Troubleshooting Hints

A major portion of learning sometimes comes from figuring out why something does not work. Some students will enjoy the challenge of 'fixing' a 'broken' vehicle. The process of identifying and fixing a problem may take a few extra minutes, but the students will learn patience, problem solving and achieve a personal satisfaction by getting the vehicle to work. The encountered problems are generally related to improper wiring, so this should be one of the first things checked.

Check for loose wiring
Check all the connections to make sure the copper wire is connected to the battery, motor or solar panel connections.

Insulation
Check and make sure the plastic insulation is stripped off the end of the wires. The copper wire and not the insulation should be connected to the connections.

Battery connections
Check that the battery connections are touching the ends of the batteries. If the connections are not touching both ends of the battery, GENTLY pry the end of the Seibun battery connector so the battery will be touched on BOTH ends at the same time.

'Dead' Batteries
Check the charge left in the batteries by connecting the light in the Seibun kit to the batteries. If the light bulb lights up and is bright, then check the motor connections. If the light bulb does NOT light up and the wires are firmly connected to the batteries, then replace the batteries. Check the light bulb after changing the batteries.

Opposing Batteries
The batteries are facing each other in a series circuit. If the batteries are connected + to + or - to - the motor will not turn.

To fix the problem, change the direction of ONE of the batteries.

Solar Panel
A household light bulb does NOT produce enough light to power the motor from the solar panel (a 100 Watt SPOT light -not a light bulb- may provide enough power, if positioned at correct angle and distance). If the solar panel is being used indoors and the motor will not spin, go OUTSIDE in the SUN. If the motor still does not spin, check the wiring between the solar panel and the motor.

Weather
The solar panel may not provide enough power to turn the motor if it is cloudy or dim outside. Welcome to one of the challenges of relying on solar power. Do not attempt to use the solar panel to power the motor if it is dark outside.

Motor or Vehicle runs backwards using the solar panel
Reverse the wiring from the solar panel to the motor. The electricity will flow in the opposite direction and change the direction the motor spins.

Motor or Vehicle runs backward using batteries
Reverse the wiring from the batteries to the motor OR reverse the batteries in the battery holders. The electricity will flow in the opposite direction and change the direction the motor spins.

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