Super Cool Phase Change Solar Tracker - No Power Needed!!

[@chpalmer2007]

My cousin put a similar tracker together back in the early 80's based on a project in Popular Mechanics magazine from the 70's.. used Freon, two copper pipes one on each side with shades piped to gas shocks that pushed and pulled the cells. Still working to this day. Actually made a mistake on filling the gas amounts and got the unit to re-position itself back eastward and ready for the next day during the night.. But with the gas tubes on each side there is no chance that the sun coming out later will miss the western tube. Very cool to see a new take on this type of setup. Thank you!

[@andrewford80]

Thank you for your comment. I saw one of these in central Australia and have been trying to find info on it for the past 9 months. This sounds exactly like what I saw. Very interesating and seems more resilient than the design in the video.

[@jeffreydaniel506]

Can you tell me in detail about how the mechanisms works and the setup, please

[@HightonRidley]

I like the thinking behind this solar tracker. Great to see people exploring alternatives :)

[@sanjuansteve]

Since the 80's I've wanted to build a dual axis tracker but using bi-metal springs beneath magnifying lenses, allowing the Sun's heat on any spring to pull the tracker back inline keeping it centered on the Sun without electricity, motors, etc.

[@joeKisonue]

I see some issues with that. A maximum throw of a bi-metal. B repeated imput range C mechanism. I could see a ratcheting system where the heated spring would move one click and repeat along a rack. Wax truly gives a long throw and strong input force to do work.

[@johnjingleheimersmith9259]

I dont really get what the big deal is with just using some cheap small, but durable motors instead of all the added complications. You're making power with the panels right there and the motors barely need any of it, so what's the big advantage?

[@offgridmangogrower]

I've been using zomework trackers for past 15 years and they are 99% reliable off grid. My electronic tracker has had complete failures due to corrosion or moisture. Pole mounting and tracking extract and give me the longest power cycle.

[@farmjohnny]

Installed a freon powered tracker on a bunch of ARCO panels back in 1985. Times (and PV) sure have changed!

[@PVflying]

I really didn’t understand how this worked, sorry. I can understand a wax being heated and expanding a piston, but I didn’t follow how that allows this to track the sun, or where the blocks come into it. You said the blocks were to demonstrate the strength of the system, but then at another point implied the blocks were needed to move the panel. Just didn’t make any sense to me!

[@lifeistooshort649]

Agreed

[@alext9067]

He didn't give an explanation. Very disappointing.

[@robustta5898]

maybe we need take a 3 day class to understand this kind of technology 🧓

[@MStrickkk]

Not being an engineer but using my eyeballs I think I figured it out. That cable from the blocks is wrapped around the pole. When the wax heats up and builds pressure it rotates the device, which lifts the blocks. Now my assumption is since this is one panel and not 18 as he claims it can handle, this is demonstrating that it can in fact move 18 panels.

[@BS.-.-]

Basically its useing thermo expanding fluid to move a piston. When the fluid gets hot/cold it expands or contracts. How the sun hits the mirror is where it tracks to/from.

[@wxfield]

I remember first seeing heliotropic arrays when I was a little kid in the 70's in the SouthWest.

[@inactive67]

This is cool, I always have overcast morings so while this is cool I will be rustrating myself. Gets a lot easier as I get older thanks for sharing

[@hussamalmousa4496]

In Syria, we made 6 330 w panel base tracker in less than $100. The shape looks beautiful but it costs too much. I can share the forms if you want.

[@col.johnson9938]

Would be very interested in your design concept

[@khalafjehadabed6776]

Hi I'm interested in your idea. Please can you share it with us?

[@GCFRenewableEnergy]

It’s great job thank you interesting to share your idea with me

[@GCFRenewableEnergy]

هلا وغلا فيك

[@col.johnson9938]

Sharker , you claimed you were able to make a six panel tracker for under $100 and that you would be willing to share how you did this. There has been no shortage of interest in your idea. So please, share a link or post on your channel how you went about this.

[@SillyPutty3700]

A way to tweak this would be to hybrid it. Set up some kind of trip switch/clock that if the shaft does on rotate a certain amount by a given time you could bump it with a stepper motor so it could catch up with the sun.

