The FLED Solar Engine

Ever wanted to make a BEAM robot, but couldn't find a easy circuit to build? Well, meet the FLED solar engine! The robot works by collecting sunlight in the capacitors, then when the voltage is just right the transistors turn on allowing a pulse of electricity, this pulse travels to the FLED (Flashing Light Emitting Diode) which gives the motor a quick turn, then the cycle repeats. The most important part of this project is the FLED which essentially control's most of the electricity generated, so if you use a regular LED the circuit will not work. Now let's get started.

Step 1: Materials

You will need the following materials...

A solar cell with an output of 3vDC (Volts Direct Current)
At least a 1400 uF Capacitor (or more)
A 2.2K ohm resistor 5% (color bands are Red, Red, Red, Gold)
2N 3904 Transistor
2N 3906 Transistor
Motor (make sure it runs on 3Vdc, most do, but just to be sure check with two AA batteries)
FLED (flashing LED)

I got all my components from ripping them out of toys and buying them online. You can try http://www.solarbotics.com/ or http://www.digikey.com or ebay.

you will also need:
a soldering Iron (any cheap one will do)
some solder ( a small/ thin size works great)
a pair of Extra Hands (can buy online or at Radio Shack)
and a sunny location for testing

Comments

[themaddhacker]

I just built this circuit and it works good could you change the caps to drive a bigger motor?

[TXTCLA55]

Possibly, but the it would take longer for the solar panel to charge them up. Unless of course you upgrade the panel as well.

[harman65]

i am using a 6v,250mA solar panel and want to run a 12v,400mA motor using it, so can u tell me what resistor and capacitor values shuold i use??

[The Dragonborn]

Awesome Project ill do this soon!

[dualqual]

Great Instrucable! There is one error though. You stated above, that the FLAT side of the LED represents the Positive, or Anode lead. Actually, the flat side of the LED represents the negative, or Cathode lead.

[TXTCLA55]

Oh true, well as long as you follow the diagram it should work. Thanks for pointing that out!

[simplebotics]

hey cool symet, i just completed my first instuctable on how to build one too! if you want to see it check it out or just visit my blog at www.simplebotics.blogspot.com, and thanks :) !

[TXTCLA55]

Thanks, I will!

[sci4me]

actually, its always on. sorry.. help!!!!!!!!!!

[sci4me]

i have the same problem but i have a fled. i have checked ten times!!! help!!!!!

[rohanpsp]

 you have to improve this fled solar engine.please try to make a video.in your photos of fled there are two leds more capacitors.but your is different.make fled solar engine according to circuit components and a photo of circuit.plz

[TXTCLA55]

I am sorry for the instructable's crappy nature. Believe me I too want to redo it, its just finding the time, with finial exams coming up and everything else. When I have the time I will post proper pictures and circuit diagrams.

[rohanpsp]

 please please please help me .i have made the circuit correctly.checked 5 times.i connected 3 volts to it the fled starts on off on off but motor do not spin.after shorting fled the motor spins.how to correct my circuit

[TXTCLA55]

Its unfortunate that this happened to you; I would suggest you restart your circuit. or at the very least check for any other shorts, bad connections, wrong components, anything that isn't described here...remove. Also you might want to replace the FLED. the problem could also be the motor, check to make sure it requires a voltage of 1.5 no less, I think the FLED needs 2-3V  either way the FLED and the motor put together should requre a total of 3v (hence the needed 3v solar panel) if the required voltage is greater than this the circuit wont work. I hope this helps you solve your problem and please contact me if your problem continues.

[rohanpsp]

 i do not have fled but i used 2 in one color led means one color then it changes to another color.

[TXTCLA55]

Those are Bi-color LED's they will not work for this project.

