1829 Making Solar Cells From Old CDs

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[@farttart597]

Thank you for saving me from ruining all my parent's old soap operas.

[@jimupp2235]

Thank God I saw this video before I started experimenting with c.d.s!! Thanks Robert, you saved alot of people from wasting alot of time.

[@audiodead7302]

CDs make useful ear rings, but not much else.

[@lukasp.5243]

If you ever tought about making those. Then you are lost and most likely fall for another bs. :)

[@jimupp2235]

@@lukasp.5243 deep down I knew there was something fishy about the whole thing!!

[@sigmasquadleader]

@@audiodead7302 They make better frisbees, bird reflectors and microwave experiments.

[@eugenetswong]

Jim, I agree.

[@gabrielex]

Got an idea: cover a parabolic dome with CDs, then have them focus on a tank containing water, then have the water evaporate and activate a turbine, there you go...solar power from CDs! 🙂

[@lelanddyke8386]

probably not the worst thing you could do with CDs

[@allegropiano2000]

Unfortunately the material in the CD has only a short life span when aimed at the sun every day. I tried this on a large defunct satellite antenna...

[@thermonuclearwarhead]

I use old CDs for bird scaring devices, works a treat.

[@3nealweber3]

Thank you for making this video !! I saw one of these videos the other week and thought “there is no way that a CD can be used for solar like that”

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@BronzeDragon133]

True--and not like that, but y'know, old CDs might not make such a bad backing for solar cells, or mirrors to reflect light toward the solar arrays... Better than throwing them out, anyway.

[@GasketManzrevenge]

Best use I have ever gotten out of old AOL CDs was to hang them in the trees around my garden to keep the birds out.

[@fried0nion503]

That and they were killer frisbees

[@rayg436]

we will all be watching your videos Robert you have a great community built up around your channels. thank you for all your hard work and putting this type of content out there. 👍👍

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@relie6476]

I clicked on this video because I was real excited to learn what I saw people doing a few years back. They powered their whole property on home made CD Solar panels. And they worked great. Bummer to see you just made this video to say they don’t.

[@jimdaly5077]

I do not think you will ever be able to stop misleading videos (I am being kind) but as long as people like yourself are pointing out the facts we will have a chance. Thank you. 👍🐝🌞

[@kevinroberts781]

Really? KZbin can't Stop misleading information? Why do they keep banning people? They seem to only ban smart people. KZbin loves idiot's

[@oriolandres8163]

Amazing videos.. easily among the best content in the whole internet

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

oh Wow, thanks for taking the time to say that mate - cheers

[@robertjenkins5440]

@@ThinkingandTinkering i don't remember for sure, but did you do a video about printable solar cell's?....can you use a printer to create solar cell's?

[@deanstalker7964]

@@ThinkingandTinkering what about if you covered the cds with leds?

[@SaintSaint]

​@@deanstalker7964 Then you'd have shiny CDs. Not a bad idea, but.... oh! You meant to use the LEDs to generate a current! AHAHhaahahha! You're funny. I'm slow.

[@sankako6075]

He didn't do nothing at all, just turning the CD on is finger, not even disproving that it could work, and you call it the best video in the entire youtube...In what cave do you live...and you got a cheers for it FROM the dude?????????? WHAT🤣😂🤣 FAKE

[@LaggedBehind]

It is great to have this kind of video in this media where people would gladly believe something they saw once and not question the science behind why or why not it would work the way they are shown. Thank you for explaining to us.

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

👆Your useful message are good but follow the easy way of making income,.....Tell Andrei jikh i referred you👆✍️

[@samwilliams3659]

He hasn't even showed how it doesn't work just how he thinks it won't. You have taken his word based on faith and dismissed the video showing evidence. Based on 1 man's words

[@marcfruchtman9473]

It is truly amazing how well these "gag" videos actually work as a pay off.

[@kevinroberts781]

It only works because KZbin doesn't care about misinformation

[@marcfruchtman9473]

@@kevinroberts781 I suppose in a way, everyone who "tries" to make it work, will learn a valuable lesson.

