tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post9136876562426816626..comments2024-03-29T05:16:16.874+00:00Comments on HERBIE!: Back in gadget design modeNeil Corbetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198251427537653059noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-11060585149209582082010-09-15T09:27:48.816+00:002010-09-15T09:27:48.816+00:00Thanks Carrie, I'm on the case. My model was ...Thanks Carrie, I'm on the case. My model was just to test the mechanism. I will make the legs as long as can be without them clashing with each other when folded. I think I will get to about 50 degrees, which is not optimum but very close in terms of power loss. As Simon points out the difference between flat and best angle is only a 10% loss. In high summer of course the required angle can be as low as 18 degrees.Neil Corbetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198251427537653059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-87251340067674394482010-09-15T04:31:46.066+00:002010-09-15T04:31:46.066+00:00Just a thought. In your model, the legnth of the h...Just a thought. In your model, the legnth of the hinged 'legs' compared to solar panel length doesn't seem to allow for a good winter tilt. I'm sure you'll work out exactly the angle you need to the sun in winter but so far, it looks like the angle I get with my flower-pot propping method, which isn't high enough in that season. What about a deck-chair design?<br />- CarrieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-17263573652083710872010-09-13T11:03:50.198+00:002010-09-13T11:03:50.198+00:00I had thought of a simple sleeve to drop over the ...I had thought of a simple sleeve to drop over the joints and lock them straight, but I suppose joggles might stop that. Wingnuts seem a good solution although I'd be a tad concerned that they might slacken and let the panel drop. I don't mind if it drops gently, but if it came down with a bang it might damage it. Alternatively I could put a separate rigid prop in by hand once the panel was raised. Hmmm, thinking as I write, could secure that with a wingnut and bolt.<br /><br />Keep thinking folks. Still waiting for panel to arrive. It was due on Friday.Neil Corbetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198251427537653059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-21174612274723248612010-09-13T10:24:44.451+00:002010-09-13T10:24:44.451+00:00I agree with the previous comment!What about a mea...I agree with the previous comment!What about a means of locking the legs when up(and down)? Say screws and wing(butterfly)nuts at the centre elbows. As for a turntable, you will usually be able to find a suitable mooring round the next bend when cruising. But what about your permanent base? You'll have to specify east-west and no obstructions. David.Rainmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-15646994847623944712010-09-12T19:59:05.592+00:002010-09-12T19:59:05.592+00:00Joggles sound easy enough. Good idea.
And your d...Joggles sound easy enough. Good idea.<br /><br />And your design for a cheap, simple, easy to make and install turntable would be???Neil Corbetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198251427537653059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974756.post-67469983347027505832010-09-12T19:50:53.189+00:002010-09-12T19:50:53.189+00:00One way to avoid the rivets rubbing would be to pu...One way to avoid the rivets rubbing would be to put slight joggles (double bends)in the strips.<br /><br />You could mount the whole thing on a rotary turntable, or would that be going a bit too far?Ricknoreply@blogger.com