LittleBits are a set of small electronic toys that allow kids (and adult engineers like myself) to easily build electrical inventions. There are different types of power, input, and output components that can be easily connected together to create fun projects.

Making the connection from a Voltaic solar panel to the LittleBits is simple.

solar panel connected to littlebits

We combined them with some spare Legos we had in the office and created a drawing robot that is completely solar powered!

solar little bits legos

solar legos littlebits

We combined LittleBits, Legos, and our 2 Watt, 6 Volt solar panel to create a robot that draws circles with two different colors. The LittleBit components we used were the microUSB power module, the motor, and the dimmer (to change the speed of the motor). The entire circuit requires less than 60mA so it was able to run even when the sun was partially shaded. Sliding the wheel closer or further away from the body of the robot changed the size of the circle that was drawn.

All we needed were some spare Lego pieces, tape, and rubber-bands and our bot was drawing circles in no time! We encourage you to send us pictures of your own Voltaic solar creations.

littlebit solar lego robot

2 Responses

  1. chuck weiss

    I’ve been hoping to incorporate a solar panel into my LittleBits projects, and I thank you for making this post! Curious though, do you know if the 2 watt solar panel mentioned here would provide enough current to power the CloudBit module from LittleBits? I would like to build a system to notify me when the postman has delivered mail to my mailbox, and having a CloudBit module run from a Voltaic solar panel would make it a lot easier to make it happen.

    Reply
    • Tony Kauffmann

      We would need to know the power consumption of the CloudBit module, but I’m fairly confident it can work directly from a solar panel. It can definitely work from our USB Batteries, which provide 1A or 2A. So perhaps a 2W or 3.5W Solar Charging Kit is the best bet for you.

      Reply

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