Solar panels and logic I/O

[valenti_scott]

Hello-
I'm learning about solar panels and logic I/O. I realize there are tutorials about complete automated solar panel set-ups, and I want to learn about each component one by one, and try them out.

So far I've attached a logic reader to a solar panel to get its vertical setting. That was easy.

Now I'm trying to use memory and logic writer to set the solar panel's vertical setting, and here the logic writer is giving me an error. I attached a screenshot:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2038662803

Memory is 20, the logic writer is out to the solar panel, in from memory and out vertical. If you see anything incorrect here please let me know.
-Scott

Edit: I figured it out; I did not have the logic writer's input set correctly, to the memory.

[Rattlehead]

Glad to hear you figured it out. Also glad to hear of a new player coming to the game! :D

In case you haven't come across it already, there's a really good way to automate solar panel sun tracking for Moon and Mars with only a handful of parts. It's not super efficient, but it's good enough to keep them pointed roughly at the sun.

Start with a sensor kit, select the daylight sensor and mount it on the side of a frame facing the sunrise. Add a memory chip and set its value to 1.8. Use a Logic Reader to read the daylight sensor's "solar angle" value. Add a Logic Math, with it's first input set to the Logic Reader and it's second input set to the memory chip. Set it's operation to "Divide". Then add a Batch Writer, set it to read the result from the Logic Math and write that to "Solar Panel" in the "Vertical" setting.

Then, install your solar panels (with a batch writer, it can control more than one. Make sure they're all facing east when their vertical is set to 0 degrees. I recommend using the version of the solar panel that has power output on one side and data connected on the other - after expanding a bit, you'll reach a point where you start burning wires and such and need to upgrade to heavy cable for the output.

A few things to consider:
1. Make sure all of the logic devices are fully connected and have clear wiring connecting all of their connections, so they can "see" everything on the network.
2. It's a good idea to add an Area Power Controller dedicated to the solar tracking logic when you're able to spare one. It will help to keep battery power moving the panels overnight as they sweep back to the eastern facing position.
3. If the logic loses power at night, it won't power back up until the panels are pointed at the sun. Come dawn, you may have to move one manually to face the sun to get things "jump started" again, if that happens.

Hope this is useful!

[valenti_scott]

Thanks; I'm working on putting together automated solar panels now. I'm taking it slow because I want to understand how each piece works.

My base doesn't use that much power; I've been powering it with a single solar panel (adjusted manually) and a solid-fuel generator and a static battery. I am using heavy wire between the solar panel, generator and battery.

On the other side of the battery I have a transformer and then regular cable. The data for the solar panel is on a separate curcuit.

On most nights I start up the generator and run it until the battery is full. I'll probably automate this as well.
-Scott

[Rattlehead]

Sounds like you've got it well in hand! :D

[FarmerPalmer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svu8Da6DrOM