A common use case is to want to monitor the battery levels and charge rate of your solar setup in deep playa. This functionality is supported by Meshtastic natively, and the readings are available in the iOS/Android apps. This is really simple to do, and total setup should take no more than 30 minutes.

Parts List

I am linking the parts here from Rokland, our preferred US supplier. If you live outside of the US (or are OK with gambling with import tariffs) u can buy these parts directly from china and save ~$10

• WisBlock Starter Kit - $35
  • This is your mesh radio and carrier board for the voltage sensing module.
  • This also comes with a very small Lora and Bluetooth Antenna.
• RAK16000 Current/Voltage Sensor - $13
  • This is what measures your current and voltage. There are slightly cheaper versions of this but I like this one the best as it has easy-to-use screw down terminals.
  • Measures DC voltage in the range of 0 to 26 V
  • Measures DC current in the range of 0 to 3 A
• Optional but recommended
  • Slightly better antenna and adapter for it of your choice.
  • This is not strictly necessary depending on how deep your art is in deep playa or if it will be in the city/on esplanade.

Requirements

• A place to put this fairly small radio transceiver in your art piece
• A way to power it at your art piece
  • The device can accept regular lipo voltages (3.x → 4.2v)
  • It can also be powered directly off of USB-C with no battery needed, so if you have 5v on your art piece that will work great.
  • If you dont have a 5v output on your art piece, and your solar array battery is anywhere up to 24v you can buy this which will allow you to directly input 5-24v to the device
    • You will need to buy a different baseboard and radio that supports this module
    • New baseboard RAK19010
    • Radio module RAK4631 (same as before except you have to buy them separate/not in a bundle)
    • RAK19016 - power input module 5-24v
    • • buy the same RAK16000 module from the parts list above

Instructions for assembly

Note: Never EVER power up your mesh device without both antennas plugged in. It will damage the device.

1. Assemble your WisBlock starter kit. Don't plug in your Current module/optional power module just yet.
   1. Here is a good tutorial on how to assemble. No soldering needed.