Wisblock Solar Node

So far it doesn’t seem there is a whole lot of infrastructure in the Mid-Hudson Valley area. One way, as a community, we can fix this is by building out solar nodes to expand the local network. One of the main blockers with the area is the fact that it is fairly hilly so it is ideal that we put the nodes as high as possible.

Components

• 1 × WisBlock Starter Kit
• 1 × Pigtail cable N Type Female RG178
• 1 × DFROBOT 900ma MPPT charge controller
• 1 × 5w/5v solar panel 2-pack
• 1 × 2000mah LiPo
• 1 × 5dbi Alfa 915 antenna

Danger

DO NOT plug WisBlock into power until LORA antenna is connected. You can do serious damage to board if the antenna is not plugged in.

Build Steps

1. Prep the junction box
   • Drill a 5/8” hole in the top of the box so that the Pigtail connector can fit.
   • Remove the mounting plate from the juction box and mount the boards and battery in a way that makes sense (see images).
   • Mount the solar panel to the front of the junction box.
2. Prep the cables
   • The solar panels come with a pigtail with a USB-C connector on the end. Cut the wire as close as possible to the USB-C end and then strip the positive and negative wires so that there is bare copper.
3. Mount LoRa pigtail and antenna in hole drilled on top of box
4. Connect wires
   • Connect antennas to the WisBlock first.
   • Connect battery to the battery-in terminal on the solar controller.
   • Connect the stripped wires from the solar panel wire to the solar-in terminal.
   • Connect the USB-A to USB-C cord from the solar controller to the WisBlock board.
5. Using self-sealing silicone tape, wrap the base of the antenna as well as the end of the pigtail going to the solar panel.