Power Sources

Project Number: 38

Description: Snap Circuits Green has 6 electrical power sources; battery, hand crank, solar cell, windmill, watermill, and liquid holder. The watermill is similar is similar to the windmill but it's messy, so we'll skip it. Connect the red & black jumper wires to the meter and to one of the power sources at a time, as shown. Measure the voltage produced using the 5V meter setting; then look at the current produced using either the 0.5mA or 50mA meter settings. Sometimes the meter reading will be more than the 5V or 50mA settings. Take some notes in the table below.

A. Battery.

B. Hand Crank: Turn it clockwise at different speeds.

C: Solar Cell: Place it in sunlight or near an incandescent lamp.

D: Windmill: Mount the motor on the pivot stand, place the wind fan on it, and blow on it or place it in a strong wind. You may need to give it a push to get it started.

E: Liquid Energy Source: Assemble it using the instructions on page 4. Fill the compartments with cola or juice.

Snappy: The most powerful power source is the one which produces the best balance of voltage and current. Different types of circuits need different levels of voltage and current. For each power source, the balance between the voltage and current produced can be adjusted by changing its construction or with how groups of them are arranged.

Snappy (Again): Each power source has advantages and limitations: A. Batteries have lots of power but they only store energy, and they don't actually produce it. B. The hand crank has lots of power but only while you are turning the crank. C. The solar cell has limited power, and only produces electricity only while it has light. D. The windmill makes good power but only in a strong wind. E. The liquid energy source has very little power.