Simple DIY Solar Tracker
Dec 9th, 2008 by Mr.Burton
This tracker is lashed up from two solar cells salvaged from solar garden lights and a maxon geared motor.
That’s it. No frills.
Accuracy is around +/- 10 degrees.
If anyone thinks of a way I can get it to very simply auto-reset at the beginning of each day, I would love to hear about it!
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Solar panels are …
Solar panels are designed to charge two 1.2V cells so I would guess 3-4.5V. The motor is a Maxon permanent magnet type motor with a gearbox attached (probably 1:50 ratio – 1:100). It has the advantage of being able to start and run at very low voltage/current.
nice what watage …
nice what watage and votltage solar panels ere this ? and what motor you are useing ?
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the comments!!
I never did try out the ideas for the auto reset. I think a backward facing mirror may be the answer as suggested by teddyfix. I will get round to it one day!
Well done. A very …
Well done. A very elegant solution to the problem of tracking the sun.
Im sure a lot of people will benefit from your idea.
Id put it the same category as Trevor Bayliss wind up radio, very simple, anyone could have done it, but we didnt.
Did you sort out the auto-reset issue? I was going to suggest the mirror option but I see someones already suggested that idea.
Vaya una tonteria, …
Vaya una tonteria, eso no se orienta. Lo unico que hace es mover el motor cuando pasa corriente por la celulas.
Solar cells are …
Solar cells are connected positive to negative and negative to positive. These two joints are connected across the motor. The motor has a reduction gearbox of maybe 50 or 100 to 1. The motor must take a relatively low current. If you’d like any more details you can always message me. regards, Geoff.
Can you please tell …
Can you please tell how to build one of these. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You.
It depends on how …
It depends on how large or small your solar panels are. If this one looks a bit small for you, the solar cells you might need may prove too expensive, making other bought or self made options a better bet. Hope this helps.
how can i build one …
how can i build one for my solar panels?
or where can i get one?
Thats a great idea. …
Thats a great idea. I will try it out (if we ever get any sunshine this summer in the U.K.!) Much appreciated. Thanks.
Dear Sir,
You …
Dear Sir,
You had asked if anyone had an idea on how to auto reset at the start of each day. May I suggest placing a mirror ( or two) placed such that the morning sun is reflected onto the cells that will casue it to rotate towards the east. You will likely also need a light baffle that rotates with the “west” cells so that when they rotate to the east during rest they will not see the reflected light.
Ah, solar cells! Of …
Ah, solar cells! Of course! I’ve been thinking about using some crazy LED effect for this.
Of course, +/- 10 degrees isn’t too good….but maybe I can improve on that.
Solar cells are …
Solar cells are wired positive to negative and negative to positive. The motor is connected in parallel to these two joints.
You will soon know if you need to swap the solar cells as it will avoid the sun!
If you’d like to discuss further, please feel free to message me.
DUDE…This is …
DUDE…This is exactly what I Need…Do You Have a Write up/Circuit Diagram/Schematic that you can class project. And dont worry, you will be given due credit for it.
I think one more …
I think one more solar cell aiming “to the rear” would reset it?
90 degree …
90 degree separation seems to be the optimum (i.e. 45 degrees from the sun in each direction).
I think it works as …
I think it works as long as the two solar cells are not facing the same direction.
Solar cells are …
Solar cells are wired positive to negative and negative to positive. the motor is connected to these two joints.
You will soon know if you need to swap the solar cells as it will avoid the sun!!!
can u point me …
can u point me where i can find the schematics and how it works? it looks so simple so i want to recreate it. Do you have a website that explains everything in great detail? tnx.
VERY neat, good …
VERY neat, good work.
Cheap solar tracking is important.
Fantastic, I have been viewing the Youtube video many times and frustrated that there is no contact information or building diagram (spec). This is exactly what I wanted to do, other projects require controller chips etc…this one seems simple and cheap to produce. Please can you send me the instructions
Thank you.