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!

[@moirhoh]

That's true, however you would also have to buy a fixed racking system and they aren't cheap.

[@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.

[@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

[@tangowiskey4740]

Maybe clean with silicone grease a sit is formulated to protect rubber and seals and invert ¿

[@walter19882003]

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

[@atlastobin7837]

How did you mount the solar panels to the rails?

[@Mikebuildss]

@@atlastobin7837 Used the included hardware they provided

[@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!

[@JakDac]

Nice looking at from OZ

[@bigmike101lol]

How does the mount do with heavy wind? I want to make mine to where it can be a 'temporary' thing and don't want to use concrete if I can keep from it.

[@Mikebuildss]

@@bigmike101lol so far it’s been ok, but I’d make it as beefy as possible, maybe add sand bags on the base

[@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]

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

[@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

[@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

[@mkeblue]

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

[@Mikebuildss]

@@mkeblueAgreed and thanks!

[@izzyoo72]

your light sensor isnt mounted the right way. the wire should hang south not West

[@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.

[@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.

[@mr.c6674]

Yeah. Imagine if you had access to the internet so you could use whatever device you used to make this comment. You would be so lucky to see current prices of this tracker. 🙄😳🙄

[@charlesshook5834]

lol did not even show it working it sucks from what i have seen in your video dose not work at all