Worlds simplest solar tracker (Tutorial)
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- čas přidán 25. 04. 2020
- Several people have asked about the drive mechanism of my solar trackers used in my previous videos.
You will need a small DC motor with a gearbox, something similar to this would work ok. 40-50 revs would be ok but slower the better.
uk.banggood.com/DC-12V-405060...
And these are the small panels I used, you will need two.
uk.banggood.com/6V-2W-330mAh-... - Věda a technologie
Thank you. One of the Few video’s on this topic that explains motor and panel specs and different applications and sizes of trackers. 👍
Thank you Alex - Pleased you found it useful.
Nice , effective, simple , costless and smart solution , thank you.
Thank you Bassam - I have developed this further, I will post another video soon.
Thank you sir. This is the best solar tracker ever seen.
You're welcome, I hope it's given you something to think about to develop you own system.
Thank you for the video. Just what I was looking for.
Glad I could help.
You have nailed it Sir, and, if my ears do not deceive me, you are a Suffolk gentleman to boot !
Double bonus ! With best wishes and greetings from South Africa. I shall certainly try this out in short order. Very best, Mike
Thank you for the kind words Mike, and nearly right, Sussex born and bred.:) Have a look at my dual axis tracker video, it works on the same principle. I'll do a dual axis "how to" video when I get chance.
Wow!! And here all along I have been interested in a solar tracking system that is very costly to purchase in kit form on line. It's ridiculous the price that they are asking for a weatherproof encapsulated sensors, a manual direction controller and an actuator. Excluding the actuator, you have saved me spending money unnecessarily by providing me with a rudimentary tracker. Full props to you for doing so! Cheers from Canada
I'm pleased you found it useful. You can scale up this method easily - You could use two 20w driver panels to drive a car windscreen wiper motor which, if suitably geared and balanced would drive full sized producing panels.
Very well explained, and to the point without the typical superfluous details. It's enough information to get started, but not so much it becomes boring or confusing. I would very much like to learn of some of your sources for the mechanicals - those yellow plastic gears!
Thanks for the encouragement Seamus. Yes, you are correct, I used the same panels and motors in the dual axis tracker. The panels are around 15cm square, 6v and available from Banggood for around $7 each. The 37mm motors are widely available with a variety of gearing - slower the better for this type of project.
Unfortunately the yellow gears, I designed and printed myself so not available commercially, however I also show the turntable design with skate wheels that also works well.
He said “ahh hello” like he wasn’t expecting to make a CZcams video lol
Fantastic and so simple, but simple is always best
Thank you Dean - I'm a great believer in KISS. :)
Simply solution, beautiful solution
Thank you Tomasz, I'm working on a development of this idea so watch out for another video soon.
Simple is best, thank you !!!!
Glad it helped!
Thanks for showing a method WITHOUT a 3D printing. There are those that don't have a 3D printer.
No problem Gary - You could just as easily cut two plywood discs with a jigsaw and use a belt drive system. 3D printing just makes life easier. I'm a great believer in "use what you've got" and make it work.
lovely idea. ❤❤❤
Brilliant, so simple.
Thanks for the encouragement Crusty. :)
Nice builds, thanks for sharing, liked and subbed :)
Thanks Gary - I'm pleased you found some of my odd "makes" interesting and thanks for subbing, the support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the idea. I tweaked the design, so it can turn bigger motor and move larger pv panels array (heavier load). Since both output can be positive or negative, I add 2 diodes and 2 relays (5 pin) to alternate power source and drive the motor (12v dc wiper motor) clockwise or counterclockwise, I've tested it and it works. I can use dc or ac motor depends on power supply to the relays. I add ldr sensor module (used to turn lights on at evening) to alternate the relays so the motor turns and the pv array would facing sunrise when the day is getting dark, the motor stop when a limit switch is activated. It's still a plan and now I'm still working on pv array support. At least I have the picture now
Excellent work - post a video when you have your system up and running.
Homemade DIY 660Wp SunTracer Solar-Tracker ➡️ czcams.com/video/X0lmYFwOq3U/video.html
Supercaps Powercap 36 × 500 F Battery Accu Solar Grid-Tie 2,7V Farad ➡️ czcams.com/video/ihSc7Bj_oQk/video.html
great and realy simple explenation ;) subscribed instantly :)
Thank you - Keep watching this space. I have developed this a bit and will post another video shortly.. I've subbed back, enjoyed your videos.
