Instructions

2
The Solarbotics Solar Marble Machine Kit
TOOLS:
 Wire strippers (22 gauge)
 Philips #1 screwdriver
 Wood or white glue
 Tweezers (optional)
Although assembly is straight forward, some tools are required:
1: Assembling the SolarEngine
Step
The SolarEngine is a clever circuit that allows solar energy to be harvested and used even
in low light levels. There is no soldering required so all we are going to need to do is
connect the motor and solar panel, stick it under some light, and watch it move!
1.1
While you won’t do any damage by plugging them in backwards, the SolarEngine will
only work properly if the solar panel and capacitor are installed as shown. Batteries don’t
work when installed backwards - the same applies to these parts!
Connect everything together before moving to the next step.
Solar panel
wires
Motor
wires
(Black)
+(Red)
(Black)
+(Red)
The wires need to have the insulation stripped off the ends,
which is easy to do: Our “groovy noodle” wire insulation is
so soft, you can pinch and pull it off with either your
finger nails (or use a proper wire stripper).
Expose 3-5mm (1/8~1/4”) of bare
copper from the solar panel
and motor wires.
Negative (Stripe)
side of capacitor
Motor(1)
Motor(2)
The Marble Machine Kit is the brainchild of Martin S. Rainsford, as part of his “Lasering
one project a day” blog. We fell in love with the design, and worked with him to create this
kit - now with the solder-free SolarEngine for easy construction!
Insert the motor wires to
the motor block, noting the Red
and Black polarity marks.
Backwards operation works, but not as
well as proper forward motion.
Connect the large capacitor and solar panel wires into the
same terminal block connections. If you have trouble getting
the wires to stay firmly mounted when you tighten the
terminal block screws, try stripping off more wire insulation
and wrapping the wire around the capacitor legs.
Motor terminal
block
Solarcell / capacitor
terminal block