Start Procedure - Click Arrow

WARNING: This is only recommended for experienced users. For less experienced users we recommend configuring via IPWebcontrol

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
NOTE : The following screenshots are for instructional purposes only. The values found in the I/O transfers in these photos are not from a working unit, and likely will not match the values seen on a working tracker.

The following assumes that Sixnet toolkit is installed on the computer and that the user is communicating with the tracker. If this has not been completed please see the following for instructions on installing toolkit and connecting to tracker

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Configuration for Altitude Motor. Open the test I/O window in toolkit by clicking the yellow magnifying glass in the upper menu Fig 1
  2. The I/O test window will open. At the bottom of the pop up window there are tabs labeled “A IN”, “D IN”, etc. By default the window opens to the Analogue in tab (A IN). Click the F IN tab (in the red square in the bottom of the photo) NOTE: to change the I/O Value, simply click the value in the I/O value section, type the desired value, and press enter.  Fig 2
  3. The I/O Tags which are also squared in red will change the following
  • ALT_MAX_DEG defines the soft limit maximum for altitude adjustment, which uses the software to impose an upper limit on the motor movement for the altitude motor
  • ALT_MIN_DEG defines the soft limit minimum for altitude adjustment, which uses the software to impose an lower limit on the motor movement for the altitude motor
  • ALT01_DB defines the dead band for the altitude motor control. Smaller dead band will adjust the motor position more often, and increase accuracy, but can also cause unnecessary wear on the motor.
  1. Scroll down to view the following tags   Fig 3
  2. The I/O transfers squared in red will change the following
  • ALT01_TC changes the time constant for the altitude motor
  • ALT01_STOW changes the altitude night stow position for the panel. A stow position of zero will cause the motor to remain in its last position at night. Any other degree input will cause the motor to stow at night in that position.
  • ALT01_CORRECTION allows the user to apply a correction to the altitude position of the motor. If the tracker appears to be off from the sun, this can be used to correct it.
  • ALT01_ZERO is the angle of the physical altitude limit switch. When the tracker hits the limit switch it will use this value to re-calibrate its present position.
  1. Next go back to the A IN tab and locate the following I/O transfers (AX140 and AX141) Fig 4
  2. The I/O transfers squared in red will change the following
  • ALT01_ZMIN_CONF configures the minimum limit switch. Input 0 for normally open, 16 to reverse to normally closed, and 86 to disable
  • ALT01_ZMAX_CONF configures the maximum limit switch. Input 0 for normally open, 16 to reverse to normally closed, and 86 to disable
  1. Now switch to the L OUT tab and locate the transfers squared in red Fig 5
  2. The transfers squared in red change the following
  • ALT01_PPR defines the number of pulses per revolution (360 degrees) for the altitude motor. Some drivers will provide this number. It is important to note that the tracking hardware does not need to rotate 360 degrees for this number to be accurate. For example, take a Kinematic 3′ slew with a brush motor and the following specifications:

Motor pulses per full rotation — 2:1

Planetary Gear Ratio ———– 236:1

Worm Gear Ratio ————— 62:1

Total Pulses Per Rotation = (2)*(236)*(62) = 29,264

  • ALT01_Latency is used to tune large trackers to prevent overshooting the desired position. This should be left at the default value of 100.

CONFIGURATION FOR AZIMUTH MOTOR

  1. Open the Test I/O window. Under the A IN tab, locate the following transfers (AX142 and AX 143) Fig 6
  2. The transfers squared in red will change the following
  • AZ01_ZMIN_CONF changes the configuration for the minimum limit switch on the azimuth motor. Input 0 for normally open, 16 to reverse to normally closed, and 86 to disable
  • AZ01_ZMAX_CONF changes the configuration for the maximum limit switch on the azimuth motor. Input 0 for normally open, 16 to reverse to normally closed, and 86 to disable
  1. Next go to the F IN tab and locate the following transfers Fig 7
  2. The transfers squared in red will change the following
  • AZI_MAX_DEG defines the soft limit maximum for azimuth adjustment, which uses the software to impose an upper limit on the motor movement for the azimuth motor
  • AZI_MIN_DEG defines the soft limit minimum for azimuth adjustment, which uses the software to impose an lower limit on the motor movement for the azimuth motor
  • AZI01_DB defines the dead band for the altitude motor control. Smaller dead band will adjust the motor position more often, and increase accuracy, but can also cause unnecessary wear on the motor.
  1. Next scroll down in the F IN tab to find the following transfers (FI134, FI138, FI144, FI146) Fig 8
  2. Changing the transfers squared in red will change the following
  • AZ01_TC changes the time constant for the Azimuth motor
  • AZ01_STOW changes the azimuth night stow position for the panel. A stow position of zero will cause the motor to remain in its last position at night. Any other degree input will cause the motor to stow at night in that position.
  • AZ01_CORRECTION allows the user to apply a correction to the azimuth position of the motor. If the tracker appears to be off from the sun, this can be used to correct it.
  • AZ01_ZERO is the angle of the physical azimuth limit switch. When the tracker hits the limit switch it will use this value to re-calibrate its present position.
  1. Now go to the L OUT tab and locate the following transfers Fig 9
  2. Changing the transfers squared in red will change the following
  • AZ01_PPR defines the number of pulses per revolution (360 degrees) for the azimuth motor. Some drivers will provide this number. It is important to note that the tracking hardware does not need to rotate 360 degrees for this number to be accurate. For example, take a Kinematic 3′ slew with a brush motor and the following specifications:

Motor pulses per full rotation — 2:1

Planetary Gear Ratio ———– 236:1

Worm Gear Ratio ————— 62:1

Total Pulses Per Rotation = (2)*(236)*(62) = 29,264

  • AZ01_LATENCY is used to tune large trackers to prevent overshooting the desired position. This should be left at the default value of 100