Arduino 2-axis servo solar tracker

Description: The approximate center of the base was marked, and a hole was drilled large enough to accommodate a setscrew for the servo armature. The armature was then secured to the underside of the base using hot glue, ensuring that the glue did not enter the drilled hole. A total of three light sensors and one tilt sensor were utilized. Alternatives such as LEDs or photo-transistors can be employed instead of the CDS cells, and mercury switches can be used in place of the ball-bearing tilt sensor, though any changes will require corresponding updates in the code. Wires were soldered from a scrap ribbon cable to the leads of each light sensor, with a two-pin header attached at the opposite end for easy connection to a breadboard. Electrical tape, heat shrink, or liquid insulator was applied to the exposed sections of the wires to prevent short circuits. After completing these steps, the sensors were hot-glued at equal intervals around the mirror's circumference, ensuring the flat collecting side of each sensor was parallel to the mirror's plane and slightly angled outward from the center. The tilt sensor, which was a plastic box containing four contacts and a ball bearing, was positioned to prevent the tracker from pointing downward and to provide a y-axis end-stop. Wires were soldered to the four pins of the tilt sensor, which was then glued to the back side of the mirror with the leads oriented horizontally. With the mirror positioned vertically, the ball bearing should rest on the two middle leads.

The described circuit involves a servo mechanism controlled by light and tilt sensors, forming a basic automated tracking system. The servo armature is essential for adjusting the angle of the mirror based on sensor inputs. The light sensors detect ambient light levels and guide the servo to orient the mirror towards the light source, enhancing the system's responsiveness to environmental changes. The tilt sensor plays a critical role in preventing the mirror from tilting too far down, which could lead to mechanical failure or misalignment.

In terms of wiring, the use of a ribbon cable simplifies connections to the breadboard, allowing for easy adjustments and troubleshooting. The application of insulating materials is crucial for maintaining circuit integrity, as exposed wires can lead to short circuits, especially in an environment where movement occurs. The sensors are strategically placed to maximize their effectiveness, ensuring that they can adequately detect light from various angles.

The choice of components, such as the type of light sensors and the tilt sensor, can significantly affect the performance of the circuit. Substituting different sensors may require modifications to the code that processes the sensor inputs, indicating the importance of software-hardware integration in the design. The overall assembly should be tested to confirm that the sensors function correctly and that the servo responds accurately to their signals, providing a reliable tracking mechanism.I marked the approximate center of the base and drilled a hole large enough to screw the setscrew for the servo armature in. I then hot glued the armature to the underside of the base making sure not to get glue in the hole i drilled.

I used 3 light sensors and 1 tilt sensor. You can substitute LEDs orphoto-transistors for the CDS cells, and/or me rcury switches for theball bearing tilt sensor but your code will have to reflect the change(s). I soldered wires from a scrap ribbon cable to the leads of each light sensor and a 2 pin header on the opposite end to connect easily to the breadboard. Use electrical tape / heat shrink / liquid insulator on the bare parts of the wire so that they don`t short out.

Once that`s done, hot glue the sensors at equal intervals around the circumference of the mirror. I placed the sensors so that the flat collecting side of the sensor was parallel with the plane of the mirror and angled out from the center just slightly. The tilt sensor that I found was a plastic box with 4 contacts running through it and a ball bearing inside.

This sensor prevents the tracker from pointing at the ground and also gives the y-axis an end-stop. Solder wires onto the 4 pins of the tilt sensor then glue it on the back side of the mirror with the leads running horizontally. With the mirror pointing straight upward, the BB should be resting on the 2 middle leads.