Automated tilting racks

Re: Automated tilting racks

Hi TnAndy, what is the strongest wind force you have been through with these mounts? any problems?


ps very interesting install,:cool:, did you have to beef things up for the 10 panel mount?

Eric

Re: Automated tilting racks

Solaryellow
Here is a site you might find interesting: http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3x
I bought the solar sensors from Duane and made mounts very similar to tnandys, only here we do get some pretty good winds so I made my mounts as a 2 axis, the east west axis is controlled automatically by the controller from Redrok (it even automatically returns the array to the east after the sun goes down in the west) and the tilt axis is manually controlled with a toggle switch. If the winds get too strong I can lay the panels flat or during normal operation I can set any angle I want to match the sun angle for that month. I used sattelite dish actuators that I find on e-bay, and to power the actuators I use a 24v power supply that gets its power from my inverter. Over all I couldn't be happier with the system, I figure I get about a 40% increasse in power production by tracking the sun compared to what I used to get from a fixed array. Also I like to fabricate things so if I have to fiddle with the tracker occasionally I don't mind. I'll be the first to say that trackers are not for everyone.
If you are just looking to change the tilt angle then I would suggest a linear actuator motor and a toggle switch.
Hope this helps,
Larry

Re: Automated tilting racks

The analog guy's also sells a two axis tracker.

I bought one from Redrock, and personally thought it was junk.....when he finally sent it....which took months of none response to emails and phone calls. I've got one I'll sell you for just what I paid IF you want to try that route....and I'll actually SHIP THE THING to you. (PM me if interested.) There is no doc with it, you have to make up your own sensor protector ( he suggests a baby food or peanut butter jar ) and the connections for wires are totally mickey mouse.....and if it doesn't work, you're simply out....in short, you get about what you pay for.....

Whereas the Analog guy got right back to me ( email ) with answers to my questions on hooking it to my actuators, and adjusting the light sensitivity, etc, and he repaired a board at no charge when one of my actuator's limit switches stuck and burned out a power supply on his board, supplied me with a schematic to wire the relays....and is generally all around a good guy to deal with......as I said, you get what you pay for.....


You set the two units side by side, and the Redrock is a Yugo compared to a Dodge diesel truck. That's my unbiased equipment review, I get nothing from either guy, and don't care which one you use. But I DID spent about 6 months getting controller issues worked out, and feel like I now have a dependable unit.

Re: Automated tilting racks

Nah, it ain't priceless....it's a couple hundred bucks, and 6 months of frustration/time.....and you just got it for free....ahahahaaaaaaaa

Here's ANOTHER freebie.....since I built two trackers, I assumed I needed two controllers.....and that's the road I started down.....

Wrong. With a set of relays, you can control as many actuator motors as the rating of the contacts in the relays will allow. PLUS using relays, you don't connect the output side of the boards directly to the motor limit switches in the acutuators.....and risk ruining a board like I did if the limit switch sticks or pulls a bit too high a current on open/close. The only thing my control board goes to NOW is the coils on the relays ( very low current ) and the relay does the 'heavy lifting'.