ChatterBox Portable Solar Node Specs

The portable solar nodes are based on the Lilygo T3S3 and the Rak Unify IP67 Enclosure. We upgrade a few critical components, add an SD card, and flash the ChatterBox firmware onto the node. If you purchase this as part of a package, it can already be onboarded to your cluster. If you purchase this by itself, you’ll need to onboard the node onto your cluster (pretty easy, a few clicks).

The node is powered by a 5,000 mAh 3.7v LiPo battery, which (depending on usage) can typically keep your node running endlessly with regular sunlight, and days without.

A solar power manager uses sunlight and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) to keep the battery charging via solar whenever possible.

You can also charge with the included USB cable whenever you want.

We include a 6” whip antenna that has proven to work well with ChatterBox, but you can easily shop around for different antennas.

Any time the battery is completely discharged, you may need to charge (clear sun or via cable) for an hour or more, before the node will fully boot. The larger capacity of this battery gives it different charge/discharge characteristics than smaller batteries.

The node stays powered on all the time as long as there is at least a 10% charge level on the battery. Below that, the node will remain in ultra-low-power standby (radio off) until the charge is above 10%, at which time it should fully boot.

There is an external on/off push-button switch, which powers off the node, but allows charging to continue.

  • Can be used as a portable base station. Take it with you, mount it outside, leave it plugged in, all are options.

  • Requires no power connection, provided enough sunlight

  • Includes 10 dBi whip antenna, which mounts directly to the node (no cable)

  • RP-SMA connector allows you to easily try other antennas

  • Integrated realtime clock

  • SD card included for encrypted storage (32 GB)

  • 5,000 mA LiPo battery

  • Upgradeable firmware

  • SX1262 915 mHz LoRa transceiver