The following instructions detail how to build a Solar Power Smart Head version 3. The Head will seek light and when it finds the brightest source it will go into a low current standby mode. This version also comes with an low power FLED circuit to indicate when the head is active.
Painted GraviTrack
Solar botics
March 5, 2018
We always enjoy seeing our products being modified, revamped and DIY-ed, as well as the results of these transformations.
Our customer Vera Kark provided us with some thoughtful feedback on adding mechanical tweaks to improve our Solar GraviTrack build and documentation. She also painted the brown MDF of the machine. She used tempera paint on the wood components still in panelized form, and the GraviTrack's performance seemed to be unaffected.
The GraviTrack looks great in vibrant jewel tone colours, however, we do not recommend applying paint to the hand mechanism itself. You can paint the base and the rails, avoiding the hand mechanism completely. The moisture and the thickness of the paint might affect the precise tolerances of the moving parts, and will interfere with its proper functioning. Another relatively safe option might be felt tip marker since the moisture from alcohol evaporates quickly.
Photos & video by Vera Kark
P.S. Also, a particularly bad idea is painting your GraviTrack after the assembly is completed. Even though we were using a very watered down acrylic paint, the mechanism seized up the moment the paint became sticky. Don't be like us. Take care of your GraviTrack.
A portrait of a sad stuck GraviTrack
MORE POSTS
Wednesday Cool Links: DIY Cellphone, Sma...
Meteor showers! This week! Everybody watch! And other than that, watch the links. They are shiny too and they come out at night and eat all your strawberry pie and pencils… Er, no, they don’t, actually. But they will only shine the light of their internet goodness on you: My open-source, do-it-yourself cellphone (built with […]
Attention Solarbotics Customers:
For those who have used or are planning on using our Express (1-2 business day) shipping option to the United States: In recent years, Purolator, the Canadian shipping company who handles the Express shipments, had all parcels destined for the United States delivered by Airborne Express. This past year, Airborne Express was purchased by DHL. […]
New custom bug...
Here's a link Harold just sent me of his micro-ScoutWalker3. Gotta say, I haven't seen workmanship this tidy in a long time. Nice job...
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!
Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.