diy solar

diy solar

What was your most interesting recent non solar project?

I'm always amazed by seeing such slender roof support 'beams' in pictures, mostly because were I live I need 75-80 lbs/sqft capacity just for snow loads...those skinny tubes do look elegant though.

You may find a deeper section with thinner wall - ie going to a 2x3 x 3/16 will be about the same cost as the 2x2x1/4 but much stiffer section.
Recently working on a trailer project, I was able to use 2x8 box section of the same cost as 2x6 by dropping the wall thickness one gauge, for the same cost but greater stiffness. - There are limits to this, since the wall thickness can't be so thin that it will buckle, or become difficult to weld up.
Nice project, keep the pictures going.
I'll dig out some of the U channel we use here for roofing that will amaze you it's about $2 for 6m/20ft.
 
I'm always amazed by seeing such slender roof support 'beams' in pictures, mostly because were I live I need 75-80 lbs/sqft capacity just for snow loads...those skinny tubes do look elegant though.

You may find a deeper section with thinner wall - ie going to a 2x3 x 3/16 will be about the same cost as the 2x2x1/4 but much stiffer section.
Recently working on a trailer project, I was able to use 2x8 box section of the same cost as 2x6 by dropping the wall thickness one gauge, for the same cost but greater stiffness. - There are limits to this, since the wall thickness can't be so thin that it will buckle, or become difficult to weld up.
Nice project, keep the pictures going.
It's not done, I'll be adding a lot of bracing around hte legs to the horizontal beams. I looked at 2x3 square tube but they didn't have it lengths that were long enough, only 12' sections. 2" square was about the only stuff in that size that I could get in 24' sections. There was some lighter stuff as well.
 
I'll dig out some of the U channel we use here for roofing that will amaze you it's about $2 for 6m/20ft.
I didn't want u channel because I wanted it to sit flat on the top of the beam, and i wanted to be able to weld all 4 sides. for added strength.
 
I didn't want u channel because I wanted it to sit flat on the top of the beam, and i wanted to be able to weld all 4 sides. for added strength.
I don't want the U channel either Its not much thicker than a beer can here, just @OffGridForGood said he was amazed your roof was slender a 500micron thick roof batten might blow his mind.
 
I don't want the U channel either Its not much thicker than a beer can here, just @OffGridForGood said he was amazed your roof was slender a 500micron thick roof batten might blow his mind.
I have first hand knowledge of what you're going through. I spend a month each year in thailand, I just got back and I'm going there again in september.

I was fortunate enough to pick up some much needed supplies when I was there last week.

daLy2DW.jpg
 
Still in process, but I am trying to gather data on my hypothesis that the missing matter and energy in the universe that is called dark energy and dark matter actually exists in a 4th physical dimension where we can never "see" it but it can still influence our three dimensional system. Time is considered a 4th "dimension" in our three dimensional world so it would be a 5th dimension in my hypothesis.
 
I have first hand knowledge of what you're going through. I spend a month each year in thailand, I just got back and I'm going there again in september.

I was fortunate enough to pick up some much needed supplies when I was there last week.

daLy2DW.jpg
Ooohh posh white whiskey never come across that particular brand but I haven't drank in years, spent a new years with a few family members drinking Hong thong whiskey and felt like JFK for almost a week after, never drank since.
 
Still in process, but I am trying to gather data on my hypothesis that the missing matter and energy in the universe that is called dark energy and dark matter actually exists in a 4th physical dimension where we can never "see" it but it can still influence our three dimensional system. Time is considered a 4th "dimension" in our three dimensional world so it would be a 5th dimension in my hypothesis.
5D.jpg
 
Ooohh posh white whiskey never come across that particular brand but I haven't drank in years, spent a new years with a few family members drinking Hong thong whiskey and felt like JFK for almost a week after, never drank since.
Oh yeah, I burned through a bottle of hong thong while I was there. It was pretty good.

kXmOTkD.jpg
 
Just finished installation and setup.
Improved smart home rules and MQTT handling (position status, LWT, logging via messaging, etc.). Beside the manual and semi manual usage, I can drive it to any position via smart home integration.