[@Tron-Jockey]

Agreed, I'm thinking of sticking two wires into a dog turd and claiming it produces energy when put under your pillow. I'm curious as to how many idiots will actually try it.

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Heat your pillow while you recharge your cell phone from compost?

[@alexandergrimsmo]

It's amazing how many believe in the free energy videos and all that stuff.

[@samhorowitz7593]

I remember one of the other videos argued that regular cds won't work. They said it required writable dvds because those contain silicon. The regular cds and DVDs that aren't purple, are plastic mass replicated products which are pressed, not burned. Silicon was argued to be the "game changer"

[@markwarburton8563]

The blue/purple colour is from azo or cyanine-type dyes. Neither of those dyes has silicon!

[@timhartherz5652]

I worked at a company which build the machines to manufacture CD's/DVD's neither the ordinary nor write/rewritable ones contain silicone. They use a thin layer of metal which is been sputtered on as a reflective layer as well as a light-sensitive dye for the (re)writeable ones. We experimeted with all kinds of metals for the reflective layer though, copper gold platinum you name it we tried it, silicone was none of them though. But Aluminium was the best cost/reflectivness compromise.

[@njahselector]

Like einstein

[@Susie_Floozie]

Ah, the voice of reason! I was gulled by one of those scamvids and was tempted to try this for myself. You just saved me all sorts of time and grief. Thank you so much!

[@Ilamarea]

I like your final words, how it's not stupidity. Strikes home, because when I saw the title and was not yet aware that it's a debunking video - even if that was at the back of my head - I was really excited for a second about such a simple solution to the problem that we've got, as you put it. Thanks for being a stand-up guy.

[@kevinroberts781]

It's pretty obvious that it doesn't work

[@Ilamarea]

@@kevinroberts781 If it's that obvious to you then perhaps you suffer from a closed-minded overconfidence. There's no reason to have assumed after reading the title that there isn't some interesting way of doing this, like applying a film the existence of which you are not aware of. It's possible to turn clothes into solar panels, so why not CD's that most people understand just as 'technological stuff'?

[@xponen]

​@@Ilamarea "curiousity kills the cat". I mean, why do we have to fall for it? I mean, if the trick is to put solar on top of CDs, that count as a trick.

[@dougzirkle5951]

Your expose’ is appreciated…thank you.

[@andreasgoulimis9283]

I went through the better part of the video hoping to hear something along the line of "But here is how you can harness the power of the sun using nothing more than common table salt, some copper pipe, and these 497 CDs"

[@__Salty]

You crack me up, I love to watch your projects and inventions. You bring so much fun to it all. :)

[@jean-philippedognon8814]

Thank you much Rob ! I was waiting something like this .

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@jamesmfish]

I was actually looking for one of those cd videos to try and understand how they work, glad I found this video, still going to try some of the other DiY options for solar though, just enough to charge batteries.

[@charlprop_livingincenturion]

I just saved 2 weeks, 17 liters of coffee,2 packs of calming meds and my faith in humanity, just by watching this video! Thank you so very much! Much appreciated!

[@Aeoxmusic]

get blood work done and see which nutrients you are deficient in

[@jerrettfeatherston7530]

Thank you for your youtube videos. And seeing someone that seems to love life and the real mysteries it holds.

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@jasongreenlund9896]

Your fun to watch. Very charismatic and informative. Enjoy your channel alot.

[@kevgermany]

Glad you made this. I hope it really helps dismiss the junk.

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@happyhsu140]

Thank you for clearing this up. Your videos are one of my face checks go to. Keep up the good work

[@hhbeck-ziegler9333]

Have not seen those clips but your the Man ,thanks !

[@sevenowls7776]

You could construct a parabolic reflector with old CDs to focus sunlight on to the energy convertor of your choice...

[@d34bru]

my guess is you will be making a solar oven, a better choice than aluminium foil if you can¡t afford mirrors, tho...

[@johnharvey5412]

But I was going to Toshi station to pick up some power converters!