@@Targetmaster1066 Big tnx, cant wait next great video ;)
Thank you so much!! Grandma (me!) is 75, not at all technical and has zero abstract thinking ability!! I've spent hours trying to decipher what people are saying as they demonstrate - usually much too quickly - their ideas. Yours 'speaks' to me. I get it!! And I think I can do it without relying on my sons-in-law to 'interpret' it for me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
Us in the 70+ club need to stick together Grandma. :) Really please you found it useful even though the filming quality could be improved.
@@Targetmaster1066 I ordered the motors and cells (I need to make 2) from Banggood last night. I have wheels picked out. I'll update if things work as anticipated. And the filming quality was fine. The information was the important thing for me!
Appreciate the encouragement C. Report back with progress please.
@@Targetmaster1066 I'm sorry to bother, but I am a little confused. My solar cells came today from Banggood. The contacts on the back are not marked positive and negative. The one on the left is always just about 1 cm longer than the one on the right. Is one positive and the other negative? Or are solar cells different and, as long as I keep my connections consistent, it doesn't matter which one I choose.
No bother C. - Just connect it directly to your DC motor and see which way it turns - change the connections over and the motor should run the other way. If you have a simple multi meter you could tell too, try your meter on a battery to make sure you have +/- probes the right way round, then try it on the panel and see if it indicates the same way.
It really doesn't make a difference when used like this as long as you keep the connections consistent.
Great ideas here…
Thank you.. You can see a small panel with this idea working here: czcams.com/video/DPvBAQ0WP4M/video.html
Finally I found a setup that might work for my small panel for a light
Thank you Robert. I really need to get some more videos up. I have now developed this into a good working set-up including a dual axis and a heliostat.
@@Targetmaster1066 Hi, Can you please provide the link for the larger project, specially the dual axis one.
Wow very cool :)
Hi there, I like this concept of tracking as it is self sustaining and very simple to put together. However, with the sun rising and setting, obviously the motor will turn freely in any direction, so I guess my question is how do I limit the maximum rotation degrees and enable the motor to sort of default back to a set position when the sun has set? I hope this makes sense somehow. 😉
Hi Ian - Makes perfect sense. I have found that unless you have a clear view of the East/West horizon the tracker stops as soon as it's in the shade, I have high fences and trees locally so the tracker never makes a full swing. If you wanted to artificially limit the travel you could physically stop the tracker with a solid block and arrange a slipping clutch mechanism to the drive gear.. Or.. as I have now done, where the tracker is mounted in clear view of the horizon, add a third drive panel, in parallel with the left panel, so in the evening the third panel will pick up the sun as soon as it rises and rotate the panel to "self set" Watch this: czcams.com/video/DPvBAQ0WP4M/video.html
thank you verry useful
Glad it helped :)
I suppose if you had 2 motors and 4 panels you could make some sort of swivel that would go up and down as well as side to side. Very good I will do this for my shed on my allotment. Thanks.
Yes Biggus, check out my other videos, you will see I have posted a short video of a 2 axis set-up with the same system - I'll do a "how to" when I get the chance.
Hello sir. This is a really cool working model. I am new to solar panel and power station. Have done many hours of research on self power solar tracker like yours. Learning it as it goes. I don't have any 3d printer or any device allow me to make any accessories. I saw how you use a skateboard wheel mounted to a motor and mini solar panel to make it move. May I ask a how you mount your motor onto the skateboard wheel to make it not loose? I have couple of those low torque low RPM 12v gear motor and would like to use it for this project. I am having issue on mounting it to a skateboard wheel. Thank you in advance and your time. Jack
Nice
Thank u u give me way
You sir are a fucking genius !
:) :) If only it paid the bills. Certainly appreciate the encouragement though.
Did you ever know that you’re my hero...?
I feel the vibes Gabriel. :)
Fantastic.
Thank you Bradley - I'll do a tutorial on my dual axis tracker shortly.
thetargetmaster the beauty of it is that it is elegant in its simplicity.
