tracking

[g reif]

does anyone make a tracking system based on software? would this be better then photo eye type that follows the sun, on cloudy days I see then searching ll over the place

[ghurd]

There are a couple that seem to run on a timer/clock.

Can't recall a brand name.

An outfit in England sells one with the mounts, etc, on eBay.

G-

[TomW]

g;

I run a time based tracker based on a Linksys "Slug" network appliance running out of crond on a Linux install on it. IbedonC built the USB interface that interfaces it to my C band Sat dish polar mount.

Maybe he will chime in if you are interested in this method.

The Slug actually does a lot of things on my RE system, including pulling data from my Outback Mate and FX inverter, solar tracking, logging and monitoring. I forget exactly but its very low power less than 10 watts I think.

Cheers.

TomW

[ghurd]

I don't have any use for it with what I do.

Here is the one in England, (sorry its so long)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PANEL-TRACKER-Suntracer-Motorised-Solar-Panel-Tracker_W0QQitemZ230184847182QQi
hZ013QQcategoryZ41981QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

G-

[TomW]

ghurd;

That was actually directed to g rief [original poster].

Cheers.

TomW

[hydrosun]

I've ordered modified tracking circuits from redrok.com that have delays built in. It waits 90 seconds before changing directions. It stops the shaking that occurs when the array shifts back and forth rapidly trying to get the exact even lighting on each sensor. It also miminalizes the unneccasary tracking back and forth with passing clouds. But it still allows for addapting to longer lighting trends.  So I have been satisfied with that method of tracking.

Chris

[fcfcfc]

Hi: If you are tracking a non concentrating solar device, sun seekers (bright spot seekers) are fine. The brightest spot in the sky is not always where the sun is on a cloudy day. If a concentrating collector is the game, then computer tracking is the way to go.