However there are many details you must take note of during construction. Otherwise you will not have a model train that can run properly.

Here are 3 things to help you succeed in building your solar powered model train:

1. Manage the weight of your train

There are many different train models you can build. However due to most of their dimension, there may not be enough room at the roof for enough solar panels to be fitted. If your train is heavy, it’ll require more power to propel it along the tracks. As a result solar power alone may not be sufficient to drive your model train for the whole day.

But if you want it to run for 5 to 10 minutes only, weight should not be a big concern.

2. Choose your material properly

The best way to manage the weight of your train is to use a suitable material. Hard wood is a popular choice but they can be pretty heavy. An alternative is to use less of the same material. This means using thinner materials to build your train. However this it will not reduce the weight as much. Instead of using hard wood, why not try balsa or even plastic?

3. Feed power through the rails

If you want to preserve the look of your train, avoid putting thin-film solar panels on its roof. Instead, energize your rails with DC current. The DC motor can pick up its power by connecting to the wheels, which are in contact with the metallic rails.

Hidden away from the railroad setup, a solar panel and a rechargeable battery pack quietly feeds your model trains with renewable energy.

If your model trains are heavy, all you need to have are bigger solar panels and more batteries.

More importantly, you can build your model to any scale you want without worrying if you have sufficient power to run it through the day.

These are what you’ll need to build your solar powered model train:

a. Solar panels (and mounts, if you need them)
b. Rechargeable batteries
c. Charge controller

First, you’ll have to find a suitable location where there is sunshine throughout the day to site your solar panels. After you have installed your PV panels at that location, connect its output to the charge controller. The charge controller will maintain a consistent voltage input for the rechargeable battery.

When there is enough sunshine, the solar panels can energize the rails with current. But when it gets dark and gloomy, rechargeable batteries take over to provide your train with power.

You can schedule your model train to rest during the day when no one is at home. During this period, the battery is charged up using solar energy. Just before you come back from work, let the trains run so when you come home they’re there to greet you.

Continue Reading:

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

How To Build Solar Panel

In this part of the “How To Build Solar Panel” series, you’ll learn how to put the different components together. Hopefully you’ve already got an idea what you want to use your solar panel for.

We’ll use a 12V DC automatic door opener as an example…

To power an electrical system that runs on 12VDC, we need a 12V battery. I’d prefer using one of those maintenance-free batteries as compared to troublesome lead-acid types. And in order to charge the 12V battery, we’ll need the solar panel to generate about 18V. (It needs to be at least 5V above the battery voltage)

Connecting the Solar Cells

Each solar cell produces 0.5V. To get 18V, we can join 36 solar cells in series. Assuming the solar cells are of the same quality, a larger solar cell will produce more current and thus more power.

You should always ensure that the power generated by the solar panel is sufficient to charge your battery. Otherwise you may have to join more cells in parallel.

If you want to connect the solar panel directly to your appliance, you can simply make-do with 12V output from the solar panel. This is however not advisable for most applications…unless you need your appliance to work only when the sun is out.

Constructing the Solar Panel Frame

Next, we have to create a shallow box (as solar panel frame) for the solar cells to sit in. The borders of the box should be about ¾” wide by ¾” high. If this too high, it will cast a shadow on the cells as the sun comes in from the side. If it is too low, it doesn’t allow sufficient clearance for the solar cells.

Before you screw the pieces of plywood together, you can first hold them together by super glue so they’ll stay in place as you turn in the screws.

Putting the Array of Solar Cells Into The Solar Panel Frame

To get the solar cells into the solar panel frame, glue the array of solar cells onto a thin, rigid backing before placing it into the “box”. An example of this thin, rigid backing is a Masonite board.

We should give the rigid backing a few coats of paint before pasting the cells on. We must also apply a few coats of paint to the panel frame and dry it thoroughly before putting in the array of solar cells.

Connecting the Diode

Connect the diode at the power output of the solar panel. You should locate this inside the solar panel and hold it down using some silicone caulk so it won’t move about.

Placing the Plexiglass Cover

Before covering the solar panel with the plexiglass cover, test again to see that you’ve got the correct voltage and power output. Then carefully drill the holes (for the screws) at the border of the plexiglass.

Take care to apply moderate, consistent pressure while drilling so that the plexiglass won’t crack. Also remember to countersink the hole so that you can flush the screws with the surface, if necessary.

