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Old 05-22-10, 04:19 PM   #51
Xringer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wilfor03 View Post
Thanks for the reply Rich, it sounds like that will be a "workable" build, but watch out.......you may get it built and then say, "Too much work to put it back on the tracker mount!" By then, you'll be used to moving it 3 times a day (good exercise, eh). That's what I have to do now. I've got my panels up on the tracker-rack, but, I have to go out 3 times a day to push the switch up/down to position for the sun. Still don't know if I gonna make or buy the tracker circuit. I saw pictures of yours and I may just make one. Anyhow, here's a picture of where mine is. Oh, by the way.....I bought my actuator off of flea-bay for $49.99 delivered (24"-24v but works great on 12vdc).
Please keep the pix coming cuz I love other crazy people ideas/solutions, too! See ya later.............Bill
NICE! Wish that I had a post like that.. I'm thinking of just getting some
HomeDepot schedule-40 4"x10' PVC (OD 4.5") and trying that..
It only weighs 20 pounds, so I could put it on the roof rack..
I just hate the idea of hauling all those 80 pound bags of ready-mix...
Maybe a suppler around town has some Schedule-80.?.


Anyways, did you get an Actuator with end-limit switches??
My tracker board is made for that type of dish-mover..

I was out back again today, pressing my West 'button', because it was so overcast this morning. (It failed to track)..

Don't copy my sensor module.. I made a mistake, making it's view of the sky so narrow.
If the sun gets past where it's pointing, (clouds) it's lost..
You need wide some sun angle on that West-side sensor, so it can follow easier.
My sensors are deep down in a hole, hoping to see some sunlight..
Now, I understand why people put these things in peanut-butter jars..

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Old 05-22-10, 05:13 PM   #52
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Default PVC Piping

Are you talking about filling the PVC with concrete? That would definately firm up the pipe, eh?
I went to the local scrap yard and picked up a couple pieces of 3" black iron pipe and a small piece of 3 1/2" pipe and just welded it all together for my 10' Pole mount.
Try this site on flea-bay
"galaxy-marketing"
I just made sure the site works, and the PowerMax actuator I bought is now $35.00 delivered (that's great for you, eh)? Yes, it has limit switches built into the base and mine were just right for my tracker frame so no ajustments were necessary. I think your board would be fine if you had it in a clear jar of some sort, still using the barrier you made? May be wrong, but when its cloudy and the module looses the sun, it stops. But if in a jar, when the sun comes back out, it should pick up the strongest light source and seek it. Still think I may try something like yours. (I'm old and it looks simple enough to make (maybe, LOL)).
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Old 05-22-10, 05:47 PM   #53
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I was thinking about concrete inside the pipe, but I'm not sure.
If there is very little flex without it, maybe it wouldn't be needed.

Panel Weight: 26.51 lb, so the whole payload (mount & panels) might be just 150-160 pounds.
I would not want to add an extra 40-60? pounds up top in concrete.
Maybe just have some in the bottom.?.


I think my Actuator might be a PowerMax too. I had to send it back and get a replacement.
The gear driving the end-switches was too loose & wobbly.

I have not changed the sun sensor setup since it was installed.
Most of the time it works fine. But now, I am thinking of moving
the west-side sensor up, closer to the glass.
That will likely solve 90% of the lost-sun tracking problems.
And should not have any affect on accuracy..

I've been thinking about the barrier design, and it seems like it's made
for tracking in both directions. Which of course, I'm not likely to need..
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Old 05-22-10, 09:56 PM   #54
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Rich....did ya find that actuator on flea-bay? Is that the kind ya need? Great buy on it now........also, on your tracker board, did they send you a schematic for that thing? I tried to trace a schematic for it from the pictures and my eyes just get me lost (old age, I reckon)......gonna try and put one together so, any help will be definietly will be appreciated.....Bill
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Old 05-22-10, 10:47 PM   #55
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Yeah, Ebay.. it's been so long that I've forgotten some of the details..
But it's up there at: http://ecorenovator.org/forum/projec....html#post5794

I posted about the tracker board a while back..
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-...ectronics.html
The vendor Solar Tracker Circuit Kit
will not give you a schematic until after you buy the board.
Then, he gives you access to part of his site that has useful tips and the diagram..
He asked me not to give out the schematic, because it effects his income.
I'm going to respect his wishes.