[@pv2870]

Easy enough to DIY. This tech has been around for several decades in automatic greenhouse vents, and automatic AC vents. You can pick up these heat activated pistons from large hardware stores.

[@whateverrandomnumber]

That's brilliant! The day you don't have enough sun, it works even less efficiently. Bri-freaking-lliant.

[@MarkFunderburk]

I will preface this by saying I don't have much experience with solar trackers specifically, but I have a few observations from a EEs POV that likes to dabble in mechE: I would expect this would still have a hard time competing with a fixed installation on cost. The added complexity of the mount to allow a panel to tilt and remain sturdy is a realtively significant fixed cost of any tracking system no matter how it is actuated (would love to be proven wrong). Cool as it is, this could also be matched for cost and reliablity (but not simplicity) by an electronic solution with a high level of redundancy. I don't know if anyone is actually manufacturing something like that right now though, but electronically tracking the sun can be done for pennies in BOM cost. A low power set of highly geared redundant motor provides quite a lot of actuation force. I mention the electronic tracking because as you say this solution has the ability to 'get lost' on certain days. If they can solve that issue and keep cost equal to an optimal electronic solution I would be impressed. And I would probably prefer this method, if it didn't add more than ~20% cost (which will be hard). Edit: Now that I think about it using an electronic control to actuate the wax motor would be ideal, if they could find a way to do that while still using the suns heat to provide the heat for the wax cell the electronics could run from a tiny non-tracked solar cell.

[@JohnDoe-zl6qw]

Someone else in another reply comment had mentioned they got a quote for an 18-panel tracker; more than $10,000. The cost isn't justified on a dollar-per-kilowatt hour basis.

[@MarkFunderburk]

@@JohnDoe-zl6qw Wow if that's the case I would rather just buy another 18 panels for that cost! Obviously some people with very limited space will still find a use for this, but it sure is niche.

[@dustinmeier9753]

The Demolitia is calling for your services over at Offtheranch for the Abandoned Mansion project. Matt needs you!

[@sindrome303]

didnt he sell the mansion

[@dustinmeier9753]

Nope. They decided to keep it. Full renovation and moving Demo Ranch to the mansion. Building garage for Demo Wrench. Several KZbinrs collaborating with him. Said he's looking for our recommendations for solar and rain water collection, countless of us have called out Engineer775 for this mission.

[@qurrotatechnology2073]

Haha

[@charlie70605]

Thanks for a quick & dirty estimate of a tracker:s advantage. I look forward to seeing more on this.

[@probuilder961]

Cool video. I think the "can't catch up" factor would stifle my interest in this unit. I don't see how "no power needed" is a factor when you are actually making power with the attached panel(s).

[@zilogfan]

with engineer in the channel name I would have liked any detail at all on this!!!!!

[@Mark-m9z4q]

Very neat. How about leaving the Solar panel fixed. Then, positioning a fixed, but adjustable, band of reflective material to mimic the trajectory of the sun. This way throughout the day its always getting additional sunlight. You could even get a table to show you the sun's trajectory on any given day, and periodical...every couple of weeks....tweak the reflective band to that trajectory. Just a thought.

[@guytech7310]

The issue is that probably not idea for regions with a lot of cloud cover as the clouds will probably mess up the timing since it using solar energy to heat up wax. Not sure how well it would work in cold windy climate as I suspect the temperature is going to interfere with timing. My thought would be a panels mounted on a teeter totter mount with a motorized screw drive mechanism. This way you can mount a lot of panels using just one mount with one motor that does not need to be excessively powerful. You wouldn't get the same range of motion (perhaps +30 to -30 degrees delta 60 degrees) so it would be a compromise between a fix and full tracker mount. With the panels balanced like a teeter totter and a screw drive you won't need a large motor & the screw drive would prevent the wind or other dymamic forces from changing the position. You might be able to just use a commercial linear drive.

[@mrbonzzai]

The blocks are to used to simulate the amount of tension the cable of the tracker can handle. Just imagine that instead of lifting blocks, it's moving panels through tension.

