Get Started with SenseCAP Solar Node | Seeed Studio Wiki

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Get Started with SenseCAP Solar Node | Seeed Studio Wiki

Get Started with SenseCAP Solar Node for Meshtastic & LoRa

https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/get_started_with_meshtastic_solar_node/

[adelafon-dev]

Hello, the only way to flash firmware is through USB? Meaning that once installed high on a mast I have to get up there to flash a new FW? Thanks :)

[nfs0619]

Sorry for the late reply! Yes, currently the firmware can only be updated via USB, so it may require taking the device down for flashing.

[drolidroli]

What are the correct meshtastic settings for "GPS Receive GPIO", "GPS Transmit GPIO" and "GPS EN GPIO" to operate the L76K GPS module correctly? Mine are all set to 0, but GPS position is not reported.

[nfs0619]

Hi, the solar-powered node supports the L76K GPS module.
Please double-check that your GPS module is properly installed and connected.

[drolidroli]

Thank you for your reply. My issue resolved automatically after some time. The satellites were not very well visible from my location. After moving it to a different place it got a GPS fix within 2 minutes. This means no changes necessary to the default settings of "GPS Receive GPIO", "GPS Transmit GPIO" and "GPS EN GPIO".

[nfs0619]

Glad to hear it’s working now. Thanks for letting us know!

[ChristianFFB]

Hi, i am trying to use the Solar Node with Meshcore. The current firmware builds do not include GPS so i try to implement it myself. What are the GPIO for GPS rx/tx/reset?

[thrownblown]

Is there a way to change the device pin?

[nfs0619]

Hi, changing the device pins is not recommended, as it may cause unexpected issues.

[brandonsgreene]

What is the button sequence for factory resetting? flashing.mesh...... did not work, first configuration cannot be editted any longer.

[nfs0619]

Hi! There is no hardware button sequence for factory reset.
The solar node provides only three buttons: USER (user-defined), RST (reset), and PWR (power).
If you encounter any issues during use, please feel free to contact our technical support at [email protected].

[ChristianFFB]

Hi, i am trying to use the Solar Node with Meshcore. The current firmware builds do not include GPS so i try to implement it myself. What are the GPIO for GPS rx/tx/reset?

[nfs0619]

Hi! Here are the GPIO pins for the Solar Node GNSS connection:

• Gpio0.02 — GNSS_WAKEUP
• Gpio1.03 — GNSS_RST
• Gpio1.11 — GNSS_TX
• Gpio1.12 — GNSS_RX
• Gpio1.05 — GNSS_POWER_EN

Hope this helps!

[Easy7Ed]

the video above where temp humidity and baro sensor added inside - is it sealed unit? how does that sensor work? how humidity is sensed? or is that for the inside of the unit?

[nfs0619]

Hi! The sensor in the video measures only the internal temperature and humidity inside the enclosure. It’s not pre-installed — users can connect it themselves via the Grove interface on the Solar Node.

Since the device is waterproof and sealed, the sensor cannot extend outside the enclosure to measure external environmental data.

[Easy7Ed]

well exactly! then what is the point of this sensor? LoL

[nfs0619]

Good question! The Grove port is designed for flexibility. Some users use the temp and humidity sensor to monitor internal circuit conditions, while others connect different Grove modules for their own custom applications.

[BishKopt]

Is it possible/allowed to mount the antenna directly to the unit body (without the RF cable)? If so, this would require the unit to be turned 90 degrees so that the antenna points upwards - would having the antenna on the top (and the buttons on the side) decrease the waterproof properties?

[nfs0619]

No, a proper RF cable is required. Internally, we provide a waterproof gasket, and the antenna interface is designed to handle rain or splashes. As long as it is not submerged in water for long periods, the waterproof properties will not be compromised.

[mdecourcy]

Can I connect this device to wifi? If not, am I able to connect a networking chip to gpio?

[nfs0619]

No, the device cannot connect to Wi-Fi. Its Wi-Fi function only supports passive scanning to decode nearby devices’ MAC addresses and cannot join a network.

[gesGitHub]

When I try to turn MQTT on the SEEED Solar Node, I just get 0% or Close.. It has been over 5 minutes and nothing changes. The node also goes "off-line"!. I have to power the device off in order to do anything else in settings. Firmware version: 2.6.11.60ec05e Beta

[gesGitHub]

I just noticed when going to the "LoRa" tab that the "OK to MQTT" is turned on! Under Module configuration the MQTT is NOT enabled! Is there a conflict between the LoRa setting and the MQTT Config?

