Building a Solar Meshtastic & MeshCore Tree Node (3D Printed)
▶ Watch on YouTube Subscribe to Dude Tested
In this video
- 0:00 Intro & credit to Cath
- 0:39 3D-printed housing & antenna base
- 1:06 Solar panels & why you need diodes
- 1:52 Board choice: RAK4630 + PeakMesh
- 2:17 Setting the panels with silicone
- 3:00 One solar input or two?
- 3:57 Testing the panels & solar charging
- 4:26 Prepping the 7.8Ah battery
- 5:05 Hooking it all up & programming MeshCore
- 5:54 Final assembly: threaded inserts & gasket
- 6:20 Why silicone beats double-sided tape
- 6:57 My custom mounting inserts
- 8:23 Closing it up
- 9:01 The finished node
- 9:23 Important tip: layer line weakness
About this video
I built a solar-powered MeshCore tree repeater that hangs from a branch, no roof or tower climbing required. It's based on Cath's excellent Hanging Solar Node design on Printables, with a few changes of my own: a RAK4630 with a PeakMesh solar board, a much bigger 7.8Ah battery, a weatherproofed 915 MHz antenna, and a better way to keep everything from shaking loose inside.
🔗 Original design by Cath (please go give her a like!):
printables.com/model/1644357-hanging-solar…
Most of the parts list is on the Printables page. Here's what I did differently:
⚡ MY CHANGES
- Board: RAK4630 (very low power) with a PeakMesh solar controller
- Battery: 3.7V 7.8Ah LiPo (vs. 1200mAh in the original), with new JST connectors soldered on
- Antenna: Alpha-style 915 MHz on an N-type bulkhead, weatherproofed
- Solar: 3 panels, each with a diode on the positive lead, wired in parallel into a single input
- Mounting: silicone instead of double-sided tape to secure the battery. Tape can let go when it gets warm inside the enclosure, and that can pop the IPEX antenna connector off.
- Custom inserts that give a flat mounting surface, with holes for threaded inserts
🛠 PARTS & LINKS (That are different from CATH. Check out the parts list on printables)
- Weatherproofing video: youtu.be/orOQvXuvk-E
- Battery: amzn.to/4hTvg24
- PeakMesh board: etsy.com/listing/4552720412/peakmesh-pro-c…
- RAK4630: amzn.to/4k33UHX
- Antenna: amzn.to/4i2xStg
⏱ CHAPTERS
⚠️ TIP: Because of the print orientation, the layer lines run across the hanging loop. If you pull hard on the rope, it can split there. Go easy when hoisting, or consider printing with more perimeters, or in PETG or ASA.
Hang it as high as you can with good sun exposure. Thanks for watching!
🙏 Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the channel and future builds. For example, I really need a new overhead camera. Your affiliate purchases can help, Thanks!
it survives me, it's Dude Tested.
Ham radio • 3D printing • Tools • DIY — tested for real.
Formerly Ham Radio Dude.
