Question for electronic gurus

[Frank Lussier]

I am sure you remember my solar concentrator Solar Concentrator

Right now my project is going very slow due to lay off and money is short, I am working on the receiver, trying different material.

I made a schematic  for the control  panel and  I need  help to see if it's ok, I'm new to electronic.

thanks

Frank

[Nando]

Where is the schematic ?.

Send it to me

Nando

[DANO]

Hi Frank,

I do remember the concentrator and showed pics to friends...We all thought too cool!

And why don't we try something like this...Can't help with your actual question, but I know about the lay off thing...got my papers in August and am going a bit bonkers...Keep up with your projects as best as you can...

[Frank Lussier]

Here's what the control panel looks like panel

This is the link for my schematic for the control panel. schematic

This schematic is linked to a 10 channel, 2-wire remote control kit, here is  the info on this kit kit K8023

The track, off and manual is like a DPDT switch same thing for auto, off and manual. That is my dilemma, on the top of the schematic you can see the switches, this is  the part where I have a problem I am not sure if that part is right, I found that  part on the net,  my system is 24v I need to step it down to 5v or scale it up to 24v.

The up, down, east and west is used only when the manual is pressed on the tracking(this activates a relay).

The horizontal and vertical part is to have real time position of the dish,  I have no  idea  how to do this part .

I don't know if all this make sense.

Thanks

Frank

[scottsAI]

Hello Frank Lussier,

Looked at your web, not sure what auto was. Found the tracker.

Suggestion:

Draw up a block diagram showing ALL the various pieces connected together.

Pin by pin would be best.

In summery to verify my understanding of your goals:

Remote control of the tracker controlled dish.

-No local control of the dish.

Manual movement and auto.

Operating voltage of the dish motors?

If in Auto how will you know the dish's position?

Water tank info? What is it, how reported?

The K8023 has a micro in it, by using it and programing it, much more data could be sent, like temperature of the water, current of the pump motor etc. Local and remote operation would be possible. Collecting data and sending it to a PC serial port.

For about $100 more could go wireless...!

Have fun,

Scott.

[Nando]

Let us know what is the MosFet You are using as a current source.

Nando

[Frank Lussier]

I just made a drawing with TurboCad solarcontrolpanel.TCW 4.2mb

The panel and the dish is linked with a RJ45 cable this way I can bring the panel to the dish and plug it direct.

The actuator will be powered from the RedRock tracker (12v).

I have too temperature controls on my panel 1- is for the water reservoir, if the temperature of the water in the reservoir drops under 120F it starts the circulating pump, when the temperature reaches 180F the dish goes back to the East and the pump is turned off.

2- The second temperature control is for the receiver. If the temperature is over 300F the dish goes to the East position, for safety.

I would love to have all this wireless.

The too little squares at the bottom of the panel is for the position of the dish, this is what I have not figured out yet.

Frank

[TomW]

Frank;

I would love to have all this wireless.

I think this kind of device will be available soon. It would actually be multiple devices. A Linksys NSL2 [Slug] network appliance running Linux with a wireless access point connected to its ethernet port and usb modules to sense the data. Complex logic and multiple input devices would make it extremely configurable. Only requires a few watts to operate and run on DC so no AC needed at the location.  The Slug could store the data from your system, allow web browser access to data and configuration / overrides, etc. All over a wireless ethernet from your computer.  Don't hold your breathe but it will happen one day. I use the basic system here for driving my solar tracker based on time and day length through software. I also maintain data on my system and can monitor battery voltage over time with graphs. I even send the voltage data regularly to my TV so I see the info when watching the tube.

Graphs like these:

Yeah, I know 30+ volts is not good but those were probably taken when the recently taken out of service Danbilt was pumping good amps.

I have data going back to the beginning [02] but I archived it so the workload making the graphs is less on the Slug. Mine is wired to the network but doing it wireless would be trivial.

Cheers.

TomW

[scottsAI]

Hello Frank Lussier,

Wireless:

EVAL-ADF7025DB1 - module is FCC certified, License free 902 to 928MHz.

http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CADF7025%2C00.html

Scroll down to mid page click to add to cart. $50. Need two. Cheapest I know.

Check around the page, many links to software, app notes, drivers etc.

Can use different frequencies for multiple devices or share by data sent.

Will require some reading, does not look too bad.

Have not tried it yet. Bought two.

Have fun,

Scott.

[elt]

I've been using the $35 rf2-z in embedded apps - http://www.dlpdesign.com/rf/rf2.shtml

They have another $50 module with a usb port that can be used at the pc. Since the built-in processor is mostly idle doing the communication, there's enough cycles (and plenty of flash and ram) left over to run a good sized application as well... you might not need any other control hardware.

- Ed.

[Frank Lussier]

Hi

Very nice but I have  know idea how to set tis up.

Frank

[scottsAI]

Hello elt,

Nice find! Range is low on Zigbee, maxes out at 275 feet (ideal conditions), transmitter is limited to 0dBm. Data rate 250kb not bad. Module price is good too, unfortunately were not helping Frank. Maybe someone else?

I needed more range than Zigbee offers, the ADF7025 transmits to 10dBm, range is better than 700' open range. ISM band allows much more power, needs external amplifier. Could not find anything better for $50 each end.

Have fun,

Scott.

[jonas302]

Hi I really like your ideas I had a few thoughts about keeping it simple you could pressurize the system a household expansion tank will go 30 lbs allowing you to run to 250 degrees I really doubt you would exceed that heating a canadian home if you did a radiator with an electric fan could be turned on blowing outside or maybe heating the garage?

hope your project goes great

[Frank Lussier]

Hi guys

I find this web page, this is what I need, if I add the money LOL but it might be cheaper this way.

http://www.rabbitsemiconductor.com/

Frank