[Hai-users] Sun sensor

[Dan Barclay]

Justin,

You may want to consider triggering off temperature differential instead.  

If you measure temperature of something near the collectors that has about
the same absorption, you should be able to tell when you have a positive
energy flow by comparing that temp with ambient temp.  If you're getting a
temperature rise on the target, compared with ambient, you'll be getting
heat from the collectors.  A small section of collector should be good for
this.

No, I haven't done it.  Just suggesting it as an engineer.

Dan


> -----Original Message-----
> From: hai-users-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:hai-users-bounces at tssi.com] On
> Behalf Of Justin Matlock
> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 4:15 PM
> To: hai-users at tssi.com
> Subject: [Hai-users] Sun sensor
> 
> Anyone out there have a recommended source or part for a sun sensor?
> 
> I need something that will activate when the sun is actually shining, and
> deactivate when it's not.  I have solar collectors on my roof for heating
> my
> pool, and the only time I want them to have water flowing is when the sun
> is
> actually shining -- otherwise, the collectors end up cooling the pool
> down.
> 
> I already control the pump system using a standard 220v X10 controller,
> and
> want to use the OP2 to control the valves (12v) that divert water to the
> collectors.  Simple enough.
> 
> I was thinking I could get a small electric solar cell and connect it (in
> some way) to a relay that will only throw when a certain voltage is
> produced
> by the solar chip.. But I have no idea how to go about wiring that up.
> 
> Thanks;
> Justin
> 
> 
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