Morbo MeshCore Meshtastic Solar Repeater for RAK WisMesh 1W Booster

Morbo is a MeshCore (or Meshtastic) node designed to act as a solar powered repeater. It’s designed around some of the best hardware available, the Rak WisMesh 1W Booster, WaveShare Solar Power Manager Module (D) and optionally supports a INA219 current/voltage sensor for solar charge/battery status. Crucially the WaveShare provides a direct 5V feed to the RAK for maximum output.

Morbo takes the original principles of my successful first external node design (Hermes) and improves in key areas:

• More cost effective, around 30% cheaper in standard the kit!
• Simpler to build with 60% less hardware, now using just four bolts versus twelve with no gaskets needed!
• More flexible deployment with a pole mount that doubles as wall mount and a solar controller supporting 6-24v panels.

There are two Morbo kits available:

• Standard - without INA219 current/voltage sensor,  “Plug and Play” with NO soldering.
• Pro - with INA219 current/voltage sensor, terminal block soldering required.

The Standard kit includes:

• 3D printed PETG Enclosure including pole/wall mount
• 1x M3 10mm Socket Cap Stainless Steel Head Screw
• 3x M3 18mm Socket Cap Stainless Steel Head Screws
• 7x M3 Flat Square Stainless Steel Nuts
• 2x M2.5 x 8mm Pozi Pan Head Screws
• 9x No.2 x 6.5mm Pozi Pan Self Tapping Screws
• 1x RAK 1W Booster power cable with pre-soldered Power Switch
• 1x 20cm N-Type OR SMA to IPEX pigtail
• 4x 10cm cable ties
• 2x 43cm cable ties

The Pro kit includes all of the above PLUS:

• INA219 current/voltage sensor with screw headers (requires soldering)
• 4x No.2 x 6.5mm Pozi Pan Self Tapping Screws
• 1x 4 pin screw header for RAK (requires soldering)
• Pre-cut silicone wiring at required lengths

***BOTH KITS DO NOT INCLUDE THE RAK 1W STARTER KIT, WAVESHARE SOLAR CONTROLLER WITH BATTERY BOX, 3x 18650 BATTERIES OR ANTENNA*** These parts can be purchased from the links at the bottom of the description.

Mounting Options

There are three ways to mount Morbo:

Direct to Pole-mounted antenna - large N-Type antenna’s often have their own pole mount. In this case you mount your antenna to a pole and attach Morbo to the antenna. Simple.

Direct to Pole - smaller N-Type antenna’s and SMA antenna’s lack their own pole mount. In this case you attach your antenna to Morbo and use the included pole mount to attach Morbo directly to a pole with the included zip ties. The pole mount supports both vertical and horizontal poles (the latter may require a rubber pad not included)

Wall mount - if using a smaller N-Type or SMA antenna you can use the included wall mount to screw Morbo to a post/wall (screws not included)

Solar Options

The WaveShare Solar Power Manager Module supports panels from 6-24V giving a wide choice of options. In testing with the latest MeshCore firmware (1.16) a small 6W panel designed to be used with a doorbell was recharging Morbo to 100% by 11am in sunny conditions. You will of course need a suitable panel to cover all times of year/weather, but the WaveShare opens up many more options.

Where to buy the Electronics required

RAK Wireless WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit

Worldwide - https://store.rakwireless.com/products/meshtastic-1w-lora-booster-kit-rak3401

Solar Power Manager Module (D) with Battery Holder (ENSURE YOU PURCHASE THE VERSION WITH BATTERY HOLDER!!!)

https://www.waveshare.com/solar-power-manager-d.htm?sku=26363

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CT2ZBML9/

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT2ZBML9/

Battery Guidance

Morbo uses the "parallel" battery holder included with the WaveShare Solar Manager Module. Therefore the following rules must be followed when assembling Morbo:

• Use quality, matching capacity cells
• Charge all cells to an equal charge level before installing in Morbo

Tip: You can use the parallel holder and WaveShare to fully charge each cell individually, one at a time, before assembly.