The collaborative platform for educational
DIY Science Projects

How to use ? - Solar electric motor

  • Step 1

    Report the lines and the dots from the model on the wooden board (the model can be dowloaded in the blueprints/plans section).

     

    The two dots at the bottom must be inside the square.

     

    Drill the board with a 4 mm bit where two white dots are indicated.



  • Step 2

    Using a 4 mm bit, drill a hole in the wooden block (as shown on the drawing) .

     

    warning The hole must be very straight. Use a drill press if possible.


  • Step 3

    Pass a nut on a M4 x 70 bolt.

     

    Pass the bolt through the block hole and fix it on the other side with another nut.

     

    Tighten with pliers on both sides leaving a distance of about 4 cm between the screw head and the wooden block.



  • Step 4

    Cover the bolt thread with insulating tape.

     

    Wind around above 4 meters of copper wire, moving alternately from one end to the other.

     

    Leave approx. 15 cm of wire at both ends.



  • Step 5

    Scrape both ends of the copper wire using sandpaper and remove the varnish which avoids electrical conductivity.

     

    It is also possible to burn the varnish with a flame (lighter, candle, match) and scrape off the soot with sandpaper.



  • Step 6

    Place the element with the copper reel on the board (2 x 2 cm square indicated on the model).

    Fix it from underneath the board with 2 wood screws (3,0 x 20).

     

    Pass two M4 x 30 bolts through 2 holes in the Board and attach them the other side with nuts. Tighten with pliers and a screwdriver.

     

    Using pliers, remove the plastic elements of two flat 'faston' connectors.

     

    Screw the 2 connectors on top of the bolts fixed on the board.

    If they are too loose, slightly tighten the metal tube at the base of the connectors with pliers.



  • Step 7

    To form the rotor, fix 2 magnets with contact cement on the second wood block.

     

    Place them opposite of each other, in the centre of the long side of the block.

     

    Avertissement Polarities must be identical (both glued sides must repel each other).

     

    Punch the center of the small sides of the block/rotor.



  • Step 8

    Fix two nails through the connectors and hammer them down in the center of the side of the rotor.

     

    The rotor must rotate freely without the wood rubbing against the metal parts.



  • Step 9

    Using pliers, very carefully bend the "legs" of the "reed switch" to create a "bridge" with a distance of 2.5 cm between the folded legs. The metal contact blades in the "reed switch" must be in the same axis than the "legs".

     

    Avertissement The reed switch is very fragile. Never bend on the side of the glass bulb. Hold the "leg" with pliers and bend on the "outer side".

     

    Insert and fix the "legs" of the "reed switch" in the centre of a strip of 6 electrical connectors. Check that the "legs" are squeezed properly by the screws.

     

    Connect a 15 cm electrical wire opposite of one of the "legs" and opposite the other one, the copper wire coming from the reel.

     

     



  • Step 10

    Connect the other end of copper reel wire with another 15 cm electrical wire, using an electrical connector.

     

    It can be attached to the Board using a wood screw (2,5 x 16)



  • Step 11

    With a hammer and a hard tool, slightly mash the piano hinge so that it remains in position when moved. Attach the hinge to the back of the solar cell using contact cement. Attach the cell at the top of the board with a wood screw (2,9 x 6,5).


  • Step 12

    Adjust the screw head of the copper reel as close as possible of the magnets, but without touching them.

     

    Adjust the location of the "reed switch". To check if the motor works, it's easier to use instead of the solar cell a 1.5 volt battery .

     

    Move carefully the reed switch and locate the position where the engine runs the quickest (to start, give the rotor a little pinch).

     

    Reverse polarity to choose the direction with the fastest rotation.

     

    Secure the "reed switch" in position with 2 screws (3, 0 x 20) passed through the holes at the ends of the strip of electrical connectors.

     

    Screw two eye screws on the side of the board. Pass and tie the wires before connecting them to the solar cell.

     

    Check that the rotor turns in the direction that proved to be the most effective in the tests.

     

    Decorate the board as a 'robot'.



0 Comment(s) | Add