[nfs0619]

Hello, to help us locate and resolve the issue more efficiently, please contact our technical support team at [email protected] and provide them with the relevant information. Our technical support staff will assist you as soon as possible.

[broeding]

I just purchased a SenseCAP Solar and have spent hours trying to get it to see other nodes. I have a T-1000e and it picks up over 80 nodes in my area. The solar does not pick up any with the unit 25 feet in the air with a stock antenna. I have compared and set my Solar to the exact same settings as the T-1000E and still see nothing. I have also flashed it with the latest firmware. I even tried one of the Alpha builds and still nothing.

[nfs0619]

Hello, for your issue I recommend contacting our technical support team at [email protected]. Please provide them with details such as your device model and the specific steps you have taken so that they can offer you faster and more detailed assistance.

[broeding]

I have done this. Here is their reply below. After multiple resets and device flashes, it has started to pick up nodes. The solar node is placed 20 feet up outside. It has picked up 10 nodes, while my T-1000E has 80 nodes located in my house on the first floor. Both are set to the same settings. I would appreciate an explanation of why the T-1000e was set up and worked right out of the box, using the same settings that I have struggled with for the Solar Node. I realize that this is not a production system at this point, so I have gone to the community for assistance.

I think the first statement is the answer to my issue, since I know several individuals with T-Beams that this device does not see.

"Make sure that there is no t-beam next to you. Seeed Meshtastic device can not communicate with it currently."

Make sure that there is no t-beam next to you. Seeed Meshtastic device can not communicate with it currently. If you keep a t-beam next to you. it may cause the meshing failure.
Make sure the antenna is correctly and firmly installed. You can refer to the installation guide in the link below: https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/get_started_with_meshtastic_solar_node/#step-by-step-installation-guidance
Try update the firmware for the Solar node https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/get_started_with_meshtastic_solar_node/#flash-firmware
If still no luck, please send me a serial port log so that I can assist you better. You can follow the steps below:
· connect it to the computer
· open the device
· open a serial port monitor tool
· try sending and receiving messages
· save the log and send it to me

Best regards,
Michelle Huang
Field Application Engineer

[Thanh-Viet]

I’m running MeshTastic 2.7.13 and the settings aren’t saved. I want to change the role from CLIENT to CLIENT BASE but it stays as CLIENT
Also, how do I turn off the unit ? Long press on POWER only blinks the blue LED and that’s it.
My other issue is tha OTA firmare update isn't working so if the unit is on a mast, it will stay as is for ever...

[nfs0619]

Hi, thanks for your feedback. For the role issue: it is possible to change the role (e.g. from CLIENT to CLIENT BASE) on this firmware. Please try reflashing the firmware again, then change the role and make sure you press “Send” after setting the role. If it doesn’t take the first time, please try the role change a few more times. To power off the unit, please remove the USB cable first, then long-press the POWER button for more than 9 seconds; the blue LED will stay on for about 3 seconds and then turn off, which means the device is fully powered down.

Regarding OTA: at the moment, NRF-OTA is not supported and may cause the device to freeze, and we have stated this in our wiki. This is a limitation that still needs optimization on the Meshtastic official firmware side, so for now the device needs to be taken down for firmware updates. If the issues remain, please feel free to contact our technical support at [email protected].

[broeding]

I have the same issue with turning off my SenseCAP. I do not believe this device was ready for production sales. I do not mind troubleshooting and testing for Seeed but I purchased what I thought was a working device and would not have to do testing for them.

[nfs0619]

Hi, thanks for your feedback and sorry for the inconvenience with your SenseCAP. To power it off, please unplug the USB cable first, then long-press the POWER button for more than 9 seconds – the blue LED will stay on for about 3 seconds and then turn off, which means it’s shut down. If you still have any concerns, please feel free to contact our technical support at [email protected].

[broeding]

I wish the technical support team had been helpful, but so far, they have not been much assistance with my issues with this unit.

I would like to know which firmware works best for the SenseCap Solar. Currently, I am running Firmware: 2.6.11.60ec05e

[Easy7Ed]

Looking at the fw version I assume you are referring to meshtastics fw. Do you understand that this has nothing to do with Seeed studio, they manufacture the hardware and firmware is up to meshtastics devs.
Also I can confirm that 2.7.11 onwards been working on my node since the release of 2.7.11.

[napobo3]

Is it possible to connect external WIFI module ? The Bluetooth doesn't work and I am looking for an alternative.

[nfs0619]

Hi, thank you for your question.
For this issue, I’d recommend contacting our technical support team at [email protected] and providing them with more detailed information about your setup and the problem you’re facing.
They will be able to offer you faster and more detailed guidance.