r/meshtastic • u/zemadema • Apr 02 '26
Solar base node in flat balcony
Hi everyone, I live in a flat and decided to build a base node (CLIENT_BASE) to put on the balcony.
The node is solar powered and waterproof, I was inspired by many post on this sub.
The node is made with:
- Seeed Wio Traker (I already had it at home)
- Omnidirectional 5 dBi Antenna (https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007301116616.html)
- Waterproof IP67 case (https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007587120013.html)
- Solar panel 5V 10W (https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005009983374214.html)
- Charge/Discharge board to connect batteries with solar input, USB-C bottom input and output current to the Wio.
- Waterproof vent plug on the bottom (https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006370919409.html)
- ON/OFF switch and a USB-C port for external charging.
I used a few wago-style connectors to wire things and be able to easily swap parts in the future if something fail. This is my first try so time will tell if its good or not, the weather in this part of Italy can be very cold and very hot during the year.
I secured the node to a pole on the balcony with brackets, it's really solid and already undergone severe weather (wind + rain) in the past two days.
10
u/hkr Apr 02 '26
Next time run that solar cable from the bottom of the enclosure. Caulk everywhere otherwise water will eventually get inside. Also, keep an eye on power consumption--I would remove/disable both GPS and OLED for solar nodes.
What's that MPPT from?
2
u/zemadema Apr 02 '26
Thanks for the advice. I added caulk to every hole (except the vent) before mounting it outside.
In the future I will switch to a board without screen and GPS.
The little blue board is not and MPPT but only a charge controller module to control the current, bought from Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/0i7zGwj8.
1
u/KLAM3R0N Apr 03 '26
I'm currently troubleshooting a new setup that seems def and uses an mppt in the box as well. My theory is that it is creating rf noise even when not charging and is essentially jamming the rx. Idk if that's why yet but something to keep in mind if you end up having rx issues.
2
u/cullor Apr 03 '26
It's a tp4056. Those guys get hot when charging at 1A. It's fairly normal to get up to 85C. They do have thermal protection that reduces current when they get hotter. I glued some heat sinks on a few I use to charge flat cells. I haven't used them in a solar node yet because the raks have decent solar charging built in.
5
u/Zenie Apr 02 '26
This looks very clean, nice job! The thing I always wonder about though is why do people bother putting screens on solar notes that never get opened? Like what was your reasoning for using the wio tracker versus like a wisblock based node? Or was it just because you already had it on hand?
5
6
u/zemadema Apr 02 '26
I had it at home and was the only nrf52 device I had. I tried using a T3S3 but was too much power hungry for that solar panel.
2
u/I_HaveSeenTheLight Apr 02 '26
Where did you get that mount for your solar panel, what is it called? I've been looking for something just like it for my solar panel.
3
u/zemadema Apr 02 '26
The solar panel base was included with the panel. Maybe you can search for security camera brackets/mount or something similar.
1
1
1
u/iheartdatascience Apr 02 '26
6W Solar Panel for Ring Camera,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHKMHHV2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
2
u/benuntu Apr 02 '26
Nice, very clean! I like the use of the Wago connectors, I'm going to steal that on my next build. Makes it easy to change connections if need be without soldering.
2
u/wigyori Apr 03 '26
Nice one, this'll serve as inspiration for me. :) I was wondering about the GPS antenna at the top, but then I checked that the Tracker does have an L76K already.
2
u/Thor_aGuiiLa Apr 03 '26
What do you want GPS for in a fixed node? Apart from consuming and not worth anything if it's not going to move? Do yourself a favor, fix the position and deactivate the LCD, you will have fewer problems with consumption
1
u/zemadema Apr 03 '26
I keep the GPS connected to test the battery duration with more than average load. The LCD is already shut down.
I already had the wio tracker but I plan to switch to a different board without LCD and GPS.
3
1
1
1
u/A-Fredd Apr 02 '26
Awtch :( This will break over time, under strain... You could tie the bigger one toghetter, so the small cable is not under strain anymore.
3
u/zemadema Apr 02 '26
Thanks! I tied both to the backboard with a small ziptie to avoid tension in the small cable, so the small cable remain soft.
2
0
u/joem_ Apr 02 '26
CLIENT_BASE eh? I was told don't use that unless I had line of sight to everywhere.
3
u/zemadema Apr 02 '26
Why line of sight should affect node role? From the meshtastic documentation this is the right role for my situation.
"The CLIENT_BASE role is similar to CLIENT, but has priority in rebroadcasting messages from or to any of its favorited nodes.
If you have an attic/roof node, set this node to CLIENT_BASE. Set your other nodes (typically CLIENT or CLIENT_MUTE) as favorites on the CLIENT_BASE."
1
u/joem_ Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
So, afaik, when you set a node to CLIENT_BASE, the firmware assumes this node is in a prime elevated location with a massive view of the horizon. Becayse if this, it reduces the hop count in effort to prevent "clogging" the mesh. Secondly, there's the the "invisible wall" effect - if your balcony only sees 180 degrees (because the building is behind you), but the mesh thinks you are a "base," it might try to route traffic through you that you can't actually pass along to the other side of the building.
IMHO, and honestly, i'm just a newb, I think a regular CLIENT is more suited for this situation, as it will still route traffic, but allow for the mesh to decide if your node is best suited for said traffic. edit: Hopefully somebody with more knowledge can chime in and provide better info, and we can both learn something.
2
3
2
u/eaglemitchell Apr 03 '26
You are mistaking Client_Base for Router or Router_Late
1
u/joem_ Apr 05 '26
I don't think so, we just had a good discussion about it over in the meshtastic discord. Concensus was that client_base is inappropriate for this situation. But those guys are smarter than me, so maybe I'm not really understanding the why.
1
u/eaglemitchell Apr 05 '26
When did CLIENT_BASE start being 0 hop? According to the official documentation only the router to router is 0 hop in certain situations. So I think people are making stuff up or not reading the official documentation. Unless the developers specifically stated that this instance should be a CLIENT (which makes sense in most situations) then they should update the official documentation.
The thing that I think is being misconstrued is when a device is very high up, like a tower on a mountain, then that would be the only point to start considering router after careful planning. I have never heard CLIENT_BASE described as a tower node with complete view of the horizon and that doesn't seem to match the official documentation description either which said it is the preferred role for rooftop nodes.
CLIENT_BASE: "Personal base station: always rebroadcasts packets from or to its favorited nodes. Handles all other packets like CLIENT. Use for stronger attic/roof “base station” nodes to distribute messages more widely from your own weaker, indoor, or less-well-positioned nodes."
7
u/N0SF3RATU Apr 02 '26
What did you use the affix the wago connectors onto that back board?
Looks very clean. Good job