đź’ĄNew 2024 Off-Grid Solar Meshtastic Buildđź’Ą
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- čas přidán 22. 01. 2024
- Here is the overview video of the new 2024 version of my previous Meshtastic Off-Grid Solar Build I made a video on about 7 months ago. This new version has improvements over the previous version that make this one cheaper, easier, and more capable. Please see the complete parts list below if you would like to build one for yourself!
🗣️ Join in on the conversation on Discord!
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Tilt Angle Calculator for Solar:
sunsolartilt.com/pages/calcul...
Check the video description in this video for the parts list and latest updates:
• 💥New 2024 Off-Grid Sol... - Věda a technologie
Would Definitely be interested in a complete ready to run out the box build. I'm sure a lot of people would actually prefer that.
same. I'd like to put this together.
+1
+2
Contact builders to make them, look on places like tindie.
I can make these also. It isn’t hard. Just time and parts availability.
I want you to know, I paid 100$ each for four Gotenna's, then they stopped all android support and turned their company into a military contractor. This meshtastic project doesn't rely on a company like that, which is amazing. I will buy 4 kits this summer when I have more time for radio experiments. Hopefully you're also shipping to Canada.
Gotennas were always going to be that way sadly
Sounds like they got to good, for the public's good! Then got a fat government contract, and cut off public support! Typical... The government doesn't want the public having Anything as good as what they have!
I came soooo close to jumping in with GoTenna. Sorry that happened to you.
I too am a victim of gotenna’s bait and switch system. Meshtastic was the first similar project to give me hope about off grid comms again
Same thing happened to one company that at the beginning was just one guy making long range transmitters and receivers for RC drone and then sold himself to military contracting as well
Some people are just too greedy and will end up supporting militarism because that's where the big money is
Not only is this an upgrade, the video production quality is amazing! The only thing I'm missing is your etsy piece. Yes please!
Thank you so much! As soon as those holders arrive, I'll bring the listing back up! Stay tuned!
​@@The_Comms_ChannelPlease let us know here!
I'd definitely be interested in purchasing a kit, in fact if you offered the complete set up you have shown in this video, I would happily buy the complete set up.
It’s something I’d like to hear more about
Yep me too@@Kook-a-mal
This is great. I've been overwhelmed by meshtastic but you have made it so simple. Thank you!
Thanks! I'm glad my videos have been helpful!
A very clean build, I really like the extended battery pack that in theory would allow for a rubber heating pad to be included for use in cold areas.
Now THIS is what I call an upgrade
All good stuff, but for me, the most useful info in this video was the brief mention of the extended Bluetooth range. I was thinking I'd need to get a Meshtastic transceiver with WiFi to pole mount it and access it from inside the house. Either that, or have a separate Meshtastic Bluetooth node inside the house that acts as a bridge between the pole mounted solar powered Meshtastic transceiver and a Bluetooth tablet. As soon as the WisBlock starter kit is in stock, I'll order a couple and start experimenting. Until then, I'll watch the rest of your excellent videos.
Kudos to you for selling kits to help others get started. I currently 3D print everything. I have a CNC shop that I never use. Rather than laser cutting an acrylic adapter board to attach to an outside enclosure from Amazon that I had to drill and modify, I'll CAD a custom enclosure that has internal mounting bosses for everything, an antenna hole on the bottom, a hole on the bottom for a vapor vent plug, a cutout and mounts for the solar panel, a C clamp for mounting to a PVC pole mast, etc. It's a completely custom solution that is much easier to assemble and install, for much lower cost. When I get around to designing this, I'll upload it to Thingiverse and Printables so others can print their own.
Any update?
@@LifeSizeBox - RAK was back ordered on the WisBlock kits for a few weeks but I finally received everything. I designed and 3D printed the wedge shaped radome weather cover top of the enclosure and it looks good. I still need to finish designing and 3D printing the bottom of the roof mounted weather enclosure where the internal components mount, and where it mounts to the PVC pipe mounting pole. The 40 inch long 9 dB antenna will mount inside the PVC pipe below the battery and electronics, to protect the antenna and to hide it.
