Author Topic: 2-axis solar tracker (was: axial generator with lamination core) (Read 5944 times)

mbouwer · « **Reply #33 on:** July 13, 2023, 02:53:08 PM »

With these remaining components, a widened foundation, a larger diameter bearing, this 270 degree worm gear and this pivot and upright (with tilting mechanism) I want to come to a first test setup to apply the control.

Bruce S · « **Reply #34 on:** July 14, 2023, 08:48:38 AM »

Looking forward to the test results!!
Cheers
Bruce S

mbouwer · « **Reply #35 on:** July 16, 2023, 09:28:13 AM »

Pivot and upright now form one whole with the bearing (150 mm diameter and taped here) and the sleeve for the worm gear.
Now the outer bearing ring and the widened foundation frame.

DamonHD · « **Reply #36 on:** July 16, 2023, 10:00:01 AM »

You build such amazing looking pieces! Thank you for sharing.

Damon

mbouwer · « **Reply #37 on:** July 22, 2023, 03:31:56 AM »

It's a study to make a solar tracker that a forum friend can screw to his wall.
Here version 4 with dummy panel, widened foundation frame and slide bearings.

mbouwer · « **Reply #38 on:** July 24, 2023, 02:07:49 PM »

The actuator that I want to mount in the foundation box for tilting the panel.
Limit switches will be added to it and I want to make a breakcoupling between the motor and the spindle.

mbouwer · « **Reply #39 on:** July 25, 2023, 02:25:51 PM »

On top of the upright I will make the pivot point for tilting and a polyester watertight cap for electric plug and socket.

mbouwer · « **Reply #40 on:** July 26, 2023, 06:17:36 AM »

For setting the limit switches and end stops I like to have many adjustment options.

mbouwer · « **Reply #41 on:** July 27, 2023, 02:55:30 AM »

At the bottom of the pivot I now have rings for attaching the end stops and the cams for the limit switches.

What we now need are suitable limit switches that are not too susceptible to interference.

MattM · « **Reply #42 on:** July 28, 2023, 07:25:20 AM »

With the lazy susan mechanisms available so cheap these days, are those not an option for adding smooth travel?

mbouwer · « **Reply #43 on:** July 30, 2023, 03:48:25 AM »

The sun tracker is a combination of foundation, tripod, bearing, drive, control, a panel and (important) weather resistance.
There will be quite good systems available that we could use.
Ideas welcome.

Mary B · « **Reply #44 on:** July 30, 2023, 10:53:19 AM »

Need worm gearing or a brake system to keep that from windmilling...

MattM · « **Reply #45 on:** July 30, 2023, 06:08:01 PM »

Its got a reduction drive. Would take quite a bit to turn in the wind.

JW · « **Reply #46 on:** July 31, 2023, 06:11:13 PM »

What about using a pocket pen laser. Just to get an idea.

mbouwer · « **Reply #47 on:** August 01, 2023, 04:10:00 AM »

The double-walled cladding also contributes to the strength of the foundation frame.

mbouwer · « **Reply #48 on:** August 03, 2023, 02:51:03 AM »

An initial setup of the control.

mbouwer · « **Reply #49 on:** August 09, 2023, 01:59:28 PM »

The rotary drive can be placed in the foundation box.
I also want to integrate the mechanism for tilting into the box and into the upright.

mbouwer · « **Reply #50 on:** August 23, 2023, 11:15:52 AM »

Version 5 with panel suspension and panelcontours here bolted to a piece of wooden beam in the vise.

XeonPony · « **Reply #51 on:** August 25, 2023, 08:36:23 AM »

sun travel is 15 degrees over 30m. slower the better for your drive if you're using a sensor system to avoid over shoot and hunting.

The ebay controller I got is a simple sensor system, once it finds it it has a lock out time befor the next adjustment.

mbouwer · « **Reply #52 on:** August 27, 2023, 05:10:15 AM »

@XeonPony,

Nice pictures of your sun tracker on this forum.
Inspiration for the sun tracker I want to make now.

mbouwer · « **Reply #53 on:** August 29, 2023, 08:56:00 AM »

Version 6 with the long side of the panel horizontal.
A light construction for screwing to the wall.
Now we have to come up with and make rotation and tilt drives

mbouwer · « **Reply #54 on:** August 30, 2023, 05:28:41 AM »

The construction is now reasonable to my liking and scaling up is easy to do.
For the drive of the rotation I welded a light gear, but it would of course be much nicer to 3D print it.

Bruce S · « **Reply #55 on:** August 30, 2023, 08:27:15 AM »

Nice gearing build. Currently the 3D still has some ways to go before I'd trust it to my solar panels or racks.
I understand the weight could become an issue however.

Looking forward to seeing the complete build.

Cheers
Bruce S

Mary B · « **Reply #56 on:** August 30, 2023, 11:09:51 AM »

Quote from: Bruce S on August 30, 2023, 08:27:15 AM

Nice gearing build. Currently the 3D still has some ways to go before I'd trust it to my solar panels or racks.
I understand the weight could become an issue however.

Looking forward to seeing the complete build.

Cheers
Bruce S

There are places laser printing sintered metal 3d parts for aircraft! It can be done!

mbouwer · « **Reply #57 on:** August 30, 2023, 12:15:27 PM »

Instead of a large worm gear we I might be better off making a solid drive stage (for example 1 : 6 ) on the bottom of the pivot.
And only then 3d-print the next stage.

JW · « **Reply #58 on:** August 31, 2023, 01:19:20 AM »

Coming from the auto repair---

sai ase Ihave is steering axis incolationmm

https://www.google.com/search?q=steeringh+saxis+inclonation&oq=steeringh+saxis+inclonation&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i10i160l2.26756j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

JW · « **Reply #59 on:** September 01, 2023, 02:33:31 PM »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_tilt

next I will be talking about ambiguity.

mbouwer · « **Reply #60 on:** September 02, 2023, 04:32:06 AM »

For a test setup we now have a construction, a pivot and suspension for the panel and a functioning control.
It is now about a suitable worm / wormgear for driving the rotation.

mbouwer · « **Reply #61 on:** September 13, 2023, 03:28:43 AM »

With the drive of the worm gear shaft (diam. 19.8 mm) on the pivot (diam. 132 mm)
and this worm drive (1: 54) I get a total transmission of 1 : 360 and therefore detection per 1 degree of rotation.

mbouwer · « **Reply #62 on:** September 17, 2023, 02:23:09 PM »

Because I would prefer to 3D print the worm gear in the rotation drive, I first made an example in steel.

mbouwer · « **Reply #63 on:** September 20, 2023, 03:59:13 AM »

Improvement is certainly possible, but I think this drive mechanism for the rotation can be used for the test setup.

mbouwer · « **Reply #64 on:** September 21, 2023, 04:25:10 AM »

The driving of the rotation of the panel with a light cable drive (1:6)

Mary B · « **Reply #65 on:** September 21, 2023, 10:52:24 AM »

I would worry about slippage with cable drive...

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Author Topic: 2-axis solar tracker (was: axial generator with lamination core) (Read 5944 times)