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Solar Tracker Maxi MK1

🌞 Solar Tracker System Overview
Tracks the sun on all planets except Mimas (WIP — it tracks, but doesn’t yet face sunrise as it moves).
Designed to maximize solar input while minimizing control power.

🔧 Features

Dual-axis tracking
Compatible with all movable solar panels
Night mode: parks before power loss (based on efficiency check at last tick)
Holds park position overnight
Zero control power at night; ~50 W by day (for IC housing/logic)
Minimal setup
Modes:
0 = Track sun (normal)
1 = Face sunrise (parked at sunrise)
2 = Face sensor port (useful for orientation/setup)

🖥️ System Requirements
1+ solar panels (all power ports facing the same way)
1 × Daylight Sensor
1 × IC Housing
1 × Integrated Circuit (IC10 chip)
Cables (type/length as needed)

Recommended
1 × Small Transformer

Optional
1 × Switch/Lever (to force park)

⚙️ Setup (Recommended)
Place panels with power ports all facing the same way; cable them.
Insert a Small Transformer in the panel output cable; set to 51 W.
Power the IC Housing from the transformer (data looped to panels).
Place the Daylight Sensor on the network data side of Housing; set D0 = Sensor in the IC Housing.
Load the code onto the Integrated Circuit (read config comments, set orientations).
Insert the IC into the Housing and power on.
(Optional) Wire a switch/lever to D1 on the IC Housing to force night park.

Note: If parked using the switch/lever and the IC Housing loses power, panels remain parked. To resume tracking:

Tap the panel with a wrench, or
Briefly power the Housing.
Alternatively, add fixed panels facing up and toward sunset.

🔧 Tuning Parameters
LowOutPut (default: 20)
% efficiency below which the rig parks at dusk or in poor light.
(IC Housing uses last % before losing power)

SunSetAngle (default: 75)
Raw sensor vertical threshold
(≈ −90 at sunrise, ≈ +90 at sunset)
Adjust if horizon is obstructed to trigger parking earlier/later.
(75 is the max panel angle)

✅ Final Notes
Enjoy!
Like, share, and comment!
— Max​​