Mount Assembly Instructions
• If the tracker is not going through the full travel range,
raise the Counterweight.
• Keeping the Counterweight low will make the tracker
more stable in wind.
• Provided that additional stability is not required for gusty
winds, the optimal Counterweight position results in the
Truss Tube lightly touching the Bumper Bolt at the
beginning and end of the day (when all Freon has been
shifted).
Seasonal Adjustments
• Trackers can be tilted in one position or adjusted seasonally to increase output.
Adjusting tilt throughout the year can add approximately 3-6% to the annual output (will
vary with location, climate, etc).
• If setting the rack for one year-round setting, the tilt should be close to the latitude.
For example: In Albuquerque, NM (latitude 35.1° N) a
tracker should be tilted close to 35° (as measured from
horizontal). The Seasonal Adjustment Bar offers
positions of 30° and 37.5° – either of these settings will
work well.
• If adjusting the rack throughout the year, adjust the tilt so that
the sun hits the surface of the modules as close to a right
angle as possible.
• A good compromise is to adjust the rack to a tilt of latitude +
15° (or max.) around the fall equinox (September 22
th
) and
latitude – 15° (or min.) around the spring equinox (March 20
th
).
Maintenance
• Bearings with grease zerks should be lubricated with a general-purpose bearing
grease twice a year.
• Paint touch-up will be necessary to prevent rusting. Sand off all rust prior to painting.
Use a high-quality enamel or Rustoleum® type paint.
• If the Track Rack™ is installed in a corrosive climate, check the axle and bearings
frequently for rust or corrosion; you may need to grease the bearings 3 to 4 times per
year and keep the axle coated with grease or a corrosion inhibitor.
• Check the Shock bolts, Shock Mounting Arm bolts, and Bumper bolts twice a year and
tighten if necessary. Also check the Axle pivot bolt and Seasonal Adj. Bar bolts. Loose
bolts increase wear on mating parts and introduce the potential for failure.
• Inspect the pivot bolt area of the Axle-Gimbal junction for wear. Signs of excessive
movement may indicate that the bolt has worn down. Another indication of wear is that
the bolt, even when tightened properly, repeatedly comes loose. If this is the case,
replace the bolt.
COUNTERWEIGHT
POSITION
LOWER
HIGHER
•
MORE STABLE
•
LESS MOVEMENT
•
MORE MOVEMENT
•
(POSSIBLE) FASTER
WAKE-UP
•
MORE EASILY BLOWN
OFF-COURSE
•
"SEARCHING" FOR SUN
•
FULL MOVEMENT WITH
FULL SHIFT OF
REFRIGERANT
•
GOOD STABILITY
•
REASONABLE WAKE-UP
TIMES