Hello to all
Me and my friends have got a project from school which is we should build a simple model based on traffic lights.
We want to build something different and are planning to use a dynamo or an solar panel instead of batteries for using them with the traffic lights so if anyone could help us where do you get these mini solar panel like this on http://www.ebay.in/itm/7V-SOLAR-PANEL-Hobby-KIT-DIY-Mobile-rechargable-battery-charger-CELL-TOY-GIFT-/200753484009?pt=IN_Toys_Games_School_Stuff&hash=item2ebdd710e9&_uhb=1#ht_2556wt_1037
http://www.ebay.in/itm/3-watt-solar-panel-/131039588294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item1e82916fc6&_uhb=1
http://www.ebay.in/itm/SOLAR-Educational-KIT-Hobby-Panel-DIY-LED-Motor-Fan-Science-School-Project-Toy-/200939645209?pt=IN_Toys_Games_School_Stuff&hash=item2ec8efa919&_uhb=1
http://www.ebay.in/itm/6V-Mini-SOLAR-Energy-PANEL-Hobby-KIT-DIY-Mobile-BATTERY-Charger-CELL-TOY-GIFT-/200869962116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item2ec4c86184&_uhb=1 etc. in chennai ritchie street as my friends house is near ritchie street.

And how much would a small dynamo cost. can it convert wind energy to electricity.

It would be nice if anyone could give us anyother ideas.

we are planning to make a mini city and add mini led in traffic lights so there are going to be multiple leds will a single solar panel or dynamo be able to power atleast 15 leds

or is there any way to diy a solar panel or dynamo
I know its not rc related but I need urgent help btw the last date for submission is 14.11.13

You need to first list down the electrical components you'l be using for the project, find out how much power they consume and then choose a solar panel of appropriate rating. For example, if the LEDs & other ccomponents consume 1A at 5V, you need to get a panel that can source atleast 1A at 5V.

If you're planning to use a bicycle dynamo, remember that it's made to be driven by bicycles and will have quite a bit of friction, you'll need a wind turbine almost as big as  a bicycle wheel and a fairy good wind speed for it to start working and they generate AC current which you'll have to convert to DC.
Here in Bangalore, I paid 250/- for a typical 12V dynamo and 200/- for a 6V one with built-in rectifier circuit.
You can however purchase small dynamos that are made specifically for model windmills and water turbines, they come with a DC conversion circuit and save you the hassle of making a AC-DC circuit. Again, watch the power rating of the dynamo.

You can find a ton of schematics for traffic light models on the internet, do you're homework on that.

Hello anjan babu So I did little bit of homework and found out this http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/traffic-lights.html http://www.instructables.com/id/traffic-lights-1/

Could you please tell me where can I get all the parts for things like these preferabely in one shop and do you know any robotics store in chennai also in what type of shops do we get all these parts
and is there any way that i could make 5 traffic lights with a single setup

This one also came in my mind http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/traffic-lights-4-way.html

The 555 timer IC, LEDs, cpacitors and resistors are common stuff, will be available in any shop that sells electronic components.

but one problem. I have plenty of electronics shop near my house but i bet they don't know what 555 timer is but they surely stock it

Dude, first go ask!
Make a list of components and purchase two nos of each component, you might need spares.

Take any brushed motor, put a propeller on it and you will get dc power when the propeller blade turns. Main disadvantage with these motors is the need for them to turn fast to produce any appreciable amount of current/voltage.

Quote from: lastRites on November 08, 2013, 11:21:34 PM
Take any brushed motor, put a propeller on it and you will get dc power when the propeller blade turns.

DC power or AC?

DC man DC. PMDC motors generate DC
http://www.wikihow.com/Produce-Electricity-from-a-DC-Motor

Or you can use a 600rpm geared motor to generate around 9v. i used this to make a Handcrank radio. this doesnt have much friction.

Hi... The Four way circuit might work fine. You are planning to use the dynano or solar pannel for the power supply. Solar pannels or dynamos are used to generate power but they cannot store power. Rechargable Batteries are needed to do that and these batteries are charged by the power source that might be the solar or dynamo. You can take the example of the solar street lights. they don t glow during day, when sunlight is present. they glow during night when it is dark and in dark, the solar panels donot generate power. In case of wind mill, the rate of air flow might be more or less, so will be the voltage.
 

I am doing it alone those guys are not ready to help.
I am not going to use dynamo or a solar panel planning to use a battery

what type of batteries can i use for getting 12v
can i use a 9v battery and two aa cells in parallel
also instead of a 12v battery could i use 9v for this http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/traffic-lights.html
any instructables on the same.
what about using an 12v 1amp dc
could someone suggest me an forum for circuits I'll be going shopping in another 5 minutes and start my work

Quote from: rcrcnitesh on November 09, 2013, 02:42:36 PM
can i use a     9v battery and two aa cells in parallel

Don't ever do that, You cannot connect different types of batteries with one another like that.
Also, get your basics right, if you connect four 1.5v 1Ah cells in parallel, the total voltage remains 1.5V but the Ah rating adds up to 4Ah. If the same four cells are connected in series, the total voltage adds up to 6v--1.5*4 but Ah rating remains at 1Ah.

You can use eight AA cells in series-- 1.5*8=12v or a 3S LiPo, if you have.
you can also go with a 12v DC wall adapter, which is much simpler.

what about going with 12v 1amp power supply

I fully aggree with Anjan...... You cannot connect the batteries that way.... If you want to make the 4 way traffic light then you try with just 9v battery instead of 12 first.... It will work... Else you can go for a 12v dc, 1A wallmount adapter which will cost you around Rs 130.

For the circuit which has only 3 traffic lights and two 55 ICs, 5v also works..... 9v is more than enough

but in the original circuit it says u need 12v

Just give a try and see.... The ICs which are given in your circuit diagram work on voltages ranging from 5v to 12v. So nothing will be damaged if you try it with voltages between that value.... But you can confirm it to yourself that it will work or not.... I do the same thing.... Just use some other voltage and see if it works...

ok thanks will try but one question. even the led also needs current right

Standard 5mm LEDs draw between 10mA to 20mA depending on the color.

Yes. they do...

Yes they do.... But the battery can provide at least 300ma..... You can try connecting four LEDs in series and connect it to the 9v battery.... If all the LEDs glow, then your circuit will work fine.... but how long it will be working, i cant assure. Because the battery might get drained soon. In the circuit, there are 12 LEDs but only 4 will be ON at a time.....

hello to all I am just going to do only one traffic light. I have all the parts for this thing including so many spares. I want to construct it on a bread board.
If anyone could help me and have a skype or a oovoo or a yahoo messenger account and are willing to help me in this project please pm your skype or oovoo or yahoo messenger id
need to submit it tommorow.

Just follow the connections and it should work. For one traffic light system.