Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Portable Solar Tracking Mount

Folks have been building portable solar power generators for emergencies, camping trips, and boating. I have always noticed that most just find a place in the sun, and set the unit there. Few, if any had any solar tracking mount for their unit.

I bought a portable solar power generator unit, and got tired of positioning the portable solar panel, so I wanted to build a portable solar tracking mount for it. I also wanted to build a better unit on my own, or maybe two. We had a power outage for a week a couple of years back, and were without power for a week. I think it was hurricane Ike, winds hitting us way up here in Ohio.

I wanted a sturdy mount that would not fall over easily in the wind. On this day, it was windy, but nothing very fierce. It was also partly cloudy, and when the clouds cover the sun, the tracker circuit will wait for about 10 seconds for the clouds to pass, then if the clouds remain, it will search for the brightest spot in the sky. Therefore, there are a couple of times in the video where the mount appears to move back and forth briefly.

The tracking unit can be programmed to reset at night, but I do not plan to leave it out at night, so I have not set that.

Here, I am testing with 10 AA batteries (12 volts) just to look for problems. After I am happy with it, it will simply plug it into my portable solar generator. I hope to do a video later showing "How To' build it.

Here, the mount is single axis, but I am thinking it could become a dual axis by replacing the vertical support with a very small actuator (or just strap another servo to the vertical axis). Not to forget, the tracking circuit requires a limit switch if you use an actuator.

General Design

Close-Up

Portable Solar Panel Mount motor side view - Krell Lab

Portable Solar Panel Mount back view - Krell Lab

Portable Solar Panel Mount base side view - Krell Lab

Time Lapse Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AybYJrLvMlY

See also the story at the ServoCity blog:

   Building a Portable Solar Tracking Mount

Some of the parts used for the mount:
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Tripod

MCMElectronics.com

Adjustable Speaker Stand 80lb Capacity    $ 27.59
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-11650

1 3/8'' Speaker Pole Mount Adapter         $1.89
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-13807?green=83A9FD1C-3EE1-5B3F-0696-2518B229448E

What I like about the stand is that it should hold up to winds, and it telescopes to 7 feet.
In the winter, the area within the time lapse video is in a shaded area, and raising the mount to 7 feet will enable it to capture the sun during the winter months. It will support up to 80 pounds, is lightweight (7 pounds), and can be carried with or without the carrying case.

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Solar Panel

RENOGY® 30 Watt 30w Monocrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel UL Listed Module 12v     $64.99
13.5x23.8x1 inches - mine is larger...464mm (18.27") x 556mm (21.9") x 35mm (1.38"), It puts out 1.8 amps
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JDRG69K?ie=UTF8&tag=reviewazon0a-20
http://www.renogy-store.com/Renogy-30W-12V-Mono-Solar-Panel-p/rng-30d.htm

Currently unavailable.
I don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
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Tracking circuit

Amazon

SBE Solar Tech 12V Digital Solar Tracker Control Board MK3.1 ......$39.00 + $4.62 shipping by SBESolarTech

http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Digital-Tracker-Control-Board/dp/B00HXWTAWM/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_text_y

SBE Solar Tech Sun Tracker Weather Enclosure ......................$14.99 + $4.62 shipping
by SBESolarTech

http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Tech-Tracker-Weather-Enclosure/dp/B00HXXK97G/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_text_y

If you use a larger panel, or different servo, you may need to add the tracker relay circuit:

http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Tracker-Booster-Module-Enclosure/dp/B00LZ207SC/ref=pd_sim_86_3/175-8030547-3545713?ie=UTF8&refRID=03QBS19R3BMQBQY9DB38

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Support Beams (that attaches to panel):

Menard's or Ace Hardware
http://www.menards.com

Plated Slotted Steel Angle 14 Guage 1-1/2" x 2 foot $ 5.79 each
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Motor, base, & rotating mechanism
ServoCity
http://www.servocity.com/

(8871T31) 1/4 inch Bore Clamping Motor Mount             $ 1.99
(638154) 2 RPM Gear Motor (RZ12-1500-2RPM)               $24.99
       * Weight: 0.27 lbs. each
(9753K65) Gearmotor End Cap                              $ 0.89
or
(9753K66) Precision Gearmotor End Cap                    $ 0.99
(615206) 80T, 32P, 1/2 inch Bore Aluminum Gear           $12.99
(615270) 32 Tooth, 32 Pitch, 6mm Bore Pinion Gear        $12.99
(585438) Round Base A                                    $ 6.99
(585440) 1.50 inch Aluminum Channel                      $ 2.99
(635256) 6 inch length x 1/2 inch dia. Aluminum Tubing   $ 2.69
(633110) 1/2 inch Shafting & Tubing Spacers (12 pk)      $ 1.69

Plus miscellaneous parts: beams, screws, washers, nuts, etc.
I will try to get the "How To" build it video out later with instructions

Thursday, May 28, 2015

How To Build an MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Arduino

How To Build an MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Arduino

Julian Ilett has a series of 20 YouTube videos that show you how he built an MPPT solar charge controller with Arduino. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is electronic tracking that enables the charge controller to compare the output of the panels to the battery voltage. It then figures out what is the best power that the panel can put out to charge the battery.

What that usually means that it tries to increase the charge on cloudy days (or in the mornings if your panel is not pointed to the sun) so that you can get the most from your panels.

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller by Julian Ilett

What is nice about this one is that he walks you through "How To" build the graphic display.

MPPT Solar Charger Graphic Display by Julian Ilett

There are 20 videos in Julian's video series, and they start here:

MPPT Solar Charge Controller #1 - Introduction and Voltage Measurement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSz4-cr3EJw&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl

At video #14, he changes the name of the series:

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller #14 - Stable Current Measurements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqKOyRdB2RU&index=14&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl

And, if you would like to see where he ended with the videos on this topic, here is #20:

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller #20 - Inductor Discontinuous Mode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9UFrCIVp0Y&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl&index=20

California Nonprofit Offers Free Solar Panels to Its Poorest

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle via SFGate Magazine

A new California program by the Oakland nonprofit Grid Alternatives will install home solar arrays in disadvantaged neighborhoods and aims to make solar power available to lower-income families — using money from the state’s fight against global warming.

Full story by David R. Baker at SFGate Magazine:

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Low-income-homeowners-get-free-solar-panels-6281762.php

Wind Turbines With No Blades


A prototype of the Vortex Bladeless wind turbine from Wired Magazine

"A Spanish company called Vortex Bladeless is proposing a radical new way to generate wind energy that will once again upend what you see outside your car window."

If you happen to see one of these, and are wondering what the heck it is....

Full story at:

http://www.wired.com/2015/05/future-wind-turbines-no-blades/

How To Build a Solar Cabin For Under $2000

Nice video by Lamar Alexander, includes links to plans.

It is a 14' x 14' cabin with loft, providing about 400 square feet.
Power system is 580 watts Solar electric and 400 Watts wind power which powers a 12 volt fridge, lights, water pump, TV's, laptop and many gadgets.
Heat source can be propane or wood stove.
Toilet is solar assisted composting.