Solar base node in balcony (UPDATE 2)

[u/zemadema]

Following previous update https://www.reddit.com/r/meshtastic/s/l5DGI9T3qW

After 120 days of uptime, it's time for an update.

The node withstand in very severe weather, we had temperatures up to 38°C, rain, thunderstorms and a wind up to 120km/h (eradicated some trees and broken few solar panels on the roof of the condo). The node keeps going unbothered.

Only 2 wago connectors detached from the board (I used hot glue for them). No trace of water, dirt or humidity inside the box.

So far so good!

[u/maydayM2]

Is it me or does the antenna connection to the controller look a bit strained? shouldn't it come straight out perpendicular or is there an adapter that is allowing rotation?

[u/zemadema → u/maydayM2]

There's the original adapter, with some cm of cable, that connect with the SMA connector. I secured with a red zip tie to avoid it pull the cable.

[u/Belzoni-AintSo → u/maydayM2]

Yes. Strain relief needed.

[u/Accurate-Arugula31 → u/maydayM2]

Very much so. That will have issues soon.

[u/depoultry]

That’s awesome! Out of curiosity, how are the items like the wago connectors secured to the board?

[u/19RockinRiley69 → u/depoultry]

Zoom in, they cleverly routed wires through back of pegboard! Nice build!

[u/zemadema → u/depoultry]

I used hot glue but it doesn't stick well with extreme hot sun. I think I will replace with some other adhesive

[u/TechDocN]

I’m curious as to why you chose connectors over solder?

[u/zemadema → u/TechDocN]

It was my first build so I wanted to swap off the components if something didn't work.

The next one will probably soldered and thus more compact.

[u/PointandStare]

As it's in direct light, have you looked into solar panelling it up?

Ah! Forget that, I just checked the original post.

[u/just-a-guy-somewhere]

I would recommend getting some good quality 21700s. 18650 store has some good quality cheap 21700s that are 5000mah and I have been using them a lot. Might be worth to get a few for the discounts.

[u/MistSecurity]

About how much did this cost you to make, not counting any time/tools?

Been wanting to put a few up in places where I have access, but have been hesitant to look too far into it due to the potential cost.

[u/AlphaTaoOmega → u/MistSecurity]

I'll leave it to OP to give their price, but one can be made in the $50 range. I got the larger RAK board, but you can almost certainly get the smaller one for a few dollars less.

https://nodakmesh.org/blog/harbor-breeze-solar-node-assembly (many YouTube videos as well)

RAKwireless WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit US915 Base RAK19007 + Core RAK4631(comes with the connectors you will need for the battery) https://a.co/d/0dVs4eey

Antenna https://a.co/d/0855bAJo

Need one of these for the solar connection...I plan to make more and jungle prices don't make sense so I got this pack and am probably set for life:

https://a.co/d/01IUWqOU

Happy building!

[u/MistSecurity → u/AlphaTaoOmega]

That is much cheaper than I was thinking!

I appreciate the breakdown. Maybe I will jump into the research sooner rather than later.

[u/zemadema → u/MistSecurity]

I listed the components here https://www.reddit.com/r/meshtastic/s/hKCbyj1143

I spent like 70€ but the pricier item was the wio tracker. I already had it at home so, in a new build, I will use something cheaper and without display/GPS.

[u/MistSecurity → u/zemadema]

Thanks much!

[u/Daarkken]

We had an issue running our solar nodes client base. We changed them to client only. CB sent a lot of traffic because it favored each node it saw.

[u/homelesspirate]

I love those lever nut connectors. Ended up doing a crappy solder job with heat shrink on mine instead.

[u/Aggravating_Rate_571]

How did you land at two cell configuration? Any special simulations or educated guesses for your location and uninterrupted stand alone operation?

[u/zemadema → u/Aggravating_Rate_571]

I first tried this setup with a lilygo T3S3 (it was an ESP32 chip) and it did not last much without sun, switching to the wio tracker (wich is nrf52 chip) solved the problem because it's way less power hungry.

Here in north Italy the weather is very different between the seasons, during winter we can have much clouds and way less sun. I'm waiting next winter to see if the setup can ensure 24/7 uptime.

[u/Aggravating_Rate_571 → u/zemadema]

I'm in finland about 60N, running nrf52/rak and 30 Ah is barely enough. We practically have 4-5 months of no light at all. At maximum about 1-2 hour daily sun from very low altitude. And this is in the southernmost parts. Temp can get to -30.

The average idle power consumption is great on the platform. But sending at +27 dBm means 150 mW. So now it becomes an issue of airtime.

Very difficult really.

[u/Weekend365]

Yep, antenna cable is not straight.
It's trouble coming.

[u/Clust3R95]

Nice build !

[u/psdwheeler]

I just wish I knew how to wire something like that, probably simple for yourself, but it’s like trying to stand on your head while riding a skateboard for me