I have the vent plugs but decided not to use them. There will be a very thin gap around the perimeter where the top enclosure mounts over the bottom enclosure and the two parts are screwed together from the sides. That forms a drip edge to prevent rain water from entering and that gap is too thin to allow bugs or anything else much larger than water vapor to enter and exit. Solar heating should make the inside slightly warmer than ambient to help drive the water vapor out of the enclosure. I can verify that because the WisBlock has slots for sensors and I bought the temperature and humidity sensor module for each. I've tested them, and they work.
The four WisBlocks have been powered for a few weeks, while I'm trying to circle back and wrap up this fun project. I configured them for minimal chatter. Every 21 hours, they send their beacons to each other which I monitored using a software defined radio USB dongle and Gqrx software on my computer. There doesn't seem to be any Meshtastic traffic in my city of almost 500,000 people on LongFast. I programmed my private family network to be on a different frequency, selected in the ISM band based on it being in between two of the *many* regular burst transmissions, probably smart meters, as viewed in the Gqrx SDR software. It has an envelope display mode that accumulates peak values on the spectrum display to capture spurious transmissions.
Would absolutely purchase some of your kits if your make more. Thank you for the helpful videos. A tornado separating my wife and I for a couple hours with the grid down was my final wakeup call to get a Mesh Network setup at least for our immediate area. Your videos have helped me figure a lot out and get started with 2 T-Beams for testing/learning and eventual mobile applications. And now these solar videos have paved the way for setting up a home station and eventually nodes at strategic locations throughout town.
Sure thing! I'm glad you're finding the videos to be helpful! I try to go storm chasing each year and have seen what they can do first hand. I'm glad you're both okay and I hope this can help provide a way to take communication into your own hands!
How many kits and holders would you need for your setup?
where I am... we have constant brown outs and blackouts from a old and failing grid.. and the price for electricity to use wifi keeps going up. Maybe someone could set up a collective for the sole purposes of installing and teaching people how to use these and fox them... mabye like a community wireless mesh network cooperative. Theses even a site to help set up funds for it... its called open collective
Id take 2 dual battery setup enclosures with solar​ capability. @The_Comms_Channel
how much are the kits ?
@@The_Comms_Channel I'm also interested in a kit or two.
Very interested in the kits.
I know a number of people who want to get into meshtastic & who would likely buy a kit that includes EVERYTHING (or as close to it as possible) needed. I've been compiling a bill of materials but I'd much rather send them a single link and support someone who is involved in the project.
VoltaicEnclosures On Etsy solar repeater will be available in about two weeks
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
I'll look into doing that.
@@The_Comms_Channel I can get an exact number if needed but rough guesstimate would be 6, depending on final price
@@The_Comms_ChannelI’d be interested in 2 kits most likely
@The_Comms_Channel I’d be interested in 5 kits with 2 battery holders (four total batteries)
Thank you so much for all the work you do. I will definitely be purchasing a few of these when they're back in stock.
Definitely interested in 2-3 of these
I will be ordering 2 of your mounting plates with the 3 battery mounts. You are doing great work and I have almost everything to start building my nodes. Thanks!!
I'm very thankful for this and hope to see more in the future. I'm also interested to see what a complete build would costs with shipping. đź‘Ť
Just getting started into Meshtastic - great video series - thanks!
One thing about solar panel angles, I live in Ohio which gets snow. I have 2 100 watt solar panels on my tower. one is at aprox a 45 degree angle, and the other is more like 60 a degree angle. The panel set at 45 degrees collects snow on it more often than the 60 degree panel.
As far as getting less power from the 60 degree angled panel, I don't see a difference. I will someday re-set both panels to be more like 70 degrees. My reasoning is this: In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and there is less daylight. So the increased angle will actually be better in the winter as it will be at a better angle with the sun being lower in the sky. Not to mention less snow buildup.
