MK II Arduino Ready 12VDC 10Amp Dual Axis Solar Panel Sun Tracker Drivers Board for DIY projects

1. MK II Arduino Drivers Board Arrived

Dual Axis MK II Design Features

New Features

* Dedicated Interface connector for Arduino or any TTL Micro Controller

* All IOs and Analog including 5V Power Source converted from 12V

* Auto West to East Sensor at Night. Return automatically to east after the sunset.

Common Features

1. Reverse Voltage Protection

2. LED indicators for each direction

3. Taller Water Clear 5mm LEDs

4. 12V 20Amp Relay 

5. No Need for heat sink, simplify the assembly and design

6. Thicken the main leads to be at least 1mm up to 3mm, better durability to high current

7. Smaller form factor to fit to a smaller dome case

8. Over current on board 10Amp fuse

*Note: Please see FAQ paragraph # 10 for common questions and answers

Ever wanted to build a Sun Tracking Controller with your own code and algorithms using Arduino, PicExe, Raspberry PI or any other micro controller. Ever wanted to invent new features sun tracking controllers, add more flexibility, prevent fluttering, oscillations, improve accuracy all that with an affordable price and high reliability.

Now you can, just plug and play with your own smart and creative code. Mark II Sun Tracking Drivers Board provide you all what you need to build your own sun tracking system. This Drivers Board support all existing accessories for high power systems. Using the relay modules you can expend over time from a core single panel to an array of panels all managed via Drivers Board with your code on a micro controller.

Multiple flavors, e.g. Dual Axis, Single Axis, 12VDC10A, 24VDC10A using Relay Module etc... All in a compact form factor can be fitted into a Jar, Dome, or Small Enclosure for weather protection. In my eBay Store you can also find a variety of accessories that are added to existing systems, like Relay Modules, Wireless Controllers, Sensors etc...

Solar Panel Sunlight Tracker Drivers Board advance technology, SMD low profile components, compact size, 20Amp 12VDC Relay, 16Amps Main Connectors. Required for hobbies, DIY projects, sunlight tracking, high quality etc... I'm using one from my own design at my garden, see pictures and movie clip.

I designed and fabricated this controller/drivers board as a lesson learnt from my Solar Panel DIY project. I used controller for dual axis that I purchased on line, two of them actually stopped operating after several months mainly due to overheating causing the leads to "melt". In my design I added thick traces for the power lines. I also selected components for extended temperature and made the PCB covered with white solder mask that should reduce a little bit the internal heat due to direct sunlight. I'm offering the controller/drivers board with affordable price to the benefit of DIY hobbyists like me.

The design has two flavors, single axis or dual axis, i.e. one board with single sun tracking to control East/West and North/South and one with double axes to control West/East and North/South.

The sun tracker controller is supporting the most common application of 12VDC +/-20% from a battery, or any other power supply source. If you need 24VDC please see other listing in my eBay store, e.g. relay modules for 10, 20, 30 Amp allowing to activate 12, 24, 36, 48VDC linear or axial motors.

The Drivers Board uses 20A/12V relay H-Bridge that drives the motor in either direction, i.e. clockwise/anticlockwise, left/right or up/down according to the sun location.  The Drivers Board has a light sensor so you can reposition the PV Panel for the morning sunshine automatically at night. The design can work with only one LED, I put two LEDs for each compass direction to allow more flexible field of view since these LEDs have narrow angle field of view for better precision. Using the LEDs one can catch more field of view mainly due to clouds or other reasons that my block the sun, i.e. skew lightly the LEDs such that each LED will cover more angle, this will ensure smoother operation.

Please visit my YouTube Channel to see it working, URL: https://youtu.be/f_Z05bQw1kI?list=PL9n6C-MsF_W1AVWEN5f6w1MnkDQShryZh

You may like my other listing:

DIY Proto Breadboard PCB White or Yellow: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333234608146 

DIY Proto Breadboard PCB with Proto Build of H-Bridge Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdZrKbVN09c&feature=youtu.be

Visit my eBay Store HobbizElectronics http://www.ebaystores.com/hobbizelectronics

DIY Sensors Board Module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333405257471

DIY Single High Current Module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333396177143

DIY Heat Temp Module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333409364670

DIY Dark Light Module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333409321972

DIY Auto West East  Sensor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333728647371

DIY Dual High Current Module:: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333554217949

2. Parameter

3. Application

The applications for the controller are a matter of how wild or creative you are J

4. Instructions

The drivers board kit includes 8 Photo LEDs, 4 Main 2Pins Connectors, Sensors PCB, 12 Pin Male and Female Connectors. All are not assembled ready for you to decide how to use them, and in what configuration. The Photo LED can be soldered directly to the drivers board or can be soldered to the sensors boards and have a cable run from it to the drivers board.

