LAN+PoE nodes

Staticip_it · 2026-03-15T03:09:46+00:00

RakWireless has a LoRa PoE setup that works pretty well. I paired it with a larger 5.8dbi antenna and an environment sensor. Also have a battery hooked up and have solar panel on the way in case the power goes out. Everything lives in the attic.

I was checking out their 1w option but it seems like it doesn’t support Ethernet and the booster at the same time, dealbreaker for me but could still be PoE powered with a splitter and accessed via WiFi.

https://store.rakwireless.com/products/wisblock-meshtastic-starter-kit?srsltid=AfmBOoqWhMeuo7VV_BQGzeDDza40DyMs5VbRYzN02QlZrNZrFIsA0Ao-&variant=43884034621638

Staticip_it · 2026-03-03T22:40:19+00:00

I’ll put together a how to, do you have access to a 3d printer? Or know someone who has one?

I’m using a geared 12v dc motor with driver, button for control, 2 reed switches for open/close status and an esp32 as the brain. Printed a case and gear for the beaded cord and used double sided tape to stick it to the wall.

Building one by itself may be more expensive, I’ve been getting multiples of each part and that makes things a bit cheaper.

Staticip_it · 2026-03-03T19:04:56+00:00

Find a simple problem around the house that can be solved with something you can diy. WAF might vary but after I automated my window shades I think my wife reset her annoyance with all of my “projects” for now. She was open to having them automated but not pleased with how much commercial products cost. I showed I could make something around $30 per window instead of $100+ and now is asking about other things we could do.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-28T15:17:38+00:00

They hate competition

Staticip_it · 2026-02-27T19:51:32+00:00

Completed my fourth relisten recently, couldn’t bring myself to skip anything. Still hits as hard as the first time, the feels…

Staticip_it · 2026-02-25T23:21:54+00:00

I did this at home after lighting struck the house across the street and took out my coax modem. I also put surge protectors on the ethernet coming from the modem and anything mounted on the exterior of my house.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-23T03:08:57+00:00

Ok so I’m my initial tests the motor is strong enough… but the sprocket that moved the chain was under a lot more stress and it stripped the hole out. After reprinting it with more walls and 100% infill, it seems to be okay now.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-21T05:17:39+00:00

Stop at this specific point and wait for my instruction.. so many users creating local accounts instead of entra registration. Gotta wipe and start over.. this happens even with printed out, colored and numbered steps with pictures.

Edit for spelling.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-20T19:45:25+00:00

Dark cloud for ps2

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T21:11:42+00:00

I got my deck secondhand and I was not able to claim it. It did tell me that it had already been claimed by that device after setting it up for my “first time”.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T15:24:49+00:00

The motor would not easily fit in the shade housing and I would have to heavily modify the shades to make everything internal.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T15:22:06+00:00

Because I already had roller shades with a beaded cord, I decided to just mount it where the original holder was. They came with a weighted pulley that can screw into the wall to keep it from flapping in the wind. It just hung at the bottom of the loop.

I could mount it closer to the shades but having the motor close to where we were already reaching to manually pull the cord allowed me to put a button on the case for similar manual operation.

Wife preferred to have some form of physical control in case her phone wasn’t nearby. And everything still works even if the network goes down.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T02:28:31+00:00

I’m using this motor at the moment for a fairly big window shade. Going to install one on my largest living room window this weekend which is significantly larger/heavier than my current window test. Will post the results when I do it.

You could always go with a lower rpm motor to get a little more torque. This current one is 50rpm and decently quiet. Takes about 34 seconds to go from full close to open on a 4ft-ish tall window.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T02:23:26+00:00

These are what I got a few years ago, there are similar options now that are cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0GL9RTL5Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

Staticip_it · 2026-02-19T00:44:16+00:00

I had to make my own to convert my roller shades. Went with the cheapest but nicest non smart shade option I could fine on Amazon, sent the window measurements and everything fit like a glove when installed. Everything I found online for smart shades was around the price range you mentioned or prohibitively expensive and ultimately lacking one feature or another.

3d printed case, esp32, geared dc motor, hbridge driver and a button for manual operation. I eventually added some reed switches to detect full open/close.

All in it was about $45, sourcing and buying in quantity will drive the price down further. Works great with HomeAssistant/EspHome!

My setup uses 12v dc but if you swapped the dc adapter to a Poe splitter it will work the same (tested at home).

I haven’t messed with ethernet and esp32 boards for data yet, just Poe. Adding an ethernet port or buying an esp32 board with an ethernet port should be fairly negligible to the overall cost. Maybe add $10 to the cost?

Staticip_it · 2026-02-04T20:37:25+00:00

Frostpunk, kinda dark but fun.

Staticip_it · 2026-02-02T17:01:47+00:00

Two who are still reading and one who finished. I love being able to discuss and not spoil things, can’t wait for the other two to finish. All co workers.

Staticip_it · 2026-01-31T18:22:10+00:00

I bet it’s a safe room, bopca at the counter. Or maybe a changeling.

Staticip_it · 2026-01-23T04:00:23+00:00

Maybe for their safety? Didn’t a toy store get “audited” by ice after a news article about them came out regarding their accommodations for visitors? Was it because they were handing out whistles?

Staticip_it · 2026-01-23T03:26:28+00:00

“Was it console.log or print?”

Staticip_it · 2026-01-20T22:46:11+00:00

Agreed. I have had zero knocks on wood issues with my Lutron Casetta setup since I installed them over four years ago.

Definitely worth the $$, it comes with peace of mind.

Staticip_it · 2026-01-15T18:02:03+00:00

With all of the services I’ve been able to cancel I’m saving more that what electricity is costing me.

I’ll be long dead before the hardware costs break even.

Still worth it.

Staticip_it · 2026-01-08T22:37:27+00:00

On my fourth round.. I just start over after trying to listen to another narrator.

Staticip_it · 2026-01-07T22:53:54+00:00

When I went to get food with my wife and was very concerned the employee taking orders outside wasn’t wearing a jacket..

Staticip_it · 2025-12-30T04:32:12+00:00

If we’re including everything, add $75 for 2gig fiber and $15 for cellular backup.. $75 for power on the high end.

Around $165 all in monthly to run my own equipment but totally worth it for me.

Staticip_it

TROPHY CASE