Thumbs down for lack of information in original posting. I wish people would included information along with the video howto / I make this thing. When they post. It seem odd for someone to post "I made this" and not tell others how it was done. I will say that when you post to YouTube or anywhere on the net, you open yourself up to critics both good and bad. But, more information is needed to make a good judgment.
use a third cell in the back wired in the same direction as the cell adjacent to it. when the sun rises in the morning it will turn back around giving the two in the front the sun. i would imagine the third cell would still produce some voltage even facing away from the sun. the system would find balance "x" degrees clockwise from the sun (northern hemisphere) and whatever type of collector you're using would have to be adjusted to accommodate that before being mounted. you have a great design!!
Huge sale! 4 days only. DIY solar panel kit $99. PV frames $39. Solar panels $129. Make your own solar panels and find all your diy solar products at solar-deals(.)com.
Congrats, that is a very, very neat idea, I used an LM324 op amp and a similar principle using LDRs. The major benefit is that that the outputs could drive a couple of windscreen wiper motors and hence a bigger panel assembly and even solar water filled panels. Bravo
If you could post an instructional video on how to make a solar tracker, that would be great. This seems like a good way make sure that your solar generators are always facing the sun. I'd love to try this.
Rather than set up another axis for inclination, you could just tip the vertical axis to true north as in an equatorial telescope mount. In that way the earth's axis and the mount's axis are parallel and the earth's rotation is canceled with no added complications.
I was gonna use a real time clock to keep track of time, and just time it that way. I think Im gonna implement a sleep mode for the tracker to save battery power at night.
@Tubelaw you can use relays, thats the simplest way to convert small scale electronic circuits to a point where they control huge machinery. one side of the relay can take up to about 12 volts on some, enough from a electronics circuit,and then the field causes the larger current side to pull in allowing a large current and voltage to be controlled by the electronics circuit.
mower of doom, did u make a comparator circuit to make this work?
hi, I'm new to all this. I'm confused. Could you tell me which part actually detects the sun, and how it knows when it is facing the sun directly? And attaching another what for inclination? And how, mechanically, the inclination would be acheived? Thanks
@fonkdawg The solar cells are wired to the motor in opposition to each other. When facing the sun, both cells receive the same amount of light and the resultant voltage seen by the motor is zero. When one cell receives more light, the cells' voltages no longer cancel each other out and it is the difference in voltage between the two cells that drives the motor. The motor runs until the cells' voltages balance again. Another identical setup would be used for inclination, except vertically. :-)
@mowerofdoom So is the motor 4 poles then? If it's a 2 pole motor did you wire the panels opposite of each other (e.g positive to negative and negative to positive) and connect those to the motor? Thanks!
@mowerofdoom I have seen so many circuit diagrams using ardoinos and different things, but this is the simplest to build mechanism i think i have ever seen
If i get it right, both cells is connected to the motor but on opposite poles? To get it to reset, try to trigger a relay in the end of the cykle that switches possitive/negative with each other on one of the cells, so both cells feeds the motor to return to the starting point of the cykle. A light switch with an arm scale perhaps?
verry impressed i have been thinking about a lot of options how to do this but i like this approach the most verry nice even if you would use this to control some relays to control a bigger motor with a bigger board sub mounted.
i could definatly turn this into a sun tracker control unit useing some potentiometers on the rotating axels and useing relays or a computer to read those as an analog input to control a big board .
brilliant solution and cheap 2 axels are posible as well!!!!
That's excellent. I've just started researching solar power and was wondering why solar panels can't be made shaped like a pyamid? That way it will catch the sun at various angles and maybe pick-up some wind power at the same time?
solar panels are most efficient when they are perpendicular to the sun, so if you were to make a pyramid, it would not be as efficient as it could be, even it you had the tip pointing towards the sun
i use little shadow creating sheilds for left and right cells then i have a rear facing cell with a small mirrored reflector . it drives left for sunrise and it drives left till light hits the left front cell and the left front cell drives till centered..once the left cell takes over the rear cell is shadowed..and just goes along for the ride till morning...peace
I like what I see, my problem is not only reset for the next day, but what if I don't get sun for several days, then the sun comes out in the afternoon, see also Helio Stat Forum
Hey. Could you just simply place a mirror on the side that will get the sun in the morning and shine it onto the solar cell that will track in that direction. Simple and may be effective.
