Start by assembling the SolarEngine. This clever circuit
allows solar energy to be harvested and used in low light
levels - much lower than is usually possible.
There
is
soldering required, so if you are new to the process,
review the “how-to” link on the right.
transistor
trigger MCP112 (also looks like a transistor)
22 F capacitor (has paper tape on the legs)
μ
0.22F capacitor
diode
circuit board
Install and solder the parts in as shown below. Pay
particular attention
to the
capacitors. They are similar in physical size, but in fact are
10,000x
different
electrically. 22µF installs near the middle, where 0.22F (220,000µF!) is at the end.
1.1
Back side, after soldering
ASSEMBLY STEPS
1. SolarEngine Circuitry
Step
22
μ
F
capacitor
(C2)
2222a
Transistor
(flat side
facing in)
MCP Trigger
(flat side
facing out,
in 1381 spot)
Diode (D1)
Polarity stripe
+
-
Front side
0.22F
capacitor
(C1)
1.3
Cut two 6.5cm (2.5”) pieces of wire (one of each color) and remove 3mm (1/8”) of
insulation from each end. Place your solar panels face down and edge to edge as
shown.
We are wiring these in
parallel (+ to +, - to -), so
solder the positives of the
panels together, and the
negatives of the panels
together.
MATCH
the orientation markers on any marked leads. Anything with a stripe is negative (”-”), and are
installed in the hole nearest that symbol. These components do not work backwards!
SolarEngine
circuit board
3
Collect your electronics, being:
Remove any tape from the parts
1.2
