I made a solar tracker for use with the solar air conditioner that we made. A video and a set of plans is available that shows how it works on our website. I have had a few small glitches that I have basically overcome. I am hoping that I can get some feedback from those that have seen the video.
You can find out more about the tracker and watch a video on our website Living On Solar
You can find out more about the tracker and watch a video on our website Living On Solar
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Great site and great info. I have a 1000sqf Metal Shop and I am interested in keeping things cool. I can't wait for the Tracker vid and info. Thank you for taking the time to post all your info. It is Greatly appreciated. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteThanks CMC Fab. I have put a newer version of the solar tracking video on my website. It is the full length but without the sound. You can find it at Living On Solar-Solar Tracking .
ReplyDeletehow we can use the solar tracking system for solar pumping??????hope ur response eagerly..im an undergraduate student from bangladesh...
ReplyDeleteHello Md. Tanvir,
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of solar pumping do you want to do? If you want to operate an electric pump, my system might work since my tracker is used to position a photovoltaic panel. My tracker is controlled by a television antenna rotator and remote control and does require 110 volts AC power to use. If you do not have that type of power available or you need a remote system you might have to use a different controller. I hope to develop a different way of tracking possibly using an actuator instead of the antenna rotator. This is not a new idea but I hope to use my same design and just control it differently. Please let me know what you are wanting to do and maybe I can give you some advice.
Could a digital house thermostat on the heat setting be used for turning the motor every 30 minutes, and then to set back to zero use an AC preset. Would it be spossible to use a redrock controller with this motor?
ReplyDeleteI have not quite figured out the wiring to the motor. It actually has three wires running to it and uses AC voltage. I have measured the voltage when the motor is turning and am not sure what is happening. I tried looking online but have not spent a lot of time trying to understand how it works. Since it uses AC voltage, the redrock might not work since, I believe, it controls a DC motor. I would like to try using a linear actuator and a redrock controller. The thermistat might also work well to control a DC motor better than the TV rotator motor. The problem with using the thermistat would be to cause the motor to turn to a certain position. If it could somehow be used to control the motor through the remote box directly instead of the remote control, it might be a good alternative. I have some knowledge of electronic circuits, but am not versed well enough. I know that a simple circuit could be used to control the whole thing. I have just not found it.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with the idea of using a TV rotor to move the solar panel. I'm in the process of building one for an air heater and want to track the sun as you did. I noticed that you mention that you ran into a few glitches, what where they? It might help me to avoid the same problems. Also, I've been trying to find a universal remote control with a timer in it and haven't found one. Do you have a specific one to recommend? I'm even looking for the right item? I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks
ReplyDeleteLouis A.
Anonymous was able to find the answer to their questions through the website and tracker plans. They let me know through email.
ReplyDeleteSunElectronics is great! Thanks to the lowest prices I got I can make one of your cool trackers!!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using regular parts to build this tracker. Inspired by it I want to make a similar construction myself, for my location here in Haarlem, Netherlands.
ReplyDeleteSo I tried to find out the right angle for the diagonal pipe and rotation axis for my altitude here, 52 degrees. You chose 25 degrees, being 40 minus 15. The 40 is your latitude there in Susanville, I guess. But where did the 15 come from?
Trying to understand this I came nu further than that this angle has to be the latitude of your place. In your case 40, in mine 52 degrees. That is because the sun virtually circulates around the earth in a plane parallel to the equator, so to follow it the axes of rotation should point due north to the Solaris star.
Did you do this to adapt for summer/winter altitude? And would it not be better then, to mount the solar panel in an angle on the axis of rotation and put this axis in an angle of 40, resp 52 degrees?
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ReplyDeleteHello Karel,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you like my idea. I appreciate receiving your email. You are right in what you stated. My latitude here in Susanville is 40 degrees. When tilted 40 degrees, my tracker would be parallel to the sun at solar noon on the spring and fall equinox (March 21 and September 21). In your case a tracker placed at an angle of 52 degrees also would be parallel on those dates. I actually did some calculations awhile ago to determine this. This was a rule that I had heard about and just wanted to run the numbers myself.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is located about 23.5 degrees more than your latitude when it reaches the Summer equinox. It is located 23.5 degrees less in the Winter. Placing a tracker at the latitude +/- half of this angle would provide for a good mean average for the summer/winter season. Since 11.75 is a little more technical than needed, 15 degrees is close enough to use. By using 15 degrees, I place my tracker to be parallel with the sun (40 - 15 = 25 degrees) in the middle of Summer since I only use my tracker then. By the fall I remove it and store it away during the winter. If you did the same thing at your latitude you would use 52 degrees minus 15 and the angle would be 37 degrees.
If I was going to use my tracker all year long, and was not going to be able to adjust it, I would place it at 40 degrees. This would provide for the best overall angle for the entire year. My solar array for my home is not on a tracking system. I do have the ability to adjust those panels for all 3 positions.
Are you going to use your tracker all year long? I hope this answers your question. Please feel free to ask more questions. I am not an expert but would be glad to help with what I know.
Regards,
Jim Eddy
Hi i'm from egypt , i'm a student at the faculty of engineering , mechatronics branch , i will make a graduation project next year , and i want to make it in this field , i don't want to make traditional project , i want to make project sponsored by an international company specialized in this field , so if you can tell me what to do , i will be so grateful , thank you for reading.
ReplyDeleteHello Karim,
ReplyDeleteI do not know of any international companies to recommend to you. I can suggest if your project is a solar tracker, that you consider making one that is easily made by others who might benefit from your design.
sorry can i get a program for solar tracking system
ReplyDeletesorry sir can i get help codes(program) for solar tracking system using dc motor
ReplyDeleteHi Masyole,
ReplyDeleteIf you are asking about plans to build a solar tracker, you may find my plans on my website http://www.livingonsolar.com under my solar tracker page. If not I do not know of any help codes.