[@movax20h]

The idea is interesting, but the fact that it can't catch up when it fails in the morning is a bit of a problem. It fails 10-15% of the time, so it negates your 20% power production improvements. (because at the end of a day you will have lower power than with fixed installation). Also trackers are not always the best when you don't have enough space. As they require all panels to be unshaded whole day, even as they rotate. That requires bigger spacing between rows or columns. I would say tracking is useful if you have small installation in one row, no trees, and small amount of space. Or if you have a lot of space. In the middle ground, often the fixed installation will be better.

[@rogerfederer4386]

Maybe the profit of the 20% is lost when yo have to reemplace or manintenance electronics and servos.

[@movax20h]

@@rogerfederer4386 this tracker doesn't use light sensors, clocks, electronics or servos. It is purely mechanical system.

[@gregorythomas333]

I think that maybe the re-surge in trackers is because we have pretty much topped out in efficiency of solar panels and the only way to get more power in a smaller space would be tracking.

[@JohnDoe-zl6qw]

I wouldn't count out improvements in efficiency just yet. I think we're on the verge of seeing additional efficiency boosts with the introduction of graphene; now that it's becoming economically viable to produce on large scale. If not for the cells themselves, then at the very least the battery banks those cells feed. Personally I want to install solar, but I'm taking a wait-and-see approach with new graphene developments in the works.

[@FishOnIsMyHandle]

Thanks for the honesty !! One of the many reasons we love this channel!!

[@mikelinniii1186]

There's a company in Norwich VT that builds and installs solar Trackers.Its a neat system.

[@ChileExpatFamily]

I have two towers with 12 panels each. I am working on a tracking system that uses a timer and simple mechanical gearing attached to a tractor trailer windshield wiper motor. I can have both of my towers move as many times as I like per a day and reset in the evening with just using the timer. Jim

[@carlosalejos]

Hola James; no necesitas el timer para retornar tus paneles al este al final del día. Puedes usar relés. Te recomiendo el proyecto de Jesse Tarin en esta plataforma. Sin Arduino ni componentes electrónicos complicados. Saludos.

[@ChileExpatFamily]

@@carlosalejos Sí, estoy en el proceso de hacer que mis torres sigan el sol yo mismo. Acabo de poner un video sobre este tema. Para mí, debo volver a la posición "Amanecer", ya que es posible que no tenga energía en la mañana y tenga que restablecer manualmente la torre. Me estoy inclinando hacia un rastreador mecánico en lugar de eléctrico. ¡Revisaré a Jesse Tarin! Ven a vernos a Chile. Jim

[@deanbevier3389]

Wax motors have been used in car thermostats for decades and are quite strong..... This seems like an excellent purpose for a scaled up one.

[@SlyNine]

Until you don't bleed the system properly and a tiny amount of air gets in the way. lol

[@HippieHillHomestead]

Cool idea.Thats the way to think outside the box.

[@sabriath]

raspberry pi, 3d printed plastic 4-split cover, 4 photo-diodes, 2 motors on worm gears, gears/rods/basic construction, probably less than $200 of DIY solar tracker. Most of it can fit on the corner of the panels, and yeah it might not be purely mechanical, but it's more cost effective, takes up far less space, easily scaled, and a lot less chance of degradation from weather and pressure gradients.

[@girlintheblueridge6529]

Hi, yeah I agtee. Do u have an instruction video for that and link for the diodes and motors? Thanks

[@soundslight7754]

Hi Scot, I really liked this design, just wondered how the panel will hold in high winds and storms? I'm not worried if the tracker works during such weather, but if the next day I have to go out, buy new solar panels and trackers because all lost to the wind.

[@catbird1759]

This has the same concept as an old carburetor choke that used wax. As it heated up, it softened the wax and the small spring opened up the choke. I've been experimenting with a small hydraulic cylinder and container that has propane in it, as it heats up, it displaces propane into the cylinder and moves the panel. Solar is supposed to affordable if you are going to use it in a remote place. Store bought trackers puts it thru the roof.

[@alicea153]

Lots of people are suggesting in the comments of Dr. Matt Carricker of Off the Ranch channel that you would be great to work with for his off the grid building solar needs...

