A compact Meshtastic motherboard for 868 MHz (EU) measuring 70 × 43 mm, featuring an integrated MPPT charger, multi-chemistry battery support, a 3.3V buck/boost converter, easy I2C senssors integration and a USB-C connector. Designed specifically for off-grid Meshtastic setups, this board optimizes solar power usage, protects your battery, and ensures uninterrupted operation of your nodes in any condition.

How It Compares to Common Setups?

Many Meshtastic users build solar-powered nodes using a RAK4631 + RAK19007 WisBlock boards and a separate MPPT charger module. While this is a functional solution, my RAK4630 Motherboard with MPPT charger offers several key advantages:

• Integration: Instead of multiple boards and messy wiring, this solution combines everything into a single, compact PCB.
• Ease of Setup: With fewer components, the connections are simpler and reduce the chance of wiring errors.
• Size: This all-in-one design is compact and fits easily into small enclosures, unlike the bulkier alternative setups.
• Cost: By reducing the number of required parts, this solution is more cost-effective overall.
• Durability: Fewer components mean fewer potential points of failure, making the entire system more reliable.

Getting Started

• Connect 868 MHz LoRa antenna and 2.4 GHz Bluetooth antenna to the IPEX connectors on the board.
• Optional: Connect any supported I2C sensor to the QWIIC (STEMMA) connectors.
• Connect any solar panel with voltage up to 30 V to the "solar" terminal.
• Attach compatible battery to the "battery" terminal.
• Done. You have a fully working solar-powered Meshtastic node.

Detailed description, user manual, schematics and 3D model (STEP) are available on my blog μArt.cz.

Technical Details

You can use any solar panel with an operating voltage from 7 to 30 V and any lithium-based battery with a nominal voltage below 5.6 V. This means the Meshtastic router can be powered by:

• 1S Li-Ion and Li-Pol (standard, widely available batteries commonly used by Meshtastic enthusiasts),
• 1S LiFePo4 (popular in solar installations due to their long lifespan and capacity over 100 Ah), or
• 1S and 2S Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) (batteries that can be discharged and charged even in winter temperatures below −10 °C).

The PCB includes connectors for easy integration with I2C sensors (e.g., for measuring temperature, humidity, pressure, or other parameters supported by the Meshtastic firmware; connector is compatible with QWIIC from Sparkfun or STEMMA from Adafruit), a USB-C connector (used for communication only, not for powering the board), a RESET button for firmware updates, two signal LEDs, and convenient access to UART RX/TX signals and the SWD (Serial Wire Debug) interface for firmware development or debugging. It also features three mounting holes for M3 screws to securely attach the PCB to an enclosure.

The motherboard is compatible with the Meshtastic firmware for the WisBlock RAK4631. You don’t need to compile or modify anything in the firmware. Simply go to flasher.meshtastic.org, select the target device 'WisBlock RAK4631,' download the UF2 binary, and copy it to the board via USB-C.

What’s Included

I offer three variants to choose from:

• RAK4630 Motherboard only
  • Meshtastic motherboard with RAK4630 (fully assembled and tested)
  • Quick-start guide.
• RAK4630 Motherboard and a set of antennas:
  • Meshtastic motherboard with RAK4630 (fully assembled and tested)
  • Gizont LoRa 868 MHz and 2.4 GHz Bluetooth antennas with IPEX connectors
  • Quick-start guide.
• Fully assembled Meshtastic solar node:
  • Meshtastic motherboard with RAK4630 (fully assembled and tested)
  • Gizont LoRa 868 MHz and 2.4 GHz Bluetooth antennas with IPEX connectors
  • 10 W polycrystalic solar panel with aluminium frame (370x250x17mm)
  • 3 Ah LiPol battery
  • [3D printed parts]((https://www.printables.com/model/1027508-meshtastic-solar-station)
  • Waterproof ABS IP65 enclosure
  • Quick-start guide.

Why Buy from Me?

I’m a maker, Meshtastic and HAM radio enthusiast who designs and manufactures every board myself. Sharing my creations with other makers is a way to contribute to the community I love. By purchasing from me, you not only support my work but also help fuel future designs and innovations. Your support means the world — thank you!

I use Packeta for shipping, a Czech company that delivers packages using the best method for each destination country.

Shipping Times: Typically under 2 weeks for the European Union and some other European countries.

Lost or Damaged Packages: If your package is lost or damaged during transit, please contact me. I’ll work with you to find the best solution.

Shipping to Other Countries: If your country isn’t listed (outside the EU), feel free to send me a message. I’ll do my best to find a way to ship the package to you.

If you have any questions or if something went wrong, send me a message, and I'll do my best to resolve the issue.