DIY Solar Plane

I was looking for my next wood project and saw this short video , love the concept and had to build one...

Also, It was a little challenging to combine a concealed electronic circuit inside the plane body (especially when I'm not an electronics expert).

Hope you will enjoy this as much as I did building it!

Step 1: Inspiration & Design

This short youtube video was my inspiration, saw it and had to build one of my own.

From here I draw few sketches on A4 paper just to find the shape of the plane,

In order to cut the wood, i needed two pieces of the side view of the plane and two pieces from above of the plane.

Step 2: Tools & Materials

Tools:

• Wood trimming tool
• Chainsaw
• Drill
• Drill bits (8mm, 1mm)
• Sanding machine
• Soldering iron
• Cutting knife
• Screwdriver

Materials:

• DC motor
• 2 solar panels
• Solid wires
• 2X4 Wood
• 8mm Wooden stick
• Wood glue
• some solder

Step 3: Plane Body

I glued the plane sketch on the wood than I started trimming the extras.

After this was done, I started to refine the plane body with a sanding machine.

Update:

After I was done, I rethought it and came to a conclusion that it was too squarish....

So I did a second round of trimming to give it a more rounded shape,

To do so I marked the front of the plane with calipers and then I marked the places on the body that were needed to be removed.

After I had it marked, I started trimming slowly piece by piece....

Step 4: Wings

I created two similar rectangles for the upper and lower wings, for the back wing I have improvised and cut it by eye.

After I had all the wings, I sanded them, curved the corners that face front, same for the back wing but much more rounded.

I marked the place for the lower wing and cut it so the lower wing will be part of the plane's body.

After that, I glued only the lower and the back wing, as the upper wing will be connected using wood sticks (see connect wings step).

Step 5: Solar Panel and Motor Circuit POC

I had to run a little POC, as I'm not expert in electronics and I don't own a multimeter yet.

I bought 2 solar panels on eBay and a little DC motor, so the POC was to put the whole circuit together and check that the motor runs when there is enough light on the solar panels.

POC steps:

1. solder wires to the positive and negative of all the components.
2. connect the two solar panels in series as the circuit power source (positive of panel A to negative of panel B).
3. connect the power source to the motor
4. I used desk lamp to generate the electricity
5. Done, motor runs! :)

After the POC was successful, I trimmed the solar panel wires, so I can fit the panels on the upper wing.

Step 6: Engine and Propeller

I tried to use the same wood as the plane body with the propeller, but it's too soft.... I ended up braking 2 propellers while making them.

So I decided to go with plywood...

Step 7: Connect the Plane and Wings

I started with gluing the bottom wing to the plane body

Step 8: Wheels

I took a broomstick and sliced to 1cm pieces, with the 8mm drill I placed a hole in the middle.

I used the same wood stick from the wings, for the wheel's axle.

Now to attach the wheels to the plane's body, I cut a piece of wood rectangle 1cm X 1cm X 2cm, drilled 8mm hole to put the axle through.

Step 9: Paint

I used oil paint Red for the body and black for the propeller and wheels.

Step 10: Glue It All Together

Finally, I assembled the electronic circuit on the plane and glued all the parts.

Step 11: Done!

If you liked it, don't hesitate to leave a comment or even vote ;)

Y.