Eco-Worthy Solar Tracker Overview, Testing and Build

[@caseba0116]

This is a great option for individuals who are constrainted to a small area; however, just like someone mentioned above, you can buy 2 additional panels of varying wattage to make up for the loss of a tracking system. Great video!

[@mindbender50]

Mount those motorized arms upside down the seals break down and allow water in.... With the motors inverted you will have no moister issues.... ask me how I know!

[@Mikebuildss]

@@mindbender50 ahh that makes sense, I’m going to try that. Hopefully the cable is long enough, it’s very short for some reason

[@hilcho]

Can you just hook it to the load connection to your solar controller vice having its own independent system?

[@Mikebuildss]

It needs its own power system to run it

[@hilcho]

@Mikebuildss I understand that and that's why I ask

[@walter19882003]

Looks awesome and I'm very jelly, Being from the uk the sun moved dramatically through the year Like Canada

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

Whats the current draw of the controller? Wondering if a single 50 Ah with a 50w panel to top it off could support two of these

[@Mikebuildss]

It absolutely will, power draw is a few watts at most.

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

@@MikebuildssSweet. Im thinking that could probably get away with powering 4 of them at a time

[@Mikebuildss]

@ agreed. Mine has been plugged into an old 3s laptop e-bike battery and it goes for a week straight on a charge

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

@ Thanks for the info! Could I also trouble you for the size of the bottom mounting foot there with the bolt holes? Looks about 12”x12”

[@Mikebuildss]

@ I’ll measure and report back, it’s slightly smaller than that if I had to guess it’s close to 8x8

[@JakDac]

Nice looking at from OZ

[@jbuchana]

Great video! I love the Cleetus and JH Diesal shirts! Now you need to get a Boosted Boiz shirt...

[@Mikebuildss]

@@jbuchana yes sir big fans of both, and I do have 1 boostedbois shirt!

[@claytonyoung1351]

Bro, I just realized there is a manual axis on there. you can remove that and add your own linear actuator to make it dual axis. mind blown! lol

[@Mikebuildss]

@@claytonyoung1351 Would have to get a different controller aswell but I could see that working!

[@claytonyoung1351]

@Mikebuildss no way. Two small solar panels wired in reverse polarity to one another, wired directly to the actuator, could control that axis. They'd need to be in a wedge formation on the side of the array at the center point to not mess up the angle of the entire array.

[@claytonyoung1351]

@@Mikebuildss no controller needed at all

[@NickWindham]

Flip the actuator upside down to make it last longer. That’s the fastest failing component on this tracker. Edit: Just saw another commenter already suggested this based on his personal experience with this failure.

[@NickWindham]

Very cool

[@claytonyoung1351]

The grape 100 watt panels would probably fit perfectly as well. Also cheaper than harbor freight.

[@Mikebuildss]

@@claytonyoung1351 I will check those out, yea harbor freights are 1 $ per watt not great

[@michaelvanallen6400]

*Due to the extreme drop in prices for solar panels, trackers are much less economical than more solar panels!* In addition, trackers have mechanical and electronic components outdoors - and are susceptible to guests. Therefore, they are high-maintenance and often break down. On the other hand, ground-mounted solar panels work for at least 25 years - and are maintenance-free! In order to achieve more even yields throughout the day, the solar panels should be mounted facing S-E (in the morning) and S-W.

[@mkeblue]

Probably mentioned already but that battery is beyond overkill for just the tracker. Nice setup though.

[@Mikebuildss]

@@mkeblueAgreed and thanks!

[@claytonyoung1351]

The battery is overkill. Setting up a small battery with its own dedicated small panel will make sure you're good.

[@Mikebuildss]

@@claytonyoung1351 agreed! This thing does not need much

[@dfinchltd]

Can you add a link to a better sized battery and small panel to trickle charge it?

[@coreoocoreoo1059]

Now divide solar tracker price by price of 1.3kwh of electricity and you willa knows how long it will take to pay for itself. If it's longer than 5-10 years it's not worth

[@dangeroustoman]

Nothing worse than a add that doesn't include price.