Outdoor Solar Repeater
RAK 1W Solar Mesh Relay
The same lantern enclosure with a higher-draw 1W radio path, a 4 x 21700 battery pack, and a 2A solar chargeboard for longer unsupported duty cycles.
1W outdoor relay hardware for MeshCore deployments using the same lantern shell and solar panel set, now paired with a RAK 1W radio stack, a 4 x 21700 battery pack for roughly 20 Ah total capacity, and a 2A solar chargeboard. Field testing on this build has shown about 3-5 days of runtime on battery alone.
Out of stock
This page pairs the shared lantern exterior with 1W-specific internal photos so the larger battery reserve, board stack, and service wiring can be inspected before checkout.
- US shipping
- US flat-rate shipping is $18.75 for this item.
- 30-day returns
- Returns are accepted by mail within 30 days for unused items in new condition. Customer is responsible for return shipping.
Specification Sheet
Core deployment data.
- Firmware
- Preflashed with MeshCore
- Radio
- RAK 1W booster platform
- Battery
- 4 x 21700, roughly 20 Ah / 20000 mAh total
- Solar
- Same four 6V 200 mA panels, roughly 3-5W optimal charging
- Charge Board
- 2A solar chargeboard
- Antenna
- Fixed dipole
- Service
- Fully repairable
Product Gallery
Field and service views.
These product photos show the enclosure, mounting geometry, charging surface, and internal layout so you can evaluate the hardware before purchase.
Shared exterior
Same lantern shell and solar face
The 1W product keeps the same exterior lantern body and solar panel layout used across the storefront.
Charging side
Solar face and side access door
The charging surface and service door remain unchanged, so the installation language stays consistent with the rest of the lantern line.
Hardware
Top hanging loop detail
The same top loop and roof cap keep the field suspension story identical even though the internals change.
Electronics
RAK 1W radio stack and reserve pack
Power system
Four-cell 21700 pack and charging path
Mounting detail
Rear base and lower stake assembly
Overview
The RAK 1W Solar Mesh Relay keeps the same lantern enclosure, top-mount form factor, and shared solar panel face used across the storefront, then changes the internals for a higher-draw relay role. This build combines a RAK 1W radio stack with a 4 x 21700 battery pack for roughly 20 Ah total capacity and a 2A solar chargeboard inside the same serviceable shell.
The solar panels are the same as the other lantern product, but the power path is sized for a busier node and longer reserve between charging windows. It is intended for fixed outdoor relay placements where the shared lantern form factor works, but the duty cycle calls for more stored energy than the single-cell version.
- RAK 1W radio platform
- MeshCore installed before shipment
- Fixed dipole antenna for consistent field performance
- 4 x 21700 battery pack / roughly 20 Ah total capacity
- 2A solar chargeboard with the same lantern solar panel set
- Serviceable enclosure and accessible internals
Why move to a 4 x 21700 pack?
The 1W radio path draws more current than the single-cell lantern, so this build moves to a larger four-cell 21700 reserve to support longer unsupported operation. The product is still serviceable, but the design goal shifts from the simplest possible battery path to a larger reserve that better matches the radio load.
This version is for buyers who want the same lantern deployment language and solar face while trading up to a larger internal battery reserve and a 2A charging path.
Field runtime and solar behavior
Field testing on this 1W lantern has shown about 3-5 days of runtime on battery alone. The shared solar panel set has also been sufficient to keep a busy node running through cloudy weather when the installation still sees usable daylight.
As with any outdoor relay, real runtime still depends on installation height, RF settings, local weather, and how much direct light the node receives. The larger pack and 2A chargeboard are there to stretch the operating window when sun conditions are not ideal.
Recommended applications
This build is aimed at buyers who want the lantern form factor for neighborhood, property, trail, and off-grid coverage, but need the larger reserve and higher-draw radio path of the 1W configuration. It is especially relevant for fixed relay locations that see heavier duty cycles or longer stretches of weak sun.
It also works for buyers who want consistent external hardware across multiple relay sites while mixing internal power architectures to match the job at each location.
What ships and what to expect
This product is a finished outdoor relay node rather than a bare radio board. Core highlights include MeshCore installed before shipment, the same lantern enclosure and solar face used across the line, a RAK 1W radio stack, a 4 x 21700 / 20 Ah battery pack, and a 2A solar chargeboard in a serviceable internal layout.
The gallery includes real internal photos of the larger battery reserve and radio stack so buyers can inspect the 1W build before purchase instead of relying on generic renders.
Sources
External references for the hardware claims on this page.
These references sit below the sales copy so the page stays focused on the node itself while still showing where the hardware and comparison details came from.