Solar tracker- looking for dual axis frame design ideas

WebPowerWebPower Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Does anyone have any pictures of a small solar tracker frame for ground pole mount? Or a manually adjustable dual axis one? I've done a search on the forum and don't really see anything recent. I know it doesn't usually pay to do a tracker, but hey, I've got the drive and wherewithal to do it. Kind of a hobby thing, just like the wind turbine connected to an IQ7. Not cost effective but what would it take to do it kind of thing. I want to hook a tracker up to power the wind turbine support circuit and where it's located I think a tracker would make a big difference in solar production. I'm only going to have a couple of relatively small panels mounted on it.

My goal is to have a raspberry pi or other simple controller do it. A couple of options are out there so the electrics are not the issue, but the mechanical for the frame movement.

any ideas welcome.

thanks. pat.
9000+W grid tied IQ7 22 panel rooftop and 6 panel ground combination with 1 additional IQ7 connected to 500W wind turbine+200w solar 
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  • clockmanfranclockmanfran Registered Users Posts: 94 ✭✭✭
    #2
    These folk in the USA do a good drive circuit that drives Satellite actuators.  2 off his circuit drives 2 of my 3 double axis 2Kw trackers.

    Search his site for lots of Tracker designs.

    LED3X Solar Tracker Assembly (redrok.com)

    Here are mine getting new circuits and 4 year maintenance.
    Servicing and repair 3off 2kW PV Trackers. (fieldlines.com)

    Everything is possible, just give me Time.

    The OzInverter man. Normandy France.

    3off Hugh P's 3.7m dia wind turbines, (12 years running).  ... 5kW PV on 3 Trackers, (8 years) .... 14kW PV AC coupled using Used/second hand GTI's, on my OzInverter created Grid, and back charging with the AC Coupling and OzInverter to my 48v 1300ah batteries. 

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  • MichaelKMichaelK Registered Users Posts: 231 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Here's mine.  Adjustable for both azmuth and inclination.

    System 1) 15 Renogy 300w + 4 250W Astronergy panels,  Midnight 200 CC, 8 Trojan L16 bat., Schneider XW6848 NA inverter, AC-Delco 6000w gen.
    System 2) 8 YingLi 250W panels, Midnight 200CC, three 8V Rolls batteries, Schneider Conext 4024 inverter (workshop)
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    I have 4 x 180 watt panels tracking (Analogue Guy) based on an old 10foot satellite dish system.  Only 1 axis, but easy to change the inclination seasonally.  The actuator arm is 36v motor, but I only use 12v because it's already there.  Slow movement, like you want.
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  • geosierranevadageosierranevada Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Here are mine.

    George


    Off grid for 20 years. 5KW panels, Trace sw4024, Bergy XL1 wind generator, 3 EG4 Lifep04 200amphr batteries  3 SQF 2 well pump, 12kw back up gen.  Not easy living in the wilderness but it keeps you busy
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  • WebPowerWebPower Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭✭
    #6
    George and Ralph- got any pictures of the back so i can see the mechanicals?
    Thanks. Pat
    And Merry Christmas!
    9000+W grid tied IQ7 22 panel rooftop and 6 panel ground combination with 1 additional IQ7 connected to 500W wind turbine+200w solar 
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #7
      Rainy xmas morning, but here's the back of my old 10 foot satellite tracking setup.  From warmly and dryly inside.
    Long threaded rod below actuator arm is azimuth adjustment.  

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  • WebPowerWebPower Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭✭
    #8
    thanks Ralph! That really helps!
    Pat
    9000+W grid tied IQ7 22 panel rooftop and 6 panel ground combination with 1 additional IQ7 connected to 500W wind turbine+200w solar 
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  • geosierranevadageosierranevada Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭✭
    #9
    Here are some of the back and frame sorry it took so long.    George


    Off grid for 20 years. 5KW panels, Trace sw4024, Bergy XL1 wind generator, 3 EG4 Lifep04 200amphr batteries  3 SQF 2 well pump, 12kw back up gen.  Not easy living in the wilderness but it keeps you busy
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #10
    Hi Geo.  How high is your XL1 in the air?  Mine's at 80 feet, schedule 40 pipe from my old SWWP H80 that blew apart in 2014 xmas eve.  It provides about 650-700 kwhrs of power per year...20-25% of my renewable energy for a year.  The nice homeowners insurance company replaced it with the Bergey.

    One thing about the XL1 is the blade tip flutter, or known around here as "the farts of the gods".  We have a Midnitesolar Clipper and if there's fluttering happening at bedtime, we clip overnight.  Sleep not possible when the winds are over 65km/hr (about 35mph) in gusts.
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  • geosierranevadageosierranevada Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭✭
    #11
    Ralph.   
    It's 60 ft up with sch 80 pipe. The XL1 is far enough from our insulated house that we never hear it. Plowed snow today,  not as easy as it was 20 years ago.    George
    Off grid for 20 years. 5KW panels, Trace sw4024, Bergy XL1 wind generator, 3 EG4 Lifep04 200amphr batteries  3 SQF 2 well pump, 12kw back up gen.  Not easy living in the wilderness but it keeps you busy
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #12
    Wow, you must have some well insulated house!  My turbine is about 400 feet from the house, the facing side is mostly glass, so we get the full benefit of the fotg.
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  • WebPowerWebPower Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭✭
    edited January 27 #13
    I'm still working on the tracker. I have the up down actuator installed. But still trying to figure out best rotation method. Haven't done the raspberry pi programming yet, but have a rough idea in my head. So stay tuned. Its a bit of a contraption right now. Making it out of stuff I have or find cheap. I'm sure folks will look at it and laugh. I'm an EE so I'm just a rank amateur at it. :-)

    9000+W grid tied IQ7 22 panel rooftop and 6 panel ground combination with 1 additional IQ7 connected to 500W wind turbine+200w solar 
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    I have a single axis tracker from this supplier and it works great.  Price was about $100
    Looks a little shady on those panels.  How long does that go on in the day?

    http://theanalogguy.com/
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭✭
    #15
    Whoops!n His prices have gone up since I bought.
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  • t00lst00ls Solar Expert Posts: 245 ✭✭✭
    edited February 20 #16
    you can get a controller for a tracker from  the analog guy...its like the one I use. they work really good...I have pictures of my tracker on the form
    my actuator is a maxi ballscrew from Venture MFG CO the have a section for solar trackers...but I needed a heavy duty actuator

    https://www.venturemfgco.com/maxi-ball-screw-actuator/

    https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/13744/solar-tracker-finished

    http://www.theanalogguy.com


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