The hardest part was the mechanical stuff to attach the motor to the existing awning drive in a reliable way and to attach the micro switches.

View attachment 228712
View attachment 228713
View attachment 228714

The motor has enough power to drive the awning out and in (in is way harder). Now I need to cover the cables and the motor connectors a bit to make it looking nice.

Now I build an anemometer and a rain sensor to automatically drive the awning completely to IN position if the wind speed is too high or it's raining.

View attachment 228715 View attachment 228716

Both can be used with one simple Wemos D1 mini (ESP8266) because the anemometer only need the analog input and the rain sensor just one digital input.
Pretty simple schema and PCB. Everything will be about $40

OK, everything is finished now and I'm happy how it works.
I've 3D printed a cover to hide the rotating part of the joint on the motor. Also I've finished the installation and programming (Arduino IDE) of the anemometer and rain sensor to let the awning driving to in-position if either the windspeed is >=30km/h (~18mph) or if it's staring to rain. If the wind speed average maximum is <30km/h over the last 5 minutes and no more rain in the last 5 minutes, the awning will drive out again (if it's sunny).
1722472063243.jpeg

The rain sensor is mounted on top of the rain gutter downspout which has a 45° angle.
1722472235822.jpeg

Btw. The wiper motor has more than enough power. Driving the awning OUT consumes 1.7A (~20W) and driving IN about 2.7A (~32W). A typical wiper motor should be able to handle up to 50W.
 
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OK, everything is finished now and I'm happy how it works.
I've 3D printed a cover to hide the rotating part of the joint on the motor. Also I've finished the installation and programming (Arduino IDE) of the anemometer and rain sensor to let the awning driving to in-position if either the windspeed is >=30km/h (~18mph) or if it's staring to rain. If the wind speed average maximum is <30km/h over the last 5 minutes and no more rain in the last 5 minutes, the awning will drive out again (if it's sunny).
View attachment 232987

The rain sensor is mounted on top of the rain gutter downspout which has a 45° angle.
View attachment 232990

Btw. The wiper motor has more than enough power. Driving the awning OUT consumes 1.7A (~20W) and driving IN about 2.7A (~32W). A typical wiper motor should be able to handle up to 50W.
Nice station. I gotta get another rain sensor mine got all corroded :cry:

Does the house not block the wind you're trying to read much?
What if it's windy on the other side/direction and then it switches directions and beats up the awning before it has time to retract?
 
Nice station. I gotta get another rain sensor mine got all corroded :cry:

Does the house not block the wind you're trying to read much?
What if it's windy on the other side/direction and then it switches directions and beats up the awning before it has time to retract?
Dfrobot make a reasonably affordable optical one if your interested it also has some other features other than sensing rain but the main plus side is it lasts alot longer than a copper trace left out in the elements
 
Dfrobot make a reasonably affordable optical one if your interested it also has some other features other than sensing rain but the main plus side is it lasts alot longer than a copper trace left out in the elements
That's a cool one, thanks. Looks like it's for vehicle wipers or whatever so needs a glass/plastic sheet over it lol.. at least it won't corrode

too bad it has no screw or mount anythings either, should have kept it a square
... so it needs a shady area that also gets rain 🤔
1722480525037.png
 
You can order a cover/mount that it fits into but good shout on the sunlight aspect that seems weird as it includes a sudo lux sensor.

"The sensor can achieve accurate real-time rainfall detection in any rainfall environment, and its built-in optical algorithm can intelligently filter ambient factors like sunlight, dust, leaves, etc., to ensure precise rainfall data collection in complex conditions."

Yet it has to be kept in a shaded environment .....
 
You can order a cover/mount that it fits into but good shout on the sunlight aspect that seems weird as it includes a sudo lux sensor.

"The sensor can achieve accurate real-time rainfall detection in any rainfall environment, and its built-in optical algorithm can intelligently filter ambient factors like sunlight, dust, leaves, etc., to ensure precise rainfall data collection in complex conditions."

