While the wheel hub provides a good bolting surface the back end is going to rely on some seriously stressed welding. Perhaps a rear drive gives a longer 'pole' to attach to.

Hello Peter,

From my experience over many years now, I think you might do better in terms of extracted energy by fitting a stainless steel sheet behind the tubes to reflect the light that passes between the tubes back onto the underside of them. I increased the output on my single panel of 20 tubes by about 25% in capturing that.

The sheet doesn't have to be mirror finish either, heating wavelengths are tolerant to a standard mill finish on cold rolled sheet.

Regards

Brian

I can't help wondering how big these panels are, and how exposed to the wind? Will they be out in all weathers? I would have thought that these details would dictate how robust the slew bearing must be and hence what type of bearing assembly might be suitable..? It's a good idea though.

Rod

This could be an area of seven square metres, or more. I don’t think a washing machine component is built for the side forces which may be encountered.

With five photovoltaic panels, I would be grid tying them with an inverter and use the 240V 50Hz power, instead of from the grid, with only surplus going to an immersion heater. Seven panels is likely near 200V DC on open circuit and possibly well over 100V at full power (depends on how the panels are connected and the number of cells per panel, of course). High voltage DC is not a recommended route for me – lethal electrocution danger and increased risk of fire in the case of a fault condition within the circuit.

Is this a single or dual axis tracker ? I’m guessing again that it is single axis. Even so, I reckon four square metres is quite a large area to control from a single fulcrum post unless rotating at ground level (with possible support at the outer corners).

As others have said, I would have serious concerns about the stability and safety of something of this size in windy conditions. A heavy frame to support the PV cells is required and a single pole unless of substancial proportions is unlikely to work, or, be safe ! I would recommend surface(ground) mounting on small wheels, rotating around a centre point. the frame then gives also elevation, This then gives true tracking of the sun. Good luck Noel.

Edited By noel shelley on 21/09/2021 11:07:32

How about a closed ended tube inverted over a fixed bar. Large single ball bearing at the top end to take the thrust and a ball race at the bottom to control side wobble. Basically to stop the outer tube flapping about. The top ball needs to run in a reasonably deep seating above and below. easy enough to provide a flange at the lower end of the tube with a couple of bolted down stops just cler of the flange to prevent any lifting during high winds. Control arm for slewing can be attched to the outer tube.

Suggest monitoring a sunflower to generate the gimble demand angle.

regards Martin

To find people who have done it before I suggest you go to the Navitron forum.

Hi would this type of bearing be ok,only needs your tube cutting and flanges welding on ends.Flanges would bolt to either side of bearing.

This is from front of a Discovery 2

Maurice

That type of bearing is used on cars like Focus and Astras, where new ones are <£30

Not a chance. Forum has gone due,I think, to the company (management) imploding.

You could try the off-shoot – camelot-forum.co.uk.

Edited By not done it yet on 21/09/2021 22:31:53