I also have a small 6 volt 5 watt panel that powers an off-grid Arduino equipped with battery voltage monitoring. This one is oriented vertically like your earlier Meshastic setups. It works just fine with zero snow buildup.
When I start my Meshtastic builds, I will probably set my panels vertically like your earlier builds and just buy a slightly larger panel.
Thanks for all you do!
For sure interested in that kit! Looking to build one so thanks for the info you have been putting out.
Just what I was looking for. Subscribed
I am.*digging* on your Meshtastic solar setup! Getting out just by sitting it in the window. Can't wait to affix it higher. Thanks so much, Kevin.
Sure thing! I'm glad the setup is working well!
Man, I wish I could justify getting into a meshtastic setup! I just have no real use case for it to justify the expense. This is BY FAR the cleanest build I have seen yet for a solar powered node. Your attention to detail is fantastic.
Awesome videos. Yes for the bracket with two battery holders.
This is a very professional looking build! Kudos on your craftmanship!
Excellent update design. Just ordered some wisblock kits for mine this week. Just about all similar. Only thing I'd recommend is shoot for some more used yet good batteries but way cheaper. Batteryhookup has some 10x 3200mah for only $12. Otherwise this is a great lowcost build.
Thanks, I'll check them out!
Love that you use the Anchorage ATC traffic for your intro. đź‘Ť
I would love one of these
This is awesome! Excited to put one of these together. Super valuable info, thank you!
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
Great video mate, and appreciate the links and your product evaluations and testing!
Rock on I was actually about to click purchase on all the parts for the V1 and this popped up in my feed. I need to use the subscribe button obviously but yes, definite interest over here. I’m looking to build four boxes.
I’m going to get a complete kit when available. Thank you!
Followed your shop, & appreciate the builds!
Sure thing! Thank you!
Hey man, fantastic video. I’m heading to your Etsy shop now and I’m gonna send this video to 3 or more of my people.
Appreciate it! Stuff is out of stock on my Etsy now, but I'll have stuff back in stock this week!
This is awesome, great work!
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
Absolutely interesting in a few of your kits
I’m very interested and thank you for the videos and sharing your knowledge on the LoRa setups!
I'm absolutely buying one when it comes out!
Thanks - very good work and video production. I’ll order 2-4 kits to start. (Australia)
Thank you so much for the support! Not able to ship to Australia at the moment I'm afraid
Another great video, looking forwards to the follow up one. Thanks for posting.
Sure thing! Thank you!
Definitely would purchase for our off-grid homestead. We are just below a cellular signal in a small canyon…
Im just now getting in to this so i would love to order this for a good off grid set up. Good job
Very interested in this build. Just started messing with some Heltec devices and I know just the right spot for this solar powered unit. Thanks for sharing!
Really Nice. New bracket is pretty optimal.
I think so too! I'm glad I found an enclosure and bracket that work well together.
Wierdly Ironic. I became seriously interested in Meshtastic this weekend. And this popped up in my youtube list! You have answered my original concern about setting up these Nodes, which was 1) How long can a Node operate on battery power? & 2) How can you set up an outdoor - Waterproof housing, with Solar Power!
Awesome timing! đź‘Ťđź‘Ť
Yes, I too am interested in a complete build kit! Cost, availability and web site?
I am interested in one of your kits. Thank you for doing these videos, extremely helpful!
Thanks! How many holders?
@@The_Comms_ChannelAt least two holders.
Interested - looks great, thanks for your work.
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
I'm definitely interested. Would likely buy several of them.
I’ll be wanting one of your kits. Thanks!
Sure thing! How many holders?
Count me in. I will be ordering one for sure.
I'll likely be ordering a couple of these as well.
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
fascinating little gizmos. Thanks for the fun projects and showing all about em. Recently heard about LoRa tech. Great ideas, great way to keep up contact networks for grid down or for fun.
