GREEN ENERGY ADVENTURE BY MECHANICAL ENGINEER: December 2012

Why this Blog?

The purpose of creation of this new blog was to add all my work that will solely related to my DIY Solar and wind electricity generation system. I will also add here the adventure of my DIY micro-hydro turbine (PAT) unit that has been planned to be implemented in the beautiful Kalam valley. In the recent past i unintentionally got attraction toward the green energy and studied a lot about.

My last visit to Karachi home was the turning point to divert all my intentions and resources toward getting into hybrid solar+wind electricity system. The 12 hours shedding at Karachi was really a mental shock to me. The 2Hours alternate load shedding scheme was so pathetic that for three nights i had only 6 hours of sleep in total. The Starting/Stopping the generator (located at the third floor) was a real muscular exercise especially the last part of the night.

The ready made solution requires a handsome amount of money. Here i will post my DIY approach to get the job done considering the advantage of being low cost, worth of experience and as per my requirement and quality. I intend to work on both Solar and wind turbine simultaneously so that to give the relief to my family.

Lets see will i have success in this endeavor?

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Dual Axes SunTracker with Advanced Options

Finally i came up with the new efficient algorithm for the dual axes sun tracking system. The tracker is menu based , parameters can be set with 6-keys keypad with following functionalities:

1- Single Axis or Dual Axis control settings

2- 12VDC / 24V DC motor (windshield car motors etc) or Linear Actuator (Peak Current 10Amp)

3- PWM based motor controller. The PWM value is selectable from Menu.(0~100% duty cycle)

4- Return East Options (a- On Limit Switch stoppage based or -b- Time based)

5- User Selectable Tracking Delay

6- Load Sequencing management

7- Dark return Time setting

8- Twilight Time settings (after the twilight Dark return Time started)

9- RJ45 connectors for sensors

10- Sensors sensitivity settings

11- Highly efficient tracking Algorithm

12-Drive Off sun position setting

13-Easy menu driven parameters settings

14- Saving Parameters values in EEPROM

15-Compact and easy to install

16-Northern/Southern Hemisphere Compatible

LCD, Keypad and sensor:

I am still adding much more features as it is micro-controller driven..

Modular type:

1- Main Controller (Price Range 30~45 US dollar)

2- PWM DC Motor Controller (10 ~15 US dollar)

3- Sun Tracking sensors (single axis or dual axis) (5~10 US dollar)

4- 20x4 backlight LCD with control circuit ( 12~15 US dollar)

5- six Key keypad (2 US dollar)

6- Optional controller to sensor wiring