Meshtastic Solar Base Station

This is not a beginner DIY project. You will need to solder wires, drill holes, have a general understanding of electronics and also have the ability to print in ASA and TPU.

** You can purchase this already printed/assembled from my store by clicking HERE **

This design is for an off-grid weatherproof, solar powered Meshtastic node.

There is a printed insert for the ABS enclosure to house a RAK starter kit (RAK19007 & RAK4631) with BLE antenna & 2x 18650 batteries which should last over 2 weeks without sunlight/charge. There are posts to accommodate a PCM to protect the RAK and 18650 batteries from under and over voltage to prevent damage over time.

There are solar panel brackets for 25, 35 and 45 degrees. The pole bracket is slotted to allocate all 3 sizes. Print whatever solar brackets are best for capturing power based on your location. You can use an online tool to help calculate which angle is best for you based on zip code here.

You assemble the Pole Bracket & 2 matching solar panel brackets together, then U clamp the bracket to your J-Pole and then mount the solar panel and connect the JST wire to your RAK solar input.

Print Details:

• ASA (Washers in TPU)
• No Supports needed
• 0.2mm layer height
• 4 perimeters
• 50% infill

Print List:

• 1x Pole Bracket 
• 1x Enclosure Insert 
• 1x Matching Degree Set of Solar Panel Brackets (L & R)

Parts List:

• 1x Soshine 6w Solar Panel: https://a.co/d/6tyIV2E
• 1x LMiEtool Weatherproof Enclosure: https://a.co/d/hiVQnLC
• 1x U-Bolt HW: https://a.co/d/0r4PWVq
• 4x 1/4" x 1" Stainless Steel Bolts (Solar Panel)
• 4x 1/4" x 1.25" Stainless Steel Bolts (Solar Brackets to Pole Bracket)
• 8x 1/4" Stainless Steel Lock Nuts
• 16x 1/4" Stainless Steel Washers
• 2x #10-32 x 1/2" Stainless Steel Bolt
• 2x M2 x 6mm Bolt (Mount PCM to Enclosure Insert)
• 1x IPX/u.fl to N Type Female Pigtail Cable (Sometimes 6" is out of stock, you can use the 12" and coil up excess inside of enclosure): https://a.co/d/98KYcy8
• 1x RAK Wisblock Meshtastic Starter Kit (RAK19007 & RAK4631): https://store.rokland.com/products/rak-wireless-wisblock-meshtastic-starter-kit
• 1x Dual 18650 Battery Tray (Parallel wiring): https://a.co/d/6r5Qa37
• 2x 18650 Batteries (Or 1x 2Pack): https://a.co/d/cjNDG4N
• 3x JST 2.0 Connectors (Battery Tray to PCM, PCM to RAK - MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY POLARITY BEFORE CONNECTING): https://a.co/d/foOESF8
• 1x JST 1.5 Connector (Solar Panel to RAK MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY POLARITY BEFORE CONNECTING): - https://a.co/d/5DNp2zy
• Cable Gland (3-6mm, PG7): https://a.co/d/5oDmgkQ
• 1x PCM (Optional - Highly recommended): https://www.etsy.com/listing/1421193059/li-ion-battery-protection-modules-pcm?ref=yr_purchases
• 1x IP68 Breather Vent (Optional - Highly recommended): https://a.co/d/bDQGvHC
• 1x Coax Cable for Antenna (You can use whatever you want, this is just the one I used): https://a.co/d/55fU8gM
• 1x Antenna (You can pick whatever frequency, this is just the one I used for 915MHz): https://a.co/d/6nLtCkE

UPDATE 5/5/24

I have also included a file for the Pole Bracket .stl file for another common enclosure:

AIRTAK 200x100x70mm (58mm back mounting holes): https://a.co/d/3MQEhvy