Motor Control

I am looking for a generic formula. Is there any that I can use for two rows or n number of rows? 

On 12/25/2015 5:18 PM, Jessica Shaw wrote:
> I am looking for a generic formula. Is there any that I can use for two rows or n number of rows?

Yes, calculate the effective area of the panels at various angles.  This 
is a very simple trig function related to the sine of the angle from the 
panel to the light.  That will tell you the maximum power level with no 
shadows on panels.  To figure the amount of shadow cast, you will need 
to factor in the separation between the panels and the angle of the sun. 
   Then it should be easy to figure out the angle of the panels to not 
cast shadows.  Simple geometry and trigonometry.  Anyone who has had 
high school math can figure this out.

-- 

Rick

Thanks! The thing is that I never went to high school. I am trying to learn science and engineering by myself. 

On 12/26/2015 4:44 PM, Jessica Shaw wrote:
> Thanks! The thing is that I never went to high school. I am trying to learn science and engineering by myself.

It will be a long row to hoe if you try to apply math you have never 
learned.  Before you try to learn science and engineering you need to 
know basic math.  Otherwise you struggle with everything you do.

-- 

Rick

Struggle is a must thing if one wants to learn. I am learning at my own pace  and doing whatever I can. I tried to find the material that can teach me to learn about shadow tracking but so far no luck. 

If you can give me list the steps that I need to figure out the algorithm / formula for shadow tracking then I will try to convert it into a mathematical formula.   

On 12/28/2015 3:55 PM, Jessica Shaw wrote:
> Struggle is a must thing if one wants to learn. I am learning at my own pace  and doing whatever I can. I tried to find the material that can teach me to learn about shadow tracking but so far no luck.
>
> If you can give me list the steps that I need to figure out the algorithm / formula for shadow tracking then I will try to convert it into a mathematical formula.

Draw a diagram of the sun and your panels.  Draw the relevant lines, sun 
to center of panel, sun to top of panel and extend to next panel, etc. 
Express the angles in terms of the dimensions you know and the variables 
such as the position of the sun.  This will require trigonometry.

To implement back tracking you will want to be able to determine the 
point when the shadow of one panel first falls on another.  I assume 
this will be the same for every pair of rows.  When the sun is at a 
higher angle than this the panels should track facing the sun as closely 
as possible.  When the sun is at a lower angle you will need to set the 
panels at an angle so they do not shade one another, but just barely.

-- 

Rick

Il giorno venerd� 25 dicembre 2015 01:13:23 UTC+1, Jessica Shaw ha scritto:
> I am sorry. I just did not get it. All I know that shadow can reduce the performance of the Solar Panel.

IMHO, you should start and go on by small steps, don't try to do all the things at the same time.
For example:
- start with moving the motor (and only the motor) the amount you want, with the speed you want when you want.
- connect the motor on one panel and add the algorithm to track the sun east-west. As a rule of thumb put the panel inclination from the ground equal to the latitude you are. If you don't understand the phrase put the panel inclination at 45�.
- add the second panel, put them far apart enough that they don't cast shadows to each other.

WHEN you have the system that works like this, THEN start to optimize the system (power consumption of the motors, backtraking, etc.).
For example if all the motor are connected to the same battery, it could be useful to not move all the motor at the same time, so the current drawn from the battery remains small and the battery last a little bit longer.

Bye Jack