[@therealsparkman]

I like the idea of not having actuators that are connected through a sun tracker or a computer program; however, as you stated, if you have some cloudy intervals where the parabolic mirrors cannot be utilized, then you have missed your window of opportunity to catch up. Not so efficient. Another valid point you bring up is space. In my case, I don't have a lot of it and would greatly benefit from a tracker. Sometimes you have to spend extra to gain something positive, and in this case more efficiency out of your solar array is worth it.

[@vtorsi610]

How big & expensive is the steel pole and concrete pier that is needed to support 18 Solar Panels ?

[@texasgrillchef8581]

Cool, be nice if they made a portable version for use with RV’s. Because on RV’s you have limited space to carry portable panels, or even mount them on the camper/rv.

[@mick62569]

I saw a video using just photoelectric panels to track the sun, it seems like a excellent solution.

[@mick62569]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZuUdmqlbK9mp8U

[@calvingreene90]

An explanation of how melting wax causes the piston to move would have been nice.

[@videosrfun4me189]

look up greenhouse roof venting. they use an oil filled piston that expands the oil when temp goes up and that extends piston.

[@joeKisonue]

Wax is contained in a piston capsule. Heating the wax causes it to expand and drive the center rod out. Returning when cool. Used in automobile thermostats and many other devices.

[@calvingreene90]

@@joeKisonue I did know when watching the video but until the first time such devised was explained to me I didn't and I remember the frustration of not understanding and the anger in finding out it could be explained in ten seconds but wasn't.

[@showaltermicro]

Zero of your vids I do not like- like before I even see them - Know they are top !!!!

[@danieltracy5559]

As another mechanical engineer I also think this is really cool. I do Automation though so I would have to use a PLC lol

[@engineer775]

I understand.

[@Paltan23]

Hii

[@Paltan23]

Can you please explain me the working of above please

[@nigelwilliams7920]

1. Adding 20% more panels will cost an average 14 to 20 panel setup about $2000 for two to four more panels and mounts. Much better and simpler. 2. If you must track, then any clock geared to one rotation per 24 hours will point an array mounted at the right latitude in the direction of the sun regardless of clouds. Just needs a couple of microswitches, a few linkages, counterweights and a dc motor. Pretty trivial.

[@TenorDad]

Being an engineer, if you explained the purpose of the 1-ton block I might have been impressed.

[@guytech7310]

I presume its use the reset the the tracker to the east after the sun goes down. When the sun goes down there is no more energy input to reset it back. So the blocks provide a source of potential energy,.

[@zazugee]

gravitational energy storage

[@Vinlaell]

He said the reason was to demonstrate the power of the Piston that if he wanted to instead of the blocks he could be lifting an entire wing of panels

[@michaelvanallen6400]

Due to the extreme drop in prices for solar products, 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.

[@ek9772]

I am glad you posted this. This reminds me of Zomeworks in Arizona. They, also, had a passive system for sun tracking. If I recall correctly, it worked great in hot, warm weather.

[@eddiebugg6843]

You are right, E K. Zomeworks also successfully sold passive trackers in the past.

[@richardb4787]

I had heard of a tracker made of fluid-containing cylinders. The sun would hit the cylinders, turning the fluid to steam and the weight would shift the assembly.

[@benkanobe7500]

Very cool shirt. Yes, please keep going on trackers especially ones that are affordable.

[@darthgbc363]

For fixed setups - how about adding mirrors to get 20% more out of the day.

[@mmtruckingllc657]

I love thing's that are mechanical and simple, great video!

[@4philipp]

With a larger system it might be useful to split it in two or three. One fixed, one electric tracker and this non electric tracker.

[@marcisaacs9407]

I wish a much more detailed explanation would have been forthcoming. I like to really see the details close up M

[@Noallegiance]

Awesome. Now to strengthen my house to enable a 2000lb block to sit on my roof.

[@Paulman50]

The third factor is the amount of moving parts. Use the K.I.S.S. principle.

[@eddiebugg6843]

Love the KISS principle. The Pursuit Solar Tracker has 1 moving part!

[@BrianPhillipsRC]

That is VERY cool!

[@zazugee]

yes, despite they arn't as interesting now, but they are cool i think trackers for small installations, can be cheap, or if you're using some concentrated solar photovoltaic or thermal panels

[@buffydog21]

There's a solar powdered system, that would beat that. It was filmed on This Old House Generation Next. It's called The Smartflower System. It opens and closes automatically, it tracks the sun, but the biggest downfall is the price!!! IT Cost 30,000. You can watch a KZbin video of it, just type in The Smartflower System.

