I made a RAK node that does re-start in tests once flat. Not sure if that situation occurred in the field yet. This is it: Solar node for top of tall building using the Waveshare D solar power manager
This is a bit off topic in terms of the node itself (since this is about the RAK systems), but I have now make a “restart testing kit” using a solar panel (Polysilicon Solar Panel (18V 10W), 10Wp Power Photovoltaic Panel, High Conversion Efficiency) and the Waveshare D Solar Power Management board (Solar Power Manager Module (D), Supports 6V~24V Solar Panel and Type-C Power Adapter, 5V/3A Regulated Output | Solar Power Manager (D)) and three 18650 LiIon protected cells (4000 mAh) (Keeppower 18650 - 4000mAh 3,6V - 3,7V Li-Ion-Akku mit Schutzelektronik (Pluspol erhöht) P1840C | akkuteile.de).
The idea is to be able to test any node for re-start after brownout. The T-echo was really stubborn - it did not want to switch off at all, even when the LiIon batteries attached to the Waveshare D were drained to their minimum, the T-techo went right on and started up and ran fine for a further couple of days. Eventually after 2 days the T-echo was completely unresponsive to button presses and not contactable via the mesh.
The outcome I will post here.
The setup can be used to test any node arrangement. It would be nice to be able to plug in different sorts of batteries, and the Waveshare D does allow for this.
My aim here is testing the T-echo for re-starting after a total power out due to having drained the three Li-Ion batteries and its own battery. I got very good radio results with the T-echo and this antenna (Taoglas FW.86.B.SMA.M e.g. from FW.86.B.SMA.M | Taoglas Antenna, ISM, 850 ... 890 MHz, 240mm, 3.5 dBi, Male SMA, Screw | Distrelec International) so was keen to use this one with a broken screen as a solar node… if it can re-start of its own accord.
The test board is made with perspex (plexiglass) sheet to mount the parts, and then the sheet is fixed to the solar panel.
The T-echo did wake up automatically when the pannel was left in the sun.
Thus far the batteries of the Waveshare have not charged, but the T-echo did wake up, having been previously drained to the point where the buttons caused not lights to light and no message from nor traceroute to nor nodeinfo was available for the device. (This result is consistent with reports of nodes that use a T-echo in a tupperware box and a solar panel with USB C output plugged into it.) Which is all fine… provided tomorrow when the sun shines the batteries of the Waveshare D also charge… so far so good…
BUT the T-echo needed a button press to send and receive so it cannot be used as a solar node
Now testing waveshare D with T-beam S3 Supreme… with no battery in the Supreme.
