Solar panel array with linear actuator for van build - Part 1

[@MrCPPG]

If there isn't a swear word, you're not doing it for real. Nice design. I see it relies on the high stacked channel to keep the actuator at enough angle that it is forced up. Clever. I am planning a similar setup on my cargo container and will take advantage of the valley in the corrugation to help me achieve the same. You design looks good, mostly hides the actuator and is inexpensive. Good job.

[@invisiblevan6734]

Fascinating, I myself already have a tilting panel but I'm tired of getting a ladder out to manually raise it! Needless to say I will be closely watching with a view to steal ideas for my campervan✌😎

[@yingli8028]

I'm in a same boat, or say in the same van. Manuals tinting system is on, waiting to up grade to raise by a actuator. In part 2, more detail on dimensions please

[@pavel9652]

I will be installing panels on the roof soon, just need to get the vehicle, and I have the same concern. I designed relatively easy system to tilt panels manually, but it will be repetitive and inconvenient. I think it is worth doing in winter, December and January for sure, maybe also November and February. I will have 6x panels, so it will be even more work, 1x is piece of cake.

[@aidankeely5803]

Looking to fit multiple tilting panels on my van, with an automatic controller so very keen to see how you get on with yours (still awaiting the panels due to COVID affecting shipping!).

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Thanks for all the comments, i actually forgot about this video! ....and the channel to be honest! I put the system on the roof of the van a month or so ago. I'll make another video over the next few days

[@kenbarnessalisheye546]

Good information especially the solar sensor thing. Most builds I’ve seen have the actuator limiting from the opposite side of the hinges. that makes a triangle that would be more stable I think.

[@dethleffsglobebus8624]

If you have started to make such a panel lifting system, then make one that rises on both sides immediately, instead of one. It's more complicated, but more interesting. :)

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

I agree, i did consider it... and got someway to designing it, but i decided not to due to weight, height and complexity.

[@dethleffsglobebus8624]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 Yes, the weight of the mechanism for one panel was about 18 kg (plus 10 kg panel) and about 300 working hours (4 months) to make it. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYibeJqPfM6DZ6s :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4SYmmRse8hpb5I

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Very cool. Well done.

[@void-if-scratchediii250]

Absolute GENIUS!!!

[@julianrout1347]

Hi great job , Could you please share the link for the actuator as i would love to try this thanks 👍👍🚙

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

I bought it on Ali Express. Just put it linear actuator and you'll find lots exactly like the one in the video. For some reason, the solar sensor + control panel's seem to be hard to find on Ali Express now. but you can get very similar stuff from eco-worthy.com (www.eco-worthy.com/collections/solar-tracking-kit/products/dual-axis-solar-tracker-kit-with-2-pieces-of-linear-actuators)

[@julianrout1347]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 Thanks for the info 👍👍🚙

[@magdatomek]

Very nice design. What is the stroke of actuator?

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Thanks. 450mm

[@coover65]

What country are you in? (Ireland??). I'm curious to know how effective solar panels are in Europe. We have a coach/motorhome conversion here in Australia with 4 x 4.8kw lithium batteries and 2.2kw of solar. As long as we have less than 2 weeks of very overcast weather (which is nearly every week), we can be off grid indefinitely. That's with a 240v house fridge, 2 x3.5kw air conditioners and washing machine.

[@story1234]

I am making a bed design for slanted road. If the actuator is raised 1-2 feet, what’s the dynamic load it can handle?

[@robertoconnor2669]

Can you put a link to the actuator and the automatic switching solar relay please.

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Sure, i bought it on aliexpress.com, but can't find it anymore. However here is a link to the manufacturer, they do international shipping. www.eco-worthy.com/collections/solar-tracking-kit/products/dual-axis-solar-tracker-controller-with-remote-control?variant=37733871550652

[@mySeaPrince_]

Those brackets are very similar to those used in kitchen units etc ........

[@marineg8397]

Hi ! Thanks for the video :) I'd like to install linear actuator on my solar panel. I actually have only 7 cm between my roof and the frame of solar panels... Do you think it could eventually work ?.. How high are your panels ? I am eventually considering installing the actuator on the side of the campervan to lower them. Would you have some ideas to help me with that ? I could share some pictures.

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Thats not a lot of space, my design would not work. I have some ideas though if you want to send me your email address.

[@marineg8397]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 Hello. Have you seen my email adress ? :) I don't want to keep it too long on internet !

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

@@marineg8397 yes, sorry i will email you today.

[@danielsmith2231]

Imagine… you’ve just settled down with your van in a beautiful spot. Then some ass arrives, presses a button, and NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER! Peace crushed. Silence shattered.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

for 20 seconds..

[@johnkang2000]

Do you have any concerns with linear actuator waterproofness?

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

It's rated for outdoor use but I did have concerns, which is why I mounted it in the orientation it is in, so that water couldn't run down into the linear screw. It's been working in the Irish rain now for years with no problems

[@icantfindausernamehe]

I wonder if there is a way to make it lower profile ?

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Yes, there are various ways. The reason it is so high up is because the actuator needs a certain starting angle to translate the 'horizontal' force to 'vertical' force. The system could actually be 25% lowever and it would still work. I was tempted to experiment to experiment with gas struts or springs or a sliding channel mechanism to provide the initial lift. These would have allowed to design to be much lower profile. However the current set up is simple, which in my opinion from an engineering perspective is always best! Plus i now sort of also have a roof rack on my van, storing things like surfboards under the solar panels is now very easy.

[@icantfindausernamehe]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 It seems if the actuator is smaller and you raise it from the midpoint of the panel you can get very a low profile if that is needed : kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3a0Z2ppp7-FmcU

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

Yes, I see a few people have decided to lift from the midpoint. However this doesn't make sense from an engineering (physics) point of view. Try to think about it if you were trying to lift the panels yourself with your own hands, would it be easier to lift the panels from the edge furthest away from the hinge point or from the middle? You'll find you'll require quite a bit more muscle power lifting/pushing from the middle than the edge......or better yet, think about opening a door, it's much easier to push it open at the edge where he handle is than push the door in the middle.

[@icantfindausernamehe]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 Yes in terms of pivot point you would find it easier from the top. I suppose you have to consider the lifting capacity of the actuator. In the instructions for the actuators they do mention about where to position it to avoid extra friction.

[@icantfindausernamehe]

@@thewanderingwarner5403 I came across the actuator calculator that takes the guess work out of it and allows you to try different positions . Very helpful : www.firgelliauto.com/pages/linear-actuator-calculator kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2rVoGefq9Kagdk

[@MMMM2MMMM2MMMM]

i like the build, but it does not look very firm to me, it's allready curved by its own weight. If you put this on your van, the wind will rip to pieces.

[@duncansarmy]

Sun will have gone in by the time they’re up 🤣🤣

[@thewanderingwarner5403]

They move faster than the sun moves across the sky. Having them move faster than this would be an entire waste of energy. If they are on for all daylight hours then they cannot and should not be moving faster than the sun. Having them move faster would be entirely pointless.

[@Sea1fly]

Omg that’s seems slow but so loud wow but cool idea needs muffler lol