Full Assembly without Solar Panels

Base

  • The base is principally a mounting system for the electronics and azimuth control. Azimuth is controlled by a window motor connected via belt to the shaft which the turret is mounted on. The turret is further supported by a low-friction plastic ring to reduce the transverse moment on the main turret shaft.       
  • The electronics mounted within the base include the charge controller, LCD for system interaction, motor drivers, microcontrollers, and power distribution boards. The base itself is constructed from 1×1 aluminum L channel and PVC panels. 

Base Drawings

Base Assembly

Turret

  • The turret serves as a mount for the solar panel and its elevation control. Elevation control is achieved via a linear actuator, which is mounted to a main mast and the solar panel. When it extends, the solar panel becomes more “flat”. The turret base is a piece of PVC plastic which mounts a second set of low-friction plastic to react against the track on the base. It mounts a main mast, which extends vertically on one side of the base and mounts the solar panel on top.

Turret Drawings

Turret Assembly

Assembly

  • The full assembly is merely a combination of the base and the turret. The turret is layed on the base and the turret shaft connects the turret to the base. It rotates along its plastic race and all cabling is fed through the turret shaft from the turret to the base.

Drawings

Here are the links where you can find all of the 3D models and mechanical drawings:

Datasheets

Full 3D Model

Full Assembly 2D

Base Model Full 2D

(Lower Half)

Turret Model 2D (Upper Half)

Original 3D Mock Up- Preliminary

Here is a quick walkthrough of the mechanical design: