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The tides are starting to turn against RAK Wireless. I'm running into problems with both nodes now. 🙁

Node 1 was working just fine, but now it isn't running with the solar/battery power boards (19013). It will run with a 19012 (same thing + USB-C).

But it gets even weirder. If I power it using an IO extension board (5804) with a micro USB cable, it doesn't appear to boot unless that 19012 board is connected. There's nothing plugged into the 19012 board mind you, but just having it connected seems to be vital.

And if the 19013 boards would also make it work, I could rationalize this, but they don't.

So, like, what? Both my 19013 boards went bad at the exact same time? Seems highly unlikely!

I haven't flashed the firmware, changed any settings or anything. I just woke up and this is the state it was in.

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Discussion

cloud fodder 11mo ago

well, im same kinda flake power problems without battery on heltecv3. one of two nodes, serious grounding problem i have to short the ground to wifi antenna with my thumb to prevent bootloop on boot, then its fine? lol

Dr. Hax 11mo ago

Meanwhile, double tapping reset doesn't put node 2 into UF2 upload mode. And even if I flash the bootloader on there to get it into that mode, flashing the meshtastic uf2 on there doesn't result in it booting.

This hardware was great out of the gate, but now it's nearly non-functional.

So if you were thinking about following in my footsteps, I'd suggest you don't buy anything from RAK until/unless I can get this resolved.

Marc Kat 11mo ago

I just bought a Rak Pocket Mesh. It works great...better than I expected. I I don't have a stationary node with solar setup yet.

Dr. Hax 11mo ago

OK, I still have the fucked up RAK4630, but I fixed node 1. Some genius decided to reverse the pina between the JST 1.5mm and the JST 2.0mm connectors. Now everyone pins them this way, which means if you make them consistent on your board, you're now incompatible with batteries or other devices with JST connectors.

I reversed the pins on my USB-A to JST 1.5mm and was back in business. This happened because I switched the power wire when I connected the new MPPT board and didn't check closely enough.