Solar Panels to run a motor.?

Question

I have a motor that runs on 2 AA batteries. I want to get rid of these batteries and power this motor with Solar power. How many panels would I need at what ratings? I see panels with ratings like X Watts Y Volts Z milliAmps but I'm unable to decide which one to pick. They are also expensive, so I figured I could ask around before I buy.

Answer 1

These guys have helped me many times and it only takes a minute or two.
http://www.electroniccity.com/
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Answer 2

Just because it runs from a battery don't mean you have to have that much power. The motor only uses so much of the power from the battery not all of it at once.

This is a very low cost project. I bet you could do it for under 25 dollars and even buy the multi meter to test things with.

You will need to know how many amps the motor uses at what voltage when it is running. Find the amps by using a cheap multi meter. Hook it in line while the motor is running. Look and see how the wires are connected to the batteries and add up the voltage. From that point it gets simple. amps times volts will give you the wattage.

Then go to radio shack The normally keep them in a small drawer. It will have the amps volts and wattage on them.

Grab a handfull of cells and get started. Should run from the light of a bright lamp.

Answer 3

You haven't supplied enough information. Does the motor need to run all the time or just during the day? How much current does the motor draw?

Most solar panels are nominally 12 volts, actually a bit higher with no load. If your motor needs to run in the dark you will need some sort of battery to supply power at night. Since your current power source is two AA batteries it sounds like it is a 3 volt motor (it would be dumb but not unheard of to place them in parallel) with a relatively low current requirement. For daylight only you might try one of the surplus solar cells from All Electronics. Link below.

Answer 4

Depending on how your batteries are wired, your motor is running on 1.5 or 3 Volts. If they are wired in parrallel you are getting 1.5 V. If they are in series you will get 3V. The panel's output will vary depending on the angle of the sun, your latitude, clouds, etc. regardless of ratings. The ratings are usually peak ratings so you need to allow some room for less than perfect conditions.

Answer 5

I think solar panel are overkill for what is essentially something the size of a remote control. You can get smaller panels, I just don't know where. I have a solar powered electric fence. It is awesome!

Answer 6

I doubt if you'll find a solar panel with a
voltage that low.
(You need 3 V. if the batteries are connected
end to end, 1.5V. if they're connected together.)
You need less than two amp.s output.
Check out www.sciplus.com/
They might have your answer.
All kindsa great gizmos.