Zatwig - Meshcore Node Build
This document outlines the bill of materials (BOM) and setup for the Zatwig Meshcore Node.
A solar-powered mesh networking node designed for infrastructure locations.
📋 Bill of Materials
| Item | Qty | Price (USD) | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna | 1 | $2 | Ebyte | basic sleeved dipole 2.5dbi |
| Solar Panels | 3 | $2 ea | Amazon | Power source |
| ASA Filament (~200g) | 1 | $5 | Amazon | ASA for weather resistant enclosure |
| Rak Wisblock | 1 | $30 | Rokland | Main Controller, cheaper to buy atleast 10, massive discount. |
| Battery Cells | 2 | $5 (est) | – | Reclaimed 18650 cells, I used laptop packs I got for free, Can use 21700 for more juice |
| Battery BMS | 1 | <$1 (est) | Aliexpress | 1s BMS board. |
| 1n5817 diodes | 3 | $1 (est) | Amazon | Makes the panels a bit more efficient. Not 100% required but recommended. |
3D files here. When printing, print upside down or else you will have a not fun time. Use tree supports aswell unless you know your printers bridging capabilities.
🛠️ Explanation
The main use-case of this node is for hill tops that dont need alot of power to punch through things. Its only a 22dbm rak but even so can make good connections many km away given proper LOS. These shines well when you place alot of them to properly mesh. I highly recommend upgrading the antenna to something like this , It is a much better antenna, but youll need to use an N type adapter.
⚡ Build Instructions
- Start off by building your battery pack. Line up the two 18650 and spot weld them in parallel side by side. Heat shrink it in battery wrap for extra safety
- Spray down the printed ASA parts with clear coat, a few coats of this will aid its water resistance.
- Solder +/- wires to the 3 solar panels
- Use hotglue or ideally outdoor silicone to attach the panels to the main body, feeding the wires through the holes.
- Solder the 1n5817 diodes on the + wires, then attach all 3 together. (I use a PCB made at home for this with a laser machine)
- Push the antenna through the bottom (takes some umph) and then attach the UFL. add a drop of hotglue for stability.
- hot glue the battery to the inside TOP of the zatwig body.
- Connect the battery and solar panels to the Rak. Ensure youve flashed it properly.
- Nestle everything in the enclosure and screw shut. Uses M5 hex key bolts. if you are gentle it does not require any heat-serts.
- deploy yippie (I recommend wrapping the bottom of the antenna with antenna tape to prevent water ingress.)
💡 Notes
This build is not perfect. It works for me and my use cases. Create at your own risk.