Attaching the Jones Plug and Battery

At the end of the wire that dangles out of the solar panel, attach the (male) Jones plug by soldering them on. Also solder the female Jones plug to the battery terminals according to their polarity.

Using a connector like a Jones plug makes it convenient for you to disconnect the solar panel from the battery if you need to.

And after hooking up the parts in the above manner, you’ve made for yourself a complete solar power generator that can power up your electrical gadgets — anything that runs on 12V.

In the third and final part of the “How To Build Solar Panel” series, you’ll discover how to “tweak” your solar panel system. You’ll inevitably end up with a world-class DIY solar panel running on steroids!

Continue Reading:

1. How To Build Solar Panel (Part 1 of 3)
2. How To Build Solar Panel (Part 3 of 3)
3. Step-By-Step Guide To Build A 12V Solar Panel

Used solar panels can be found in many places and from different sources. You can approach homeowners who have solar panels that look old. You can also try your luck at recycling centers where broken solar panels can occasionally be found.

Yet the most effective way is to contact contractors or agents who specialize in solar panel installation. Many of them discard used solar panels before fitting new ones for their customers. Another source to get used solar panels are building contractors. They often renovate houses installed with photovoltaic panels and are glad to have someone dispose such items for them.

Most of these people may give you their used solar panels provided you offer to transport them away from the site. If they are unwilling to hand those pre-owned solar panels to you, try offering them a small fee that includes transporting the solar panels to your residence.

As you hunt for used solar panels, remember to look out for fatal flaws that may render your photovoltaic cells unusable. Here are some tips on what to look out for:

1. Cracked glass, condensation under glass and broken connections are common problems that cause owners to discard their solar panels. Fortunately there is a remedy for these failures.

2. Loose connections between solar cells may go unnoticed as you inspect them visually. Such faults can be picked up using a resistance meter, and joints with high resistance can be re-soldered together.

Although pre-owned solar panels are cheap, there are downsides to using them. One of the most obvious is the decrease in power output. After they are exposed to the sun for one or two decades, photovoltaic cells become less effective. Although marginal, you have to take this degradation into consideration, as you’ll need more solar panels as a result. Used solar panels also have a shorter lifespan, thus they can only serve you for their remaining years.

Needless to say, the low price of used solar panels allure many people to buy them. If the cost per watt can justify the purchase and they still have many more years to go, they can be excellent investments.

Therefore if you intend to install a used solar panel for your home, the payback period can be shorter than when you buy new ones. A trusted contractor is able to help you look out for used solar panels that are relatively and without damage. Therefore keep in contact with them, learn from them and build a relationship, and you’ll have a good-as-new solar panel at your home soon.

Continue Reading:

1. 3 Secrets You Didn’t Know About Building Solar Panels
2. Build Amazing Home Solar Power Systems Used by Families Who Don’t Want to Pay For Their Utilities
3. Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels – Electricity Conversion From Sunlight

Here are the things you need:

1. DIY clock kit
2. Rechargeable battery
3. A piece of flexible solar panel
4. 1N5818 Schottky Diode

There are many different clocks. Yet no matter how simple or complicated they are, only 2 types of clocks exist – analog and digital. The input voltage for DIY clock kits is (usually) 1.5V or 3V. Thus only one or two AA-size batteries are needed.

First, you have to choose the size of your thin-film solar panel. Almost any size is good, as you will not need a lot of current. As long as the voltage output is suitable, it can be used for your solar clock.

Inside the DIY clock kit, you should be provided with a battery holder. Once you have assembled the clock, put in a rechargeable battery and test to see if the clock works.

After this is done, make a small hole in the clock for the wires from your solar panels to go through. Then pull through the wires and solder them to your battery holder terminals via a diode.

Note that the current going into the rechargeable battery is unregulated. To charge the battery, it is best to place it under the sun occasionally. If you use batteries with a larger capacity, it’ll take longer to charge.

It probably takes half a day to get your batteries fully charged, but this can last for many months before you charge them again.

Finally, after covering the clock, use an adhesive to stick the thin-film solar panel at the top (or wherever is most suitable).

Enjoy using your solar powered clock.

Continue Reading:

1. Making A DIY Solar Powered Reading Lamp
2. How to Build a Solar Powered RC Glider
3. How To Make A Solar Powered Lawn Mower