The sensitivity of the sun tracker controller is set based on the LEDs (Green Water Clear) used to detect the sun and track it. The micro controller can read the voltage via the relevant analog output of the LED per axis when they are facing the sun and based on the voltage level take decisions. To activate the motors use the relevant IO.

Attached are five tables with the information required for the hardware software interface (HSI)

Micro Controller Interface Connector (e.g. Arduino)

Analog Output of East West Photo LED

Analog Output of North South Photo LED

Digital Input for East West

Digital Input for North South

The code and algorithm should support based on the above HSI the below functionality

In a dark room or no specific light source directed to the PhotoLEDs, the output voltage on all motor connectors should be zero and all blue LEDs turn off. Using a flashlight as source for light, test the functionality, i.e. aim the flashlight beam to selected PhotoLEDs pair from close proximity and check that the relevant blue LED will turn ON. 

• * Illuminate West Photo LED it will move West and SMD (Blue) LED is ON all other are OFF
• * Illuminate East Photo LED and it will move East and SMD (Blue) LED is ON other are OFF
• * Illuminate South Photo LED it will move South and SMD (Blue) LED is ON other are OFF
• * Illuminate North Photo LED and it will move North and SMD (Blue) LED is ON other are OFF

The sensor (a.k.a Sun Tracker Controller Board) must be aligned with the axis, e.g. east to west, the controller has to be in parallel to the axis you would like to control. The sensor must seat on the axis moving with it, in parallel to the axis such that when the sun move from east to west the controller detect the movement and drive the motor to move the axis to the optimal point where the sun is.

For optimal performance of tracking the sun, the tracking sensor must not be hidden from the sun, i.e. be in the shad or be obstructed by nearby buildings, trees etc. 

In some cases such as clouds, fog, blur sky, dust the tracking after the sun might not be optimal. The code may use RTC clock, in some cases GPS data, and hysteresis/delays to minimize oscillations, fluttering due to wind, dust, clouds, fog. 

For safety purposes you should use limit switches for your motor to prevent full circle but also end of move automatic stop such that the motor is not stressed unnecessary causing it to heat up and waste energy and darning your battery or even be damaged. In most linear actuators/motors the limits switches are built in, this is not the case for axial motors.

5. Power Source

The Sun Tracking Controller is powered by using DC 12V +/-20%. The voltage source can be for example a car battery, Power Supply, an array of batteries etc. A good practice is to add a fuse in series to the power line of a 10Amp in order to protect the controller board from over current.

6. What in the Box

1.  1x Dual Axis Drivers Board per order

2.   The box don't include a Dome/Jar Enclosure

3. Accessories kit  

I made special design to miniaturize the PCB form factor so it can fit a off the shelf 150mil Jar with 81mm/3.2in inner diameter, you can use your own DIY Jar. 

Please visit my store for Jar PET Kit, a bundle with installation hardware, make it easy for your project. 

Now my Dual and Single Axis Controller boards enhanced++ design can be installed in a 150mil Jar.

Jar Dome Sealed Enclosure Dual or Single Axis Solar Sun 12VDC Tracking Controller Board  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jar-Dome-Sealed-Enclosure-Single-Axis-Solar-Sun-12VDC-Tracking-Controller-Board-/333533559105?hash=item4da8263941

7. Payment

·         I accept PayPal payment only

·         Please make sure your PayPal and eBay address are correct

·         eBay may charge tax per government agreement of the buyer specific country. The tax will be reflected in the invoice when it is relevant. It is the buyer responsibility to check tax and regulation. We do not collect nor get any of the tax fee, it is the sole responsibility of eBay.

8. Feedback

·         Feedback is extremely important to us and eBay, if you are satisfied with our transaction, please take a moment to leave five starts and Positive Feedback

·         YOUR Satisfaction is our #1 Priority!

9. Contact Us

·         If you have any concerns about your order, PLEASE contact us through eBay message or e-mail to resolve any issues BEFORE leaving a natural rating, negative feedback or opening a dispute. We will reply within 2 business days (public holidays not included)

11. FAQ

1. I have just installed the sensors, full of sun but they are doing mostly nothing.

Check the wiring relative to the motor physical location and follow the sanity testing paragraph #3.

2. How to calibrate the potentiometers? NA for the drivers board.

2.1. What is the best orientation of the photosensors?

2.2. Cannot adjust it accurately and it does not find the sun as it should?

2.2.1. Calibrating the LED East West Angle

Skew (left/right) lightly the LEDs such that each LED will cover more angle, this will ensure smoother operation.

URL: https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAzMFgxNDQw/z/6gUAAOSw8OVfAvVt/$_57.JPG?set_id=8800005007

It's an iterative process, where you adjust the LED angel slightly each time until you are satisfied with the results

2.2.2. Calibrating the LED North South Angle

Skew (up/down) lightly the LEDs such that each LED will cover more angle, this will ensure smoother operation.

