Bracket Mount for Soshine 6W 5V USB Solar Panel

Use this as a starting place for your own bracket or buy the recommended hardware and have a complete mounting solution. The “mount brackets” hold the solar panel at 45 degrees. The box cover is a secondary cover for the electronics box on the back of the panel. Adhere the optional box cover with RTV silicone sealant/adhesive. The TPU washers are meant to be placed on the front surface of the solar panel before placing the steel washer. It protects the panel from the sharp edges of the steel washer.

UPDATE: You can now purchase the 3D printed parts.

Print details

• PETG or ASA (washers in TPU)
• No supports
• 0.2mm layer height
• 4 perimeters for added strength
• 50% infill.

Included files and print count:

• 1x Right panel bracket
• 1x Left panel bracket
• 1x Right mount bracket
• 1x Left mount bracket
• 1x Box cover (optional)
• 4x TPU washers (optional but recommended)

Needed:

• 2x 1/4" x 1 3/4" bolts (I used 2" because I couldn't find 1 ¾")
• 4x 1/4" x 3/4" bolts
• 12x washers
• 6x 1/4" nylon lock nuts
• 4x M4 square nuts, $5
• 1x Bracket hardware, $15 (the 4 smaller holes in the middle of the bracket plate must be spaced 37mm x 15.5mm apart on center, see photo for details). Someone reported the bracket from this eBay listing worked great for this.
• 1x Soshine solar panel, $14

The bracket hardware is intended for an antenna. It comes with U-bolts so you can secure it to a 2" pole (or smaller). We'll use the M4 square nuts to attach the plate to the mount brackets (the four small holes in the plate align with the 3D printed parts, make sure you get the same bracket hardware linked or ensure your are spaced 37mm x 15.5mm). There's a leftover piece from the bracket hardware that will not be used. Toss it or, better yet, add to your inventory.

Note: the last photo shows this mounting system with an enclosure for a Meshtastic node. You can find that design here.