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Radio Shack Solar Panels/Ten for $24 — Parallax Forums

Radio Shack Solar Panels/Ten for $24

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2014-10-25 18:11 in General Discussion
Looks like this Ebay seller bought a lot of the Shack's 9V 1W cells. He accepted my offer of $24 for ten pieces. Eight lots of ten remain, and selling fast. Act now if you want some, you can try offering $24 or BIN for $30: http://www.ebay.com/itm/380851417889

I'll have a go at making a solar bot very soon, hoping these panels will keep a 7.4V Lipo charged up. These are the stiff panel cells, I plan to use the cell as my chassis for a lightweight bot. Might try a walker, heck I have ten cells.

Martin_H? Duane?
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Comments

  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-09-24 13:10
    Sold!. Thank you good Sir.!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-24 13:15
    I can always count on my main man Jim! Should have called you out first! :)
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-09-24 14:03
    I love Free Shipping! :)
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-24 15:09
    Well, now there are only 6 left, too good of a deal to pass up. These originally sold for $16.95? + tax !!!

    I have absolutely no use for these either.
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2014-09-24 15:36
    Must... resist....
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-24 15:44
    The seller must have had more stashed away. The quantity available is back up to "more than 10".
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-09-24 16:00
    Thanks for the alert.

    Lessee, if you add these to the 21-cent lasers and the one-dollar 433 MHz wireless modules, you could make an array of Shalmirane beacons calling for The Great Ones from the Planets of Eternal Day!
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-09-24 18:04
    User Name wrote: »
    Thanks for the alert.

    Lessee, if you add these to the 21-cent lasers and the one-dollar 433 MHz wireless modules, you could make an array of Shalmirane beacons calling for The Great Ones from the Planets of Eternal Day!

    ......and you are coming in at under $5 per beacon which will impress The Great Ones auditors!!!
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-24 18:14
    I got an email a couple of hours ago with the tracking number. That's well before 5 pm CA time, so they may have actually shipped today. Even if not, I should still get them by Monday. Now to think of something to do with them.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-24 19:43
    User Name wrote: »
    Lessee, if you add these to the 21-cent lasers and the one-dollar 433 MHz wireless modules, you could make an array of Shalmirane beacons calling for The Great Ones from the Planets of Eternal Day!

    I will not rest until I make hoarders of you all!
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2014-09-24 20:14
    @Erco, remember my question a few weeks ago about solar power to recharge some NiMH cells? I picked up a Radio Shack 1.5 watt nine volt panel for $6 a few days later. I'm guessing these eBay sellers picked these up off their local Shack's bargain table, and are still reselling them for a profit at these ridiculous prices.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-24 20:20
    Yessiree Bob, that's exactly why I called you out first in post #1!

    But I can still count on you to buy more, right Pal? :)

    At $2.40 each and free ship, he ain't making any (much) money, even if he got them for a buck each.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-09-27 09:51
    Got mine today! Fast shipping. Now to build a panel.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-27 10:10
    Mine better come today then! Hell, I'm in California (same state as the seller) and you're on the other side of the country. And I ordered mine before you did! I guess with the time difference, you get your mail 3 hours earlier. That's just wrong...

    Edit: Ebay tracking says "sorting complete" as of 8 am today, so hopefully mine come today. I can't let Jim get the drop on me with some amazing solar hovercraft project.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-27 10:11
    Your mail must run early.

    Mine were shipped by 2 day Priority and it says they expect delivery today, but the last tracking update was Thursday when it "Departed USPS Facility" in San Francisco. On the other hand, my RTL-SDR gadget which wasn't supposed to arrive until Monday is now "Out for Delivery". You just never know with USPS.


    edit: Well, a little over 2 hrs later, I have my RTL-SDR from NooElec, but the solar cells are missing in action. Hopefully they'll show up Monday.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-27 14:14
    Mine came today. Twenty solar panels in a nice big Priority Mail box. Free shipping for me, but not for the seller! I really don't think he made much on this item.

