Hello newbie here. First time post hopefully in the correct spot. As most forums go yes I’ve searched but there’s just to
Much I don’t understand to be able to read the posts.
So my issue is I have a solar tracker for moving my panels. Trouble is the tracker only puts out 24vdc and the actuator to run it needs 36vdc at 3a. I have a power supply to provide the 36vdc but how do I wire relays to allow the actuator to receive the 36v when the tracker triggers movement. When tracker triggers it provides 24vs to actuator. I’ve have hooked 1-(5pin) with sucess. But when I add a second only 1 still works. I’ve attached a pretty drawing
I need basic configuring as my electronics knowledge isn’t great.

Thank you

 

Are the tracker and actuator from different systems or manufacturers? It seems like the 24v tracker should work with a 24v actuator.

 

Hello newbie here. First time post hopefully in the correct spot. As most forums go yes I’ve searched but there’s just to
Much I don’t understand to be able to read the posts.
So my issue is I have a solar tracker for moving my panels. Trouble is the tracker only puts out 24vdc and the actuator to run it needs 36vdc at 3a. I have a power supply to provide the 36vdc but how do I wire relays to allow the actuator to receive the 36v when the tracker triggers movement. When tracker triggers it provides 24vs to actuator. I’ve have hooked 1-(5pin) with sucess. But when I add a second only 1 still works. I’ve attached a pretty drawing
I need basic configuring as my electronics knowledge isn’t great.

Thank you

The diagram really does not give enough information for us to help you. Do you have a model number or schematic diagram of your tracker.

 

Are the tracker and actuator from different systems or manufacturers? It seems like the 24v tracker should work with a 24v actuator.

Actuator does work with 24v. It’s not enough juice to move the weight. Actuator is a 36vdc motor.

 

The diagram really does not give enough information for us to help you. Do you have a model number or schematic diagram of your tracker.

Sorry no schematic

 

I can get things to work with 1relay. It’s when I bring the second one in giving me troubles.

 

Normally the actuator pos. Neg. goes to tracker e/w. It does reverse polarity to control motor. Basiclly I’m ignoring that and using those therminals ( e&w) to trigger relay. Then allowing 36v from my power supply to the actuator.

 

Will your 36 volt supply enough power to move both motors? Do they each want 3 amps?

 

Can you post a picture or two of the solar panel, including one of the rotating bearing and motor? There is often a resistive force called static friction. This friction might be eliminated or reduced with appropriate lubrication. Are the panel loads balanced, or one sided? A preliminary guess is that the motor, running at 24 volts, ought to be sufficient, if there are no problems of a mechanical nature.

 

Will your 36 volt supply enough power to move both motors? Do they each want 3 amps?

Only for one at moment. Other will be power by the tracker

Can you post a picture or two of the solar panel, including one of the rotating bearing and motor? There is often a resistive force called static friction. This friction might be eliminated or reduced with appropriate lubrication. Are the panel loads balanced, or one sided? A preliminary guess is that the motor, running at 24 volts, ought to be sufficient, if there are no problems of a mechanical nature.

One would think. It is a rather large array. I have balanced it to the best of my abilities. If the proper voltage doesn’t give enough force to do what I need it to do. Then I will look at other options or just leave at a desired position. But for now main goal is to use relays to get its power needs.

 

Only for one at moment. Other will be power by the tracker


One would think. It is a rather large array. I have balanced it to the best of my abilities. If the proper voltage doesn’t give enough force to do what I need it to do. Then I will look at other options or just leave at a desired position. But for now main goal is to use relays to get its power needs.

It is difficult to read the labels on the back of the

 

Only for one at moment. Other will be power by the tracker


One would think. It is a rather large array. I have balanced it to the best of my abilities. If the proper voltage doesn’t give enough force to do what I need it to do. Then I will look at other options or just leave at a desired position. But for now main goal is to use relays to get its power needs.

It is difficult to read the labels on the picture of the controller, but I think this will do what you want. I'm sure you can figure out how to connect the relay contacts::

 

New old program does not rotate, sorry. Just to fill in just incase.

 

Need to wire it in a way that power with flow pos and neg of actuator when one relay is deactivated. I’m thinking the relays I have will work just need to run some jumper leads from relay to relay motor to motor. So when one relay triggers it moves west then rest at off. Then when east triggers the other relay opens and then test at off. So maybe I just need 2 pos and 2

It is difficult to read the labels on the picture of the controller, but I think this will do what you want. I'm sure you can figure out how to connect the relay contacts::
View attachment 160759

Sorry I'm not fully understanding your drawing. I do have the block diodes already as well. So that's good.

 

It might help in understanding K W's drawing if you added labels, left relay East, right relay West.
Sun rises, controller sais W, makes outputs + & -. bottom of relays - , electron flow is - to +, thru diode cathode to anode, so current flows thru W relay & W diode, E diode blocks current in E relay, bringing motor lead to ground, 36 V - . Other side of motor connected to E relay NC, normally closed contacts,
completing the circuit so motor turns in a direction to move SP to the W.
After sufficient movement contacts open & motor stops.
36 V supply might be reversed so that in off state the motor rests at ground ( - 36 V).

 

Need to wire it in a way that power with flow pos and neg of actuator when one relay is deactivated. I’m thinking the relays I have will work just need to run some jumper leads from relay to relay motor to motor. So when one relay triggers it moves west then rest at off. Then when east triggers the other relay opens and then test at off. So maybe I just need 2 pos and 2

 

My new drawing shows what I had wired and worked with 1 relay
Hope that helps

 

The actuator should NOT be connected to the tracker as in post #17. The relay coils are connected to the tracker as shown in KW's post #12. The Actuator and 36 volts power supply are connected via the relay's contacts as shown in Bernard's diagram in post #13. The circle with M in it (M is for motor.) is the actuator . I used exactly this method years ago for driving the actuator on a 6 foot diameter satallite dish that was located a long way from the position controller.

Les.

 

Les
Yes same actuator, it's from an old dish. M is for motor being the actuator. My drawing has the motor wires when it was running off the tracker Normal use. I also drew, how I had it wired with 1 relay

 

Just drawing a box for a relay does not show how it is connected. You need to show which wires go to the coil and which go to the NO, NC and common contacts.

Les.