RAK19003 Solar Enclosure for Meshtastic

Want a bigger version? Check out my other version for the RAK19007 and a 1.2W solar panel, it's about twice size and power and has all the same features.

IMPORTANT!

This model uses lithium batteries which can cause injury or death if mishandled. Only handle them if your aware of the proper safety measures and assume responsibility for the risks involved.

This is also a new model so if you have any questions or issues please reach out and I'll try and sort them out to the best of my ability.

Description:

This model is a small solar enclosure for the RAK19003 base board with the RAK4631 core module for use with Meshtastic or other solar LoRa applications. It is designed for mounting to any magnetic object such as metal rooves or the top of off-road vehicles, however its design also allows for custom mounting options. I have plans for an option to mount to 1-inch vertical EMT conduit however I have yet to test it. Luckily it should be easy to make your own if you want and I will upload schematics and .step files when I get more time. To build this you need to have some equipment to solder a connector to the solar panel.

The system is powered by a Voltaic P123 0.64W solar panel. These are high efficiency (22+%) UV-resistant ETFE solar panels which provide more than enough energy for the system. The panel is connected to the RAK19003 with a JST ZH-2 (1.5mm pitch) 2 wire male connector. This provides power for the RAK4631 and charges the 2000mAh battery. There is a panel-mount SMA connector which allows for external mounting of antennas. If mounting the panel horizontally you may want to consider a 90-degeree SMA connector, so your antenna is mounted vertically. The magnet mount uses two 60x10x3 neodymium magnets adhered either with a double-sided adhesive or glue. Four M3x30 screws and M3 nuts hold the enclosure together securely and ensure that there is plenty of compression to avoid water ingress from rain. There is also an option for a BSP G1/4 thread in the enclosure to mount a sintered bronze breather to avoid moisture build up inside the enclosure.

I'm nearly done working on a larger version of this model to accommodate both the RAK19007 and 19003 using the more powerful 1.2W Voltaic P124 panel which I plan to release soon.

Tools Required:

- 3D Printer - PETG or a filament with higher temp resistance than PETG - White PETG is recommended to reduce heat exposure from the sun - Filaments with higher temp resistance like PA, PC, ABS, etc. work great if you desire a darker color - Screwdriver/nut driver for M3 screws and nuts - Soldering iron with solder and flux - (Optional) Wrench for breather valve

Printed Parts:

- 1x Solar Retainer - 1x Body - If you are using the optional G1/4 breather valve, then print the corresponding file with the G1/4 thread in the enclosure - 1x Back - 1x Magnet Mount

Parts List:

- RAK19003 Starter Kit (includes LoRa/Bluetooth antenna) - US: Rokland , Amazon - Voltaic P123 Solar Panel - US: Voltaic , Adafruit , Digikey - 2000mAh LiPo Battery (approximately 35x56x11mm) - US: Amazon - You may be able to fit a larger battery - MAKE SURE POLARITY IS CORRECT!!! - JST ZH-2 or ZHR-2 1.5mm Pitch 2-Wire connectors - US: Amazon , many other sources, or make your own - SMA Female to U.FL/I-PEX - 4 Inches - US: Amazon , many other sources - 2x 60x10x3 Neodymium Magnets - US: Amazon , many other sources - Glue or double-sided adhesive of your choice for magnets - May be included with magnets - 4 M3x30 Screws - 4 M3 nuts - 2 M2 Screws for securing RAK19003 - (Optional) G1/4 Sintered Breather Valve - US: Amazon , many other sources

Assembly:

I'll work on providing more detailed assembly instructions and maybe a video at a later point. Assembly should be fairly self-explanatory but there are a few important safety points that everyone must know.

- Lithium batteries can cause injury or death if mishandled, only handle them if your aware of the proper safety measures and assume responsibility for the risks involved. - Always make sure to verify the polarity of your battery before connecting it to your board as reversing the polarity can damage your components and render them inoperable. - Read the datasheets for your components and use a multimeter if you are in doubt of your wiring. - RAK19003 Datasheet - Voltaic P123 Datasheet