The solar panel sun tracking machine in the above picture was built by Sid Frantz. Sid and I have been communicating back and forth by email in an effort to get the Open Source Arduino Controlled Sun Tracking / Heliostat System to work with his machine. There have of course been hurdles, and there are still likely more to come, but, for the moment at least, it seems to be working!
This page contains a quick overview of the tracker’s mechanics and electronics.
Update:
More pictures of one of Sid’s sun tracking machines at the Minnesota state fair have been added at this link. Very cool! www.cerebralmeltdown.com/2011/09/18/sids-sun-tracking-machine-at-minnesota-state-fair/
More On Sid Frantz
As you may be able to guess from the pictures, Sid does in fact build and sell these machines (along with other things) commercially. His email is sid {at} fgsinc {dot} com. If you have an idea for a project but lack either the equipment or skills to make it happen, he’s the person to contact.
Gear Reduction System
This tracker consists of 4K watts worth of solar panels. Obviously, it is one hefty beast. The azimuth gear reduction system consists of a 60:1 gearbox which then goes to a 12:112 sprocket. The altitude gear reduction system is the same but with an additional 5:1 chain drive.
Electronics
The picture below shows the electronics layout. On the left, you can see the power supply. At the top are the driver boards for the stepper motors. You can also see the Arduino microcontroller in the middle. This particular variant is the Arduino Pro.
Here is a close up shot of the above.
With the Arduino removed, you can see the RTC module used for keeping the time along with its battery backup. There are also convenient outputs for the stepper motors and limit switches.
Share Your Project
Even though he isn’t a programmer, Sid has been able to help me a great deal with the Arduino Sun Tracking program simply by relaying to me the odd behaviors that he has experienced with his particular set up. As always, if anybody has a project they would like to share, please send it along by either commenting, posting it on the forum, or by emailing. It’s more helpful than you might realize. Thanks!
