using 12v solar car battery charger to power fans/lights/etc (for school project)

[jk_9117]

hey guys, ive got to do a school project on solar power so i wanted a display of solar panel running like a small fan or some kind of electrical device to show the solar panel is working.

not knowing anything about electrical stuff, i bought a 12v solar car battery charger - when i put it under lamp light and use the alligator clamps to connect it to a small light bulb or something, it hasnt been working

http://sunforceproducts.com/english/details.asp?id=65

thats what i have

if anybody with a knowledge in electronics could help me out (if it is even possible for me to make a circuit with this solar panel to run something) or advice on how i should set it up, it would be greatly appreciated
(do i need to buy specific 12v fans, etc)

thanks so much!

[jnette]

Do you have a volt meter to check and see if it is getting power from sunlight? The light bulb might not be getting enough power or none at all.

You can get cheap volt meters at home depot, thesource or canadian tire.

[dmyvr]

the panel you are using is 1.8 watt under "maximum" light.

Anything that you connect to it needs to consume 1.8 watt or less, otherwise won't operate properly. This translates to 12V 150mA output.

Perhaps a small toy motor, or LED light. I think incandescent lights will exceed the output, or only glow faintly or nothing at all.