Hi there. I built a solar tacker similar to this. I used a DPDT relay, and two SPST relays, and two small PC panels, instead of wiring the panels straight to the motor. As far as reset on your design, I think the way I'm going to try might work for you too. My idea for a reset is this: Have a "dusk" sensor mounted in between the two panels. It will follow the sun as well, and stay "off" all day. (((See Next Comment Post)))
Then, once it(and the panels) are facing west, and the sun goes down, it will activate. The dusk sensor will trip a relay to the motor, and cause it to rotate back all the way around to the east. A limit switch will kill the power to the motor. Then in the morning, the sun will turn off the dusk sensor before the panels start to move. Thus, a repeating cycle. Haven't tested it yet, but I'm thinking it just might work.
Thanks. Sounds like a good idea. The power for resetting could be held in a large low voltage capacitor (charged during the day) which might be enough for the reset movement. If we ever get any sun this spring I might try it!!!
@mowerofdoom you could also make a very basic flip flop circuit, where as the solar panels recieve energy from light the panels track the sun, but when there is no light recieved, the flipflop changes to the second state which would be the reset phase to the morning sun, u could also do a hourly check timing capacitor circuit, where every hour the device does a quick sweep to light, and if no light is found it goes back to sleep.
That is such a simple idea it is smart. Thank you for posting information in the comments, regarding the setup. We have built a tracker using your design for an interactive piece at an Earth Day outreach.
That looks as though it would be most appropriate on a trough collector. Tune it in on two axis for dish but for a trough collector...only east to west angles matter. You're almost home for an easy cheap trough actuator. I posted a vid too but they stripped the sound... bummer - was copyrighted.
i have seen one of these made with 2 cells faceing forward (both faceing the same way at the sun) and a bored in the middle to make a shadow.. you could have a light sensor that resets it at night fall.. or even just a timer.. you could even use this to run a big array of panels by useing the small panels to switch some relays.. or even a stop switch at one end so when it hits that it simply goes into reset
Solar panels are designed to charge two 1.2V cells so I would guess 3-4.5V. The motor is a Maxon permanent magnet type motor with a gearbox attached (probably 1:50 ratio - 1:100). It has the advantage of being able to start and run at very low voltage/current.
I never did try out the ideas for the auto reset. I think a backward facing mirror may be the answer as suggested by teddyfix. I will get round to it one day!
Solar cells are connected positive to negative and negative to positive. These two joints are connected across the motor. The motor has a reduction gearbox of maybe 50 or 100 to 1. The motor must take a relatively low current. If you'd like any more details you can always message me. regards, Geoff.
It depends on how large or small your solar panels are. If this one looks a bit small for you, the solar cells you might need may prove too expensive, making other bought or self made options a better bet. Hope this helps.
Dear Sir, You had asked if anyone had an idea on how to auto reset at the start of each day. May I suggest placing a mirror ( or two) placed such that the morning sun is reflected onto the cells that will casue it to rotate towards the east. You will likely also need a light baffle that rotates with the "west" cells so that when they rotate to the east during rest they will not see the reflected light.
DUDE...This is exactly what I Need...Do You Have a Write up/Circuit Diagram/Schematic that you can class project. And dont worry, you will be given due credit for it.
can u point me where i can find the schematics and how it works? it looks so simple so i want to recreate it. Do you have a website that explains everything in great detail? tnx.
Neat! Think ill have a go at this. Thanks for posting.