[meerut260]

Where to buy cheap solor cells for these projects. It will be a great help if block diagram is also added with project

[TXTCLA55]

www.solarbotics.com is a great website for cheap solar cells, or you can go to your nearest radio shack or the source by circuit city but they tend to have limited or no supply of powerful solar cells like those you would use in this project. as for the diagram i will start work on one as soon as possible as i do realize the hand drawn one isn't as helpful as i hoped. 

cheers

TXTCLA55

[thestyrofoampeanut]

 ive been having trouble with this little bot for a while due to a number of silly reasons
i finally got a fled that works with my voltage
i hooked it up DIRECTLY to the solar panel and it works fine
does this mean i dont need the resistor?
my radio shack solar panel says 6V but i really think its putting out less, its kinda crappy

[TXTCLA55]

No, the resistor is there to "level" or "steady" the off and on current; protecting it from the pulses of the solar panel. If you need a better solar panel I suggest buying one off of this website www.solarbotics.com they may not be cheap but they are high grade. Oh and a word of advice...because of their prices I would buy a bundle of things you may save some money if you need parts later on. Hope this helps!

[beannie]

can I use a 6v solar panel?? what change would be needed in the circuit??

[salahaddam]

 Best to add some diodes to the circuit for higher voltage solar panel.
 Then you get higher trigger level.

 Checkout my Solar Robots and  Kits

 www.middlecreekmerchants.etsy.com
 www.robots.stonepile.org

[salahaddam]

 

[TXTCLA55]

Hmmm you could. But the power comming off it may be a little too much for the FLED. if you really want to you can add a resistor.

[thestyrofoampeanut]

 i also want to use a 6v solar panel
if i put in 2 FLEDs in series instead of one would that work?

[TXTCLA55]

yes it would still work.

[salahaddam]

 These are just like the robots at 
www.middlecreekmerchants.etsy.com

[abdul moiz]

Can u plz give the specifications of the solar panels to be used ( i mean voltage and current specifications).
It would be kind of u if u  gimme a link of the site to purchase it too...
          thanx in advance..

[TXTCLA55]

The solar panels I used are rated for three volts, the amps I am not sure though. As for where to buy these parts, you can check out this web page www.solarbotics.com/  and search thier components for all the parts exept the resistor, which you can probably scavenge out of a toy or other electronic equipment (that's how I get most of my parts). They also sell kits that feature many of the principals in this instructable (Ex: The Solar Roller Parts Bundle www.solarbotics.com/products/make06solarroller/ or the SolarSpeeder V2.0 www.solarbotics.com/products/k_ss/). They (the kits) can be a bit expensive at times, so I would suggest you just buy the parts. Hope this helps! And all the best in your future projects!

[milsorgen]

they have solar panels at most radioshack locations, easier to get those than breadboards where im at lol but i dont think they are putting out as much power as the board your using

worth a shot for those of us who dont like to wait tho ;)

[abdul moiz]

 Thanx bro..i hope it helps.. :) ...

[abdul moiz]

 The maximum size of the boat which is to be prepared is 25*20*20 cm^3 ..
i was concerned with the area and the number of the solar panels to be used..
it would be great if u refer to this link and solve my problem www.techfest.org/competitions/torque/solarsplash/

[milsorgen]

optical drives are a good place for motors, found upwards of 3 in some older CD-ROM drives

[peterjacob]

thanks for this :3

[beannie]

I have a solar cell that can output 4.5v. But the problem is it only provides very little power and it still takes a long time to charge the cap.. what would I do??

[TXTCLA55]

Well i would suggest you try using a bunch of small caps together (so they make up one large cap) or try and find a better solar panel. Hope this helps! let me know if you still have problems.

[imakethings]

can i use a 1.5 v solar cell?

[TXTCLA55]

Yes you can use a 1.5v but you will need to use two because the FLED, the prime component must get 3.0v to function. So if you were to use two the circuit woul work; and thus one would not. Hope this helps you and good luck building the project!

[Colonel88]

no u can use a single 1.5 volt but it would take a hell lot of time to charge the cap

[imakethings]

IS it ok if i do not add the FLED? and put a jumper wire in there?