shonuf
10-12-2005, 09:51 AM
Hi all, great little (for now only I'm sure!) forum. I started serious searching tonight, best place I've found yet, I see some of you are "dreamers" like me. :) People wanting to make small non-flying replicas, fly, for instance.
Anyways, to my topic. I'd like to build a solar powered plane. I'm new to this, (flying AND solar) and I'm sure I don't yet have all the data that I need to figure out how feasible my project idea is, thus I'm asking here. It is entirely possible that it would be near impossible to make at this time. I'm not entirely new to electronics, I'm definitely not afraid, but I'm sure smaller stuff is difficult to work with. I've done some basic wiring, so I know I could at least connect solar cells to a motor. :)
I keep seeing the solar kits at radio shack, (usually with a fan) then thinking "boy one of those micro planes would sure be a more interesting starter project to play with. At least much more fun in the end!"
I'm not sure what kind of power I'd need to move something like this though: http://www.otherlandtoys.co.uk/product1033/product_info.html?∏=1033 (http://www.otherlandtoys.co.uk/product1033/product_info.html?&prod=1033)
I can't find the specs for the engines of course. Any ideas where to look for that info? I saw a post mentioning 1.6amps for a single motor. Definitely limited by power production with solar. I see solar cell kits that produce 2V, 1400mA, but that's one of the few kits I found, that also look to be scaled right. Those are probably "cheap", I suspect with a bit more money, power production could be increased from the same size cells.
So to keep this from getting longer, are there motors/props out there that I could run with those numbers, (two motors would be my ideal) ignoring the weight issues solar cells would add, and keep something flying? Again, learning is cool, no problem if it "fails", even if the props turn I'd be happy! By the way, money is only an object if I'm looking at more than a $100 investment for a potential model with turning propellors. lol
Without knowing the likelihood of it flying yet, I'm not even going to get into the weight/complexity of remote control. If it can be made to fly, it can be made to steer later.
If this is too specific an idea, or two n00b-ish of me to be posting here, I'd love to discuss with anyone willing to take the time. Otherwise, hopefully I can take full advantage of the obvious knowledge here in "public"! Something like this definitely needs people playing devils advocate, and different/better ideas and approaches, and most of all, experience in the field.
Anyways, to my topic. I'd like to build a solar powered plane. I'm new to this, (flying AND solar) and I'm sure I don't yet have all the data that I need to figure out how feasible my project idea is, thus I'm asking here. It is entirely possible that it would be near impossible to make at this time. I'm not entirely new to electronics, I'm definitely not afraid, but I'm sure smaller stuff is difficult to work with. I've done some basic wiring, so I know I could at least connect solar cells to a motor. :)
I keep seeing the solar kits at radio shack, (usually with a fan) then thinking "boy one of those micro planes would sure be a more interesting starter project to play with. At least much more fun in the end!"
I'm not sure what kind of power I'd need to move something like this though: http://www.otherlandtoys.co.uk/product1033/product_info.html?∏=1033 (http://www.otherlandtoys.co.uk/product1033/product_info.html?&prod=1033)
I can't find the specs for the engines of course. Any ideas where to look for that info? I saw a post mentioning 1.6amps for a single motor. Definitely limited by power production with solar. I see solar cell kits that produce 2V, 1400mA, but that's one of the few kits I found, that also look to be scaled right. Those are probably "cheap", I suspect with a bit more money, power production could be increased from the same size cells.
So to keep this from getting longer, are there motors/props out there that I could run with those numbers, (two motors would be my ideal) ignoring the weight issues solar cells would add, and keep something flying? Again, learning is cool, no problem if it "fails", even if the props turn I'd be happy! By the way, money is only an object if I'm looking at more than a $100 investment for a potential model with turning propellors. lol
Without knowing the likelihood of it flying yet, I'm not even going to get into the weight/complexity of remote control. If it can be made to fly, it can be made to steer later.
If this is too specific an idea, or two n00b-ish of me to be posting here, I'd love to discuss with anyone willing to take the time. Otherwise, hopefully I can take full advantage of the obvious knowledge here in "public"! Something like this definitely needs people playing devils advocate, and different/better ideas and approaches, and most of all, experience in the field.