[RE-wrenches] Tracker manual needed

[Ray]

I just took a look at your pics, its definitely a really old, modified 
Wattsun.  You can see the primer paint where they welded the main square 
tube directly to the cap. You can also see the empty holes in the 
bracket on the right side of the tube, where the tilt adjuster would 
have mounted.  It originally should have had a simple fixed N-S tilt 
adjustment, that was something like a DP&W head.  IT also looks like its 
missing the pinch bolts that tighten the cap to the pole, but hard to 
tell.  What are those modules, Old Siemens?

I'd just rotate it so the tilt adjust went N-S, and run the motor 
manually off a 12 v battery to set the seasonal tilt.  Based on the age 
of the modules, and overall condition of the wiring (non UV rated zip 
ties, exposed THHN, etc) I wouldn't put a ton of time into it.  I'm 
rebuilding old Top of Pole racks now with new modules, as the pole mount 
base and rack are easily worth more than the cost of new modules.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 7/22/20 3:53 PM, William Miller wrote:
>
> Friends:
>
> So far it looks like I have stumped all of you on identifying these 
> trackers.
>
> These trackers are trying to work.  The electronics and motors are 
> operable.  Unlike the diagram below, these trackers do not have an 
> inclined axis to allow the tracking to sweep from east to west with 
> the panels inclined to compensate for latitude and season.
>
> The trackers spun around their mounting poles and I simply want to 
> know how to orient the axis so I can put them back to work:
>
> A.If I orient the axis N-S the tracker would track east to west with 
> no tilt towards the south.
>
> B.If I orient the axis E-W the tracker would alter tilt angle as the 
> day progressed, but never facing other than due south.
>
> This all seems strange, but maybe I just don’t have my mind wrapped 
> around the concept as applies to these units.  Maybe these mounts were 
> modified in the ancient past when they were installed.  The original 
> installer is no longer on this planet so he can’t be asked.
>
> I created a web site to post all of the photos so anyone who is 
> curious can look at full sized images.  The web site is here 
> <https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/26-Mystery_tracker/Mystery_Tracker.html>.
>
> Thanks everyone for trying to help.  This is a real head scratcher.
>
> William
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of 
> *larry at starlightsolar.com <mailto:larry at starlightsolar.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 22, 2020 9:53 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Tracker manual needed
>
> William,
>
> This type of mount is a polar axis type and should be aligned with the 
> pivot N-S. The actuator can then swing the array E-W. The attached 
> photo is an example of how the mount was used in the C-band antenna 
> days. (1980’s for the young folks)
>
> It’s hard to tell but it looks like the elevation bolt is missing that 
> connects the azimuth bar to the pole mount cap. Can you supply a 
> better photo of the mount?
>
> Set the elevation angle to latitude for best all year performance. 
> Elevation can also be seasonally adjusted for more gain.
>
> There are 3 types of sensors most commonly used in this style of 
> linear actuator. Hall effect, reed switch or a 10 turn potentiometer.
>
>
> Larry Crutcher
> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>
>
>
> On Jul 22, 2020, at 8:33 AM, William Miller <william at millersolar.com 
> <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>
> Dave:
>
> The trackers appear to work. I am not clear on what  direction to 
> orient them. Do you know?
>
> William Miller
>
> www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com>
>
>
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