Dan Lenox's Solar Build

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Other Projects:
Vortex 3-wheel Vehicle
17' Wind Turbine
Solar panels/tracker
Bradly GT II Kit Car
1966 Ford Fairlane GT
Spinning Wheels
Xantrex XW Monitoring/Logging Software

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Parts List

This page shows the parts/components that I purchased to make my wind turbine, where available the price per item as well.

Costs	Parts/Components
just under $4000	Misubishi UD180MF5 solar electric panels	Specs: 180 watts each 24.2 volts @ 7.45 amps Polycrystalline pleasing blue color shipping is extra (typically about $75/ea) panel size approx 33" x 65"
$148.00	Apollo Solar - low temperature overvoltage bypass (LTOB)
$64.00	LEDSRMP48Vc3 from Redrok Energy it is simple, accurate, low cost, single axis electronic solar tracker based on using green LEDs as photovoltaic light sensors. This unit has a single axis with reverse inhibit, parking, remote sensor, completed assembly and can run with anywhere between 10.5v to 93v, so have a lot of options in how it is connected to my battery bank, although I will probably use it at 24v.
$756.00	I figured out my basic steel needs, the lengths below are extra long, so more than enough for fabrication: 60' - 1/2" rebar (for concrete) 12' - 6" schedule 40 pipe 10" - 6-3/4 mechanical thick wall tubing (cap for pipe) 12' - 2" x 4" x 3/16" tubing 4' - 2" x 2" x 1/4" tubing 40' - 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 1/8" tubing 32' - 1" angle 1/8 " thick 10' - 2" wide 1/4" flat stock 16' - 1-1/2" wide 1/8" flat stock I like to have extra in case of mistakes and to have extra left over.
$75.00	Pro Brand 24" Ball Screw Large Tube Satellite Dish Actuator (includes shipping) Just happened to find this item on craigslist.com, while doing a google search! 24 inch length large diameter tube Ball screw operation 36 volt operation 1500 Pounds of thrust 40 pulses per inch used for 12' - 16' sized dish The ball screw versions have more thrust potential than an acme screw, and I was lucky to run across this item.
$76.05	Got all of the stainless steel mounting bolts/nylock nuts/washers ordered from McMaster-Carr, they are the best place to buy small to large quantities of a whole array of things, at the best prices. $17.33 - 1 ft - 2" diameter black delrin rod $13.42 - 10 ea - 1-3/4" long 1/2"-13 stainless bolts $6.36 - 5 ea - 2-1/2" long 1/2"-13 stainless bolts $6.47 - 10 ea - 1/2"-13 stainless jamb nut $7.08 - 10 ea - 1/2"-13 stainless nylon lock nut $3.92 - 10 ea - 1/2" stainless flat washer $5.68 - 25 ea - 1" long 5/16"-18 stainless bolts $11.22 - 20 ea - 5/16"-18 stainless nylon lock nut $4.57 - 50 ea - 5/16" stainless flat washer I am getting 1/2" stainless bolts/nuts/washers for the heavy mounting of the tracker, and 5/16" stainless bolts/nuts/washers for the solar panels mounting onto the framework. The Delrin will be used to make up the thrust bearings for mounting the framework to the main polar column.
	Ordered up some needed items from Dan Bowes at West Virginia Solar, no pricing yet. 1 - Midnite Solar MNPV3 combiner box 2 - 15amp breakers for above 4 - lay in ground lugs 4 sets - MC cables 1 - lightning/surge suppressor 20' - #6 stranded copper ground wire
$41.60	Another order to McMaster-Carr, these stainless bolts/washers/nuts will be used to mount the angle iron onto the spuds. $25.59 - 30 ea - 3" long 3/8"-16 stainless bolts $8.37 - 100 ea - 3/8" stainless flat washers $7.64 - 25 ea - 3/8"-16 stainless nylon lock nut
$188.00	Electrical wiring supplies: $122.00 - 200' THWN-2 #6 (100' red, 100' black) $10.68 - 12' Liqui-Tite 3/4" flexible pvc $3.68 - 90 degree fitting for 3/4" pvc $8.11 - 1-1/2" pvc LB $4.03 - 3/4" pvc LB $7.50 - ground rod $32.00 - 240' TFFN #16 (120' red, 120' black) battery bank feed to RedRok solar sensor/controller/actuator
$24.98	Lowes - Utilitech #045028 - they referred to it as a floodlight, but it was a domed enclosure for a standard 100watt light bulb, and it also had a protective cover and weather proof electrical box - PERFECT!
$78	Midnite Solar MNPV3 combiner box
$45	Delta LA-602 lightening protector, DC
$8.45	Tay Mac MM410G multi-purpose weatherproof receptacle cover This will be used to cover the manual array control switches out on the post

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