getting started [heliostat]
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Posts: 46,084
You need to be more specific about use / accuracy of sun
tracking -
Since the sun "moves" [noparse][[/noparse]i.e. the earth rotates] with predictable
- I hope ! - accuracy you can drive the tracker with a
synchronous motor [noparse][[/noparse]like clock hands are driven...].
If you want to 'servo' it in you can use two small PV panels
with in the same plane with a small shade vertical between
them and then rotate for equal output from both panels - this
will work for both axes [noparse][[/noparse]axises? :-)]. The you use a reversible
motor with an H bridge and drive it to rotate for equal output
from the PVs. This is a better approach for a mobile rather
than fixed mount installation.
A simple DC motor is reversible. A lot depends on:
1>Accuracy
2>Weight of item to be moved
3>How many axes you wish to track.
As to what gears, screws, stops etc. to use...
Good luck, and keep your flesh away from the focus if
it's a parabolic device!
>>
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 18:08:48 -0000
From: solar20052001@y...
I want to build a small heliostat(sun tracking device) using a BS2. I
have the BS2, but have no idea on how to get started hooking up the
motors and sensors to it. Specifically - do I just start buying servo
(or stepper) motors and connectors to plug them into the I/O lines,
or is it more complicated. I am truly at the "rock" stage of
knowledge, and would really appreciate somebody that would clue me in.
<<
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tracking -
Since the sun "moves" [noparse][[/noparse]i.e. the earth rotates] with predictable
- I hope ! - accuracy you can drive the tracker with a
synchronous motor [noparse][[/noparse]like clock hands are driven...].
If you want to 'servo' it in you can use two small PV panels
with in the same plane with a small shade vertical between
them and then rotate for equal output from both panels - this
will work for both axes [noparse][[/noparse]axises? :-)]. The you use a reversible
motor with an H bridge and drive it to rotate for equal output
from the PVs. This is a better approach for a mobile rather
than fixed mount installation.
A simple DC motor is reversible. A lot depends on:
1>Accuracy
2>Weight of item to be moved
3>How many axes you wish to track.
As to what gears, screws, stops etc. to use...
Good luck, and keep your flesh away from the focus if
it's a parabolic device!
>>
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 18:08:48 -0000
From: solar20052001@y...
I want to build a small heliostat(sun tracking device) using a BS2. I
have the BS2, but have no idea on how to get started hooking up the
motors and sensors to it. Specifically - do I just start buying servo
(or stepper) motors and connectors to plug them into the I/O lines,
or is it more complicated. I am truly at the "rock" stage of
knowledge, and would really appreciate somebody that would clue me in.
<<
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.