User Manual

A. SAFETY WARNINGS
1. Adult supervision and assistance are required at all times.
2. This kit is intended for children aged over 8.
3. This kit and its finished product contain small parts which may cause choking if misused. Keep away from
children under 3 years old.
4. Do not attempt to take the solar panel apart.
Also required but not included in this kit : small crosshead screw driver
Learn how to make a moving robot using solar panels and a motor. Put all the parts together and 'teach'
your robot to do simple tasks. It can be your friend as well as your helper!
To Parents: Read all instructions
before providing guidance to your children.
D. OPERATION
Put your Solar Robot in the sunshine. Twist and tilt the solar panel so that the panel faces the directly into
the Sun. This allows the panel to collect as much sunlight as possible. The motor should start running,
making the Solar Robot walk slowly forwards. When you are not using your Solar Robot, keep it out of the
sunshine so that the motor doesn't operate. Don't use the Solar Robot outdoors when it is raining as water
may damage the solar panel and motor.
You may also use the Solar Robot indoors or at an indoor school
science fair. Ask an adult for a desk lamp with a 60-watt
incandescent light bulb (not a fluorescent energy saving bulb). The
bulb will act as a simulated Sun. Shine the lamp close directly onto
the solar panel from close up. The light should be enough to drive the
Solar Robot. Warning: An adult’s permission and supervision is
required when using a desk lamp.
UNLIMITED GREEN & CLEAN FUN
Create different styles Solar Robots by recycling unused materials at home. They are GREEN robots
powered by CLEAN energy.
Dinosaur Solar Robot
Recycle the package box to create this
unique Dinosaur Robot. Push the two supports
clips into the holes in the front of the gear case.
Gently push out the dinosaur head parts and a tail
shapes from the side of the box. Clip the back of the
head into the support at the front of the gear case. Clip
the top of the tail into the clip at the back of the gear case. Your
Solar Powered Dinosaur is ready. You could re-use the rest of the
package box to create other unique robot of your own design. Use your
imagination!
Monster Solar Robot
Recycle two plastic forks and a paper cup for this project. Push the handle of a plastic fork into the clamp
on one arm. Secure with a screw. Repeat with a fork in the other arm. Push the head support into the
upper hole in the front of the gear case. Push the rim of the paper cup into the clip. Draw a monster face
on the paper cup to create your unique
Solar Powered Monster.
E. TROUBLESHOOTING
If your Solar Robot doesn't move:
• Ensure that the metal tabs of wires and the solar panel are tightly secured.
• Try giving the largest gear a gentle push to get it started.
• The sunlight may not be strong enough, or not hitting the solar panel straight on. Adjust the angle of
the panel so that it faces directly at the Sun. If it's cloudy you may have to wait until a sunnier day.
• Check if all the gears and joints are lubricated.
• Check if any of the washered screws are installed too tight. Loosen them if necessary
If your Solar Robot walks backwards:
• Check whether the wires from the motor are on the wrong connectors. If so, swap them over.
• Check that the gears and joints are lubricated. Friction between the gear wheels will affect the
performance of the motor.
If the feet of your Solar Robot hit each other:
• The cams are not at the right angle in relation to each other. Hold one of the legs in its highest position
and rotate the other leg until it is in its lowest position.
F. HOW YOUR SOLAR ROBOT WORKS
The solar panel is made up of solar cells. When sunlight hits the solar cells, the cells create an electric
current. The current goes along the wires to the motor and makes the motor spin. The motor spins fast.
The gears in the gear box slow down the movement so that the large axle turns quite slowly. The large axle
turns the two cam wheels, and the pins on the outsides of the cam wheels move the hips of the legs in
circles. This movement makes the robot walk.
G. FUN FACTS
• Energy we get from the Sun is called solar energy. It's a renewable form of energy because the Sun keeps
shining all the time.
• Most solar cells are made from a material called silicon. Most of the silicon used to make them comes
from sand.
• We use solar cells to make electricity in all sorts of gadgets, from watches to garden lights.
• Solar vehicles work just like Solar Robot. They have arrays of solar panels that make electricity to work
their electric motors.
• NASA's robot rovers called Spirit and Opportunity drive across the surface of Mars using electricity from
solar cells.
• Solar Breeze is a solar-powered swimming-pool-cleaning robot. It swims across the water cleaning
away dead leaves.
• Beambots are tiny solar-powered robots just few centimetres long. They collect energy from the Sun
until they have enough to move a tiny way. Then they start collecting again.
We value you as a customer and your satisfaction with this product is important to us. If you have comments or questions,
or you find any part of this kit missing or defective, please do not hesitate to contact our distributor in your country.
You will find the address printed on the package. You are also welcome to contact our Marketing Support Team: Email:
[e-mail], Fax [phone], Tel: [phone], Web site: WWW.4M-IND.COM
Questions & CommentsQuestions & Comments
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