(may be broke/outdated!)
This is our first attempt at a useable Heliostat for our Fresnel Lenses. In future videos I will have all the information for a DIY system using very easy to find materials. We are developing a controller that is simple to program and can control any type of DC or even AC motors. Once completed I will share some open source information.
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25 Responses
@GREENPOWERSCIENCE I just got into the Arduino. It’s very easy. Honestly, go get the starter kit. You’ll be hooked. Check out the Make Magazine videos here.
Josh, get into the Arduino and publish a site where we can find out how to do this. Would love to see how to use a photo sensor to focus a pinhole to align the unit. Arduino is brilliant stuff. $20 gets you to do this, powered by solar, no less!
Yes:-)
Is it not easier to use a photocell eye in a tube hooked to a couple of servos ?
Five stars!!! we need more people who have the intelligence level of engineers :D
@enicao I’m guessing that a circuit this simple would oscillate when the tracking is dead center. You’d need to at least incorporate a “window comparator” ckt into this 2 solar cell/motor ckt, so that when there is a bit of a hysteresis built in, a tracked center dead zone, so that the motor isn’t on all the time, oscillating back and forth when it repeatedly passing across dead center al the time.
The “window comparator” can be made using an analog comparator IC ( google “forrest mims book”)
@hughheckler Just don’t let your monkey peel yer banana.
No, chim-chim, this banana is OFF LIMITS… spank chim-chim’s hand to complete the operant conditioning…
All the Circle K convenience stores here in Arizona are selling bananas $2 for a 5pound bag… why would a convenience store get into the banana selling biz?
All that trouble for you to put (dot) in there and me to remove the (dot) to only not be allowed to see the images. :-(
Just post the links and make sure the permissions are correct.
search vid# B6EtY5ei4nU
DIY arduino controlled heliostat with free control program.
software and hardware by user gpm4985
AMAZING IDEA!!!!!! Thank you, I am not a big electronic expert but that seems so easy. Have you ever programmed one?
Dan
why don’t you use an arduino? twice as easy less parts and programming.
redrokcom has the circuit and sensors already made for $26.
I have a supersimple solution to this problem, and it seems very primitime, but huh, I think it will work… I am going to train a monkey and if he does a good job I will give him a banana and some water. If it can’t catch on to it, I will trade it for another until I get one that gets it. It should only cost me about 10 Bucks a week in bananas, way better than expensive electronics and electricity.
then I might teach my monkey C++ too. lol.
I like your videos Dan, thanks, very inspiring.
hum? neat idea! never thought of that.
Would you need a voltage comparator and relay circuit to control which motor gets the input juice?
In programming languages [C++, Delphi, Java, etc…] this is called “follow me” code. It takes readings, compares them, then adjust and advances an object.
here is an idea… using a parabolic mirror, get a fta dish motor and use that with the system you and your nephew are designing to control the motor…
Ubuntu linux FTW
Why do you need a computer or complex electronics to track the sun?
I think a system with 2 very small solar cells and a motor are enough. ( a bit difficult to explain writing)
– the positive side of the panels are connected together to the plus side of the motor. so the 2 cells are working against each other. the one who receive more sun light produces more power and turns the panel it’s way, until both have the same power (facing the sun).
this system is very simple, light and self powered.
Yea linux rock’s
Linux :D :D :D :D :D
I have a cost effective solution build a tracking system. 2 axis 4 bearings simple electronics and works.
Youtube added a space in album and telescope in the link. Remove them. Also (of course) replace (dot) with a period.
Here’s my freznel cooking some chicken. It’s a very similar setup to Dans.
img(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/v606/Cyberdactyl/Telescope/Cookin.jpg
img(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/v606/Cyberdactyl/Telescope/lens1.jpg
img(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/v606/Cyberdactyl/Telescope/lens2.jpg
Re: Cloud cover affecting a phototransistor system. These always look for a balance of light. The ones that keep moving simply have not been designed with a setpoint that would tell them movement isn’t worth it at the time. When correctly designed they will only move every 10 mins or so under bright sun, as the setpoint is exceeded.
Your nephew will probably have a very good idea of how to build in this differential, as well as other improvements. BEAM robotics also point the way.
I have a solar oven and recently took a stepper motor out of a copying machine which I thought of hooking up to a ac timer device to turn on and off the motor now and then would be nice to move the oven. the motor I have and there are different configurations is a reversing polarity type which pos and neg is alternated for the motor to move a step. well, maybe relays with batteries and diodes would do the trick. I have to think it over more. nice job there.
cant wait to try it