PV Gap

Nora Said:

Using a calculator's solar panel?

We Answered:

Calculators consume only a few microwatts of power.

It's highly doubtful that the solar panel of a typical calculator would even produce enough juice to overcome the battery's tendency to self-discharge.

Sherry Said:

How does a solar panel work?

We Answered:

To understand this, it requires at least Grade 12 Physics.
It's called the Photoelectric Effect. I suggest you look it up.
Basically, light is made up of photons. The photons hit the solar cell, dislodging electrons which, assuming they have sufficient kinetic energy, move from the positive terminal to the negitive. This creates an electric current

Tanya Said:

How do you connect a solar panel to a motor from an RC car?

We Answered:

Connecting them is not a problem: the solar cell has two leads or terminals, and so does the motor. The problem is that the panel from the calculator cannot supply very much current, and you need quite a bit for the motor. Also, the voltage is probably not more than 3 volts, and the motor needs probably six to twelve volts. If you have a voltmeter, check the output from the solar cell. You can get solar cells that will put out more current, but they will be bigger than the ones used for calculators. Even with these, you will probably need several in series to get enough voltage for the motor.

Alex Said:

Can a solar panel (like that on a calculator), be powered from household light bulbs?

We Answered:

lol, isn't your calculator powered by them? (the answer is yes)

Darrell Said:

How to get a tiny solar panel (taken off a calculator) to work for a small motor?

We Answered:

Calculators use *very* little energy (micro-amps), so their solar cells are not very strong. Motors usually require a few hundred milli-amps.

Furthermore, calculators use low voltage. You will want a motor that is designed to run off 2 or 3 volts, whereas many are meant to run from 6V or more.

But it's worth a try. Don't worry about polarity. Just hook it up. Put it in *sunlight*, not room light. You might try giving the motor a boost... it might not be able to start itself, but maintain itself once you get it going.

Good luck.

P.S. Actually you *might* benefit from a rechargeable battery, if it's the right voltage, in the sense that it could save up current for an hour, then have enough to run the motor for a few minutes. You could do the same with a large electrolytic capacitor (say 1000uF or larger) with no regard to voltage.

Eddie Said:

CAN A SOLAR PANEL FROM A CALCULATOR POWER A FLASHLIGHT BULB?

We Answered:

not likely- a calculator is based on metal oxide semiconductors- they are voltage driven devices and require very low power levels. If you are thinking of using a standard light bulb they are incandescent and have a dramatically higher power demand. you might get away with using an led lamp from a solid state flashlight, but the bright white/blue leds still have a significant power demand. if you've got a bunch of old solar calculators you could build an array that would drive the leds sufficiently, but it'd take a few.