Solar Car

 A homemade simple solar powered ca. A great tutorial for people who enjoy DIY projects. The car is nice because we go about a clever way of using a gearbox to gain a mechanical advantage that allows the drive system to have enough torque to move the vehicle. The solar car also has a rechargeable battery added to it so that the solar panels can charge it and it can travel even when the sun isn't very powerful.

MATERIALS:-

1. Friction activated car.
2. 4 wheels.
3. 3, 1.5 volt solar panels.
4. Elsewhere you must obtain.
5. A small 4.5 volt motor.
6. A small 3.7 volt rechargeable battery.

METHODS:-

1. Setting Up the Solar Panels.

To do this we wire the positive of one solar panel to the negative of the panel beside it. And the positive of that solar panel to the negative of the next solar panel. 

After that glue to solar panels together as seen above.

 2. Attaching the Drive System We now need the gearbox.

We now need the gearbox. To obtain the gearbox take apart the friction powered car.

Once the gearbox is obtained glue it onto the solar panels.

To add structure you can see on the bottom you  attached 2 tooth picks with glue. This improves the structure of the gearbox and solar panel connection and enables it to bear a load more effectively. 

Then take 2 wheels from the tune up kit and attach them onto the axle of the gearbox. Some glue may be needed.

3. Preparing the Motor

The motor will drive the gearbox by simply using friction. To ensure there is enough friction to drive the gearbox you can attach power (3.7 v) to the motor to make it rotate.

Then bring the glue gun to it and add glue to the axle. It is important that the glue does not connect the rotating axle to the stationary, non-rotating part of the motor. 

After a bit of glue is applied it should distribute evenly in a round shape because of the centrifugal force. While the axle was rotating with the blob of glue on it, i pressed my finger against it lightly to flatten the glue out evenly.

4. Completing the Drive System

Then you attach the motor to the gearbox with glue.

Then you attach it so that the glue on the axle will come in contact with the rotation metal piece on the gearbox. by driving that piece, it will transfer power to the wheels and give us a mechanical advantage.

5. Attaching Front Wheels

For the front wheels (YOU CAN) cut a piece of straw out and glued it on the front. I then stuck a toothpick through it and attached wheels on both side.

6. Wiring

First  attach the battery pack with glue to the car.

I then wire the positive of the battery pack to the positive of the solar panels, and the negative of the battery pack to the negative of the solar panels. This makes it so that the solar panels will charge the battery.

Next a switch is attached. One side of the switch is connected to the negative of the solar panel and battery. The other side of the switch goes to the negative of the motor. The positive side of the motor is attached to the positive of the motor and battery. A comprehensive picture can be observed above of what the final circuit should look like.

Once that is complete the car is ready to test.