Parameters of Interest:

 

The Solar Tracker will be tested base on a pass or fail for rotating the panel in 15 degrees per hours. The device will be tested for fitment by folding and disconnect into certain size to storage. Also tested the motor for rotation by using the set screw.

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Data Acquisition:

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The data will be collected using basic measurement tools such as Fluke handheld multimeter and protractor.

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Method/Approach:

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Resources:

 

 Professor Roger Beardsley provided all the tool to run the test.

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Data Capture:

 

Data was collected using Fluke handheld multimeter, paper and pen and transferred to excel Document.

 

 

Test Procedure:

 

The Solar panel and motor were mounted to center shaft and connect to the frame member to adjust the angle to 47 degrees. Then collected to the power supply or 12V battery to be able to test the rotation. The physical specifications were measured.For the first test, user will connect the power supply or 12V battery to the motor, attached the wood piece behind the solar panel and proceed it to rotate and record the data. User will repeat the same thing for putting the wood pieces on the side as start position. For the second test, user will set up one fixed solar panel at 47 degrees next to the solar tracker at open field area. User will connect the power supply to the motor on solar tracker and connected the multimeter to both solar panel. User will then collect and record data every 5 minutes.

 

Specify time, duration:

There is one main thing involved in the testing of this requirement. It requires to rotate 15degree per hour, but for the test it can adjusted so that it will only take 5 minutes to test the device. For the second test, it requires to compare the data set of fixed solar panel, it will take 2-3hours to collect the data set.

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Specific actions to complete the test:

First, Fasten the set screw on the motor that attached on the top of the center arm.

Second, connect the power supply or 12v battery to the motor using cable and make sure to follow the color of the cable before plug into the power supply.

Third, attach wooden piece behind the solar panel and using the U bolt to clamp it on the rotate shaft and make sure tighten the bolt. Also make sure it attached as 47 degree using protractor.

Fourth, turn on the power supply and by change the voltage to be able to make the motor rotate.

Fifth, record current and voltage value and calculate the power value.

Sixth, put the panel on the side at the rotate shaft

Seventh, record current and voltage value and calculate the power value.

Eighth, repeat step one to four on the solar tracker and set up other solar panel as fixed 47 degrees using protractor.

Ninth, connect both solar panel cable to multimeter. Make sure is collected as current mA.

Tenth, record data every 5 minutes.

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Risk :

This is a safe test; the only concern is make sure no water around the power supply.

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Parameter Values:

 

The physical parameter values that were tested were height, width, weight, center shaft rotation. Also other parameters tested were compare the current to fixed solar panel.

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Calculated Values:

 

The Solar Tracker was calculated to be able to rotate using power of 11.32J with minimum voltage of 2.4V.

 

Success Criteria Values:

 

The Solar Tracker is considered to be successful if the center shaft can support the panel and be able to rotate. Also the current value should be higher than the fixed solar panel.

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Conclusion:

 

In conclusion, the Solar Tracker Design was A Success Because it met all the requirement in the proposal. On Test 1 data set shows the solar tracker require minimum voltage of 2.4V to be able to rotate. On Test 2 data set shows the solar tracker collect more current than the fixed one which it meets the requirement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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