Small solar panel large toy car

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around building a solar-powered toy car and the challenges of providing sufficient power to start and run the DC motor. The creator seeks a solution for energy storage that allows the solar panel to collect energy and release it when adequate power is available, considering the variable angle of sunlight. Attempts with capacitors and batteries have not yielded success, leading to the idea of using multiple capacitors in series. There is curiosity about whether a small solar panel could eventually power a larger vehicle if given enough time to charge. The thread concludes with a reminder to keep questions consolidated within a single discussion.
pug
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
I am working on building a solar powered toy car for my own edification. The problem I have is that I do not have enough power to start and continue the dc motor(s). I could add a bigger solar panel but I am trying to think of a way that the solar panel could simply collect the energy, store it, and then release it when the power has become sufficient enough to turn the motor. I would suspect that the car would either move in starts/stops or perhaps get moving and continue moving. either would be fine. I've tried capacitors and 'dead' batteries but nothing is working. I was thinking of adding multiple capacitors in a series. Success would be to demonstrate that a relatively large toy car could be moved by a small solar panel. any thoughts? thank you!
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
What's the power density of incident radiation versus demand?
 
  • Like
Likes billy_joule
Bystander said:
What's the power density of incident radiation versus demand?
I would eventually want (4) motors moving on the road...but right now I'll settle for one motor turning in the almost friction less air. so for that it would be the initial current required to start the motor which, from the amazon specifications, means it would require 200 mAmps. The angle of incidence of light will be entirely dependent upon where the sun is at at any given time of day so it will be variable. To push the thought concept to its extreme...would it be possible to move an actual car off of a 3X3 inch solar panel provided that the solar panel was given enough time to collect sunlight? And if so...how would the solar panel be configured to the battery? I was thinking I could just use a capacitor for the smaller toy car.
 
Thread 'Weird near-field phenomenon I get in my EM simulation'

Thread 'Weird near-field phenomenon I get in my EM simulation'

I recently made a basic simulation of wire antennas and I am not sure if the near field in my simulation is modeled correctly. One of the things that worry me is the fact that sometimes I see in my simulation "movements" in the near field that seems to be faster than the speed of wave propagation I defined (the speed of light in the simulation). Specifically I see "nodes" of low amplitude in the E field that are quickly "emitted" from the antenna and then slow down as they approach the far...
View full post »

Thread 'EMF (Electromagnetic Field) & EHS (Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity)'

Hello dear reader, a brief introduction: Some 4 years ago someone started developing health related issues, apparently due to exposure to RF & ELF related frequencies and/or fields (Magnetic). This is currently becoming known as EHS. (Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a claimed sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, to which adverse symptoms are attributed.) She experiences a deep burning sensation throughout her entire body, leaving her in pain and exhausted after a pulse has occurred...
View full post »

Similar threads

Solar panel conundrum -- Not enough power?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Could you use Solar to power a DC to AC Inverter? (Description below)
Replies
6
Views
3K
Net metering - hybrid solar inverter system question
Replies
4
Views
100
Do personal PV panels make sense considering the grid "cleanliness"?
Replies
14
Views
1K
Can a capacitor start a toy car?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Switching between parallel and series connections (solar)
Replies
31
Views
4K
How to measure solar panel voltage using arduino?
Replies
32
Views
4K
How Do Solar Panels Perform Under Different Loads and Light Intensities?
Replies
28
Views
4K
Self excited induction generators and grid connected solar inverters?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Solar Panel System Troubleshooting - Charging Battery
4
Replies
153
Views
15K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top