[@muesli_mod]

glad to see someone who is producing factual, useful information regardless of view count

[@toptenwatch]

Thanks a lot from Turkiye MR. Robert. and Thank god there are honest Real Science man people like you on youtube.This channel deserve views more than millions.🙏💯

[@timeparty718]

Thankyou Robert, it's most elevating to hear the truth and to expose the scammers, there's so much lying junk on KZbin these days. Keep up the good work.

[@arod1766]

The guy didn’t prove anything, he just gave his opinion. I thiught he was going to prove it instead of just talking about his opinion

[@MyrddinREmrys]

I'm very happy you're addressing this scheme and exposing the very basics of why some shiny, glittery plastic and aluminum isn't going to begin magically pumping out power... Other than the power of fantasy.. which would probably stand more of a chance towards an aha idea going through just the right mind at the right time. Thanks 👍

[@razvansividrarazvan5688]

thanks for opening our minds

[@Singh_harj]

Why wouldn’t I watch your video and appreciate it? You saved me from being conned Thank you so much for saving my time sir..

[@Kangsteri]

The fun fact is that it will work as rectenna / LEctenna if you have germanium diode on it ;D It doesn't produce much, unless you live near transmitter, or have your own transmitter. The CD has nothing to do with it.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

yes it will!

[@scotttovey]

So will an antenna. I seen a vid years ago where the maker attached a joule thief to an antenna and lit an LED. I think he had a germanium diode in the mix as well.

[@Kangsteri]

@@scotttovey Yes :D I'm currently studying if it might be possible to make portable AM rectenna to power 1,5v FM / Mp3 player... Biggest issue seems to be sourcing genuine low voltage UHF/VHF/RF diodes for cheap. Those good old germanium ones are nearly 1€ a peace + shipping. The CD actually might work well and be better with "spider coil" configuration. But I'm also going to use some LC magic, so I will try some dark green or dark grey (Mn-Zn) toroids to get more power.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

Back in the day I had an AM transmitter (tube) and when a TL light was a few meters away from the antenne (just a long wire) it would light up. So you could play 'star wars' in the garden LOL

[@kurtsteiner8384]

I thought it was to good to be true or that simple. Thank you for confirming my suspicions.

[@OrbitalSP2]

I wonder if you can build one of those solar heating panels that people make with hoses in spiral shape, but use CDs at the base painted with black paint, so that it absorbs light but also the light that goes through the paint gets reflects by the CD back into the paint, allowing for higher effeciency.

[@jerrypayne9617]

Those do work as a per-heater for your water heater. Or for a off grid cabin. but in the winter these don't work quite as well in less the box is well made.

[@deslomeslager]

About cd .. .. If you have a CD player and do no longer need it, you can take out the ejection system. Thing is: if you put an LED (or two in reverse) on the motor and operate the eject mechanism (open, close, open, close), the leds will light up. And yes, there is another motor in the middle, but you will need to spin it a bit faster. The nice thing of the eject system is that it has gearing in it (See Rob's previous video about making your own, 1 to 128 ration). The CDrom can be used to create a capacitor, not very spectacular. The best use I know of for a CD is in the garden, hanging (dangling) from a rope, to scare birds away.

[@lightglobepictures5285]

Thanks for doing that Robert.

[@wayne00k]

I did sucessfully harness the energy from the sun using a few hundred old CDs, suspended with old monofilament fishing line into an excellent, reflective bird deterrent around my garden.

[@davemonger3190]

You don't need 1million views Robert - it's quality not quantity that counts. Your videos are quality and that's what serious viewers want. Let the sheep see the scammers and you continue to give us serious students of all sciences the quality videos we need and love. The added bonus is that your videos are also highly entertaining. Well done.

[@22Vermeer6]

Thanks, Robert! Look forward to your future videos.

[@emmanuelwobo6874]

Thanks a lot this clears all the errors

[@markcarey8374]

Thank you for very good advice.

[@Twin-jl1bi]

Well I saw it, liked it and will be linking it on all those other videos

[@ReflectedMiles]

It works if the Internet says it works. The Internet has such a great fidelity to facts that large numbers of people could never doubt it.

[@ericerto8250]

This is exactly why when I see a video like that that looks convincing I always do my homework. And do my research.

