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Fuel Cell Car Kit Troubleshooting Guide
See a detailed description of this Fuel Cell Car Kit.
| In Experiment 1, my wiring is correct but I can’t make the motor run using solar power. What’s wrong? |
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The most likely cause of this problem is the connection between the copper wiring and the "banana plug" ends attached to each wire’s end. To troubleshoot,
first carefully examine the connection between the wires and banana plugs. If you can see that a connection is loose, remove the plug using a small screwdriver and
insert all of the wiring into the plug. Secure the screw tightly. Check each wire/plug connection in this way.
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| I checked the plug and wire connections and I still can’t make the motor run on solar power! Is my solar panel broken? |
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Almost certainly not. If, even after securing the connections between wires and banana plugs you still cannot operate the motor using solar power, try this: Remove the
banana plugs from both wires leading out of the solar panel. Also remove the plugs from the two wires leading out of the motor. Twist the wires together in order to complete
a direct connection from the solar panel to the motor. Make sure to attach red to red and black to black wires. If after this your motor does not run, you next need to be
sure the solar panel is generating power and that the motor is not broken.
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| My motor won’t run. Is it broken? |
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Probably not. To troubleshoot the motor, try this. Obtain a AA size battery and connect the black wire from the motor to the negative terminal of the battery while
connecting the red wire from the motor to the positive terminal of the battery. As long as you’re using a fresh battery, this will run the motor.
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| How can I be sure the solar panel is generating power? |
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The quickest way to test your solar panel is to use the multimeter provided in your Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit. Using the probes from the multimeter, insert the red probe
into the hole in the red banana plug on the solar panel’s red wire. Repeat using the black probe, connecting it to the black wire. Make sure that the wire’s red end going into the
multimeter is set to measure Voltage. Turn the meter on, turning the dial until it points to the "20V" position. Expose your solar panel to direct light; either sunlight
or a minimum 75 Watt incandescent bulb. Your multimeter will indicate the voltage generated by the solar panel. If the multimeter initially indicated "0.00" Volts, make
sure that you’re holding the mulitmeter probes tightly where they connect to the banana plugs of the solar panel.
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| I’ve had my Fuel Cell for a long time and it’s not producing as much power as it used to. Is there a way to revitalize it? |
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Yes. See page 92 of the Experiment Manual for information about revitalizing your fuel cell (It’s in the yellow box).
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See a detailed description of this Fuel Cell Car Kit.
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