The Solar Powered Theremin (Heliophone) . June 2008

This is an electronics kit suitable for beginners but it DOES require some soldering.
With very few parts you can build a tiny solar powered theremin enclosed in an ALTOIDS
mint tin. So when the oil runs out, the ice caps melt and civilization crumbles
to dust, thanks to the Heliophone, we will still have electronic music :-)

More Downloads__
Order yourself a Solar Powered Theremin Kit here.. The kit contains all the parts required to make the solar powered theremin including a solar panel, a custom made PCB and full colour instructions. NOTE: You can opt to buy the kit with or without a Mint Tin. You will save money if you buy your own mints.
Solar Powered Theremin Kit Mint tin not included. (If you need a tin see below)	£8.95 Including UK postage £9.95 USA and International postage

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Solar Powered Theremin Kit Included Altoids Tin.	£10.95 Including UK postage £11.95 USA and International postage

UK customers who don't want to use paypal, please email me for other options.
If you'd like a pre-assembled Solar Powered Theremin I do have some limited editions
available email me

The Solar Powered Theremin in action. Can you tell which songs I am mangling?


How the solar powered theremin operates:

The device functions best on bright sunny cloudless days. By simply flipping open the lid and letting
the light hit the solar panel the theremin will generate a high musical note. In order to play a tune
you can either cast a shadow over the panel with your hand (this allows you to play with an action
very similar to the original theremin) or you can tilt and angle the theremin in relation to the sun to
vary the note. With practice you can pick out notes very precisely and in optimal weather the device
will generate tones over several octaves so it is possible to play real music on the thing unlike some
low cost conventional theremin kits which can generate little more than squeaks and squawks.



So what happens if it's a bit cloudy? Well that's when things get interesting. In patchy cloud with
varying light conditions the theremin tuning will drift wildly. This does make playing a tune a bit
of a challenge but it is a lot of fun and it can also be quite intriguing to just lay the device out in
the sun and listen to the music the clouds make as they drift over the sun.



What about those bright white days? When the sky is completely covered in thin white cloud but
it's still very light? The Solar Theremin works quite well on these days too but sometimes it's
difficult to reach the high notes That's what the octave shift switch is for.
It increases the instruments sensitivity to light.



What about dull dreech days? You should buy a kazoo.

Tools you need to make the kit:

Scissors
Craft Knife
Small screwdriver
Tin Snips
Pliers or tweezers.
Soldering Iron and Solder
Sticky Tape or Duct Tape or Glue

A simple mod allows you to connect the theremin to effects units and an amp.

Does the Heliophone have to be mounted in a mint tin?

No.

Just what are the limits of solar powered music?

It would appear that the sky is the limit!
Yes, solar punch is a completely solar powered band!




Above is the complete labeled schematic of the Heliophone.

If you don't want to buy my kit (you must be mad) all the information you need to construct the
heliophone is here. If you're familiar with the BEAM scene you will realise this is simply
a new application for the 1381 based solar engine. sneaky eh?

All I ask is that you don't use it commercially and link me if you put the circuit online.

Thanks to the folks on the at the BEAM yahoo group for the help.

Any thought on how the circuit could be improved or how a simple optical volume control
could be added will be gratefully received.