Solar Battery Charger
Convert solar energy to electrical energy and store in your own batteries. Charge
your rechargeable batteries anywhere the sun shines. Solar Powered Battery Charger
recharges Ni-Cd or Ni-MH AAA, AA, C, or D cells, 2 at a time. Rechargeable batteries
are not included, but are commonly available. Excellent for wilderness camping.
Also called the "Solar 11-in-one Battery Charger with Meter".
SOLR.11 $29.95
Solar
Radio/Flashlight
Solar Radio/Flashlight.
This is very cool. Remember the joke about the "solar powered flashlight"
that only works in the sunshine? Pretty useless, huh? Well, this ain't
it. This one is actually useful because it STORES solar energy in the form of
electricity in the internal rechargable batteries. The unit can be recharged/powered
FOUR different ways: 1) solar power from the attached photovoltaic cells (the unit
either uses the electricity generated immediately or stores the electricity for later
use), 2) hand crank dynamo to replenish the internal rechargable battery, 3) regular AA
batteries - not included, 4) DC adapter - not included - to charge the internal battery
from regular house current. Unit has flashlight/lantern function, AM/FM radio and
emergency flashers. Comes with 2 extra bulbs. Great for camping, hiking and
emergencies. (Get ready for Y3K now!)
SOLR.14 Solar Radio/Flashlight Combination $49.95
Radiometer
This has got to be the coolest science toy around! A clear glass bulb, partially
evacuated, contains 4 vanes or wings balanced on a virtually frictionless pin bearing.
The vanes are black on one side, white on the other. When placed in sunlight
or under a bright incandescent lamp, the vanes will spin around. The brighter the
light, the faster the vanes will spin. Very fragile, for ages 12+.
SOLR.08 $19.95 each
Sunprint Paper
Make sun print images without a camera! Sunprint paper goes through a chemical
change when exposed to light. Use this light-sensitive paper on a sunny day, either
outside or on a sunny windowsill (even works on some overcast days - experiment to find
out). Here's how it works: In a dimly-lit room, place any object that casts a shadow
like a tree leaf, a fern leaf, confetti, a photographic negative (OK, in this age of
digital photography, you kids may not even know what that is! - ask your parents if they
have any), etc. on the blue, light-sensitive paper. Cover with the clear acrylic
sheet that comes with the full kit. Take this assembly outside and place it on a
solid surface where it is exposed to the sun. Leave it alone for 1 to 5 minutes
(depending on the strength of the sunlight), until the paper turns almost white.
Without moving the object off the paper, quickly bring the assembly back into the
dimly-lit room, take the exposed paper and rinse in water for about 1 minute. Dry
flat. What you will have is a preserved image of the shadow of the object.
Another manufacturer sells a similar product known as "solargraphics
paper". For ages 6+.
MISC.76 Sunprint Kit, 12 sheets of Sunprint paper (10 X 10 cm),
plus 1 acrylic sheet (10 X 10 cm)
$9.95
each
MISC.77 Sunprint Refill Kit, 12 sheets of Sunprint paper (10 X 10
cm)
$5.95 each
MISC.78 Super Sunprint Kit, 15 sheets of Sunprint paper (20 X 30
cm), plus 1 acrylic sheet (20 X 30 cm) $24.95 each
MISC.79 Super Sunprint Refill Kit, 15 sheets of Sunprint paper
(20 X 30 cm)
$17.95 each
UV Beads
This is a fun and creative way to detect and demonstrate the effects of ultraviolet (UV)
radiation (the component of sunshine that causes sunburns) that comes from the sun.
When these small plastic pony beads are exposed to sunlight, even on cloudy days, they
change from white to colours. Out of the sunlight, they turn back to white.
Regular light bulbs (incandescent and flourescent) will not affect them because they lack
UV radiation. For a science fair project (i.e. which sunblock is more effective?)
put sunscreen on a bead and you can see the UV blocking effect. Experiment with
materials that supposedly block UV rays (sunscreen, sunglasses, tinted glass, etc.).
Use for craft necklaces/bracelets, party favours, as well as discussion of non-visible
wavelengths of radiation, or just for fun. Can cycle from white to colour and back
again over 50,000 times. For ages 6+.
SOLR.16 Ultraviolet Beads, package of approx. 100, mixed colours
$5.95 per pkg
Solar Viewing Glasses
Called "Eclipse Shades", these are thin cardboard paper frame glasses with
special black polymer lenses, safe for sun observation, either during a solar eclipse or
anytime. With these glasses, you can even comfortably view the filaments of
high-intensity household bulbs like halogens. Normal low-intensity light will not
pass through, so don't wear these while operating machinery, or even just walking around!
Use with caution and adult supervision.
GLAS.03 $3.95 each
# 14 Welder’s Glass
Yes, we sell that hard-to-find welder’s glass that astronomers recommend for viewing
solar eclipses safely. Called Welder’s Glass shade 14-H, it is a 10.7 cm X 5 cm
(2" X 4 1/4") piece of special glass so dark, ordinary room lights can’t be
seen through it. Heat treated glass filter plate provides infrared and ultraviolet
protection while viewing the sun. Impact resistant, but not unbreakable.
Conforms with ANSI Z87.1-1989 and CSA Z94.3M-1988.
SOLR.02 $4.95 each
Glo Germ Powder
Non-toxic white powder glows under ultraviolet light. "Simulated germs"
used by heath nurses and lab trainers to safely demonstrate proper cleaning or
disinfecting methods. Sprinkle or smear a bit of Glow Germ powder on the surface to
be tested (you don't have to use much - a little goes a long way). Test with UV
light source to show where the powder is, then clean surface by whatever method you
choose. Re-test with UV light source to see how good your cleaning practice
is.
MISC.63 Glo-Germ Powder, 3 grams $5.00 per
vial