TheJimmax 2 months ago
cool, very ingenious!
jekader 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
if you liked this one check out my dual axis solar tracker just look up R156Pahlke let me know what you think.
r156pahlke 3 months ago
that just GREAT ! show it to us and dont explane how to build it THANKS!
serger2010 4 months ago
hi, nice design. could you tell me the rating of the motor you used? e.g. voltage, rpms, wattage etc.? many thanks!
tongueboy500 6 months ago
Thumbs down for lack of information in original posting. I wish people would included information along with the video howto / I make this thing. When they post. It seem odd for someone to post "I made this" and not tell others how it was done. I will say that when you post to YouTube or anywhere on the net, you open yourself up to critics both good and bad. But, more information is needed to make a good judgment.
johnnnyreb51 6 months ago
I used this to drive my solar tracker great simple design . Thanks for sharing it :)
Have a look at my video response.
specallez 7 months ago
use a third cell in the back wired in the same direction as the cell adjacent to it. when the sun rises in the morning it will turn back around giving the two in the front the sun. i would imagine the third cell would still produce some voltage even facing away from the sun. the system would find balance "x" degrees clockwise from the sun (northern hemisphere) and whatever type of collector you're using would have to be adjusted to accommodate that before being mounted. you have a great design!!
shutinanxiety 8 months ago
I like this!!
THeScoobyNoob 9 months ago
cool, got a camparative circuit without a comparitor.
captkirkconnell 1 year ago
@captkirkconnell i think we're seeing the end of op-amps ;)
mrpowan10 9 months ago
Clever design!
tsbrownie 1 year ago
that is so simplistic its brilliant.....you should sell the plans for this and make a few bucks....
turtlezed 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Huge sale! 4 days only. DIY solar panel kit $99. PV frames $39. Solar panels $129. Make your own solar panels and find all your diy solar products at solar-deals(.)com.
SolarXpert 1 year ago
Congrats, that is a very, very neat idea, I used an LM324 op amp and a similar principle using LDRs. The major benefit is that that the outputs could drive a couple of windscreen wiper motors and hence a bigger panel assembly and even solar water filled panels. Bravo
BunkyOhare 1 year ago
If you could post an instructional video on how to make a solar tracker, that would be great. This seems like a good way make sure that your solar generators are always facing the sun. I'd love to try this.
lancerooke 1 year ago
are you using an op amp?
ebutuou123 1 year ago
this is AMAZING
OliverKellow 1 year ago
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hello, please share the project details with me, i,ve taken this as my finale year project. please guide me and help me. share me you E-mail id.
Aleedogar@gmail.com
Aleedogar 1 year ago
Rather than set up another axis for inclination, you could just tip the vertical axis to true north as in an equatorial telescope mount. In that way the earth's axis and the mount's axis are parallel and the earth's rotation is canceled with no added complications.
gsfish11 1 year ago
I was gonna use a real time clock to keep track of time, and just time it that way. I think Im gonna implement a sleep mode for the tracker to save battery power at night.
R3MUS2007 1 year ago
how would you scale the cells and motor in order to drive something that's 20-30kg in weight?
Tubelaw 1 year ago
@Tubelaw you can use relays, thats the simplest way to convert small scale electronic circuits to a point where they control huge machinery. one side of the relay can take up to about 12 volts on some, enough from a electronics circuit,and then the field causes the larger current side to pull in allowing a large current and voltage to be controlled by the electronics circuit.
mower of doom, did u make a comparator circuit to make this work?
boxa888 1 year ago
hi, I'm new to all this. I'm confused. Could you tell me which part actually detects the sun, and how it knows when it is facing the sun directly? And attaching another what for inclination? And how, mechanically, the inclination would be acheived? Thanks
fonkdawg 1 year ago
@fonkdawg The solar cells are wired to the motor in opposition to each other. When facing the sun, both cells receive the same amount of light and the resultant voltage seen by the motor is zero. When one cell receives more light, the cells' voltages no longer cancel each other out and it is the difference in voltage between the two cells that drives the motor. The motor runs until the cells' voltages balance again. Another identical setup would be used for inclination, except vertically. :-)
mowerofdoom 1 year ago 12
@mowerofdoom So is the motor 4 poles then? If it's a 2 pole motor did you wire the panels opposite of each other (e.g positive to negative and negative to positive) and connect those to the motor? Thanks!
helloman1976 1 year ago
@mowerofdoom I have seen so many circuit diagrams using ardoinos and different things, but this is the simplest to build mechanism i think i have ever seen
psychomikeo500 1 year ago
If i get it right, both cells is connected to the motor but on opposite poles? To get it to reset, try to trigger a relay in the end of the cykle that switches possitive/negative with each other on one of the cells, so both cells feeds the motor to return to the starting point of the cykle. A light switch with an arm scale perhaps?
