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Thanks! — Parallax Forums

Thanks!

mmorelandmmoreland Posts: 89
edited 2011-11-19 12:29 in General Discussion
I owe a huge debt of thanks to many folks on this forum, and in particular Tracy Allen and PJ Allen, for all the help I've received in writing code to control my single axis solar array. The controller is working. It uses a BS2p, 28501 GPS module, two axis accelerometer, and a CM1-X-23L20 NEMA 23 Cool Muscle Integrated Servo to operate a 65' long, 24 panel array. In the end, I wrote about 18 pages of code that resides in five programming slots on the BS2p, most of it in the form of sun angle charts. It moves the panel four to eight times per day depending on the season and travel of the sun. I simply could not have done it without the generous and compassionate help from many members of this forum. Thank you one and all!

Michael Moreland
Mendocino, CA

Comments

  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-10-27 15:10
    I found your project to be quite impressive; was watching the discourse from the sidelines

    Great job!
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2011-10-29 07:40
    Accomplishments!
    That's what we like to see.
    (Pictures, please.)

    In case of "stage fright":
    "When you make a thing, a thing that is new, it is so complicated making it that it is bound to be ugly. But those that make it after you, they don’t have to worry about making it. And they can make it pretty, and so everybody can like it when others make it after you." -- Pablo Picasso
  • mmorelandmmoreland Posts: 89
    edited 2011-10-29 13:30
    OK, I can do that, but it will take a little while.
  • mmorelandmmoreland Posts: 89
    edited 2011-10-30 22:43
    Trial.jpg
    This is the setup where the trials were done. GPS to the left of the stamp. Accelerometer on the top end of the tilting stick. Motor at center turning a threaded rod that raises or lowers the mock array. On the array, a linear actuator does the same. Toshiba netbook does the work.
    Antenna.jpg
    GPS antenna stuck to steel gecko on the ceiling.
    Stamp.jpg
    Close up of the Stamp.
    Debug.jpg
    Sample of the debug screen. The array video, which was posted in my first posting on the forum, can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/mmmoreland#p/a/u/0/gjWTwdLGGhs. The whole apparatus is in the process of being installed in the array which has another motor of the same ilk. Many thanks to all again. Michael Moreland, Mendocino, CA
    Antenna.jpg
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    Debug.jpg
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    Stamp.jpg
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    Trial.jpg
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  • mmorelandmmoreland Posts: 89
    edited 2011-11-16 19:44
    Here's the stamp set up in its final form in a utility box on a fence just north of the array and next to the inverter.
    DSC00113.JPG
    DSC00114.JPG
    AC on the left, 24vdc power supply for the motor upper right, GPS far right, GPS antenna leaves box through grommet lower right, relay in back to delay the initialization of the motor on first start up, accelerometer not in photo but attached to the array. First operational day today. mm
    DSC00113.JPG
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    DSC00114.JPG
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  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-11-16 19:57
    Very nice Michael!
    -Matt
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2011-11-18 02:24
    Michael,

    Congratulations on your accomplishments!
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2011-11-19 06:48
    Like your project, may the sun follow you always :smile:
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,666
    edited 2011-11-19 12:29
    Oh! I'm so pleased to see this come to fruition and to see you so "energized". And thanks for the thanks. Help really seems more worthwhile when it leads to tangible results and satisfaction.
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