[@spacecraftbuildingservices]

Thanks as ever. Amazing how bunkum spreads. The central hole might provide good adjustment for concaveness if the cds were deployed in a parabolic reflector and focused on a heat exchange device ?

[@ErnstvanBiljon8]

Thank you for your logic Sir

[@goldenglowladore3842]

Thank you for explaining this!

[@eugenetswong]

Thank you for setting us straight.

[@hardergamer]

Come on, let's hit that 10 million+ Robert! 💎📀💿

[@benchapman2902]

Thank you for this!

[@shawntaylor5690]

Even with my limited knowledge of electric systems when I saw these types of videos I was nahhhhh that can't be real . Thank you for the insight

[@OMIF1]

Ahh KZbin... "If you can figure out how the sexy female scientist makes solar cells out of CD's, you're a genius!" There's a sucker born every minute (P.T. Barnum) 🤣

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - now there is a thought

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo........I tried one and didn't work to.......I didn't expect it to.......great experience and experiment......the prism is worth more.......explain ...diopolar plastic and alum......cheers

[@donmcleod8307]

Good tip about the mirror and washing line. Going to try it now. Lol

[@peterwilson5528]

We just hang them all in our trees because if you string them together in a long line they make and amazing light show in the garden. Also our neighbour hates them and that is a bonus :)

[@anthonymolden4684]

I appreciate this video.

[@checkmatekingtwothisiswhit7685]

Brilliant video, mate.

[@sankako6075]

ok, maybe wanted to think i could save the world with some cds im not using anymore...didnt try it but thank you mister for the slap in the face, really appreciated

[@siegfriedschudel7024]

Great! Thank you for this video 👍

[@amphibiousone7972]

Good thing I watch this. Initially I thought you had lost your mind. Good Stuff Boss 🤝🍻

[@johnhanna9664]

thanks for that saved me some time copper wire and cds always a plessure to watch real ideas

[@ronny8378]

the Best comment under a video from "King Homemade" was that: "I found that using older vynal records work a lot better. The black surface absorbs more of the suns rays producing much higher voltage output. Also, if you run the current backwards through the record, you can get what is called a "black light" effect." i like that kind of humor 🤣

[@tundramanq]

These things remind me of the Barnum and Bailey quote: "A sucker is born every minute."

[@BullProspecting]

Thank you!!🙏

[@peterfelecan3639]

Debunk them all ! This and the lecture of the "Skeptical" saves a lot of effort for the lazy maker.

[@davidwarnes9539]

Good man, thank you.

[@katiekumcgil]

hello robert i think i remember something about needing to use the purple looking blue ray disks that had been used ,because they had silicon content in them,apparently these are the only disks they said that will work as solar cells, Ill give it a test and see what happens

[@Buzzhumma]

I wonder though if they might be good as a reflector on a dish . even if you cut them from the middle outwards so the sit better in the dish

[@keithsextonakathebluerose]

It's all about the hits and likes.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

yes it is

[@martinriley106]

I really enjoy the way you dispel the fake video’s! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@anjkovo2138]

Does anyone know if CDs can reflect radiant heat from say a Halogen heater. ( if i covered a wall or my ceiling with CDs will it be a good way to reflect heat back into the room?)

[@peterbryant19]

Damn I thought I was going to save the world with my CD collection!

[@TheTrumanZoo]

i wonder what happens if we place the cd over a thin vertical [tesla] coil, what the aluminum would do. or if we used two cds reflective layers, bouncing the light between the two separate reflective layers cd surface area's.

[@AB-C1]

Nice video, glad you made this Rob as I've been wondering why all these videos had been coming up last couple years.. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@hArtyTruffle]

Ahhhh… the real world. Can’t beat it 👍🏼

[@ebenezervelez9147]

Robert thanks for the content, I'm open minded and I will analyze everything that is out there, I was watching your video and occurred to me that maybe this is not a solar power but a rf antenna or a receiver.i like to read your opinion.