The reason I wanted this board-kit was the neat terminal strip and the return-East feature.
I'm not sure this board is any better than the trackers you can find at the RedRok site.
Electronic Projects Loads of diagrams here..
I kinda wish that I had ordered a RedRock kit, instead of this one.
Using LEDs as detectors fascinates me.. Never heard of it before..

I printed out this plot last winter and never fully considered the sun would be setting so far north during the summer.


Now, it's setting at 300 deg, and is up over 66 degs at noon time!
It seems like the mount is seeing sun from about 11AM until 2:30 these days.
I'm going to have to watch it tomorrow (Sunday, no work)..
I need to see if tracking with this mount location is going to be worth it.
The whole idea is to get hot water during the dog days of summer..
(And not burn any oil until winter)..

Last edited by Xringer; 05-22-10 at 11:10 PM.. Reason: Adding plot..
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Old 05-23-10, 07:55 PM   #56
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Default Getting into Hot Water!

The four panels are rated:
Maximum Power at STC: 125 Watts (500W total)
Optimum operating voltage: 18.0 Volts
Optimum operating current: 7.11 Amp

So, I'm thinking of trying 4 panels in series to make 72 volts at 7.11 amps.

I'm thinking of connecting this power to a 10.0 ohm load resistor.
(For heating hot water).

I'm wondering what you guys think, is this a good match between PV & load?

72v / 10 ohm = 7.2Amps, which is not too far off the 7.11 in the spec..
I'm hoping to see about 500 watts of heat (1706 BTUh) radiating off the load..

Comments please..

Thanks,
Rich
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Old 05-23-10, 11:39 PM   #57
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Default Solar Panels, Ideal and Actual Power...

Xringer,

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xringer View Post
The four panels are rated:
Maximum Power at STC: 125 Watts (500W total)
Optimum operating voltage: 18.0 Volts
Optimum operating current: 7.11 Amp

So, I'm thinking of trying 4 panels in series to make 72 volts at 7.11 amps.

I'm thinking of connecting this power to a 10.0 ohm load resistor.
(For heating hot water).

I'm wondering what you guys think, is this a good match between PV & load?

72v / 10 ohm = 7.2Amps, which is not too far off the 7.11 in the spec..
I'm hoping to see about 500 watts of heat (1706 BTUh) radiating off the load..

Comments please..

Thanks,
Rich
Here's a page that might help with your calculations:

Measuring the Power of A Solar Panel - Solar

The Voltage of your panels is measured with no load at all. So, no power generated.

The Current is measured with a dead short. Thus no voltage, so no power generated.


The "power" rating of the panel is actually a sales figure, meant to be used for comparison purposes, not for the actual sizing of collectors.

The actual power you will realize from your PV panels is going to be much closer to 60% than to 100% as you calculated.

When you get your panels, you should do some testing, like the guy at the UK website did and post your results. It will be interesting for everyone.

Here's a lab worksheet to measure actual PV panel power, from some school that had a lab on just such a thing. It might be very useful for you:

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education...owerOutput.pdf

Regards,

-AC_Hacker
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Old 05-24-10, 12:44 PM   #58
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Default Need coments on PV load matching

I've noticed the specs:
Open circuit voltage: 21.9 Volts
Short circuit current: 7.68 Amp

But, I only posted the:
Optimum operating voltage: 18.0 Volts
Optimum operating current: 7.11 Amp

Since those numbers seemed most useful..

I guess the Open circuit voltage is good infor when placing panels in series,
since the the higher voltage might exceed some equipment's rating.
(In case that equipment stopped drawing full current).

