simple wind meters work by this same principle, too.
A flexibly mounted, suspended string indicates wind
strength depending on how far it is pushed by the wind.
Storm
Strong Wind
Medium WInd
Light Wind
Calm
Solar CAR | Wind Machine
EXPERIMENT 3
How does a wind machine
work?
YOU WILL NEED
› The assembled wind machine
› String (10 cm)
› Ruler
› Scissors
›
Energy source (sunlight, halogen energy-
saving bulb, battery)
HERE’S HOW
1. Power the wind machine with the solar
cell or the battery by moving the switch
to the appropriate setting.
2. Hold the string right in front of the rotor
blades. What does it do in the wind?
3. Increase the distance between your
hand holding the string and the blades.
What happens to the string?
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
The rotor blades create a wind that
blows against the string. The wind
is strongest close to the blades,
where the string will be held almost
horizontally in the air. The farther away
from the rotor you move the string,
the weaker the wind becomes and the
more the string will drop.
So if a strong wind is needed on a film
set, the machine will be moved close
to the action — but never so close that
the artificial wind producer would be
visible in the scene.
KEYWORD
WIND
TURBINE
A wind turbine
is also a kind of
wind machine,
except it
works in the
opposite way.
With a wind
turbine, it’s
the wind that
moves the rotor blades rather than the
other way around. This rotation is then
converted into electrical energy by a
generator.
4. Measure the distance between the wind
machine and the string at the point at
which the string is no longer aected by
the wind.

17
Solar CAR
Solar Jet
There are, in fact, airplanes capable of flying with solar energy.
They are extremely light (weighing about the same as a car)
and powered by electric motors. The motors are supplied with
energy converted by thousands of solar cells mounted on the
wings. Their wingspan is very large, about as large as that of
a big jet plane. The wings of your solar jet are not quite that
large, but it can still fly (with a little help from a string.)

18
x1 x11
x1 x1 x2
x6 x2
x1
x1
x1
SolaR CAR | Solar Jet
15
6 7 8 11 12
2 3 4
1.
2.
Required Parts