Henkera 1 year ago
Comment removed
trailkeeper 1 year ago
Nice demo, much better than a flashlight!
Bravo!
SpencahD 2 years ago
verry impressed i have been thinking about a lot of options how to do this but i like this approach the most verry nice even if you would use this to control some relays to control a bigger motor with a bigger board sub mounted.
i could definatly turn this into a sun tracker control unit useing some potentiometers on the rotating axels and useing relays or a computer to read those as an analog input to control a big board .
brilliant solution and cheap 2 axels are posible as well!!!!
nice job
mciceteade 2 years ago
That's excellent. I've just started researching solar power and was wondering why solar panels can't be made shaped like a pyamid? That way it will catch the sun at various angles and maybe pick-up some wind power at the same time?
Brzzi 2 years ago
solar panels are most efficient when they are perpendicular to the sun, so if you were to make a pyramid, it would not be as efficient as it could be, even it you had the tip pointing towards the sun
energydefender 2 years ago
i use little shadow creating sheilds for left and right cells then i have a rear facing cell with a small mirrored reflector . it drives left for sunrise and it drives left till light hits the left front cell and the left front cell drives till centered..once the left cell takes over the rear cell is shadowed..and just goes along for the ride till morning...peace
RadiancePower 2 years ago 2
That is a very cool solution. Great stuff. Thanks. Geoff.
mowerofdoom 2 years ago
I like what I see, my problem is not only reset for the next day, but what if I don't get sun for several days, then the sun comes out in the afternoon, see also Helio Stat Forum
heidebill 2 years ago
Hey. Could you just simply place a mirror on the side that will get the sun in the morning and shine it onto the solar cell that will track in that direction. Simple and may be effective.
baccus61 2 years ago 4
Hi there. I built a solar tacker similar to this. I used a DPDT relay, and two SPST relays, and two small PC panels, instead of wiring the panels straight to the motor. As far as reset on your design, I think the way I'm going to try might work for you too. My idea for a reset is this: Have a "dusk" sensor mounted in between the two panels. It will follow the sun as well, and stay "off" all day. (((See Next Comment Post)))
theotherwhitemeat83 2 years ago
Then, once it(and the panels) are facing west, and the sun goes down, it will activate. The dusk sensor will trip a relay to the motor, and cause it to rotate back all the way around to the east. A limit switch will kill the power to the motor. Then in the morning, the sun will turn off the dusk sensor before the panels start to move. Thus, a repeating cycle. Haven't tested it yet, but I'm thinking it just might work.
theotherwhitemeat83 2 years ago
Thanks. Sounds like a good idea. The power for resetting could be held in a large low voltage capacitor (charged during the day) which might be enough for the reset movement. If we ever get any sun this spring I might try it!!!
mowerofdoom 2 years ago
@mowerofdoom you could also make a very basic flip flop circuit, where as the solar panels recieve energy from light the panels track the sun, but when there is no light recieved, the flipflop changes to the second state which would be the reset phase to the morning sun, u could also do a hourly check timing capacitor circuit, where every hour the device does a quick sweep to light, and if no light is found it goes back to sleep.
boxa888 1 year ago
That is such a simple idea it is smart. Thank you for posting information in the comments, regarding the setup. We have built a tracker using your design for an interactive piece at an Earth Day outreach.
