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Step 2How to build it: The solar cell
If you salvaged your solar cell and it has the polarity marked (either printed on the board or by wire color, red = positive) then skip to the next step.
If you find that your solar cell does not have the polarity marked you will need to determine the polarity.
In order to accomplish this you will need to use either a multimeter that can determine reverse voltage or a couple of leds with a known polarity.
The multimeter technique:
1) Hook the leads of the multimeter to the different pads or contact points on the board.
2) Turn the multimeter to the voltage position
3) position the solar cell so it can receive sunlight or light from a bright non-cfl light bulb
4) if the voltage on the meter shows a "-" in front of it then the polarity is reversed from the color of the leads. If no "-" appears then the polarity is correct.
5) mark on the board with some sort of marker the correct polarity next to the pads.
The led technique:
1) wire two leds together in series
2) solder or wrap the positive lead of the led to one of the pads
3) solder or wrap the negative lead of the led to the other pad
4) hold the solar cell up to a bright non-cfl light or the sun
5) if the leds light up then you guessed the polarity correct. if not then switch the leads and try it again.
6) mark on the board with some sort of marker the correct polarity next to the pads.
notes: if neither direction seems to work try using one led at your own risk or use the multimeter technique
If you find that your solar cell does not have the polarity marked you will need to determine the polarity.
In order to accomplish this you will need to use either a multimeter that can determine reverse voltage or a couple of leds with a known polarity.
The multimeter technique:
1) Hook the leads of the multimeter to the different pads or contact points on the board.
2) Turn the multimeter to the voltage position
3) position the solar cell so it can receive sunlight or light from a bright non-cfl light bulb
4) if the voltage on the meter shows a "-" in front of it then the polarity is reversed from the color of the leads. If no "-" appears then the polarity is correct.
5) mark on the board with some sort of marker the correct polarity next to the pads.
The led technique:
1) wire two leds together in series
2) solder or wrap the positive lead of the led to one of the pads
3) solder or wrap the negative lead of the led to the other pad
4) hold the solar cell up to a bright non-cfl light or the sun
5) if the leds light up then you guessed the polarity correct. if not then switch the leads and try it again.
6) mark on the board with some sort of marker the correct polarity next to the pads.
notes: if neither direction seems to work try using one led at your own risk or use the multimeter technique
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