Meshtastic/MeshCore Solar Node RAK 1Watt RAK3401 - Free 3D Print Model

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Shthaus

Hobby & DIY>Electronics

IP Report

Print Profile(1)

All

P1S

H2D

H2S

H2C

A1 mini

X1E

X1 Carbon

X2D

P1P

P2S

H2D Pro

A2L

0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 12% infill

Designer

9.9 h

2 plates

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

203

Released

Description

Meshtastic or MeshCore new RAK 1 watt Tower Mounted Solar Node 6 Watt Panel Enclosure and mount all on one unit.

UPDATE 5/25/2026 Added V2 Base Plate for 3 21700 Cells 15,000 mAh, MPPT & 5v Boost to power node via 5v. Will lose the battery leverl if powered this way, but the board functions best on 5v.

Several people on our svmesh.net Meshtastic Group have been using this $13 solar panel successfully for the past few years. I wanted to design and build an all-in-one enclosure that has in integrated pole mount, can fit at 2 2170 5000 mAh batteries, is vented with waterproof vents for accurate weather telemetry, and has the capability to house the new RAK 1 watt boards.

Please give me a boost since this cost a lot of time and filament to create and test these prints. I am not looking to sell the design. I only want to help other Meshtastic & MeshCore users. Honestly, I never get boost's so I might not be posting more here on MakerWorld.

This base plate even includes an SMA antenna hole on the battery plate to use external Bluetooth antennas for OTA firmware updates. This is really useful if you mount it on a tower that is out of reach. All my similar nodes use the same size base plates, so they are interchangeable. This base plate is specifically for this node and this housing.

Solar panel used https://a.co/d/63unm1U UPDATE!!! 9/12/25 9pm. Manufacture changed to a new panel design so hole will not line up since new panel is wider so check you dimensions as the sellers sometimes change the panels without letting anyone know. This mount fits the newest model for the rectangular panel currently shipping from amazon seller. Check panel measurements prior to printing. New panel is slightly rectangular and old panel was square. The mounting on the back is slightly different on the old panel.

Install video

Long N female connector https://a.co/d/cod1EHD Confirmed a 6" cable will work as well.

RAK 13301 Coming Soon: WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit- with nRF52840, SX1262, an – Rokland

Heat inserts https://a.co/d/3Js44fj

CCTV Mount https://a.co/d/at6TR9F

Optional CN3163 MPPT for faster charging 1 amp max charging double the speed of a RAK baseboard internall charging circuit.

https://a.co/d/07McG1nJ

Optional low power 5v boost converter. Enables you to power board through 5v input. Move jumper to power this way.

https://a.co/d/0imx2J4i

M10x1.5-10 Waterproof breather vents (Housing is threaded for 2 of these vents) https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKOyW4D

External Solar Charge Controller CN3791 https://a.co/d/08gy1xK2

This external charge controller is HIGHLY recommended to the power needed for this new high power LoRa radio. Also I wold suggest a full sun location since this board charger the batteries 3 times faster than the internal charge controller.

21700 2P battery pack. 18650 2P can also be used but is a bit small for this board.

I build my own here is a video of me building one.

1/4x20 bolt to secure panel to the enclosure required!!! it will help lock everything in place while the silicone dries. Make sure to put the silicone between the mount and panel to seal out the weather and lock the panel in place. I have some of these out for months and they are tough!

Also note there are water weep channels and holes if water enters behind the panel between the panel and the enclosure. These were added on as a precaution.

This is best printed in ASA. I test printed in ABS since it was half the cost of ASA. Profile worked for both types of filament.

It is required to use silicone to seal the node enclosure prior to mounting the panel and screwing in the ¼”x20 screw.

Comment & Rating (7)

@user_2780718149

Previous model used built-in vents why did you change?

The designer has replied

@user_2794056270

2 reasons. These devices are getting more expensive, so I thought as a precaution for environments where snow and fog can blow through. Have I ever had any issue with the old vents that answer is zero issues and 30 deployed by me alone. Part 2 I’m tired of all the complaints I get from people on the vents in general. I post things for free for the Mesh community. The amount of people that just complain or DM me that say this wont work is crazy. So I just tweaked it because that’s what I wanted. I wonder sometimes why I continue to design and post them. This isn’t directed at you. It’s just frustrating sometimes it makes me rethink designing more to post. There is no benefit to share. Thought I would get a few boost to offset cost to test print and create 3mf files. I don’t even get enough boost to make it worth my while and mostly hear negative comments. I may share only stl’s future instead of building a 3mf profile. That will save lots of rolls of filament. Ok done ranting. Lol

@marcokohlhas

I find that sad to hear. They deserve a little more recognition and respect. I'm saying your designs are top-notch and there are many others who feel the same. Please don't be discouraged by a few ungrateful people!! Best mesh and slicer regards from Thuringia 👋

Show original

@3D_ADE

Boosted

Hello! I've been testing your designs for a while now, and they have great potential (definitely worth more than one boost 😉), but please consider the following options: space for vertical 4×18650 batteries space (there’s already an adapter) for the CN3791 space for a BLE antenna connected to the RAK perhaps make the bottom cover board with separate elements so their arrangement can be modified I also have an idea to add a flange with an external thread around the N connector so that a bell (3D-printed) with a PCB LoRa antenna could be screwed on :) Great job! I’m supporting you with a boost 👍

The designer has replied

@user_2794056270

Thanks for the suggestions. I only do this on my spare time but I already have a design base plate built with most of the suggestions you already made, and then some more. if you’re on my local Facebook group Susquehanna Valley Mesh you can see more about my ideas and upcoming changes. Making print profiles and keeping track of all this truly takes a lot of time. But here’s one of my upcoming redesigns. Moving away from 18 650 batteries and going to 21700 because they’re double the capacity.

@Chock

I wish I had found this first. The mounting arm is perfect for getting the device away from a tower's potential interactivity with the system. Well done! Printing this next!

The designer has replied

@user_2794056270

Thank you! Just realized I uploaded the wrong cover photo. I am glad you sent this message so I caught that. This photo is the new style breather on my test print. And yes the arm makes a huge difference if you can’t mount in the top of a pole. shows the old vents new has waterproof breathers instead.

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