Constructing my Solar Tracker
I had a Solar Tracker that I made 8 years ago with 2 x 110 watt and 2 X 60 watt --It was good , but my big tree shaded it in the afternoon and during the winter in the morning ,it took til 10-11am to get sun..
So, along came a 7 foot surf boat trailer axle ,trailer was rusted out . I got the axle ,hubs, fully galvanized for $50 .
next was to set up and construct a Solar Tracker for my recently won 4 X 220 watt Sharp solar modules from E-Bay (98 cents per watt ,brand new panels)
I have plenty of 3x3x1/4 gal angle steel from a tv tower up-grade ,so out came the steel saw and welder and away we go ...
The subframe ,under the solar panel frame has been made around the 7 foot axle length . This axle allows the panels to "track-the-sun" .
The vertical mount was a 4 inch steel gal pipe 8 feet long mounted into a foundation of concrete . into this pipe I engineered a ford car rear axle and hub , with the brake drum used as a mount for the Elevation frame --so now we have ,1 rotational , 2 vertical , and "follow the sun" overhead movement .(using the 8 foot axle)
first Photo --setting up the steelwork.
After constructing the steel work ,I made aluminium blocks to attach to the frame . These are rubber insulated from the gal steelwork and give a bit of "cushioning " to the al frame of the solar panels when they are bolted down ..
I fitted the panels to see if all is ok -NO- had to add 2 X side angles for added strength -the panels were sort of minor twisting -this fixed that ..
I've dug a trench and run 2 X 16 mm building type electrical cables plus a 12 wire conrtol multipair cable for anything that may need controlling later. + a draw rope for additional stuff.
The whole frame rotates very smoothly in all directions and is rigid.
I have not bought the actuators yet ,but have fitted a 6 foot long screw pipe(1 inch right and left hand threaded screw shafts inside a 1.5 inch gal pipe with the nuts welded at each end ,(came off a 6 Mtr. satellite dish elevation adjustment rod.