[@hugobose2254]

great video Rob

[@jeffmccrea9347]

It's amazing how many suckers are out there. You can use clear lens LED's in this configuration and read a small voltage but it would take literally millions of them to make any usable power. They incorporate non--reversing diodes in REAL solar panels to keep storage battery power from from backing up into the panels at night discharging them. If this happens, the solar panel will emit light in the infrared spectrum. LED's work basically the same way but with visible light.

[@stephenspreckley8219]

A funny and likable use (I thought) for old compact disks was rear vision mirror ornaments in taxis and other vehicles I saw through out Micronesia about 25 years ago! LOL

[@ducsport42]

i lived in a block of flats and we were plagued by pigeons old cd's make excellent bird scarers - drill a hole on the edge and clip a fishing swivel to it, a few of these strung along a wire will keep the birds away from your seeds as they spin in the wind

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@daveg1640]

G'day You just got me thinking about a almost constant power supply. Wind is the only drawback that is at a stop start but can almost be overcome with perpetual motion.

[@kimadams2995]

It won’t get the views...but it will get the appreciation from the smart ones. Thanks. I love a good debunker.

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@gavanbrennan3637]

It is an interesting concept, shame it doesn’t work. I have seen so many videos and thought to myself it couldn’t possibly work. Electronics are an amazing thing and I think it’s great that people waste their time to learn something doesn’t work, that inspires the brain to find a method that does work.

[@seanrh4294]

It can be used like any little mirror to reflect sunlight on a black pipe filled with water to warm it, for example. If you have enough of them arranged well and the sun shines bright at the right angle, you may be able to boil a pot of water with it ;)

[@oakfat5178]

Or a bung overlapping to for a dish that concentrates rays to a point, but as Robert pointed out, you could do the same thing with alumin(i)um foil, or mirrors

[@NightRunner417]

I'm really not sure why you would since CDs make _really_ shitty mirrors. Just use something actually reflective and actually efficient.

[@seanrh4294]

@@NightRunner417 You can get a hand-cranked little 20W generator from china for 50€. Tested them and they are pretty good. Stay away from anything plastic, however.

[@oakfat5178]

@@NightRunner417 That's probably why you'd opt for alumin(i)um foil or mirrors instead.

[@NightRunner417]

@@oakfat5178 Aluminized glass every time. Never half ass it if you don't absolutely have to.

[@ghostdude7111]

love you dude, great video 👍👍👍

[@Hodmokrin]

The best part about cds for solar cells is the battery they connect the meter to.

[@bartronicsecurity]

Spot on and well explained but this video will never go viral because it goes against what people hope for when they look at a bunch of cd. These guys who get paid for misleading cd solar cell info will not stop as long as the money rolls in. Thank you for the blunt honesty.

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@Mrbobinge]

In the one I watched, the guy twisted many wire ends together but forgot to hide that he hadn't removed wire insulation. Bare footed in a lush marshy field he risked electrocution from the kilo-volts output from those connected100 cd's.

[@archibaldvonkranski8881]

Like all weeds... Pull them out one at a time. Another great vid. Thanks Rob 😎

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@nikolaj192]

Thanks for that 🎉

[@keithcharters6456]

I actually made one solar CD wrapped wire myself, just to try it. In the sun, it did produce about 3 volts, but not enough amps to speak of...it has to be in direct sunlight, or it won't work. It works, but not feasible due to it having little power output.

[@LisaMalacanang]

Amazing its very helpful and save money.

[@andrewbrown6522]

Im getting a solar sized headache watching this. Also.... have fun after the 1st rain contact. Lol

[@violeman]

Thanks!!

[@bobbysilver272]

By using a box of spanners, nuts and bolts and some recycled oil, I once converted an old rusty box and some round rubber things into a means of transportation. (Also called getting a car through it's MOT).

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@shwimmy11]

5000 hearts for this sir. 💞👍

[@gijoemolinaro]

Bang on vid and very informative excellent 👏👏👏👏👏⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😇

[@user-ux9gi9gu2x]

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[@Pyrolonn]

I saw one of those videos, and for the life of me I couldn't understand how it could possibly work. Hopefully this video gets some traction.