Interested in the kits. Thank you for creating this. Keep it up partner. đź‘Ť
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
I'm in. Nicely done upgrade
Awesome build!
Im interested in a couple of them.
Excellent!
Great content!
Thank you! I'm glad you're finding the videos helpful.
I stumbled upon these LoRa videos and find it fascinating. Haven’t jumped in yet bc I wasn’t sure how many people in E TN would have similar setups. Definitely interested in your kit 👍
It's definitely getting popular in East TN!
Would buy 3 kits! Great work!
Thanks! How many holders?
Definitely interested
Subscribed because of the video and looking forward in building one for my house đź‘Ť
100% interest in your kits
I'm interested, I'll likely be setting up several of these.
I would be interested in at least two kits right now. Great channel and content!!
Great job. Would be interesting to see purchasing something like this
Going to buy multiple on Etsy when back in stock
Definitely looking to buy one of your kits with probably four batteries. Thanks for the great info.
Sure thing! Thanks!
Please make more of these!
Can’t wait for more advanced videos too. Network planning. Be a small
Network or connection to a larger one
Subscribed!
Definitely interested and starting to slowly order parts as fast as my budget will allow. I would like to follow this build step by step!
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
I'm definitely interested! Very nice work sir
Sure thing! How many kits and holders?
I'd like 1 kit with 3 holders for now.@@The_Comms_Channel
I'm definitely interested in ordering 2 kits with 3 holders!
Thank you for sharing this informative video. Greetings from Madang, Papua New Guinea!
Sure thing! I'm glad you found the video informative!
Awesome! I'm very interested and may purchase several for friends.
Nice video. I'm interested and will be placing my order soon.
Thanks! You have made off grid coms a lot easier to deploy and with a higher level of confidence. Im interested in sensor nodes utilizing MQTT.
Sure thing! I'm glad the videos have been helpful! Thank you again for your continued support!
I will be ordering a couple of these!
Sure thing! How many holders?
@@The_Comms_Channel Three for now. I am just getting started. Stumbled across the channel last week so I am trying to catch up fast.
I'll order 4!
I definitely want to purchase a few of these kits.
Definitely interested in purchasing a kit.
Interested. Nice setup
Love it..
Really great video. Considering creating my own off-grid solar build as well.
Thanks! Go for it! Feel free to reach out with any questions.
I’ll buy a couple!!
I just made a video about T-Deck. I'm loving it! Meshtastic is amazing.
Great video! Count me as interested in purchasing as well
Four complete turnkey, ready to go units would get us in Brazoria up and running, figure six batteries each.
I'll get my YL to figure out how to find you on etsy.
Your content is useful and first class. Now we see Adam Smith's invisible hand in action.
Very interested!
definitely interested, good and informative live this for my home.
I'm definitely interested in the kit
Awesome
Interested in a few of your mounting kits!
Yeah buddy, LET'S GOOOO
NERD TIME!!
Interested in a complete ready to run out the box kit so much!
Great! Thanks
Thanks!
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
Fantastic build! The sad part of the whole LORA community at the moment, is everything is sold out and backordered. Cases, boards, antennas, LilyGo devices, all of it. It's been so popular, the whole community has drained the inventory over and over. I guess I'll be waiting another 6 months until parts and pieces start showing back up in the stores and markets. Keep up the great work!
Yes! I'm wanting to get involved but everything I find is sold out. The focus needs to be on availability if a mesh network is the goal.
I’m definitely interested in the kit
I'd already ordered a couple t-beams to dip my toes into the water (Because the article I read focused on t-beam, t-echo, and t-deck) but I'd totally be interested in buying your kit. Even moreso if you're not located in china so I can have shipping times that aren't 20 days or more. The only downside to ordering them. Just found your channel the other day when I searched for meshtastic setup or something. Was watching your intro series. All good stuff!
I have interest a few of these kits.
Awesome. I would be interested in 3 kits
I would like to purchase a couple of kits! Great looking build.
Interested in getting several of the mounting board kits!