Operational Limits – Setting
MECHANICAL LIMIT SWITCHES
Mechanical Limit Switches are wired to the tracker controller and provide physical limits to the tracker’s travel. These should be located at the furthest allowable point of travel.
It should be configured with N.O. and 1 N.C. contact to interrupt power to the motor on over travel and indicate the limit has been reached.
You should always use mechanical limit or proximity switches to prevent over travel which could cause personal injury, damage to the tracker or nearby structures.
Test Limit Switches thoroughly prior to putting the tracker into service.
User Manuals
Configuration 1220 Series
- Soft Limits
- Mechanical or Proximity Limit Switches
- Night Stowage Setting
The soft limits add a degree of redundancy as a back up to mechanical limit switches. They can be configured to prohibit travel inside or outside the range of travel between the mechanical switches. Settings can be between 0-360 degrees Azimuth axis and -10 to 180 degrees Altitude axis.
Soft limits will limit the tracker’s travel through software on both axis. If the calibration with the sun is incorrect then the soft limits will be off by the same amount so it is important calibrate the controller before setting the soft limits.
The soft limit should be set outside the minimum limit switch as shown, so the tracker touches the mechanical switch and stops before reaching the soft limit. This is selected so when Auto Cal is enabled the tracker controller re-calibrates itself each morning and the soft
It is recommended the soft limit be set inside the maximum limit switch as shown. The tracker will stop movement prior to reaching the switch.