Product Description

Can you set up a solar panel to run a radio, make a fan, or turn on a light? These do-it-yourself science experiments help kids develop a basic knowledge of solar energy. And each science project involves putting parts together to make functioning gadgets - kids love science more than ever as a result! Children can do a series of do-it-yourself experiments to acquire the basic knowledge of alternative energy - solar energy with this kit: Experiments included teach how to make an electrical circuit, make a solar circuit, how to increase voltage and current, and how to use solar power to produce energy for a radio, calculator, battery charger, a cassette player and more! We know, even dad wants to get in on the fun. Ages 8+

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19023 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Elenco
• Model: SK-40
• Released on: 2007-07-10
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 9.50" w x 10.00" l, .90 pounds

Features

• 5VDC solar cells pre-wired in sets of 3 and mounted in a 5" x 4" x 7/16" black-plastic frames
• 5 volt DC motor with leads and a mount, a fan blade and (4) plastic discs from 5/8" dia to 2" dia for mounting on the motor shaft, a 1 5V incandescent bulb with leads, a sound module with leads, and graphic cards to mount on the discs
• Another great science kit from Elenco, the Snap Circuit company

From the Manufacturer
Elenco's Solar Delux Education kit introduces users to a series of do-it-yourself experiments to acquire the basic knowledge of solar energy. They will learn how to make an electrical circuit, make a solar circuit, how to increase voltage and current, and how to use solar power to produce energy for a radio, calculator, battery charger, a cassette player and more! Comes with a 14-page instruction/experiment booklet, including info on increasing voltage and amperage, powering battery charges, radios, games, etc. Lots of science project potential.

Customer Reviews

This one may be tossed - tomorrow
This one may be tossed - tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow, it'll be gone
Just thinking about, tomorrow
Clears my brain from cobwebs and much sorrow
It's no fun

When I'm stuck with a toy that's lame and boring
I just stick out my chin and grin and say, ooooh

This kit will be tossed, tomorrow
So I gotta hang on `til tomorrow
For trash day

Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love you, tomorrow
You're only a day away


Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration there, but really, this toy can't hold a candle to the Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Educational kit by the same company.

For starters, this one requires a screwdriver and spanner to set up, and it's extremely unlikely that a typical eight year old will be able to do the (few) projects without adult help. The instruction manual begins with line drawings and schematics for connecting circuits in series and in parallel, and continues with the calculation and formulation for such things as "how many rows of solar cells are needed to make a solar panel work for a solar musical unit of 4.5V 100mA"

After they make your head spin (without the help of a solar panel), when you get to page 10, they helpfully add "If you do not want to make any calculation, just skip and follow the simple instructions below", which is followed by a series of black and white illustrations with captions like "No.2 screw connected to No.4 screw with jumper wire"

After you get all this done, you need to ensure that the panel is in direct sunlight. You can apparently use a 100W bulb 5 inches away from the panel, but only for 3 minutes, as the heat may melt the plastic frame. (!)

We connected the panel to the motor and fan today, and put the panel on a sunny window sill. I'd like to say we were blown away, but as the kit includes no form of storage for the charge, every time a cloud passed over the sun we were out of the flying fan and into the fiery heat of the day.

You can also connect small appliances depending on the required voltage and amperage (up to 4.5V or up to 300mA), but without a battery and charge controller it won't be very effective.

While this kit has the right idea at heart, they need to work on the presentation (looks cheap), the ease of set up for the target audience (from 8 years old), the instruction manual, and above all, they need to offer a complete solar set-up that can actually make the projects work effectively.

This one is not likely to be a favorite for anyone of any age




Amanda Richards, January 1, 2009