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.

Assembly Guides

You'll find the video assembly guides on our Assembly Guides page.

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.