[@stevenporter7969]

The smart flower is rated at 2.5kw. So it is more of a promotional item than a electric bill relief. I looked at them and talked with their rep and that is what he said actually. There is a smart flower at a local car wash near me. Awesome design, but not a big power generator. Compare a smart flower at 2.5kw to a 12 panel@400w=4.8kw system like this for close to the same price and almost double the output.

[@buffydog21]

@@stevenporter7969 I didn't know the specifications on it. Thanks.

[@engineer775]

for 30k I can by a mount that would hold 300kW of solar. Thats almost 1000 panels on a fixed mount.

[@stevenporter7969]

@@engineer775 I understand that but not everyone has the space for that much on the ground either. I tried to get a ground mount but the location to put the ground mount for my property was not ideal so I am going to the roof.

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

I like these mechanical trackers

[@arthurleslie9669]

Have they even tested it long enough to determine the life of the seals? At some point I would expect seal wear to allow wax leakage.

[@eddiebugg6843]

Great question, Arthur. We have installations that have been operating for over 6 years. And, hopefully we will begin performance/reliability/durability testing later this year.

[@arthurleslie9669]

Eddie Bugg ... Decades of working with prototype equipment has always made me a little curious. Knowing the predictable lifespan of every component is a plus. It’s amazing how many companies can’t even tell you even though their product has been in production for decades.

[@pdan62]

What would be cool is a mechanical time tracker. Maybe weights and pendulum system huh?

[@JoeDplummer_]

Yes, it is pretty cool... but I think I will prefer adding extra panels to achieve that +20% ending with a cleaner installation and no hazel.

[@pztgst]

I have to wonder how this would perform in an environment where it can be well below 0 in the winter and well over 100 in the summer

[@Cyberman1960]

Artic Solar...that will answer your question.

[@joshuaspires9252]

that Sulas is neat as heck, but when a solar panel set lasts 20+ years will it still be working correctly. or like you said just a couple more panels and all done. with no moving parts and i do know many wires dont like to be moved constantly. so what is sulas doing to reduce wire fatigue from constant movement at such a arc.

[@eddiebugg6843]

Hi Joshua. Pursuit Solar works with our customers to insure panel wire management restricts cable movement during operation. It's not that hard. Nothing special for panel lead wires, just the home run. And, there's no external power required to turn the Tracker!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

that’s very cool, impressive concept for sure. The question is of course it it better to buy these or buy more panels for a cost standpoint.

[@artsmith103]

He said a couple of times that 20% more panels would be cheaper.

[@brentfrank7012]

Love the idea, you didn’t talk cost. If I can buy 20% more panels for less?

[@just-dl]

That's an impressive amount of lifting for a single piston; I'd say that technology, providing the motive power in conjunction with a small bit of electronics to provide the timing, and the electronics doesn't have to use the array's power. A dedicated 100w mini-panel would suffice for keeping the 6V battery charged that would provide the timing and signaling. Not sure how to tie together that signaling with the motive power, but, I'm sure a smart-fella could figure it out. Cheers!

[@NordboDK]

Two smaller panels, no battery, let them fight to cancel each other out, but offset anglewise, they will run a small motor torquey enough to turn the panel slowly.

[@MRNC]

Thanks sweet videos I'm close to Pickens in landrum sc

[@eddiebugg6843]

Pursuit Solar is based in Denver, NC!

[@michaelvanallen6400]

*At the end of 2023 everything speaks AGAINST PV tracking:* 1) Because of price decline 430W modules cost today already under 100$! Better to buy more modules, but in S-E (for morning sun) and S-W direction separately upright. Even in cloudy conditions, base load is then generated. 2) Tracking solar tables are exposed to much stronger gusts of wind. 3) Any mechanical system has a shorter lifetime. On the other hand, elevated modules work for about 25 years.

[@marklaszlo3825]

Look at them cows go. Bring one to the racetrack!

