How to Make a Solar-Powered Balloon Car
Solar and wind generated power are excellent sources of clean energy. A great way to demonstrate the power of the sun and wind is to build a solar powered car with a backup wind generator. Use a few purchased parts and some common household items and build a solar powered balloon car.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic square water bottle
- Ruler
- Scissors
- DC motor (1.5 to 3V)
- Mini solar panel
- 1/4 inch dowel rod
- 1/2 inch straw or plastic tube
- 4 toy car wheels, 1 inch wide
- Wide thick rubber band
- Hot-Cool glue gun
- Cool melt glue stick
- Insulated wire
- Balloon
- Marker
Instructions
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Car Body
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1
Lay the water bottle on a side. References in future instructions to the front refer to the drinking end of the bottle, references to the back refer to what was the bottom of the bottle and references to the bottom refer to the side of the bottle that is lying on the table.
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2
Measure down the side of the water bottle 2 inches from the front and 2 inches up from the bottom side of the bottle and mark the spot. Repeat this step on the other side of the bottle.
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3
Measure from the back of the water bottle 2 inches in and 2 inches up from the bottom side of the bottle and mark the spot. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the bottle.
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4
Plug the hot glue gun in and allow it to get hot. Use the tip of the hot glue gun to melt holes through the plastic bottle at each mark. Melt holes that have a diameter larger than 1/4 inch to allow clearance for the dowel axles.
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5
Cut a large hole in the bottom of the car body to allow access to the interior of the bottle.
Wheels on the Car
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6
Measure across the width of the water bottle car body. Measure the width of the rubber band. Cut one length from the dowel rod that measures 2 inches longer than the width of the water bottle to create the front axle. Cut a length from the dowel rod 2 inches plus the width of the rubber band for the rear axle.
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7
Use hot glue and attach a wheel on one end of the front axle dowel. Repeat this process with the back axle dowel.
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8
Cut the straw or tube in four 3/4 inch pieces for spacers to place between the wheels and the water bottle car body. Push a spacer up against the attached wheel on the front axle. Slide the front axle through the holes at the front of the water bottle. Place another spacer on the axle and hot glue the other front wheel on.
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9
Push a spacer up against the attached wheel on the rear axle. Slide the axle through the first hole at the rear of the car body. Reach through the hole that was cut in the water bottle bottom and slip the rubber band on the axle. Push the axle out through the remaining hole on the car body. Put another spacer on the axle and hot glue the remaining rear wheel onto the axle.
Power to the Car
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10
Attach the solar panel to the top of the car body, using cool melt glue. Use the tip of the hot glue gun to melt a hole through the top of the car body to allow wires to run from the panel to the motor.
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11
Put the rubber band around the gear on the motor. Find the motor's correct position by moving the motor around until the the rubber is stretched taut but not too tight. Check the belt's function by turning the belt. If the rear axle moves, the motor and belt are in the correct place. Attach the motor to the car body using cool melt glue.
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12
Attach the bare end of an insulated wire to the motor's positive terminal. Guide the other end of the wire up through the hole in the top of the car body. Attach the bare end of the wire to the positive lead on the solar panel. Use another piece of wire and attach it to the negative end on the motor and run the opposite end of the wire up through the hole and attach the bare end to the solar panels negative end.
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13
Take the car outside on a sunny day and watch the power of the sun send the car racing forward.
Second Source of Power
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14
Use the hot tip of the glue gun and melt a hole in the back end of the car body. Allow the area around the melted hole to cool
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15
Insert the balloon into the body of the car through this hole. Leave the neck of the balloon hanging from out of the hole in the back of the car.
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16
Unhook the rubber band from the motor when using air power for the car. Blow up the balloon keep the end of the balloon pinched closed until the car is on the ground. Release the balloon and the force of the air being expelled will push the car forward.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be sure that the solar panel's voltage and current needs match the motor's output.
References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images
