where the tinkerer in me needs restrained, sedated, and secured to the back wall of my cranium.
Fact: HF has a sale on thier solar panels to ISTC members, of which I am one. Hard to beat the $/W on new panels, and I already have several in place.
Fact: I have a linear actuator that works perfectly. Will need a slight modification for limit switches (currenlty uses revolution counts. I want dumber than that. Honest to dog cut-offs.)
Fact: I have a bit of old bedframes set aside.
Dio is planning on making a solar tracking rack to handle a larger array. The tracking device is a simple as ‘opposing voltages’ for alignment. Wire two small panels to the motor of the actuator oppostie positive-negative/negative positive. When one is getting more light than the other, voltage potential shift the motor ‘this way’, when aligned, they cancel out. Use the limit switches internally to cut voltage on a particular side so the actuator doesn’t try to turn itself into a pretzel shape. (and I have seen them do it,,,)
MORE POWER.
My current set up is static as hell. I can move it side to side, or even up/down as needed, but its a pain, and not easily done (especially that latitude adjustment) I’ve been considering an upgrade to it for a couple years now, but didn’t want to monkey with it unless I had more panels to put up. Thats gonna happen now.
I won’t be replacing the battery bank anytime soon. I would like larger, but you don’t add to a bank already in use. The batteries must be balanced before ‘engagement’. And rule one: Never mix old and new batteries. That applies across the board to ALL battery set ups, even your pocket calculator that no one uses anymore (unless you are a higher math student in highschool, maybe. That may even be dead now with the advent of APPS and smartphones.)
So why the heck am I upgrading my panels when I just had shore power turned on at Unks place? Because I am NOT tying into the grid for my house. My energy supply forces me to keep things simple, and I am finding that I really LIKE simple. (fact is, I am fast considering just paying the bill and shutting down over there. I only keep it on now because to shut it off (they pull the meter) and then turn on later is cost prohibitive. To the tune of $800. OUCH. I can handle $30/mo to keep things alive, and I am using it some for laundry, and likely running a welder here soon.)
——-
more wattage is a lovely thing. I can only capture so much, but every erg I can get, helps. Much like earning income: nickles and dimes add up. Just like with my wind generator, it doesn’t do much, but it does something when the panels can’t: like in the middle of a stormy night. That counts, so the bloody thing stays aloft.
midweekend for me. gonna be a crazy week upcoming with Da and Docs. Fingers are crossed and prayers sent on high that this is simple; not some complicated age related thing. Will inform in some manner as I find out.
One more day of dealing with a clingy Mama-kat. Apologies to you all for the scatter brained posts, but she IS the reason I can’t focus. She refuses to accept that when I am at the desk, that I am not always “lap”.
and the bitch is INSISTENT with sharp claws in soft spots. Believe me, the yells can be astounding.
More Tomorrow, Love y’all. Stay curious.
