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Got a question for the #meshtastic guys. I've a couple of heltec nodes i want to set up. I also have a shit ton of these 18650 batteries. image So is it a good idea to slap 3 in a case like this. image Plug it into a solar panel and use the box to power the board... image I'm trying to aviod the circuit side and solar controller part of this diagram... image #uk #brits #node #solar #power #secure #private #sovereign

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In short, yes, go for it. Hopefully that case has the right electronics in to prevent discharging when the panel is outputting less than 5V (which it will most of the time unless in direct sunlight, which is few and far between these days). Might be worth getting a higher voltage panel (what's the input range of the charger? Or does it just say "USB"?) to account for less than ideal conditions. Else you might have to get a shotkey diode to prevent discharging, but they're very cheap and very simple to wire in series if you own a soldering iron.