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Tracker on the cheap | 18 comments (18 topical, editorial)

Re: Tracker on the cheap (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by ghurd on Tue Mar 7th, 2006 at 05:28:25 PM MST
(User Info)

I would like to know the real gain if you keep track of it that close.
The 20% is a lot less than I would expect. Sounds more like the number for MPPT tracker than this kind of tracker. Seems like someone (Tom? W? in NH?) figured on ~40%?

Any thoughts on solar heating of the jar? Maybe some silver Al tape for reflecting the heat away, where it won't bother the operation.

High temp hot glue seals about anything.

Great job! Looking forward to hearing how it works.
G-

Re: Tracker on the cheap (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by Volvo farmer on Tue Mar 7th, 2006 at 06:33:45 PM MST
(User Info)

20% was a number I pulled out of the air based on some things I've heard. I don't know that I'll ever be able to measure the true difference. These batteries just sit there on float 95% of the time and I have no device for measuring my amps in/out on this little system.

I'm preparing to fly a 680 watt array with a similar setup. It might be possible in a year or so for me to compare fixed vs. tracked on the bigger system but it won't be for quite a while.

I haven't thought much about heat in the jar. Hmmm, maybe I should. The nice thing is if I burn the tracker up, it's only a $35 lesson.

I was out yesterday and today and the thing was pointed exactly at the sun every time I looked at it. It works flawlessly so far. Maybe I'll disable it for a while since I'm not using a single watt of that electricity I'm making.

Now I'm dreaming on how I could use the heat from a solar concentrator. I've got two very nice eight foot aluminum dishes laying around here.

Volvo Farmer

May you always have success in your quest to irritate those who you despise. -Ben Goode
[ Parent ]

Re: Tracker on the cheap (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by ghurd on Tue Mar 7th, 2006 at 07:15:59 PM MST
(User Info)

The 20% seems low for what I read. Never did it. And couldn't measure it either.
Not sure about the heat build up.

"not using a single watt"

Maybe Ed's style simple shunt to a dump heater?
Like 160W, x 5 hours, x 150%. Thats like a space heater for 1 hour a day.

Maybe a 12V CFL or 2 from a single wire from the batteries?
In the most used lamps in the house.

Maybe charge the cell phones, LED lights, and drill batteries?
Thats mostly what I do with my wind power. :-/
Feels nice just the same.

G-

[ Parent ]

Tracker on the cheap | 18 comments (18 topical, 0 editorial)

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