As with any other projects, you have to prepare a few basic things:

1. An RC Blimp
2. Flexible solar panels
3. Enamel coated copper wires

While we’ll not teach you the basics of how to make a blimp, we’ll discuss about how to convert your ordinary blimp into a solar powered one.

The most important component here is the flexible solar panel, so we’ll talk a little about this. Then we’ll look at how to wire it to your blimp.

Flexible solar panels have a good bending radius and can wrap around the top of your blimp very easily. Many flexible solar panels also come with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. This makes it easy to attach the photovoltaic film on most surfaces.

It is important that your solar panels are light. This is because additional weight affects the buoyancy of the aircraft. This makes thin-film solar panels an ideal choice.

In order to know how many flexible solar panels you can put on your blimp, you must first calculate (or test) how much additional weight your blimp can hold. Then divide this number by the weight of each panel you have chosen.

If the power requirement if insufficient, you have to choose another type of flexible solar panel or look for other manufacturers. (hopefully not…)

This process is somewhat recursive. So you’ll have to first make a good guess, and then grope towards a better decision as you punch the numbers into your calculator.

The best thin-film solar panels to use on blimps are long and slim types. They do not warp your blimp and are easy to handle.

To paste them on your blimp, paste each film along the circumference. Make sure you space them apart equally along the length of the aircraft.

If your flexible solar panels come with an adhesive, you’ll have an easier job. Otherwise you can apply glue on the back of the solar film and let it rest for a minute before pasting it on the blimp’s surface.

Once this is done, connect your solar panels together using copper wires and test them. You must get the correct voltage and current output before proceeding further.

Copper wires should not be left to hang loose. You can use a little glue to stick them to the surface of the blimp. This is not easy, but it helps to prevent wires from breaking. (Wires often get hooked on thing as the blimp moves through tight passages.)

Finally, solder the output of the flexible solar panels in parallel with your battery pack. With this, your solar powered RC blimp is complete.

Continue Reading:

1. Making A DIY Solar Powered Reading Lamp
2. How to Build a Solar Powered Toy Car
3. How to Build a Solar Powered RC Glider

Many appliances for RVs, boats and camping use 12VDC supply. When you are outdoors having fun, these appliances provide you with all the convenience and comfort. Here’s a list of such 12VDC appliances:

• Hair Dryer
• Heated Travel Cup
• Heavy Duty Metal Fan
• Wet Dry Vacuum with Gallon Canister
• “All Season” Heater/Fan with Swivel Base
• Crock Pot Slow Cooker
• Flexible Map Light
• Frying Pan
• Heated Fleece Blanket
• Portable Stove
• Rechargeable Flashlight with Adjustable Head
• SnackMaster Deluxe 12-Volt Family-Size Cooler/Warmer
• Digital/Electric Compass with Ice Alert
• et cetera…

I’m sure you’re familiar with these…

However there are times when the accumulators run empty just when you need to draw power from them. Thus a 12VDC solar panel will be ideal to ensure these appliances work at all times. With such nifty devices, these inconvenient moments will only be  memories.

During the day, solar panels will bring the accumulators to full charge. At night, power is drawn exclusively from the batteries. If you’re running some appliances only during the day, you may not need batteries… you can plug straight into the solar panels to power these appliances.

Many appliances do not really care if the power is clean, so you can also power most systems that require 120VAC using an inverter. Although you loose efficiency, it may be worth a try.

Continue Reading:

1. Recreational Vehicle (RV) Solar Panels
2. Solar Energy Panels For Big “Toys”
3. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 2