Solar Powered Laser (pointer) - One "hobby Size" Panel Runs It! - Simple DIY - Fun Experiment!

this instructable shows how to power a laser pointer with a solar panel. good introduction to solar power and a fun experiment.

video shows how to run a laser pointer using a small "hobby size" solar panel. super simple DIY. fun experiment. panel is 1.5 watt 6 volt. (1watt 6volt panel will run it as well). panels can be found at radioshack or fry's electronics. (also on ebay for as little as $5.). all that's needed is a laser pointer and the solar panel. i also used about 12 feet of wire to connect the panel and pointer.

1.) one small solar panel. (1, 1.5 or 2 watt ones seem to work well - milliamps are roughly 200ma to 333ma)

2.) laser pointer

3.) wire and alligator clips

first remove the batteries to reveal the spring in the bottom. now take the negative(-) wire and hook it around the spring in the bottom and the positive (+) end of the wire and hook it to the connection near the top of the laser. secure or hold that tight. then just hook the other end of the wire to the positive and negative from the solar panel and place the solar panel in the sun.

first 3 pics above are stationary shots. second three are moving... for the full effect watch the video...

the last picture is of the pointer pointed directly at the camera lens. pretty bright