[@HomesteadEngineering]

At about $1/Watt DIY installed, it is hard to beat just adding more panels. That said, if your off-grid, then you know its not all about maximizing the power, its also about stretching your solar day and extending the life of your batteries. If you compare a tracker to dedicated East or West facing panels the savings will be more than 20%. Still I have to say that for me, I would not go with a tracker. Thanks!

[@just-dl]

what do you think about slightly off-of-south orientation? (my recommendation is 40/40/20 % with orientations of SE/SW/due-south) - I don't have enough real world data to estimate. curious if you thing it would "close the gap" in terms of being worth it. Cheers!

[@Core-vu6mc]

Love the technology. I wish solar was more practical where I live. In the winter months I get about 0.8 times capacity per day on average. Trackers don't makes sense for me.

[@HawaiiFoodAndFun]

Thats a pretty cool idea. I wanted to see if there has been any updates but I see that you use a fixed solar panel system now. Did you just need to expand on the number of panels? Do you still use this one? Any update would be great. Thanks

[@larryryan2097]

What about high wind environments such as in Kansas where winds can easily become in excess of 20-50 mph ?

[@russellaustin3109]

What about adding fresnel lenses to focus the solar gain on the tracker

[@pltspemula]

Alternatif design👍

[@CuddleTrouble]

Maybe the late sun tracking problem could be fixed with the parabolic mirror hinged wide open and then begin to close as the sun comes out using the heated wax to control it.

[@joeKisonue]

Or a mini unit angled to move the big one! Ha. This whole unit is best used in a desert region.

[@frankz1125]

Wonder how it works in winter? Looks cool though

[@engineer775]

The sunlight is focuses through and evacuated tube so there in not an issue in melting the wax in Antarctica. That being said there are different wax formulas for different climates.

[@frankz1125]

@@engineer775 its a cool idea. I get feet of snow here. I could see it being a problem with 12-18 panels. Let me know if you ever want to test it out in a real winter setup.

[@eddiebugg6843]

The HelioDrive tracking operation is not really affected by ambient temperature. We do engineer the wax for climate. But, it's direct sunlight (solar thermal) that does all the work. Check this out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2jXp6CpateapZo All of our initial pilot projects were installed outside Denver, CO.

[@egyrmexiq1]

Great idea and project genius like. thanks for posting..

[@Jake2670]

cool, like mech trackers too, may b doing a system here n AR soon so look forward to more.

[@eddiebugg6843]

Jake, I'd be happy to provide you with a quote for our 12-Panel Tracker. Best, Eddie. [e-mail]

[@bwillan]

Cool concept. You've always suggested having 2 arrays point one SSE and the other SSW to maximize the daily solar production.

[@artsmith103]

That strategy is not to maximize daily production. The benefit is when charging batteries that it extends full batteries later into the day.

[@michaelparkin8216]

Super interested in tracking, due to space limits & cost of panels. Hate the ones that require energy use from the system. I could remove 2-3 panels out of my system, worry about it tracing when it gets cold out tho " northern climate".

[@JohnDoe-zl6qw]

One guy posted a reply comment saying he'd contacted them for a quote. A tracker for an 18 panel system is more than $10,000.

[@eddiebugg6843]

Michael, for pricing, please contact me at [e-mail] The HelioDrive tracking operation is not really affected by ambient temperature. We do engineer the wax for climate. But, it's direct sunlight (solar thermal) that does all the work. Check this out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2jXp6CpateapZo All of our initial pilot projects were installed outside Denver, CO.

[@aleksandar5323]

You know what would be cool? If we can have solar panels mounted with full rotation, so that we can point them down when there is hail or heavy weather, so that they last longer. Is anyone doing that? :)

[@frechdaxxxx7006]

realy cool respect from austria

[@marksTips466]

On 6:20 of the video you said you would be reviewing a cheaper tracker in a couple months. Which tracker is that? Did you do a video on that one? Thanks

[@fredriks91]

Mirrors are cheap at ikea and other places. What if you added some on the sides of the panels? Like flower petals on a sunflower

[@joeKisonue]

Mirrors reflect. The panel should be face to the sun. If it is there is no place a mirror would or could add anything.

[@Doitgood52]

I’ve often thought that the easiest way to make a tracker would be to use a mechanical clock timer.. or is that too easy?

