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How to Design a Sun Tracker Circuit to Automatically Follow the Sun?

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How can I build a relay-output circuit that tracks the sun from dawn to dusk and returns east at sundown?

A practical way to do this is to use the tried-and-tested solar tracker design based on green LEDs that is linked in the thread [#21661682] The reply says this tracker “works beautifully” and points to a Redrok page with the circuit details and related information [#21661682] You can use those pages as a basis to adapt the tracker to your mounting and drive system [#21661682]
Summary generated by AI based on the discussion content.
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  • #1 21661676
    Bob Kohl
    Anonymous  
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  • #2 21661677
    Boi Okken
    Anonymous  
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  • Humorous wheel-and-motor sun tracker concept

    #3 21661678
    Steve Lawson
    Anonymous  
  • #4 21661679
    Bob Kohl
    Anonymous  
  • #5 21661680
    Bob Kohl
    Anonymous  
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  • #6 21661681
    Steve Lawson
    Anonymous  
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  • No PV panels, using satellite dish actuators

    #8 21661683
    Bob Kohl
    Anonymous  
  • #9 21661684
    Bob Kohl
    Anonymous  
  • #10 21661685
    Steve Lawson
    Anonymous  

Topic summary

✨ The discussion focuses on designing a sun tracker circuit capable of automatically following the sun's movement. Initial suggestions include using a motorized wheeled platform with four solar panels arranged in a diamond pattern to steer the device by differential motor control based on panel illumination. Another approach recommends a simpler, passive A-frame configuration with two solar panels tilted to the latitude, capturing sunlight throughout the day without active tracking. A tested method involves using green LEDs as light sensors for sun tracking, with reference to detailed circuit diagrams available online. The original poster is adapting existing satellite dish actuators and drivers for precise positioning of a non-photovoltaic solar collector, seeking relay-output circuits to enable continuous tracking from dawn to dusk and automatic return to the east at sundown. Several online resources and circuit examples were shared to assist in developing a suitable control system.
Summary generated by AI based on the discussion content.
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