It's an iterative process, where you adjust the LED angel slightly each time until you are satisfied with the results

2.2.3.  Calibrating the Potentiometer (NA for the drivers board)

In a dark room (natural light) or no specific light source directed to the Photo LED sensors (clear 5mm LED), the output voltage on the motor connector should be zero and all the SMD (Blue can be other color) LEDs are OFF. If not, turn the potentiometer clockwise till the potentiometer stops rotating, the relevant SMD LED will turn ON. Verify no light source directed to the Photo LED sensor and now start to turn the potentiometer anticlockwise very slowly until the relevant SMD LED turn OFF and the voltage on the relevant motor connector is zero. After this procedure use a flashlight to check again, it should work much better. You may need to do so several times until balance in the sensitivity is achieved.

3. How to verify the correctness of controller operation - Some Sanity Testing.

3.1. Use a flashlight to directly illuminate the clear 5mm photo LED sensors and see if it moving east and west and or north and south?

3.1.1. Illuminate West Photo LED, SMD (Blue) LED is ON, if you connected the linear motor, it will pull in or the PV move west

3.1.2. Illuminate East Photo LED, SMD (Blue) LED is ON, if you connected the linear motor, it will push out or the PV move east

3.1.3. Illuminate South Photo LED, SMD (Blue) LED is ON, if you connected the linear motor, it will pull in or the PV move south

3.1.4. Illuminate North Photo LED, SMD (Blue) LED is ON, if you connected the linear motor, it will push out or the PV move north

3.2. Check the wiring connection. The +/- of the linear motor is set such that for

3.2.1.  East to West the actuator will pull-in. 

3.2.2.  In the morning, it will go West to East and it will push-out

3.2.3.  South to North the actuator will push-out. 

3.2.4.  In the morning, it will go North to South and it will pull-in

3.2.5.  Its common that the East to West actuator is installed in the right side when you look at the panel in front of you. In this case you should swap the motor +/-.

3.3. Check the DC power line and motor connectors wiring connection. 

3.3.1. 12VDC for 12V Controller

3.3.2. 24VDC for 24V Controller

3.3.3. The +/- of the DC power line is protected from reverse polarity

3.3.4. Verify the power line is connected to the DC connector only. Connecting the DC power line to the Motor Connector will damage the board beyond repair. In this case the warranty will be null and void.

3.3.5. The caption on the connectors is very clear and show what is the Motor connector and what is the DC power line connector. Furthermore, please consult with the technical information attached in the list or contact us for support.

3.3.6. Swapping the +/- of the motor connector will not harm the controller, yet the polarity/direction of the motor will be swapped, e.g. instead of pull, it will push or rotate anticlockwise instead of clockwise.

4. Sensor installation

4.1. Where to install the Sensors Board?

The sensors board must be installed on the moving PV Panel

4.2. What is the orientation?

The sensors board should be installed horizontally to the panel and perpendicular to the compass directions. Use the compass bearing caption on the board

4.3. How to protect the board from rain, dust?

Use a Dome, Jar any transparent sealed enclosure.

4.3.1. Transparent enclosure material 

4.3.1.1. Glass is the best, yet its fragile and heavy

4.3.1.2. Acrylic with UV resistance, super transparent

4.3.1.3. PET - Poly Ethylene Terephthalate, strong, fully recyclable and fair resistance to UV

4.3.1.4. ABS, Polycarbonate are OK as long as they are UV treated. If not, they will deteriorate and be milky/yellowish over time

4.4. Where to find an enclosure?

4.4.1.  DIY using a honey/jam Jar made from Glass, cosmetic/food Jar PET. The inner diameter of the Jar opening should be at least 81mm and with metal lid for grounding and longer life survival.

4.4.2.  DIY using security camera box or a dummy camera box with the transparent dome. Two caveats, the dome should be UV resistance otherwise it will become opaque/milky over time. Use some silicon glue for sealing.

4.4.3.  There are multi links on eBay/AliExpress for UV resistance " 4 Inch Indoor / Outdoor CCTV Replacement Acrylic Clear Monitoring Camera Cover Dome Housing"

4.4.4.  You can find on my eBay Store a DIY Jar PET - Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate plus hardware installation kit

5. Limit switches, why I need it? How I install them?

The limit switches prevent from the motor to exceed end of move for linear motors or prevent 360 rotation of axial motors, thus preventing damage, overheating and burning of the motor or the controller.

5.1. Most if not all linear motor actuator has a build in limit switches no precautions are needed. However axial motors usually do not have such and do need limit switches

5.2. Wiring diagram URL: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/sk8AAOSw5Mle87~3/s-l1600.jpg

6. Will this work for stepper motors, brushless, or actuators?

My controller support DC voltage motors such as

6.1. Linear Motor or an Actuator that move In and Out

6.2. Axial Motor that rotate 360 clockwise or anticlockwise

6.3.  The controller does not support Stepper Motors that need pules to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise.