Electronics

DavidM · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Houston, Texas

I have two small solar panels that output up to 1.5 volts each. I'd like to use them to drive a small motor to track the sun's movement across the sky. The panels are tilted together at about a 60 degree angle and touch at the top (like a pyramid) so that when the sun is directly overhead the same amount of sunlight shines on both panels. I guess I'd use some sort of comparator circuit to compare the voltages from the two panels (meaning one panel is getting more sunlight than the other) and output a signal to tell the motor which way to turn. When the voltage from both panels is the same (meaning the sun is directly overhead); the circuit would not output any signal (motor off). Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
DavidM

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 594

think about it first. if the panel put out a volt then the motor run but when that happen also the same voltage decrease because the motor load. it becomes a lame idea. but how about 3 or more photocells looking at the sun quadrant one invariably one will output more then you can use a comaparitor to drive the motor from the panels power source. got to get some hysterisis biult into it otherwise it will oscillate.

DavidM · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Houston, Texas

The idea works. Let me explain it better... I have a 1.5 volt motor and two 1.5 volt solar panels. The two solar panels are glued together at a 60 degree angle along the long edge of the panels with hot glue (like a capital A or an A frame), and mounted on a plate along with the motor. A shaft will run along the center of the under side of the plate in parallel with the long sides of the solar panels. The motor will turn the whole plate in the direction of the solar panel that is producing the most voltage; until the voltage equalizes again.
I know this will work as I've manually turned the plate left and right and watched the voltage between the two solar panels change. You are right in that I could use more voltage to run the electronics, but the motor will turn with as little as .75 volts.

David

neon · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 594

still needs a third panel. as binary number shows it is either true or false. .

	Electronics Forum Index -> Electronics General	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1