Components

M o d e l S o l a r P o w e r e d B o a t s

Connecting flexible solar cells together:
Each solar cell has a positive terminal (marked by a red dot) and a negative terminal. If you are using two cells to power one motor then connect the positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of the other. The motor should be connected to the two remaining terminals.

Motor

We can supply a sutable high quality electric motor(s) for your boat.

Plugging-into-the-Sun solar motor specifications:

standard solar motor

precision manufactured low inertia type
size 24mm diameter, 12mm length
output shaft 2mm diameter, 6mm length
weight 22grams
working voltage 1.5-4.5V
starting current 10mA
no load speed @2V 2200revolutions per minute; 0.018A
electrical connection - thin red & black wires (take care not to break these)

Tip: The motor must be kept dry at all times; try covering it with cling-film, a balloon or a small plastic bag.

Fixing a solar electric motor

solar motor in self-adhesive mount

A piece of plastic tubing connects the propeller shaft to the motor shaft.

The propeller will spin at the same rate as the motor.

The motor sits in a self-adhesive mount.

Hull

There is no restriction on the number of hulls a boat may have.

bottle boat

Possible materials - polystyrene, plastic tubing, plastic bottle, balsa wood, rubber balloon, empty aluminium drinks can; consider anything that is low weight and floats well.

Tip: A multi-hull boat can be more stable in the water than a single hull design. The centre of gravity should be low down so the boat is not 'top heavy'. The smoother the hull, the easier it will glide through the water.

Tip: Aim to make your boat unsinkable even if it should capsize; so even when immersed it still displaces enough water to create enough buoyancy.

Propeller

There is no restriction on the number of propellers a boat may have.

Do you connect the prop shaft directly to the motor shaft [a 1:1 ratio], or use a reduction gear to provide greater torque (turning force)?

Your boat could have larger slower running propeller giving larger masses of water a lower acceleration, or a smaller faster running propeller giving smaller masses of water a higher acceleration.

3-blade propeller, diameter 30mm - [note:- black in colour]

3-blade propeller, diameter 25mm

4-blade propeller, diameter 58mm

direct 1:1 drive turning 25mm propeller

3:1 reduction drive turning 58mm propeller