I'm trying to adjust the angle of my solar panel with gas struts from the inside of my van. How can I release and retract it in a rainproof way?
Solar panel release mechanism
I'm trying to adjust the angle of my solar panel with gas struts from the inside of my van. How can I release and retract it in a rainproof way?
I was thinking about a cable or webbing through the top of the door under the panel, tied in some way eg with a cleat hitch inside
but if I got the angle wrong, there'd still be water ingress, and there's going to be ingress through cable housing.
I was also thinking about some kind of winding mechanism seen on skylights, but with all of these ideas, the problem is the interface between the dry inside and the exposed exterior.
UK here so rain and humidity is the norm
Also, Happy Christmas fellas, thanks for all the knowledge you've shared over the years
Chinesium linear actuators. Get the kind with stepper motor drives so they can be properly synchronized
Chinese linear actuators. I think the regular DC motor ones are much cheaper than the stepper ones so I'd personally try to stick to those, they still have limit switches built in so you can mostly guess positioning relative to the extremes, or have a waterproof ultrasound/ranging sensor gauge distance of the panel to the roof and calculate angle from reading. Or a pot somewhere.
Thanks for the idea, I've seen some great setups with actuators on RVs and fancy van conversions
Those actuators require quite a bit of clearance from the roof too, which I'd prefer to avoid as lower to roof, and lower weight up top means lower fuel consumption, better handling and parking in more places
My van is tiny and built for light weight and low maintenance and power draw, so while I'm young and fit I'd prefer a low-tech solution.
If there isn't a viable option I'll just get out the van and open/close them manually, but I'd like an option that doesn't mean venting all the heat out of the van / letting in rain / getting out in a dodgy area, which your actuators do but they're a bit too high tech
The slow moving actuators have a ton of force, so you can have just a small offset and have it push the panels up. Including the width of the actuator, maybe like 7-10cm clearance needed, depending on the panels. They weigh around 1kg and can exert like 1500N, two of them could easily open a couple solar panels.
>van dwelling in a dodgy area
The pikeys can smell you in there, expect a lot of attention.
A broomstick through a hole. Plug the hole when not in use.
Other than going to a wireless controller, I think you're looking at a liquid-proof bulkhead connector, to said actuators and solenoids.
>adjust the angle of my solar panel with gas struts from the inside of my van
Reconsider whether or not this is even worth it.
In the winter when the sun doesn't go very high and the daylight is short, I figure it's going to make quite a difference, won't it?
The evening sun, probably not with the atmosphere
Might have a winner. Any idea for a totally watertight, UV protected plug?
>liquid-proof bulkhead connector
perfect for electronics, thanks. Do you know of anything similar for a cable or pole?
Thanks, I was wrong about their size and weight, that's good info. I'm still a bit of a KISS / luddite despite the solar, so a foolproof manpower mechanism triumphs
I'll sign language them to jog on from inside my hermetically sealed fortress while I eat my avocado toast and vlog
>won't it?
Golly. Ya think maybe it might be worth it to do a little research or experimentation before going through all the trouble and expense and risk of building such a system?
I mean what if you find that variation is only like 10% output wattage, and that advantage only lasts about an hour anyway? And they maybe keeping the panels clean is more important to their performance?
Whereupon you might realize they it's better for you and the panels to be stored *inside* the van. And be pulled out and propped up on the ground in the best direction. And plugged into a little all-weather jack that you installed to prove your handiness.
I'd use an electrically powered screw actuator because struts are just springs. The idea is sound but struts totally inappropriate. I harvested one from an electrical wheelchair lift that would be ample and they're designed for twelve volts. Do not forget an inline thermal circuit breaker (blade style like fuses is fine and holders are cheap).