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Forum Index : Solar : Solar tracker run by Picaxe

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AMACK

Senior Member

Joined: 31/05/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 184
Posted: 12:57am 31 May 2011
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Hi All,
It’s been a long time since I posted anything here for a few reasons.
I have been working on a few projects and a few have worked and a few have not... But that life...
I asked for help from a member here awhile ago and they were more than happy to help me out with what I wanted to do. My plan was to make a solar tracker to move my panels around to face the sun. (Simple) I had a few ideas of what I wanted to do but had not thought of other people had done and had success with. I had two directions to go:
1. Was to use a car diff to mount the panels on
2. Was to make something from scratch that may fail.


I spoke to (Downwind) Pete about Picaxe chips and what they could do. I did not know much about them or what they could do. I went to the Australian Picaxe forum (Downwind) Pete and a few others run for help. What a learning curve that was. There is not much that the little chips can’t do. I will not go into details but the picaxe forum is well worth a visit.

After talking to Pete for hours on the phone and trying to get up to speed on what they could do, we made a start. That turned into about 1500-2000 lines of code that cost Pete most of his hair and finger nails and a few sleepless nights. I had tried to keep it as simple as I could. There are some things that must be used like limit switches and a system to tell the panels where they are and where to go and when to do it.
All sounds simple but it is not in anyway.

Any way it all worked out in the end after a lot of work by Pete and m self. Pete did a great job on the code and electronics and it all works like a dream. I did use a car diff at the end what a load of fun that was. I had to reduce the electric motor I had and keep it strong enough that the wind did not rip it apart.
If anyone is interested in info on the picaxe sun tracker they can have a look at the Australian picaxe forum. It all sound simple on paper but there is alot of work that goes into a so called simple job. I could write for hours on what happened here and there but.

AMACK
PS I will post a few photos when I get some time...
*Note to self

1. Make it thick

2.Make it heavy.

3.Make it stronger than it should be.

4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor
 
mac46

Guru

Joined: 07/02/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 412
Posted: 01:46am 31 May 2011
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AMACK,
Welcome back to the forum. I'd be interested in you'r solar tracked project, I'd like to see some pictures too!
I have an old "O scope", and used to dabble in electronics alittle, might rekindle my interest in projects like this.

.....Mac46
I'm just a farmer
 
AMACK

Senior Member

Joined: 31/05/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 184
Posted: 08:19am 31 May 2011
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Hi Mac46, I to am a farmer born and breed. I was raised on sheep and cattle untill the vineyards came into the area. I have managed a 250ac (90HT) vineyard for 17 years now and still live and work the family farm. I think over time there has been alot of idea's come from farmers.

There is alot of info I have posted on the Picaxe Forum.

http://ozelecforum.com/

Here are a few photos of the set up..





*Note to self

1. Make it thick

2.Make it heavy.

3.Make it stronger than it should be.

4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor
 
Homegrow47
Newbie

Joined: 17/08/2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 31
Posted: 10:14am 31 May 2011
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Excellent job.
Thats a great achievement.
Thanks for posting those pictures.
I have heard mention of using a car diff for a solar tracker, before.
But never seen pictures, and I always wondered exactly how it is done.
Thanks.
 
AMACK

Senior Member

Joined: 31/05/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 184
Posted: 11:17am 31 May 2011
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Hi All, The car diff was not my first choice as I was doing to re-invent the wheel so to speak untill Pete told me about another system that he helped out a bit with that belonged to a mate of his that worked well.

There are a few things that could go wrong like the limit switches fail and it will not stop and will end bad. A pic forum member (Mobi) had a tracker run away and cost him $800 for a new panel. He pointed this out to me as it was something that I did not even think of. He is right as if it goes hay wire you need something as a back up system..

AMACK
*Note to self

1. Make it thick

2.Make it heavy.

3.Make it stronger than it should be.

4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor
 
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