mclark999
Registered:1417227587 Posts: 183
Posted 1513353142
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#11
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Originally Posted by stmbtwle I've tried making a "solar tracker" from those videos and couldn't. Note the wires go UNDER the board (to what?). There's more to it than they're letting on.
I've seen many solar trackers using Arduino as the controller. They are pretty simple to make. That is what I would work with, but then I've been having fun with Arduinos for about a year.
__________________ Denver, CO Double screen hot air collector
mclark999
Registered:1417227587 Posts: 183
Posted 1513353338
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#12
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Originally Posted by gbwillson What about using ball joints, wheel bearings, or universal joints off a junker car or truck? Sure would be heavy duty and likely cheap or free. Greg in MN
Those are good ideas for the panel. I think the pivot for it will be easy. The duct itself will have to be able to pivot or twist the same amount. Here's one solution. Just pricy. https://www.grainger.com/product/29RP37?cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!166596746636!!!g!364014902786!&ef_id=WiHhqQAAAHAc1DWw:20171215155444:s&kwid=productads-adid^166596746636-device^c-plaid^364014902786-sku^29RP37-adType^PLA
__________________ Denver, CO Double screen hot air collector
stmbtwle
Registered:1388591029 Posts: 2,877
Gordy
Registered:1362754383 Posts: 137
Posted 1513371250
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#14
If you have a "Pipe Line Supply" near by, consider 8" heavy wall PVC pipe as your duct and pivot. Like in your drawing, run the pipe from the building with an elbow glued to each. The PVC pipes on the collector will need to be sanded a bit to make it rotate easily in the elbow as a swivel joint. I'd grease the joints with petroleum jelly or dielectric grease both are low odor and seem to not dry out. The PVC is sturdy enough to mount bracing to if you need it, and can be wrapped in insulation.
__________________ Gordy, Minnesota
mclark999
Registered:1417227587 Posts: 183
Posted 1513376948
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#15
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Originally Posted by Gordy If you have a "Pipe Line Supply" near by, consider 8" heavy wall PVC pipe as your duct and pivot. Like in your drawing, run the pipe from the building with an elbow glued to each. The PVC pipes on the collector will need to be sanded a bit to make it rotate easily in the elbow as a swivel joint. I'd grease the joints with petroleum jelly or dielectric grease both are low odor and seem to not dry out. The PVC is sturdy enough to mount bracing to if you need it, and can be wrapped in insulation.
I think this is a fantastic solution. I could use one of these at each end with a piece of 8 inch pipe swiveling inside. Not too pricey. https://www.homedepot.com/p/DURA-8-in-Schedule-40-PVC-Coupling-SxS-429-080/203218411
__________________ Denver, CO Double screen hot air collector
Gordy
Registered:1362754383 Posts: 137
Posted 1513381156
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#16
I didn't know HD had that big of pipe available, also did not think an elbow would be that much $$$. What I was thinking was an elbow like this, and rigged like in the drawing below.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-8-in-PVC-DWV-90-Degree-1-4-Hub-x-Hub-Elbow-PVC-00300-1800/203949945 What I was thinking, is the same setup on top just flipped over so it is pointing down,
__________________ Gordy, Minnesota
gbwillson
Registered:1352981942 Posts: 2,311
Posted 1513381679
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#17
I think Gordy's PVC solution would work great for the duct connection, though I have my doubts about the pivot action operating smoothly, as all of the weight will be on the lower pivot unless you can somehow rig it so the top pivot has some of the weight. I have an idea on how to do this rattling around in my head when you get that point. Adding bearings or a bushing to the pivots might help ease the movement too. Since we are approaching the winter solstice next week is there any way you could chart runtime on a sunny day from now until you shut it down in the spring? Might be helpful to see how much run time you actually achieve with a pivoting unit compared to a stationary unit. Greg in MN
stmbtwle
Registered:1388591029 Posts: 2,877
Posted 1513382039
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#18
A good start but I can see a problem.
You'll have to support the weight of the collector somehow. Otherwise the lower pipe will eventually bend under the weight and bind.
__________________ Solar is like the wind. It may be free, but putting it to work isn't! Willie, Tampa Bay
stmbtwle
Registered:1388591029 Posts: 2,877
Posted 1513384167
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#19
Hmmmmm. I was just reading up on "arduino solar tracker". I never realized it was this simple! (I'll have to build one!)
All the versions I've found so far are "hobby size" and use a servo as an actuator; that would never work with something as heavy as a full-size array or collector, but I think the code could easily be modified to drive a pair of relays, then one could use heavy-duty linear actuators.
Off to the drawing board!
__________________ Solar is like the wind. It may be free, but putting it to work isn't! Willie, Tampa Bay
mclark999
Registered:1417227587 Posts: 183
Posted 1513387987
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#20