11-05-2012, 12:53 PM
LED3X LED Sensor Electronic Tracker with H-Bridge Drive
[attachment=21870]
LED3X Solar Tracker
The LED3 using surface technics was just to hard to assemble in a timly manor as sales were increasing. I needed a circuit that could be built with mostly through hole components. At the same time, there were other features and enhansments that I thought were needed. This was the impetus for the LED3X series of solar trackers.
This circuit uses power MOSFET drivers and is designed to operate satellite dish linear actuators, however most any DC motor can be used. The power drivers are capable of delivering about 50 amps of peak current, maybe more. When better transistors become available this current can be increased. The large power MOSFETS, 72A, when operated at low duty cycle or low currents eliminates the needed for a heat sink on the transistors. Neat huh!
The duty cycle is adjustable from 0% to nearly 100%. Idealy tracking from stop to stop should be 10 to 30 minutes. The duty cycle helps to slow down the motor drive speed. Less duty cycle will make the tracking slower but, we don't need speed anyway. Slow tracking speed helps in partly cloudy condition. This prevents the tracker from making unnecessary movements when clouds move by.
led3xshadow
To improve accuracy, ie. with concentrators such as troughs or dishes, a shadow blocker can be placed in front. Similar to the shadow blocker on the Chace Tracker or like this:
OK, this is an example of a dual axis version.
The single axis version uses a strip of metal.
Cool weather dome!! As I recall the dome is polycarbonate and from the oil or water traps on air lines and regulators.
I have used a band of metal about .5" in width at about 2" from the LED3X sensor. If the LED3X is used for E-W tracking the band is oriented N-S. Conversely, if the LED3X is used for N-S tracking the band is oriented E-W. The shadow device is not particularly critical. For instance, I have used black electrical tape on the weather dome and it worked well.
led3xremotesensor
LED3X Remote Sensor
The remote sensor comes can be configured in several flavors.
1. Single axis
2. Dual axis
And parking or no-parking on either axes.
The PC board is configured in 2 halves. Each half is an individual single axis sensor. For single axis use the board is cut in half or dual axis if left whole. Depending on which components, positions, and jumpers installed all the configurations can be obtained.
[attachment=21870]
LED3X Solar Tracker
The LED3 using surface technics was just to hard to assemble in a timly manor as sales were increasing. I needed a circuit that could be built with mostly through hole components. At the same time, there were other features and enhansments that I thought were needed. This was the impetus for the LED3X series of solar trackers.
This circuit uses power MOSFET drivers and is designed to operate satellite dish linear actuators, however most any DC motor can be used. The power drivers are capable of delivering about 50 amps of peak current, maybe more. When better transistors become available this current can be increased. The large power MOSFETS, 72A, when operated at low duty cycle or low currents eliminates the needed for a heat sink on the transistors. Neat huh!
The duty cycle is adjustable from 0% to nearly 100%. Idealy tracking from stop to stop should be 10 to 30 minutes. The duty cycle helps to slow down the motor drive speed. Less duty cycle will make the tracking slower but, we don't need speed anyway. Slow tracking speed helps in partly cloudy condition. This prevents the tracker from making unnecessary movements when clouds move by.
led3xshadow
To improve accuracy, ie. with concentrators such as troughs or dishes, a shadow blocker can be placed in front. Similar to the shadow blocker on the Chace Tracker or like this:
OK, this is an example of a dual axis version.
The single axis version uses a strip of metal.
Cool weather dome!! As I recall the dome is polycarbonate and from the oil or water traps on air lines and regulators.
I have used a band of metal about .5" in width at about 2" from the LED3X sensor. If the LED3X is used for E-W tracking the band is oriented N-S. Conversely, if the LED3X is used for N-S tracking the band is oriented E-W. The shadow device is not particularly critical. For instance, I have used black electrical tape on the weather dome and it worked well.
led3xremotesensor
LED3X Remote Sensor
The remote sensor comes can be configured in several flavors.
1. Single axis
2. Dual axis
And parking or no-parking on either axes.
The PC board is configured in 2 halves. Each half is an individual single axis sensor. For single axis use the board is cut in half or dual axis if left whole. Depending on which components, positions, and jumpers installed all the configurations can be obtained.