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Solar Trackers / Re: My tracking system

Last post by Xeonpony - May 15, 2026, 05:07:16 AM

Quote from: SparWeb – on May 14, 2026, 08:27:47 PM

You have an interesting junk pile if you can concoct that out of it.

I thought I'd see a limit switch, or something similar to make it stop moving and pivot back at the end of the day.

It's there, parking is done via time, the controller has that logic programed in.

After 3 or so years the switch died, now they are sealed magnetic switches

Solar Trackers / Re: My tracking system

Last post by MaryB - May 15, 2026, 04:00:57 AM

Quote from: SparWeb – on May 14, 2026, 08:27:47 PM

You have an interesting junk pile if you can concoct that out of it.

I thought I'd see a limit switch, or something similar to make it stop moving and pivot back at the end of the day.

Many sensed darkness and moved back...

Solar Trackers / Re: My tracking system

Last post by SparWeb - May 14, 2026, 08:27:47 PM

You have an interesting junk pile if you can concoct that out of it.

I thought I'd see a limit switch, or something similar to make it stop moving and pivot back at the end of the day.

General Discussion / Re: No for sale section?

Last post by eColumbus - May 14, 2026, 07:21:10 AM

Yes Mary, that is in the works.

There will be some changes and improvements to FieldlinesForum coming soon. A classified section will be one of them.
Mary, (and everyone else) I created a board specifically for members to post tips and ideas on how to improve FieldlinesForum. Let’s start posting there, I think it will work much better.

This new board is visible to all members after they login. So, if you are reading this and you are not a member, join the forum and give us your ideas.

Thanks for the tip Mary,

Ed

Raising Animals / Bleat! goes the Sheep

Last post by Xeonpony - May 14, 2026, 04:56:05 AM

Just some pictures of my field cotton balls / Lawn mowers.

My 2026 spring lambs.

Micro-hydro / My old BC Hydro build

Last post by Xeonpony - May 14, 2026, 04:43:33 AM

I made this back when I was first getting off grid, due to the poor performance of the Canadian tire amorpherus solar panels.

Capacitor regulated induction motor as the generator (Hot tub pump conversion)

Pretty, but lets improve it.

Prettier!

Shut off valve and shows the drinking water take off

783 Feet away!

33psig at 95 GPM Dynamic flow

It made apx 450 watts, I used a 500w base board heater as a ballast, it ran my battery charger, a transformer based 12v charger, a fluorescent light. Would been much more had I managed the full run in 4 inch pvc

Sadly I lost so many pictures of the over all system when a memory card got broken to much regret

Solar Trackers / Re: My tracking system

Last post by Xeonpony - May 14, 2026, 04:28:45 AM

My lawn care team assists in keeping the grass down and assists in the builds.

They all so some times test the solar arrays mechanical resilience, New farm build they are def, getting mounted higher off the ground!

After having a power supply fail after so many years of operation I wanted an easier way to verify power was good with out standing there watching it, so added a power led.

This has worked excellent last couple years, even at -30c it just chugs along, gets a bit glitchy under that, but after doing some repairs in wiring for some reason starting working better at low temps, for once, some thing worked better!

General Discussion / No for sale section?

Last post by MaryB - May 14, 2026, 03:55:23 AM

I know we don't have a lot of traffic yet but people have surplus stuff...

I have 7 linear actuators for example, 4 12(18"? Need to measure them again), and 3 18(24"?) I need to dig out and sell. All 1,000 pound thrust. Would be good panel positioners....

And a 24 volt charger I used once... turns out I have more than enough panels to keep up even in winter! Will get specs if anyone is interested.

Solar Trackers / Re: My tracking system

Last post by Xeonpony - May 13, 2026, 09:11:23 PM

Now lets get it on the panel

Here is the gear math I used, sadly attachments don't seem to work:

Var:

( RPM / 60) * 360 RPM to degrees /p Second

1 rpm = 6 degrees

Sun = 0.25 Degrees /p Minute

Input 26 RPM

Comp:

For 30m adjust lock out sun will move 7.5 degrees azimuth (30m * 0.25 = 7.5) (East to west)

Desired rotational speed less than 15 degrees per minute (15deg / 60sec = 0.25 deg /p second)

-------gear box

26rpm / 40:1 = 0.65 RPM
26rpm / 60:1 = 0.43 RPM
26rpm / 80:1 = 0.32 RPM

Convert to degrees per second

--RPM----------------Degrees per second

( 0.65 / 60) * 360 = 3.9

( 0.43 / 60) * 360 = 2.58

( 0.32 / 60) * 360 = 1.92

Final stage 2:1 ratio

----------degrees per second

3.9 / 2 = 1.95
2.58 / 2 = 1.29
1.92 / 2 = 0.96

---------------------Seconds per adjustment

7.5 degrees / 1.95 = 3.85
7.5 degrees / 1.29 = 5.814
7.5 degrees / 0.96 = 7.813

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Motor used in the end was 10 rpm output! Gear box used: 40:1

Stage 1 drive: 10 rpm / 40 = 00.25 rpm

Stage 2 Final Drive: 00.25 rpm / 2 = 0.1250 rpm

Convert RPM to Degrees per second: ( 0.1250 rpm / 60 ) * 360 = 0.75 Degrees p second

Much better, excellent tracking, don't stick fingers in to chain drive!

A nice fabrication shot, First time using plasma cuter on Aluminium