[@engineer775]

Many trackers are made that way.

[@foundationaviation3727]

Website is no longer available. Are these guys still around? Or where can I buy one of these

[@dynamicgaming_05]

Sir can you give me the information about this tracker and how to construct it

[@justtinkering6713]

What ever happened to the tracker using freon made by the guys at The Mother Earth News?

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

Isn't this going to be VERY temperature dependent? Meaning the tracker will not move when the temperature is too low for the expansion medium to heat sufficiently to move the piston. It doesn't take much to heat the medium when it is 70 degrees, versus when it is -20 degrees.

[@hattifattener1]

IMO major part of the tracker price is in the frame, post and base. materials are expensive nowadays. electronic is pretty cheap. for example, my trackers are controlled by $3 arduino nano clones.

[@mohanasundaramrathnasamy7344]

Wonderful video... 👏 What are the components required to make a model of the solar panel tracker?

[@Electronzap]

That is very cool.

[@inthemountainswithmeachum3256]

Wonder how well this system would work in the northeast with cold Winters Below freezing For weeks and months. The parabolic is strong in wouldn't have any problem melting the wax with a consistent light source Winter doesn't really offer that. Just curious how well that would do

[@rupe53]

I'm impressed with the idea here but lack of being able to follow if the day starts cloudy is a problem. Might be better to use a system with morning, noon, and afternoon positions and call it close enough. A small motor and a logic circuit powered by a small battery should do it... and that battery can be float charged on solar. Unless the panels get loaded with ice / snow a center mounted pivot should take almost nothing to move the assembly.

[@vtorsi610]

Wind Loading must be considered ...

[@rupe53]

@@vtorsi610 ... wind, ice and snow need to be considered no matter what system is used. The fact that anything with tracking must pivot just makes it more complex, which means more prone to failure.

[@vtorsi610]

@@rupe53 This device can moved 18 X 72 Cell (large) Solar Panels without using any electricity, the exact opposite of "... a small electric motor and small battery ..." You will soon discover/learn how short-lived your idea is ...

[@rupe53]

@@vtorsi610 ... they have been using the heated wax idea in plumbing for years. It works well but doesn't last forever. BTW, we still have the issue of how to follow the sun on a cloudy day when it's most important.

[@vtorsi610]

@@rupe53 I never said, this device was the perfect solution. But we do know that ",.. small electric motor and small battery ..." is a worse solution.

[@TheBurnsStuff]

I'd be interested in fixed pole ground mounts. I know I've mentioned this before but, a fixed ground mount is becoming less attractive to me over fixed pole mount setups.

[@guytech7310]

Well a ground mount makes it easy to clean and maintain your panels. Especially if you live in a region that gets snow.

[@michaellabista8030]

Have an idea, how about it locks the sun, like Top Gun movie where it locks the target in this case the sun.

[@vtorsi610]

WHAT?

[@flyshacker]

Totally new to me! Thanks!

[@_v.pphotography_5372]

How does it work..... Whats the mechanism?

[@videosrfun4me189]

buy a 40 dollar high intensity flashlight to urge the panel to move on a cloudy day or hook up 10 dollar solar powered security light that has a remote. turn it on and the panel will respond.

[@joeKisonue]

Silly. It's supposed to be maintenance free.

[@johnjingleheimersmith9259]

I think it's too niche, man. A tiny motor is all that's really needed with neglible power. The advantage with that normal kind of system is you can then go bigger and make it a smart system so that you can integrate weather and avoid dangers like wind and hail and even make it so they can shed snow automatically. This also looks a lot more expensive comparatively. It just doesn't make sense to me. Am I missing something like a special use case?

[@mikeweir3680]

Does it work in the winter time? And if it fails tracking in the morning will it go to a default position to collect a good average amount?.. .

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

Well done Cody........ ohh shit i mean Scott :)~ lol i like these mechnical trackers..... is every part made in america thou?? u never mention that.

[@engineer775]

how dare you sir! lol And yes it is all US made.

[@gregkail4348]

Have you seen zoomworks they also have a passive solar tracker

[@azr2d1]

no mention of price. Which surely will be more expensive than just adding a few panels in fixed position.