Thread: Solar Tracker
View Single Post
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-09-2013, 21:14
Billfred's Avatar
Billfred Billfred is offline
...and you can't! teach! that!
FRC #5402 (Iron Kings); no team (AndyMark)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: The Land of the Kokomese, IN
Posts: 8,513
Billfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond reputeBillfred has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Solar Tracker

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sh1ine View Post
I am trying to design a solar tracker project for my POE class. I have found online a lot of information about hacking a servo and replace the pot for photo sensors. I want to make a bigger system using the same principles, and without programming. Has anyone ever made a simple solar tracker? How did you accomplish it? Would it be possible to run a motor off of a Jag and connect the photo sensors up to it directly without any programming?

Thanks for your input!
According to this NI-hosted document, the Jaguars still require an external signal whether using CAN or PWM. (Is it possible to hack the firmware? I don't know--but even if you could, you're still programming.)

Seems like you could program up a few Trinket boards to handle the necessary processing; they support up to three analog inputs and two PWM outputs (or two and three; one pin goes both ways). A couple extra wires won't kill them (just say "MAGIC HAPPENS HERE" in the diagram), and eight bucks won't kill you if they somehow kill the board.
__________________
William "Billfred" Leverette - Gamecock/Jessica Boucher victim/Marketing & Sales Specialist at AndyMark

2004-2006: FRC 1293 (D5 Robotics) - Student, Mentor, Coach
2007-2009: FRC 1618 (Capital Robotics) - Mentor, Coach
2009-2013: FRC 2815 (Los Pollos Locos) - Mentor, Coach - Palmetto '09, Peachtree '11, Palmetto '11, Palmetto '12
2010: FRC 1398 (Keenan Robo-Raiders) - Mentor - Palmetto '10
2014-2016: FRC 4901 (Garnet Squadron) - Co-Founder and Head Bot Coach - Orlando '14, SCRIW '16
2017-: FRC 5402 (Iron Kings) - Mentor

93 events (more than will fit in a ChiefDelphi signature), 13 seasons, over 60,000 miles, and still on a mission from Bob.

Rule #1: Do not die. Rule #2: Be respectful. Rule #3: Be safe. Rule #4: Follow the handbook.
Reply With Quote