Yet it has to be kept in a shaded environment .....
yea that screenshot is right from the datasheet hahaah
I will easily keep it like down on the north side of a building, where sun never directly touches but rain sure does.. otherwise where else, under a tree?
that unit seems made for cars but it sure can't be anywhere in a car, sun hits that all day long!
 
yea that screenshot is right from the datasheet hahaah
I will easily keep it like down on the north side of a building, where sun never directly touches but rain sure does.. otherwise where else, under a tree?
that unit seems made for cars but it sure can't be anywhere in a car, sun hits that all day long!
It's likely a copy of a car unit but dfrobot tend to make stuff for iot/robots, I highly doubt their branching off into the automobile parts sector their mmwave units are widely used in diy smart home presence detection.
 
That's a cool one, thanks. Looks like it's for vehicle wipers or whatever so needs a glass/plastic sheet over it lol.. at least it won't corrode

too bad it has no screw or mount anythings either, should have kept it a square
... so it needs a shady area that also gets rain 🤔
View attachment 233012
It doesn't need to directly in the rain, right?
You could 3d print a funnel/enclosure to block the sun and channel the rain into the sensor.
 
Nice station. I gotta get another rain sensor mine got all corroded :cry:
I have now idea how long it may last here in the desert sun (I've ordered 3 of them to be able to replace it).
Does the house not block the wind you're trying to read much?
What if it's windy on the other side/direction and then it switches directions and beats up the awning before it has time to retract?
On the opposite side of the wall is the neighbors RV garage. It's like a tight wind channel between the two walls and the wind which hits the awning has to pass the anemometer at this position.
 
Dfrobot make a reasonably affordable optical one if your interested it also has some other features other than sensing rain but the main plus side is it lasts alot longer than a copper trace left out in the elements
Thanks! Very interesting sensor. If the simple ones will not last, I should consider this!
 
It doesn't need to directly in the rain, right?
You could 3d print a funnel/enclosure to block the sun and channel the rain into the sensor.
In the northern hemisphere it'll be protected on north side of building plenty fine (and south side in southern hemi)... so most of us have it pretty easy.
By the equator they may have to rig up some more specific shade thing that is a good idea for it though.
As @ThaiTaffy said it shows strength so if you do a redirection of water I guess that's something to consider. Not sure how to do that and keep it in shade, if I was on the equator I guess I'd probably just put it in between some trees or something and see how long it lasts.

I have now idea how long it may last here in the desert sun (I've ordered 3 of them to be able to replace it).

On the opposite side of the wall is the neighbors RV garage. It's like a tight wind channel between the two walls and the wind which hits the awning has to pass the anemometer at this position.
yea the house looks like vegas homes or w/e and since you have lack of rain prob will be a long time. Mine was straight copper too instead of whatever yours is tinned with.
You can wipe them down with some vinegar acid or something to clean it if it ever does get corroded, after a while they fail conductivity though.
Mine lasted like 5 years in Oregon coastal area pretty frequent rain then hard sun so yours might last like 20 years lmfao
& I see about your wind, pretty cool system though hopefully it protects the stuff.
 
Just finished my 4inch / 10cm thick foam insulation rabbit house with some old fridge I found to cool it for my rabbits :ROFLMAO:
has wood all around the foam so they don't dig through it all. Works decently I think I'll do some ramp/tunnel from the door to help keep the cool air in. Just have it sitting around 60F/15C so nothing crazy low

after finishing with the fridge on top I was looking at the compressor and it actually seems easy to cut open the fridge and remove the cooling & hot radiators and throw the fridge away. So thinking I might do that and just put the compressor on top
 

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Just finished my 4inch / 10cm thick foam insulation rabbit house with some old fridge I found to cool it for my rabbits :ROFLMAO:
has wood all around the foam so they don't dig through it all. Works decently I think I'll do some ramp/tunnel from the door to help keep the cool air in. Just have it sitting around 60F/15C so nothing crazy low

after finishing with the fridge on top I was looking at the compressor and it actually seems easy to cut open the fridge and remove the cooling & hot radiators and throw the fridge away. So thinking I might do that and just put the compressor on top
What no rabbit pics!!! We had rabbits years ago. Wonderful pets except for the fur. We haven't had rabbits in 10 years and were still finding rabbit fur.....
 

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