Exploreum 2 years ago
That looks as though it would be most appropriate on a trough collector. Tune it in on two axis for dish but for a trough collector...only east to west angles matter. You're almost home for an easy cheap trough actuator. I posted a vid too but they stripped the sound... bummer - was copyrighted.
seancap08 2 years ago
Very nice.
bloggycreek 3 years ago
i have seen one of these made with 2 cells faceing forward (both faceing the same way at the sun) and a bored in the middle to make a shadow.. you could have a light sensor that resets it at night fall.. or even just a timer.. you could even use this to run a big array of panels by useing the small panels to switch some relays.. or even a stop switch at one end so when it hits that it simply goes into reset
HomeDistiller 3 years ago 2
nice what watage and votltage solar panels ere this ? and what motor you are useing ?
djpitr 3 years ago
Solar panels are designed to charge two 1.2V cells so I would guess 3-4.5V. The motor is a Maxon permanent magnet type motor with a gearbox attached (probably 1:50 ratio - 1:100). It has the advantage of being able to start and run at very low voltage/current.
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
Well done. A very elegant solution to the problem of tracking the sun.
Im sure a lot of people will benefit from your idea.
Id put it the same category as Trevor Bayliss wind up radio, very simple, anyone could have done it, but we didnt.
Did you sort out the auto-reset issue? I was going to suggest the mirror option but I see someones already suggested that idea.
AndyDaviesByTheSea 3 years ago 2
Thanks for the comments!! :-)
I never did try out the ideas for the auto reset. I think a backward facing mirror may be the answer as suggested by teddyfix. I will get round to it one day!
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
Vaya una tonteria, eso no se orienta. Lo unico que hace es mover el motor cuando pasa corriente por la celulas.
etogonza 3 years ago
Can you please tell how to build one of these. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You.
Declaredinsane 3 years ago
Solar cells are connected positive to negative and negative to positive. These two joints are connected across the motor. The motor has a reduction gearbox of maybe 50 or 100 to 1. The motor must take a relatively low current. If you'd like any more details you can always message me. regards, Geoff.
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
how can i build one for my solar panels?
or where can i get one?
joenpamtorres 3 years ago
It depends on how large or small your solar panels are. If this one looks a bit small for you, the solar cells you might need may prove too expensive, making other bought or self made options a better bet. Hope this helps.
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
Dear Sir, You had asked if anyone had an idea on how to auto reset at the start of each day. May I suggest placing a mirror ( or two) placed such that the morning sun is reflected onto the cells that will casue it to rotate towards the east. You will likely also need a light baffle that rotates with the "west" cells so that when they rotate to the east during rest they will not see the reflected light.
teddyfix 3 years ago
Thats a great idea. I will try it out (if we ever get any sunshine this summer in the U.K.!) Much appreciated. Thanks.
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
Ah, solar cells! Of course! I've been thinking about using some crazy LED effect for this.
Of course, +/- 10 degrees isn't too good....but maybe I can improve on that.
desiredusername 3 years ago
DUDE...This is exactly what I Need...Do You Have a Write up/Circuit Diagram/Schematic that you can class project. And dont worry, you will be given due credit for it.
IntellectualSoldier 3 years ago
Solar cells are wired positive to negative and negative to positive. The motor is connected in parallel to these two joints.
You will soon know if you need to swap the solar cells as it will avoid the sun!
If you'd like to discuss further, please feel free to message me.
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
I think one more solar cell aiming "to the rear" would reset it?
mjnesbitt 3 years ago
I think it works as long as the two solar cells are not facing the same direction.
rguerzo 3 years ago
90 degree separation seems to be the optimum (i.e. 45 degrees from the sun in each direction).
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
can u point me where i can find the schematics and how it works? it looks so simple so i want to recreate it. Do you have a website that explains everything in great detail? tnx.
katchupoy01 3 years ago
Solar cells are wired positive to negative and negative to positive. the motor is connected to these two joints.
You will soon know if you need to swap the solar cells as it will avoid the sun!!!
mowerofdoom 3 years ago
VERY neat, good work.
Cheap solar tracking is important.
roidroid 3 years ago