I assume the Short circuit current is shown because it gives you
a good idea of how to rate your fuse. (In case the load shorts out).

As to 'a sales figure', How would dealers get away with giving you 60%
of the power you paid for?
Wouldn't most Ebayers demand their money back? (Or 40% off the price).

How could a seller maintain his rating if everyone was returning panels?


And, How do PV manufactures give out those amazing power warranties?


Like this one.?.

Kyocera warrants that if, (a) within the first ten (10) years from the date of sale to the Customer,
the PV Module(s) exhibits a power output of less than ninety percent (90%) of the original
minimum rated power specified at the time of sale*,or (b) within twenty (20) years from the date
of sale to the Customer, the PV Module(s) exhibits a power output of less than eighty percent
(80%) of the original minimum rated power specified at the time of sale*, Kyocera will deliver
additional PV Module(s) to replace the missing power output, or repair or replace the PV
Module(s), at Kyocera’s sole option.

*The power output values shall be those measured under Kyocera’s standard measurement
conditions as follows: (a) light spectrum of AM 1.5; (b) irradiation of 1,000w per mē; and (c) a
cell temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade. Such measurements are carried out in accordance
with IEC 60904 as tested at the junction box terminals per the calibration and testing standards
of Kyocera which are valid at the date of manufacture of the PV Module(s). Kyocera’s calibration
standards shall be compliant with the standards applied by international institutions accredited
for this purpose.




These UL-Solar panels (IEC TUV UL) aren't a famous brand name, and I have not read,
the '25 year warranty'..

But, if these panels don't put out 125W or more, I expect to see at least
110 to 120 watts from each of them.

I'm in the process of picking out some load resistors.. There will be some testing done..


Four of these should be a good start.. 1KW of dissipation!

1/4-20 hardware, about 2.5" wide, body 4.5" long : 7" long counting the terminal bolts.

Cheers,
Rich

Edit Nov 15,2010:
Just a note to say, when it got cooler outdoors, the array hit 500 watts. Per spec..

Last edited by Xringer; 11-15-10 at 10:59 AM.. Reason: Got bored..
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Old 05-26-10, 06:29 PM   #59
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Default The Ebay panels came!

http://www.solartechpower.com/pdf/pa...5W/SPM125P.pdf








The junction boxes are top quality. Water-tight for sure..

There are 3 tabs from the panel. the center tab is connected to the + & - outputs via two diodes..

I also got(free) two of the 10 w panels like the 10w I already have. (same PN)


The specs shown on the panel labels are slightly different than what was
shown on Ebay.

Open circuit voltage: 21.9 Volts label 22.1
Short circuit current: 7.68 Amp label 7.8
Optimum operating voltage: 18.0 Volts label 17.4
Optimum operating current: 7.11 Amp label 7.2

The clouds were rolling in, but I did get in some quickie checks under the partly-cloudy,
and not really at a right angle to the sun light..


Panel # _Open V ---- Short A
20101 21V ---- 6.34A
20014 21V ---- 6.62A
20103 20.3V --- 6.0A (getting really cloudy).
20102 20.7V --- 5.7A " " "

0024 20.6V --- 0.5A
0039 20.3V --- 0.53A

So far, they seem to be okay. Hopefully, I can get some real testing done
when the load resistors come in next week.

One panel box had some damage and there were big work-boot prints on the box, but the panel looks ok..
Just a minor ding where the corner hit something hard.
Two of the other boxes had holes punched in them.. Looked bad but the
double thick packaging saved the panels.
I'm very pleased with the packing. The vendor did a good job.

The panels appear to be the same good quality as the old 10w UL-Solar
that I've been using for a while now. These just might last 25 years..
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Old 05-27-10, 06:58 AM   #60
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Woo, looks nice.

It always amazes me how little there is to these panels. You pay so much, but you get so little actual material. It just seems funny.

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