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1-282_Flex_Solarcell_Instr_1.0 Flexible 3V Solar Cell 3-pack - #3-920
Section 1 - Introduction
These advanced polymer-based, lightweight,
flexible, amorphous silicon solar cells are made using a
roll to roll manufacturing process. The polymer web
substrate measures only two thousandths of an inch
thick.
Current applications for these solar cells include
portable field power for scientific or other expedition
uses; industrial safety; consumer electronics, supplying
power in space for high orbits and deep space where
payload weights are critical; and terrestrial solar power
including add-on solar units for recreational vehicle
awnings, wildlife migration monitors, roofing, shutters,
watches, electric fence chargers, camping lanterns, two-
way radios, electronic fish finders and sports equipment.
Their conformability, lightweight and manufacturing efficiency make these cells ideal for
incorporating into roofing panels, curtain wall windows, and tensile structures. They are lighter and much
more durable than conventional glass-substrate solar cells. Add them to your solar powered and B.E.A.M.
robots and more!
Size: 114 x 37 mm (4.5 x 1.5 inches)
Voltage: 4.1V (open circuit), 3.0 V nominal
Output: 55 mA @3V
Section 2 - Attaching Leads
If you have not soldered or assembled electronics before, please see our PDF How To Solder on
our web site at <
http://www.RobotStore.com/support.asp
>, or get the assistance of an experienced board
assembler.
1) Place the solar cell on a smooth, flat surface and carefully heat one of the corner connecting pad,
and apply a small amount of solder. This tins the pad and makes it easier to solder the wires in
place. Repeat for the other corner pad.
2) Strip the ends of your connecting wires (red to positive and black to negative to follow one
convention) and pre-tin them with a small amount of solder.
3) Apply solder to the tip of the soldering iron, then press it against one of the copper strips on the
edge of the solar cell, melting through the plastic coating, until the solder flows onto the copper.
Solder the RED lead to the "+" strip, and the BLACK lead to the "-" strip, per the figure above. Use
care to not overheat the cell. Double check that the wires are attached correctly or damage can occur
to your circuit.
Gently bend the leads and twist them together as shown to help prevent the wires from pulling off of
the cell.
NOTE: The advanced thin film solar cell in this kit is quite rugged, but care should be used to not
overheat it (i.e. don't place it close to a hot light bulb) as it may melt, deform or damage the cell.
Mondo-tronics Flexible Solar Cell Instructions V1.0
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+ Section 3 - Cell Test
Attach a volt meter to the leads on the solar cell and place it in bright sunlight (or alternately under a
desk lamp - but no closer than 30 cm (12 inches) from a 100 Watt bulb or the heat may damage the cell).
The output should read between 3 and 4 volts.
Double check the location and orientation of all components
Double check all solder joints for
- wires in wrong locations
- bridged or short-circuited solder joints
- weak solder joints
Check the output of the solar cell with a volt meter and make sure it produces about 3.5 volts in
bright light.
Section 4 - After Words
On a solar cell the voltage remains constant, no matter the light level, but the current produced by
the cell varies with the light level. This is called the photoelectric effect. In 1905, Albert Einstein got a lot
of attention when he became the first to explain this phenomena, and he later received a Nobel prize in
physics for his insight.
Fortunately, the Sun does not demand payment for all the energy that it delivers by radiation to
Earth in the overall cosmic scheme, which is trying to make humanity a success despite our overwhelming
ignorance and fear.
R. Buckminster Fuller
In 1970 our cornucopia of ever more swiftly accruing know-how overflowed and its content
integrated synergetically, so that we may now care for each Earthian individual at a sustainable billionaire's
level of affluence while living exclusively on less than 1 percent of our planet's daily energy income from our
cosmically designed nuclear reactor, the Sun, optimally located 92 million safe miles away from us and safely
interlinked with us by photosynthesis, wind, rain, wave, and all other weather behaviors.
Excerpted from Grunch of Giants by R. Buckminster Fuller,
www.bfi.org
Make it so!
Contacting Us:
Mondo-tronics. Inc.
Phone
415-491-4600
124 Paul Drive #12
Fax
415-491-4696
San Rafael, CA 94903
Email
support@RobotStore.com
Web
http://www.RobotStore.com
Comments? Errors? Improvements? Compliments?
Help us make this product better with your feedback. We want to hear from you!
Email us at: support@RobotStore.com
Thanks!
�MM II Mondo-tronics Inc, V1.0 0211.20 #1-282
Mondo-tronics Flexible Solar Cell Instructions V1.0
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