openscad-projects/ring-solar-siding-adapter/README.md

# Ring Solar Siding Adapter

![Preview](preview.png)

Parametric adapter plate that sits between a **Ring Solar Charger** (integrated battery-doorbell solar unit) and horizontal beaded vinyl lap siding.

| | |
|---|---|
| **Source** | [`ring-solar-siding-adapter.scad`](ring-solar-siding-adapter.scad) |
| **Footprint** | ~93 × 171 mm (matches the Ring back) |
| **Units** | Millimeters throughout |

## What it is

- **Front face:** flat — the Ring unit mounts here.
- **Rear face:** shaped to match siding — bead groove at the top, flat shelf in the middle, curved taper at the bottom.

## What it's for

The Ring's back is flat; siding is not. Without an adapter, you get gaps, uneven pressure, and a poor mount.

This plate:

- Conforms to the siding profile so the rear sits flush against the wall.
- Receives the siding bead in a semicircular groove near the top.
- Provides two through-holes aligned with the Ring's house-mount screws — screws pass through Ring → adapter → siding → sheathing.

Typical stack:

```
Ring Solar Charger
       ↓ screws
  Adapter plate  ← this part
       ↓
  Vinyl siding
       ↓
  Sheathing
```

## Rear profile (side view, bottom → top)

```
plate top ─────────────  bead coping groove (receives siding bead)
            flat rear shelf
taper start ─────────────  flat_upper_ratio sets this boundary
            curved taper
plate bottom ────────────  deepest projection toward front
```

**Depth convention:** lower depth = toward the wall; higher depth = toward the front (Ring).

## Parameters

### Plate

| Parameter | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| `plate_width` | Width of the adapter (Ring back width). |
| `plate_height` | Height of the adapter (Ring back height). |
| `min_wall_thickness` | Minimum solid depth at the thinnest point (bead groove pinch). Also scales bottom taper reach. |
| `edge_round` | Rounds front edges via minkowski. Keep `0` while tuning; set ~1 for final print (slower render). |

### Siding profile

| Parameter | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| `siding_projection` | Nominal max siding depth from wall. Feeds `face_inset_z` via clearance and inset. |
| `face_inset_depth` | How far the flat upper rear sits in from max projection. |
| `bead_coping_radius` | Radius of the semicircular bead groove (measured on your siding). |
| `bead_coping_offset_top` | Distance from plate top to center of the bead groove. |
| `flat_upper_ratio` | Fraction of plate height (from top down) with a flat rear. Lower = taper starts higher. |
| `bottom_taper_depth_ratio` | How far the bottom rear reaches toward the front beyond the flat shelf: `min_wall_thickness × this`. Higher = more projection at bottom. |
| `rear_extension` | Pushes flat rear and taper toward the wall without moving the front face or bead groove vs front/top. Adds overall depth. |
| `course_pitch` | Bead-to-bead spacing on your siding (~6.5"). Reference for tuning. |
| `profile_segments` | Curve sampling resolution. Higher = smoother, slower. |
| `profile_mode` | `curved` = smooth taper; `stepped` = debug fallback with sharp transitions. |
| `rear_clearance` | Small gap so the part doesn't bind on siding. |

**Common tuning relationships:**

| Goal | Parameter |
|------|-----------|
| Move taper start up/down | `flat_upper_ratio` |
| Bottom taper more/less toward front | `bottom_taper_depth_ratio` |
| Whole plate deeper front-to-back (bead stays put) | `rear_extension` |
| Bead groove up/down | `bead_coping_offset_top` |
| Groove size | `bead_coping_radius` |

### Mounting holes

| Parameter | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| `mount_hole_offset_top` | Upper hole center distance from plate top. |
| `mount_hole_offset_bottom` | Lower hole center distance from plate bottom. |
| `mount_hole_dia` | Hole diameter (4.5 mm for 4 mm Ring screws). |
| `mount_hole_x` | Horizontal offset from center (`0` = centered). |

### Export

| Parameter | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| `part_mode` | What to generate (see below). |
| `profile_strip_width` | Width of the narrow siding fit-test strip. |
| `front_slice_depth` | Thickness of the front-face test cap (mm). |

**Export modes:**

| Mode | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `full` | Complete adapter with holes — final part. |
| `profile_strip` | Narrow strip through the rear profile — cheap siding fit test. |
| `front_slice` | Thin front cap with holes — check width, height, hole placement vs Ring. |

## Suggested workflow

1. **`profile_strip`** — tune siding profile (`flat_upper_ratio`, `bottom_taper_depth_ratio`, `rear_extension`, bead params).
2. **`front_slice`** — verify Ring hole alignment.
3. **`full`** — print final plate (PETG/ASA recommended outdoors; PLA OK for tests).

**Print orientation:** front face (Ring side) on the bed, rear profile vertical.

## Related files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`ring-solar-siding-adapter.backup.scad`](ring-solar-siding-adapter.backup.scad) | Earlier geometry — flat upper rear + lower taper only, no bead coping groove |
| `*.stl` | Exported meshes (gitignored; export locally) |

## Regenerate preview

From the repo root:

```bash
pip install pyvista                    # headless fallback (WSL without display)
sudo apt install xvfb                  # optional — native OpenSCAD PNG export
python3 scripts/render-preview.py ring-solar-siding-adapter
```

Or export a PNG directly from OpenSCAD when a display (or `xvfb-run`) is available:

```bash
xvfb-run -a openscad --render --viewall --imgsize=1200,900 \
  -o ring-solar-siding-adapter/preview.png \
  ring-solar-siding-adapter/ring-solar-siding-adapter.scad
```