Thanks for your video. However have you made any video for Solar tracker for the entire year?
I mean for tracking in the other axis also?
Thanks.
Thank you so simple, sorry for the silly question. How do you take off power after you have built it is just using + & - of the two solar panels?
Not a silly question John. This system is just the driving mechanism to drive a larger panel round to face the sun. The little panels used here are only enough to drive the motor for the tracker.
عمل جيد
شكرًا لك
Could you use the same principal to control a couple of relays, which could turn on and off much larger motors?
Hi Pat - I think you would be better to drive a rotary encoder to position larger motors.
This a simple but very good solution to solar tracking. What are the specifications of the largest DC motor/gearbox you used on this project?
Thank you Douglas - This idea scales up well, all you need are larger "driver" panels compatible with your motor. The two larger panels I show in the video are 12v trickle chargers for car batteries, they will happily drive a car windscreen wiper motor which would, in turn drive quite a substantial panel.
This is brilliant and so simple. I have one question do you need any diodes in the power lines to prevent a dead short across the two panels as they appear to be connect positive to negative?
Thanks for the interest - No, no diodes needed. The small panels I used for this have a fairly low output and even shorted straight out don't seem to come to any harm. The larger panels I show in the video are actually designed as solar trickle chargers for car batteries and do actually have diodes built in. - I have adapted this idea to something else, I'll post another video shortly.
@@Targetmaster1066 what's the concept used called scientifically?
@@firdausfiteri441 not sure of the name but a similar principle was use by nasa as a solar tracker, theres another video on YT about it, its pretty cool
If you've enjoyed this (which I did, thoroughly!!) you might like an alternative mechanism - a lift & twist, drop & reverse twist. Here's the vid: czcams.com/video/JbZ03QEMvKg/video.html
Great video thanks.Couple of questions please. In the questions on the motor your link points to one asks “is the motor reversible if connections reversed” the answer says “it seems not”? The other is the link to the solar panel which is a 6volt panel is that correct? Thanks.
Hi Graham - Yes, these are 6v panels, about $6-7 from Banggood. Yes, as with almost all DC motors they happily run backwards when you change polarity.
That's a comfort thanks. Now to get on with constructing a rotator for my modified washing tripod carousel for the Motorhome.
Absolutely excellent . why you dont market this ?
Thank you - I made this just to demonstrate the principal. I will shortly make another video showing how it can be used with 4'x2' panel for practical applications.
Good information, but you should have framed up your subject; 1/2 the info was lost off screen. Hope you can try is again, with correct framing.
Sorry about that - Agree it could have been a lot better.
Hi I wish to build a solar panel tracker driving a 200 watt panel weighs 10kg's mounted on my caravan.The panel has be able to be driven up to the correct angle and also rotate to the correct position must also be able to self park to flat position.Any ideas as to how I can achieve this cheaply.
Cheers
Ohh - That's a challenge to get your teeth into Glen. That would certainly be a practical application of this system.
I can't see any real problem with designing something that would work - cheap is another matter. Another factor, is the extra complication of a vertical axis worth the extra gain? This depends, I think, on your latitude and if you can do the work yourself. I'm around 50N Lat. and find a single axis tracker gives me around 25% increase in output, adding the second axis give a further 5-8% bonus. I would suggest you would need a screw jack system for the vertical and a gear or toothed belt for the L/R axis. (maybe bicycle chain and sprockets or car cam belt and sprockets) I think on that and might make something over this summer it time permits.
Poetry in motion but what is the ultimate angle of the solar panels, thank you 👍
Thank you Trevor - The angle doesn't really seem too critical, around a 30 degree "V" works well with most small panels.
اين حساس ضوء الشمس او حدة التحكم في المحرك
This system is so simple - It does not require a sun sensor or control system.
Very good idea but how to you connect to the item you are charging?
This is only the drive system - you would mount a separate panel to actually charge something.
good vid thx but why all the homemade trackers are small? who use these for solar panels? no one makes 12v drill motor or actuators with 12-18v battery (scaleup) for real use please
Good point Kay - Even these small drivers can move a fair sized panel if the gearing right. I'll get a video up with a practical larger panel tracker.
What if it is facing exactly away from the sun?
