Meshtastic RAK 4631 6" Waterproof Box Baseplate

A baseplate for commonly used 6" waterproof boxes from Amazon, Aliexpress, etc.
3
8
0
277
updated December 28, 2024

Description

PDF

A simple baseplate for your RAK 4631 outdoor solar nodes. 

 

Print out of PETG for better heat resistance in summer sun. Standard 0.2mm profile. 

Supported Hardware:

The ancillary components are all optional but highly recommended. At a minimum you should include a Voltaic Enclosures PCM board. 

 

Recommended RAK extras: 

 

Batteries:

There is ample room on the right hand side for your choice of battery pack. Pictured is a 10Ah LiPo battery but it will also fit 18650s x 3 (or more) and 21700x3 if you really jam them in there.

If using discreet cells such as 18650s or 21700s screw the holders directly into the baseplate. 

For LiPo packs just use double sided tape. 

 

Solar Panels: 

Personally I prefer these no name panels off Amazon as they are glass faced and come with a mounting bracket. These do not have a regulated output but are safe to plug into the RAK solar port directly. I have not tested them into the USB port so try at your own risk. 

Using an external charging module will get you better efficiency and when paired with a Voltaic Enclosures PCM will give you excellent brownout protection.

Another good option is the venerable Soshine panel. These do have a regulated 5V output and are suitable to plug directly into the RAK USB Port. 

The panel in the pictures was off a broken solar light. Way too small unless you live in California in which case it would probably work. 

 

Wiring Considerations: 

Don't use spade connectors for the barrel connector to the charge board like I did. Use a proper JST-PH connector or solder directly. 

Wire the PCM board Batt terminal in parallel with both the battery and charge controller. This will ensure proper low voltage cutoff of the RAK as well as solar charging when the node is switched off. 

Wire the power switch on the positive wire going from the PCM to the RAK Battery input. 

Be super observant of connector polarity. The RAK is wired opposite to how these cables typically come. Use a hobby knife to pry up the little tabs on the connector ends and swap the cables around to match the RAK polarity for all connections. 

 

Other Considerations:

Use a waterproof barrel connector and bulkhead N/SMA connector for your antenna. Waterproof your barrel connector tops with some gorilla glue on the inside. And glue in all penetrating connectors for the most waterproof seal possible. 

You will need M2.3 and M2.6 x 6mm wood screws to secure the components. M3 hex bolts will also work for the PCM module. The mounting screws the RAK board ships with will work for mounting the RAK as well. 

If you are using a panel with regulated USB output, there is enough room to squeeze in a USB-C Cable into the RAK USB port. 

Slather 3D Printer grease on the sealing surfaces of the box for a better weather seal. 

Happy Meshing!

Tags



Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

License