SirMichael
New Member
I'm just setting up a 200w solar panel and 100AH SLA battery and considering adding a linear actuator to keep the solar panels turned toward the sun throughout the day.
What do I measure for maximum charge to the charge controller, the voltage or the current? Is there any reason that I can't do that measurement at the charge controller and send a signal up to the linear actuator (2 wires) the keep the panels at the maximum charge rate?
I'm planning on using an Arduino computer to measure the voltage/current at the indoor charge controller and activate the 12v linear actuator with a couple relays. (I've done this sort of thing before with remote antennas.)
The other thing that crossed my mind is to add some small solar cell at the panel (with 2 small plates on either side for better tuning) to block the sun for sharper tuning for the greatest voltage from the small solar cell (2 extra wires from the roof). Seems though that the voltage or current would be easier.
Suggestions?
Sir Michael
What do I measure for maximum charge to the charge controller, the voltage or the current? Is there any reason that I can't do that measurement at the charge controller and send a signal up to the linear actuator (2 wires) the keep the panels at the maximum charge rate?
I'm planning on using an Arduino computer to measure the voltage/current at the indoor charge controller and activate the 12v linear actuator with a couple relays. (I've done this sort of thing before with remote antennas.)
The other thing that crossed my mind is to add some small solar cell at the panel (with 2 small plates on either side for better tuning) to block the sun for sharper tuning for the greatest voltage from the small solar cell (2 extra wires from the roof). Seems though that the voltage or current would be easier.
Suggestions?
Sir Michael