Node Builds

These node builds and BOMs were collected from the Mesh Coordinators Discord and the nyme.sh Discord. They are stored here as references or jumping off points for potential future builds. Unless otherwise stated they are not created, built, or endorsed by KD2BUS, and all build text has been reproduced as faithfully as possible for the medium.

Self-Contained Solar G2 (MSPMesh, MN/WI/SD)

The MSPMesh group has come up with an easy, reasonably affordable, and reliable way to have self-contained solar G2 nodes. Typical installation is pole-mounted to a 10 foot fence top-rail with antenna mounted at the top via an 6-8ft LMR400 cable. Of course can also be mounted many other ways, up to and potentially including large magnets if it made sense.

You can see a standard/barebones version in SaveItForParts’ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyFLPSRB33g around the 3:30 mark

This is the most barebones version, with just a battery, charger, and G2 in there. No cavity filter, no voltage monitor, and no Low voltage cutoff/Reconnect.

BOM

There are some other builds on the way right now that aren’t as self-contained but still do handle firmware updates and even some bridging stuff that’s in the works, but I don’t’ think that would fall under this particular build style.

This is really for a “hey, we’ve got a spot that needs a solar G2, let’s get it out there!”

The only step that may not be super evident from the photos is how we attach the panel, and that can vary depending on your preference. I have had success just drilling a bunch of holes in the lid, roughing up the lid surface with a brass wire wheel, and then applying liberal amounts of epoxy to it, and smacking the panel right on there. They are a near perfect fit, and even allows for the lid to be opened fully while installed.

Q: Any particular reason you went with SLA instead of LiFePO4?

A: yup, Minnesota is cold. lifepo would be just fine for most other regions. also SLA is pretty cheap. we get typically 3 months in a row where temperatures reach zero and stay there for quite a while

The 150AH - The Affordable, Expandable, Mount Anywhere Node

Moved from MSP Mesh by Brew Swillis

This project is based on the same solar panel and simliar BOM from the MSP Mesh “RAK Unify 150” magnetic (and other mounting solutions) node build seen here: https://mspmesh.org/rak-unify-150-node-build/ There were several goals for the project:

First will come the BOM (Bill Of Materials), and later on I will create a simple how-to on some of the more tool-oriented steps like drilling holes in the proper places, etc.

BOM

So far in my experimentation with this type of build, the cheapest you can make a complete solar node will be about $75 including a good antenna (MA5-9N, the standard node antenna we recommend).

https://absoluteshitshow.blob.core.windows.net/public/150AH-Models.zip all the STLs, including the magnet mount that I pulled from here (sorry to whoever made it I can’t remember)

there’s also two “kit” 3mf files, that’s usually what I give to people when I print ’em

the batbox uses these contacts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRTMY5T they can be a little fiddly to install but if you take a pair of pliers and patiently push they’ll fit and hit the flat spot on the bottom

JaimeLoopz Solar Build

Copied from the wishlist posted to the nyme.sh discord, all prices from 2025-10-01