Waterproof Solar Enclosure for LoRA Node

This is a fully 3D printed enclosure I use for my Meshtastic solar nodes. It includes provisions to stick a solar panel directly to the lid. It also includes a separate holster you can screw into a wall and then just slide the node into it for easy access.

I have two nodes running for 12+ months in cases based on this exact design, outside, in the rain, direct exposure.

To make this design 'waterproof' you need to do a few things:

• stick on the solar panel with sillicone, caulk, gasket maker, or whatever sticky waterproof substance you can think of

• add a rubber gasket into the provided groove (or more sillicone if you never need to take it apart again…)

• put some silicone or rubber around the sma connector before inserting it

• (optionally) spray some PVA laquer onto it before you glue on the solar panel

It has mounting locations for a Heltec T114 board, two 18650 cells, MPPT charger module, SMA connector and a 12mm button (or key switch). 

The design is PARAMETRIC, you can change parameters inside the Fusion360 source file to get a box sized for your particular solar panel. Inside Fusion go to Modify > Modify parameters and change the relevant values. Then go to Utilities > Export , choose .3mf as format, choose each part you want to export and save it as a file.

Even if this is a waterproof box, you should drill a small hole on the underside. Even professional waterproof enclosures are prone to condensation inside due to heat/cool cycles pulling in air from outside and moisture wicking through (even goes underneath cable insulation). Drilling a small hole underneath where water can't directly drip into will ensure less moisture inside.

Regarding solar panel size: I'm running Meshtastic nodes based on Heltec T114 boards (nrf52840) in Client mode on just these small 73x133mm solar panels and a single 3500mAh cell without issue. For esp32 nodes or different applications you'll want a bigger panel.

Print instructions:

• should print without supports (lid has them built-in)

• 3-4 outer perimeters + 3-4 top and bottom layers to make it waterproof

• the lid has built-in supports that are very easy to remove, just a thin line. make sure you have a decent cooling for this one. It's meant to be printed with the solar panel side down

Required bits:

2.5mm thick rubber tube (https://aliexpress.com/item/1005007248132438.html is what I use)

1pcs. solar panel (73x133mm default, or change the source file) I use 6V 210mA panels (https://aliexpress.com/item/1005008076138305.html)

4pcs. M4 screws + heat-set inserts