DOES NOT INCLUDE motors, actuators, or Parabolic Mirror
Features:
• 12-36 VDC power supply
• Solid-State H-bridge driver
• Variable Track-to-Track time delay extends actuator life
• Dead Reckoning Timer advances tracker to follow sun when cloudy
• Programmable load sequencing to reduce power supply amperage requirements
• Programmable duty cycle
• Programmable duty frequency
• Dark return direction selectable for each axis
• Park1 direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Park2 direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Drive-Off-Sun (DOS) direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Programmable Drive-Off-Sun (DOS) timer
• On-Board control buttons for manual control of tracker and programming of controller
• Remote control plug for manual control of tracker and programming of controller
• Screw terminals for easy connection to power supply and motors
• Fuse protection for each axis
• External interface points for expanding capabilities of the controller.
• Output drivers can be bridged for higher current single axis operation
• RJ12 sockets for convenient Sun Sensor and Remote Control connection
• Additional mounting place for RJ12 socket for twin single-axis setups
• On-board LED indicators for Motor Direction, Duty Cycle, and Duty Frequency
• Power Supply reverse connection protection
Applications:
Single-Axis, Twin Single-Axis, and Dual-Axis solar tracking
Pump control
Thermostat control
Servo control
Applications requiring switching outputs based on voltage comparisons
Specifications:
Specification Value Power supply 12 - 36VDC
Idle current drain .004 Amps
Sun Sensor and Logic power supply 5.0 Volts DC (.15 amps)
Output voltage *Power supply minus .5 volts
Continuous output Power 50 Watts per axis
Continuous output current 12VDC = 4 Amps (100% duty cycle)
Continuous output current 24VDC = 2 Amps (100% duty cycle)
Continuous output current 36VDC = 1.5 Amps (100% duty cycle)
* Equal to power supply if reverse connection protection diode is bypassed for increased amperage output.
Controller circuit description:
The dual axis solar tracking controller features three inputs and two solid state H-bridge driver outputs. Inputs 1 & 2 are voltage comparators for bi-directional control of direct current loads, input 3 is a window comparator whose output is linked to the Tracking Threshold control and Dark Return control.
Load Sequencing (Duty Cycle):
Load sequencing allows only one actuator to be on at a time, this reduces the maximum current draw of the
controller to the current draw of the highest amperage actuator.
Load sequencing can also reduce the on-time of each actuator to prevent overheating of the driver transistors
when using actuators drawing greater than 4 amps. Using Load Sequencing in this way also requires replacing the
stock filament fuses with polyfuses that can permit greater amperage spikes without tripping.
Tracking Delay:
The Tracking Delay setting controls the time the controller waits between tracking corrections. Concentrator
applications usually require higher accuracy and need to make tracking corrections more frequently so a Time
Delay of less than 30 seconds is recommended. PV tracking applications do not require such precise accuracy
so we recommend a Time Delay of more than 30 seconds. Time delay can also be used to mitigate "back
tracking" or “back-lashing” caused by the tracker traveling past the sun and then tracking in the opposite direction
during the next tracking correction. Greater Tracking Delays mean the motors turn on and off fewer times per day
generally increasing actuator life.
Relay Controller Option:
If your actuators draw more than 4 amps then relays can be used to supply power to the actuators.
Limit Switches:
Limit Switches are required for each direction for every actuator when using Heliotrack solar tracking products!
Many actuators on the market include internal limit switches but the user must verify this before connecting
actuator motors to the tracking controller. It is also necessary to verify that the limit switches are set to stop the
motors before any damage is done to tracking mechanism due to over-traveling.