    One is outside now charging up a 7.4V, 900 mAh LiPo pack. My "charge controller" is a simple Schottky diode (~0.3V drop) and the charging current varies from ~35 mA cloudy to ~120 mA full sun. The diode only reduces the direct-connection current by about 2 mA across the board, so that works just fine for starters.

    The panel is stiff enough to use a chassis for a lightweight robot, and I like that it comes with nice heavy leads soldered on.

    You can bet that a solar tracker is in the offing. :)

    An excellent value IMO. I must resist the urge to buy more.

    Now I need to find a source for cheap, high-efficiency solar motors that can direct swap into some Solarbotics gearmotors. A Solar Scribbler is not out of the question.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,241
    edited 2014-09-27 14:53
    I'm in for 4 lots. :cool:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-27 15:16
    doggiedoc wrote: »
    I'm in for 4 lots. :cool:

    For your solar powered, Propeller-controlled chicken coop?

    Why not methane power from all those poultry by-products? Call it the Poop Coop...
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-27 16:10
    Call it the Poop Coop...

    Lol

    I'm temped to order more but I don't know why. Future use I guess. I don't have much access to sunlight where I am now - northwest corner of the building with a large overhanging roof above the balcony. I pretty much get zero direct sun after about 10 am (other than through the bedroom windows).
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,241
    edited 2014-09-27 17:16
    erco wrote: »
    Why not methane power from all those poultry by-products? Call it the Poop Coop...
    Could work on a much larger scale perhaps. :D
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-09-27 19:20
    pretty much get zero direct sun
    Story of our life here in the Pacific Northwest!!!! I have tried various solar projects in the past. I just hate having to wait around for 6 to 8 months for the sun to come out again. Last summer I bought a solar powered attic fan for $15.00. Came home and played with it and it fired right up. I then found out that new it sells for $300.00. I am going to hang on to it so when I retire to AZ. I can put it to use!!!!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-28 16:05
    We're blessed with good sun for many hours each day here in SoCal. Over 100 mA from one panel charging a 7.4V Lipo through a Schottky blocking diode, not bad, this was ~ 10am. Free Harbor Freight meters don't lie!
    solar.jpg
    1024 x 614 - 128K
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-29 13:48
    Mine finally arrived today and they are very nice. I just looked and currently the seller shows 4 lots available. If you think you could use some of these, best grab them while you can. It may be a long time before a better deal comes along.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-29 14:32
    Nothing but the best for my fine feathered forum friends! Now all we have to do is figure out what to do with them... :)
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-09-29 15:24
    erco wrote: »
    Nothing but the best for my fine feathered forum friends! Now all we have to do is figure out what to do with them... :)

    Pretty sure my first project will be a camera (probably an HD keyfob type) located on a nearby mountain top, that periodically will be triggered to take a picture. Said picture will then be sent via UHF link to the ol' domicile. Pictures will be taken and sent only as battery power allows, perhaps three or four per day. Two separate 7.2V NiCd packs will be used, and charging will alternate between them so that each gets fully cycled.

    The pictures would feature both scenery and a view of a snow depth stick. Possibly a thermometer, too.

    Edit: I wonder if the red beam from a 21-cent laser diode can be seen with the unaided eye from 10 miles away in clear weather if it is aimed properly?
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2014-09-29 15:48
    I have no use for 10, but would anyone be willing to send me a few via parcel post if I PayPal $10 to you?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-09-29 16:52
    Andrew, the same seller has a 3-pack for $15 obo, offer him $10 and see if he bites. Free ship! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-3-New-in-Pack-RadioShack-Solar-Panel-1-Watt-9-Volt-2770050-/380898929189
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2014-09-29 18:18
    Thanks Erco, good idea........... just did, so we'll see.

    Edit: no deal getting 3/$10........
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2014-09-30 01:37
    Seller still lists 'more than 10 available'...

    Shipping to Norway is over $27, though... At least the price of the panels themselves comes in at just under 200NOK(around $31 right now) so it avoids the Tr)OLL and VAT...
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-10-02 18:18
    Ten high-efficiency "solar motors" on sale for for $5 from EG: http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G18050A
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