Solar Tracker Maxi MK1

MK2 is now available. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3621810786

🌞 Solar Tracker System Overview

Tracks the sun on all planets* (WIP — it tracks, but doesn’t face sunrise as it moves on some worlds). Designed to maximise solar input while minimising control power. See YouTube for a walk-through on the Set-up.

🔧 Features

Dual-axis tracking Compatible with all movable solar panels Night mode: parks before power loss (based on efficiency check before loss of power) Optional: continue tracking at night (requires IC Housing power all night) Optional lever to park system (manual override to force panels parked) Zero control power at night when parked; ~50 W by day (for IC housing/logic) Minimal setup Built-in test modes — use pMode settings to confirm panel and sensor orientation (see Quick Testing Guide)

🖥️ System Requirements

1+ solar panels (all power ports facing the same way) 1 × Daylight Sensor 1 × IC Housing 1 × Integrated Circuit (IC10 chip) Cables (type/length as needed)

Recommended

1 × Small Transformer

Optional

1 × Switch/Lever (to force park)

⚙️ Setup (Recommended)

1. Place panels with power ports all facing the same way; cable them. 2. Insert a Small Transformer in the panel output cable; set to 51 W. 3. Power the IC Housing from the transformer (data looped to panels). 4. Place the Daylight Sensor on the network data side of Housing; set D0 = Sensor in the IC Housing. 5. Load the code onto the Integrated Circuit (read config comments, set orientations). 6. Insert the IC into the Housing and power on. 7. (Optional) Wire a switch/lever to D1 on the IC Housing to force park.

Note: If parked using the lever and the IC Housing loses power, panels will remain parked until power is restored.

🔧 Tuning Parameters

LowOutPut (default: 20) % efficiency below which the system parks at dusk. Raise the number to park earlier. Set to 0 for always-tracking — panels will never auto-park and will continue to track even when no light/sun is available. LowSunAngle (default: 75) Defines the low-sun threshold (degrees). A higher value means the tracker will treat the sun as “lower,” extending tracking later into dusk or starting earlier at dawn. Adjust this if your panels stop tracking too early or move before sunrise on certain planets.

🧪 Quick Testing Guide

1. Set pMode = 1 → Panels swing to face sunrise (East). Confirms panel orientation is correct. 2. Set pMode = 2 → Panels face the sensor port. Confirms sensor orientation is correct. 3. Set pMode = 0 → Panels return to normal sun tracking. Confirms full system operation. 4.(Optional) Flip the lever/switch (if installed) → Panels should park.

✅ Final Notes

Enjoy! Like, share, and comment! — Max​​