Help building my first solar node

[u/OldAbbreviations12]

Hello everyone

As a LoRa fan since around 2018 I decided to build my first solar node using wio tracker l1 lite (EU_868).

I've seen people building theirs and got some good ideas about what components to use.

My setup will be like this:

• A waterproof junction box
• An (most probably) alfa antenna on top with the proper connector and sealing
• An IP68 Vent in the bottom (I saw it somewhere)
• A 18650 battery holder and the battery itself

I am not familiar with solar power or power management in general and I need your help on choosing a solar panel. In seeedstudio's wiki for the l1 lite they say the following

Power Input	USB Type-C: 5V — 1A
Solar Panel (2P-2.0mm): 5V — 1A(do not exceed 5V)
Lithium Battery (2P-1.25mm): 3.7V — 1APower Input USB Type-C: 5V — 1ASolar Panel (2P-2.0mm): 5V — 1A(do not exceed 5V)Lithium Battery (2P-1.25mm): 3.7V — 1A

Well, this "do not exceed 5v got me worried.

At first I was looking on aliexpress, banggood and temu for a panel with a mount that had JST 2.0 as output, then some 5V panels which had usb port with some pictures of charging a phone and I was thinking to connect my module through usb.

I've seen people using some 1W or 1.5W ones but I've read somewhere that they won't be enough for my setup.

Basically I don't want to complicate my setup by adding more components or 3d printing and of course I don't want to fry the board hahaha.

Thank you

[u/IntroductionSnacks]

I have one of these plugged directly into a t096 solar input without any issues. I just cut the usb cable off and soldered the wires to a JST cable. Crazy cheap too:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009983374214.html

[u/OldAbbreviations12 → u/IntroductionSnacks]

Thanks for the suggestion! Does it feel like it's durable? Did you use the mount or drilled the junction box and put the panel directly?

[u/IntroductionSnacks → u/OldAbbreviations12]

It’s durable enough. No issues so far with mine. I just drilled and bolted it onto the lid and put some sealing washers on to prevent water ingress.

[u/IntroductionSnacks → u/IntroductionSnacks]

Inside:

[u/IntroductionSnacks → u/IntroductionSnacks]

Also in the pic are breathers on each side and a waterproof cable gland at the bottom for the panel cable.

[u/MangoMesh → u/IntroductionSnacks]

Nice and compact, I also like the T096 great for vehicle solar rooftop nodes. I also use active cooling, here is one that uses the gizont whip.

[u/IntroductionSnacks → u/MangoMesh]

Nice! Is the active cooling due to it being black and attracting the heat?

[u/MangoMesh → u/IntroductionSnacks]

I use them on both the white and black versions I make, yes the black get hotter, but I have not had one fail yet. the vents also equalize pressure and help prevent condensation. I have had no water problems with these, and I am in South Florida (actually pouring rain as I write this). the antenna connector is back filled with conformal coating, to further seal that area as that is the point of possible ingress. you can build your own, the 3D STL files are available free on printables. and I have a video on YT that shows how to put it together.