Solar Tracker Sun Flower

This was a project that i made for my daughter. It was fun for me and she loves it.  It follows the sun and charges batteries or for us it mostly just follows a flashlight around and looks pretty. Can be ran off the batteries it charges or as we have it set up, from 5V power adaptor. haha.

This is a project that will be tailored to your situation / preference so if you like to tinker this is a good one.  I have included the code and all the step files for you to make your own mods.  There are several Arduino solar tracker videos on YouTube, if youre new to this sort of thing i suggest checking those out. 

It turns out to be kind of large, but everything can easily be printed on an A1 Mini.  I reccomend using PETG or higher temp material everywhere. Its intended to sit in the sun all day and also the power manager gets pretty hot.

I do not have instructions for this and i likely will not have any to post. This is a “kit” where you take what i have here and go your own way with it.  I can help along the way if needed but this is a figuring it out is fun kind of project. I have included the code and below is a list of things i used.

I used 3 5528 LDR's and 10k ohm resistors for the light sensor. I see most other dual axis tracers using 4 sensors

WaveShare Solar Power manager D

6  70x39.5 or 38x37 mini solar panels

2  18650 batteries and single battery holders

1  5.5x2.1 female jack

5V 1A power adaptor with 5.5 x 2.1 end 

Arduino Nano soldered to perf board for clean connections

6 color 24awg stranded wire 

solid wires to make the perf board jumpers

screw terminals for the perf board

24awg ferrules

¼" braided cable sleeve and heat shrink

1  22x7x8 bearing

1  45ID x 65OD x 3 thrust bearing

8  M3x4x5 brass threaded inserts

8  M3x12 screws

I used a variety of plastic screws, for this its best to buy an assortment with 2.3, 2.6, and 3mm plastic screws like this one 

Amazon.com: MEIYYJ M3 Wood Screws Assortment Kit, Black Phillips Self-Tapping Wood Screws, Small Carbon Steel Pan Head Hardened Screws for Plastic Wood : Electronics

Hope you have fun with it!!