A TRACKING SOLAR CONCENTRATOR
DRIVE SYSTEM, TRACKING
The drive system that swings the array to track the sun will be assembled on the Hub previously built. A reversible electric motor will drive it through a set of reduction chain & sprockets to give us a very powerful system that can easily cope with the wind.1999 note: obviously, we mean nominal winds. We usually steered the collector toward the noon time position, disabled the drive and tied the tail down when winds felt intuitively hazardous after an incident when high winds snapped the #50 drive chain! The collector still stands, with the tail tied down and was never again been damaged by wind. Even with this reduction, the array can be swept from one limit to the other in two or three minutes with the recommended motor. When actually tracking in full automatic mode, it will move a fraction of a degree every couple minutes. The prototype uses a readily available gear-motor with a built in reduction of 1787:1, but we encourage you to seek out others for the sake of economy. You should consider slow speed motors salvaged from the auto or farm machinery areas if operation from battery is important.
DRIVE SYSTEM, TRACKING - MAJOR MATERIAL LIST
- #40 roller chain, approx 7 feet (301)
- #40 sprocket, 12 tooth, 3/4" bore (302) Martin 40BS12-3/4
- #40 sprocket, 60 tooth, 3/4" bore (303) Martin 40BS60-3/4
- #40 sprocket, 10 tooth, 1/2" bore (304) Martin 40BS10-1/2 this item matches the recommended motor
Bushing, 2" long, 5/8" id x 3/4" od (305)
above items are generally available at a bearing supply store such as Kaman Bearings
5/8" x 3" hardened steel bolt and 2 nuts (306)
- scrap steel per figure (307) &- (308)
- Gear-motor, Dayton 22797 (309)
- Available at motor supply stores throughout the USA or order from Teton Engineering- Order blank at rear of manual sorry- we no longer provide support