Thanks for this video. If i use this method for bigger panels. Will this electro motor eat electricity all the time? Or it will ON or OFF only if some of panels have more power?
Is there correct angle between panels?
The little panels used in this system only produce enough power to drive the motor to track the sun. You would need a framework to hold a larger solar panel to produce usable power. Keeping a larger panel facing the sun should produce around 25% power more than a fixed panel.
No, it's not critical - 10 or 15 degrees seem to work well.
Looks good but is the sun hitting directly in-between the 2 panels where they join? and not directly hitting in the centre of at least one of the panels for more power generation?
The two little panels are used solely to drive the tracking mechanism - A larger producing panel would be attached to the mechanism and be kept directed at the sun.
@@Targetmaster1066 Yes indeed, Brilliant! I'll be using this to generate a lot more from my panels. THANK YOU!.
Brilliant control mechanism! I might steal the idea to automatically align my parabolic solar cooker. I'd imagine a similar setup could be used with a linear actuator to control the azimuth adjustment.
Thank you Mike: Check my older videos and you will see I use the same system for a parabolic dish and also for a two axis tracker.
Hi, thankyou for the video. May I know what drive motor are you using for the turntable design with skatewheels?
It was one of the same 37mm 12v geared motors. The lower the gear the more torque (power) will be available. I think I used a 3.5 rpm motor here - it certainly doesn't need to turn fast.
@@Targetmaster1066 Hi, could it work if i using the small solar panel u using with the turntable design?
@@weichin1593 Yes, the small panels will drive a small turntable design if you use low geared motors. Look my Heliostat video - I use the small panels there. czcams.com/video/qqF_GgdUcmg/video.html
@@Targetmaster1066 Hi, i did one for myself but im not sure why when i connect with two panels，one of the panels had only half the voltage of the other, which made it difficult to turn the other direction. Hope u could know the answer
It sounds like you have a damaged panel - they should both have about the same output under the same conditions.
👍🇹🇷🇹🇷
If the tracker follows the sun until it sets in the west then would this tracking system be able to reset back to the east when the sun rises?
Yes it does Anthony, in fact there is only a "blind spot" of about 30 degrees directly behind it that it won't "reset".
Thanks for replying. Do you have any plans to create a similar system to vertically tilt the panel?
@@AnthonyCook78 Watch this space :)
In the video what size is the motor? Is it 8#, 40#, 50#, 60#, 100# ? Which size in the video are you using ?
The motor in the video is a small 37mm 6v DC geared motor 30 RPM (Search for 6v 37mm geared motor)
will it turn in the morning to east after on previous day being rotated to west?
Yes Peter - It wakes up from where ever it is resting to point to the sun as soon as the sun hits one of the panels. If you trawl back through videos you will see I made some larger versions that work on the same principal and can carry a decent sized panel.
@@Targetmaster1066 I really like your setup as it is simple but perfect ! Now I'm interested in building something similar for a bigger panel. (mine are two pannels 67*106 cm / 10kg incl the frame) and I didn't found a proper DC motor which is able to work at the very low power that the tracking pannels will deliver (maybe 300mA or les) You mentioned you already build it for a bigger solution, so I would highly appreciate if you can share your equipment being used.
@@Targetmaster1066 t
Hi there .. I tried a similar set up however when both panels were connected the motor would not turn when one panel was shaded . I’m curious if the reason might be the presence of or lack of a blocking diode ? The motor turns while connected to one panel . And obviously works if both panels are connected parallel . I’m using 12v motor and 12 v 10watt panels . I’m a bit confused .. thanks
John
Hello John - I've been down this road too. Most of the panels I've used work just fine, however I recently bought some 12v 5w panels - great output and good price but just will not work. Yes, I guess they may have internal diodes, I just haven't had the time to investigate further.
Thanks for your reply .. I’ll see if I can remove or bypass the diode and check in again ... what was the type of -angel you used ? I see your using a 6v motor what is the voltage of your panels ? 12 or 6 ? Thanks so much
Panel not angle ... I should proofread before I send :-/
@@johnwells583 I've used several different types, all work well except the last batch I bought. These are the ones in the demo video. Search 6V 2W 330mAh 110x136x3mm from Banggood. These are the ones I can't get to work yet. Nothing wrong with the panels - just don't work as I want them too. Ebay: 402722894131 (I paid £7 each just 3 months ago) ... Using the small DC motors at double the rated voltage is not usually a problem unless they are running hot - they just go faster.
The trouble was the blocking diodes.. I snipped the side soldered to positive on both panels and the motor works as should shade one clockwise shade other counter clockwise. .. thanks .
Do you have stl files for the gears?
I don't think I have the files now - I just design stuff as I need it. - I will have a look.
Also where can I get the file for the exact 3d print you use?
I design the 3d prints myself as I need them - I rarely keep the files for this sort of prototype stuff.
@@Targetmaster1066 would also happily even buy a file download off you. I have access to my school's 3D printer by RSVP and trying desperately to make a heliostat to bring light into my apartment. I think if I could get a mirror on this it would be perfect. Not that skilled in 3d modelling of real parts though
@@lolaloliepop I don't think I have the files for this project any more - I constantly design, change and print stuff and move on. If you have a look at my other videos you will see my idea of a simple self powered heliostat using this principal. You will need to gear down the tracker 2:1 to drive the mirror at half speed to keep it aligned in the same place.
czcams.com/video/qqF_GgdUcmg/video.html
But what triggers the motor to rotate?
The motor is powered by the small solar panels - as soon as enough sun falls on any one panel to produce enough voltage the motor will turn - when not enough sun is on the panels the motor will stop.
hi, what happens on a cloudy day?
The tracker just sits there until the sun appears from behind a cloud then immediately tracks to face it.
2 Million views MY GOD
Thank you :) 2.1 million channel views - not all on this video.
What size motor did you use with the skate board wheels and wood platform
Hi Jackie - The motor/gearbox was a 6v 37mm 3.5 rpm motor (the slower the better for more torque).
Here's a link to the motors I use. www.ebay.com/itm/360519569444?hash=item53f0a41024:g:sfUAAOSwDTNayKpK
@@Targetmaster1066 Thank you so much for the link. How did you get the wheel to go on the small shaft and keep it on?
Is there a way you could send me a better picture? Then where did you get the yellow gears you had in the first one. I also would need a smaller tracker and I am not finding anything like it?
I'm lucky to have the machinery to make part like that. The shaft of the gearbox is 6mm and the internal of the skate wheels is maybe 10-12mm. I just machined an adapter out of plastic to fit. You might find some plastic tube that's near enough and fill any slack with the hot glue gun.
The yellow gears I designed and 3d printed. (No 3d printed needed on the turntable design as long as you can couple up the gearbox shaft to the wheel. You might hunt around and find something like this: Ebay number: 223632526106
Are you UK based?
I am in the United States
@@Targetmaster1066 can you give me your email to directly email you
I think that over time one or both of the cell banks will burn out.
Absolutely no reason why they should Jim - when the panels are in the null position they are producing almost no energy, although of course, time will tell. I've had a system running seven years now with no problems.
What kind of motors are you using please?
Hi Mohammad - I use the very common 37mm 12v motors - the lower gear the better
@@Targetmaster1066 Hi where can I find such this motors please?
Search Aliexpress... 37mm geared motor.
www.aliexpress.com/item/32846299102.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.393c457eLJDUsn&algo_pvid=e28c7989-d8ff-48ae-a124-7e21acae3da5&algo_expid=e28c7989-d8ff-48ae-a124-7e21acae3da5-11&btsid=0b0a050116188359539556958e6699&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Nice ! But Where is the component value?
Not sure what information you want Groot - I'll help if I can.
@@Targetmaster1066 thz for the reply.
sorry , I’m just almost 0 this knowledge.
So u connect panel A + - and B - + to the motor?
Would it damage the panel with diodes?
Thanks
Yes, exactly right. Most of these small DC geared motors are very efficient and take little energy to drive them. No diodes necessary, you want current to flow both ways.
@@Targetmaster1066 Thanks. I don't see million as u say. u mean other website? or channel?
May u do dual axis with charging to a battery, would be better if come with cheap rain proof solution ^^
@@Targetmaster1066 biggest issue now is I can’t find the 3d gear set. Since I don’t have a 3d printer.
Why you are using a complicated gear🙄just put the motor in a tight surface..