AxeTracka DIY page of ideas and stuff. and a little nonsense.
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Firstly, My sincer thanks to Gordon Garrard for all is patience and help with the wind sensor Project. I know he has spent as much time as me working on the sensor & program changes as we find small bugs etc.
A link to Gordons well made trackers will be here soon. Check them out.
If you have been to my other site, you would have seen Gordon G trackers. Well Gordon has been testing my new windpark sensors for a few weeks now. And below is a top idea from Gordon for making your own digital high-wind trigger for wind-parking sensors.
As the Anemometers are around $60 USD, we needed to find a less expensive alternative for the trigger, and as usual, Gordon came through with a simple yet effective idea. See the photos below.
I set up the windparking sensors with two input choices for parking trigger. Firstly there is the digital Anemometer trigger, but as mentioned, they get pricey at $55-$65 each. So you now have a choice.
If you have some gear laying around the workshop, make a bi-directional sensor like Gordon's, and save heaps.
if you got the info page for the sensor you want, you will see I have marked which pins are pulsin pins for the anemometer and which is a digital on/off pin. Simply run a 5v+ wire from the solar sensor to the trigger mechanism, then from the trigger back to the appropriate pin on the sensors.
How do you test a DIY wind sensor...?
Its too easy....... Firstly, pop a 6pack of your favoured poison in the fridge. Why? That comes later.. Now jump in the car , with a mate at the wheel, and hold the sensor out the window. That's you, stupid, not the driver... Now people, use some basic sense when doing this..... Firstly, make sure the local cop is on his day off and gone fishing somewhere, secondly be darned sure you are not about to leave your arm attached to the side of a tree or bridge, or road sign. Doing this is simple, but again, please employ some simple thought as you do it.
OK, get that mad mate of yours at the wheel to scream out when he is at the desired speed, around 40kph is my thoughts, then adjust the sensor spring until the wind sets it off at 40kph. Or whatever speed you think is ok.
Now, after collecting the Negligent driving tickets, the cop was on duty after all, and getting your arm in plaster, go back home and mount the trigger mechanise on a pole well above and behind the tracker, hook it all up and await the next wind storm... Oh, almost forgot.. this is where you get the now chilled 6 pack from the freezer and indulge, and wait, and wait.. I can assure you, now that you have fitted a wind parking sensor, it will not blow hard until you are away or back at work. it never fails........
Smile, Damn it..........!
Did you know?
"Life has more twists & turns than a snake with its tail stuck under a solar tracker." trust me, I know. its true..! Dave................
Home Page Back to single axis wind Page email dave@axetracka.com