Anyone have or tried the Solar Pathfinder? Looks like an essential tool in locating the SunTura 400 or stationary panels. When getting the most out of solar panels by using the SunTura and/ or MPPT controller, why not pinpoint the optimum location for the panels as well. Guess it hardly matters if you live in the New Mexico desert but here in Washington I'll take every advantage I can to "squeeze" every last bit from a sun that tries it's bet to hide from us. From an installer's point of view, the $300 price tag may be quite reasonable. http://www.solarpathfinder.com/PF (No spam intended, please feel free to remove this thread if I'm not supposed to post links to manufacturers.) For the DIY type that is installing panels on a strict budget, the price tag is not in line with something I'll use just once. (Tool is still essential here, however.) My solution, by the two replacement components that will do the trick and fab the rest. Fortunately, the manufacturer sells replacement parts. The curved dome and the Sunpath Diagrams are the guts of this tool so I figured I can make my own Pathfinder using a plywood base and 3 notched dowels to suspend the dome over the diagram. I've got a compass and can certainly make a stand and the product manual is a free PDF download from the manufacturer's website. So, for $15 plus shipping and a few odds and ends that I already have, I think I'll just make one. Here are the links for the replacement parts if anyone is interested. Dome: http://www.solarpathfinder.com/Replacement_Parts Diagrams: http://www.solarpathfinder.com/Sunpath_Diagrams I'm glad the manufacturer has decided to sell these parts, most people no doubt don't want to mess with making their own and will just buy the kit, I'd rather put that money into some MPPT technology, more panels or batteries ... or even more cool wind stuff ...
Yes i have one and it works great. I have the manual one where you have to trace out the obstructions.
Hi Larry, If you ever have your pathfinder handy, could you measure the vertical distance from the chart to the rim of the dome (where it sits on the pathfinder) for me, it looks to be about 1.25" but pretty tough to tell via photo ... It'd be greatly appreciated! I'll be a long while before I make it but it could be helpful in making my new econo-model. timber
