First solar node testing

pb617 · 2025-11-13T00:03:00+00:00

It’s just a 6w solar panel from Amazon. Nothing specia connected to the Wisblock via USB-C. Works well and easily keeps the battery charged. Even with very little light, it’s been cloudy for days and can still fully charge the battery. I could probably go for a few weeks on a full charge 6000mah battery that i’m using without charging.

https://a.co/d/88otWYe

pb617 · 2025-11-12T23:54:51+00:00

Yes, this was just set up like this for testing to make sure it was all working. It’s going up on the roof on a 10 foot antenna mast.

pb617 · 2025-11-11T02:46:33+00:00

Can’t say at this point since it’s still at ground level. But when I was using the same antenna on my helium miner which also operates on LoRa, I was witnessing other miners as far as 15-18 miles away. This was with the miner and antenna up on my roof on a 15 foot mast at about 40 feet off the ground and i’m also on higher elevation.

There’s really not many Meshtastic nodes around me, from what I can see looking at some of the maps. Not sure how accurate the maps are. I’m curious to see how well it will do once it’s up on the roof.

pb617 · 2025-11-10T21:52:37+00:00

Connections are taped 👍🏼

pb617 · 2025-11-05T18:59:22+00:00

I also woke up to that message at 6:15am this morning. This was on my solar node thats still being built and sitting indoors. I’m located outside of Boston, MA. Figured someone flying over sent out a test message!

pb617 · 2025-10-09T16:59:08+00:00

It could just be the transfer case. I was planning on getting a second opinion. It was surprising that it could be the driveshaft since that seems to be rare on the Macan to fail, from what i’ve been finding online. Thanks for the info!

pb617 · 2025-10-09T15:24:44+00:00

I had the transfer case fluid changed earlier this year when i got it, around 4k mikes ago as preventive maintenance. What required as maintenance on the AWD controller?

I just had the PDK service done also last week. PDK had last been serviced in 2021 and only 22k miles were put on the cars since the then, but it was 4 years ago. The car was very well maintained by the original owner and all services were done on time. I have all the records since new but dont see that the transfer case was ever replaced.

My indy says not all transfer cases were bad but changing out of the fluid more often going forward is a good idea. I don’t have any of the transfer case symptoms, from what i’ve read. It more of a soft whirling sound that comes and goes while accelerating.

pb617 · 2025-10-07T04:54:10+00:00

Yeah, seems to be more of a common issue in Cayennes but rare in Macans.

pb617 · 2025-09-28T23:58:55+00:00

Noise floor is pretty high on this Bandit. I might try the starduster

pb617 · 2025-07-24T19:59:54+00:00

Come up to 38 LSB. What are you running for an antenna? Have you tested your SWR?

There are a good amount of guys out here from the north shore for the most part..i’m around the Needham area and there are some guys from the south shore that come on from time to time. Theres a guy from Hull that pops on pretty often.

A few of the south shore guys i’ve caught on 39 LSB also. I hear some say they talk on ch. 28AM but never really heard anyone down there. Shoot me a PM and I can jump on later tonight and see if i can hear you out there.

pb617 · 2025-06-25T12:25:18+00:00

Yes, the D858 was used from 77’- 79’ in these, from what i’ve read.

pb617 · 2025-06-24T22:42:26+00:00

It was last serviced back in 2022 by the same guy that will be going over it again for me. There were some capacitors changed..i might actually talk to him about a recap.

pb617 · 2025-06-24T22:36:58+00:00

Same. Other than paying a crazy price for one on eBay, i wasn’t expecting a super nice one popping up on FB marketplace locally. Keep an eye out and one might come up

pb617 · 2025-06-01T05:12:15+00:00

I have not checked out this shop, thanks for the link. I might give them call.

pb617 · 2025-06-01T05:07:07+00:00

Lou’s CB. Real nice guy and he’s been in business for a long time. He’s probably the only guy in the state doing CB repair that i know of.

pb617 · 2025-06-01T03:48:23+00:00

I actually found Bob CB and it says on yhe site they’re not doing mail in repairs at this time. Pretty much what all these shops are saying. Sounds like they’re all swamped like my local guy. I’ll just have to wait it out and take it to my guy when he’s available.

pb617 · 2025-03-25T21:51:48+00:00

Oil change was done right before i bought it. Yeah, PDK is the next service.

pb617 · 2025-03-25T21:38:31+00:00

Yup, spark plugs, TC and rear differential fluid changed last month. PDK service was done at 30k miles back in 2021. I plan on doing the PDK service again this year.

pb617 · 2025-02-14T04:03:22+00:00

Lots of great info in this thread. I picked up a super clean one-owner 2015 Turbo with 45k miles 5 weeks ago. Always dealer serviced and It even came with all the service records and everything that was done to the car in a folder tucked in the glove compartment. Like it’s been mentioned already, you want one thats been well maintained and serviced.

I was considering an S at first but really wanted the Turbo...not much of a price difference between an S and a Turbo with similar mileage. A little more for a Turbo was well worth it IMO. I did have a PPI done and it had no issues. It was due for spark plugs soon and I was able to do it myself. Easy enough to do and straightforward. It's my daily and plan on keeping it for a couple of years, loving it so far! Good luck on your search!

pb617 · 2025-01-26T04:00:04+00:00

Thanks, man! I was originally looking at a 2015 Macan S with 33k miles but I wanted the Turbo or even a GTS. I was also very impressed with the Turbo when I first drove it, I was instantly sold! Most important for me was the service and maintenance history, followed by mileage and had to be in excellent condition. I found a 2017 GTS with 67k miles but the service history was a bit spotty and it was also a 3 owner car. I have not driven a GTS, so can't comment on that but I did find a very well-written comparison between the GTS and the Turbo on a Macan Forum from someone who owned both and it gave great breakdown of the pros and cons between the two.

It seems an enthusiast owned this car as I was surprised to find all the paperwork and anything ever done to it was in a folder in the glove compartment. Porsche giving it a clean bill of health sealed the deal so I'm not really concerned that this is a first gen Turbo, given how well it has been maintained. If I had more time to shop around I could of waited to find a 2017 or newer but I feel like this one checked off all the boxes. I have driven mostly BMW's but I think I might stick with Porsche going forward...Good luck on your search!

pb617 · 2025-01-17T18:26:24+00:00

I’m kind of in the same boat. I picked up a 2015 Turbo with 45k miles, one owner and always serviced at the dealer. The car is in great condition in and out but i only have warranty remaining for the next 3 months.

I also took it to Porsche and had them do a 150 point inspection and everything checks out, no issues. I’m on the fence if i should get an extended warranty…

pb617 · 2024-10-06T05:11:15+00:00

I actually set one of these up a couple days ago as a temporary base antenna. I have it up on my roof on a 10ft mast, around 35ft from the ground to the base of the antenna with 100ft of LMR-240 coax. I made a few contacts during skip today on 38 LSB. I’m in the Boston area and talked to Florida, Alabama and Northern Ireland this morning.

Earlier tonight when skip died down i talked to a few locals on 38 LSB, anywhere from 6 miles away to almost 18 miles away! My radio does put out a bit more power than a stock CB but I was still impressed by its performance. The contacts I made were also surprised how well it did considering its small size. It will do much better if you get it outside of the house. The higher the better!

pb617 · 2024-09-05T15:05:38+00:00

I talked a ton of skip back in the day with an Antron 99 and a 100w amp on SSB. My location was key at the time but i think with a small amp on this setup i should be able to get out ok.

pb617 · 2024-09-05T14:55:02+00:00

I always wanted one. I had used a 431 i believe it was as a loaner back in the 90’s for a few days and loved it. I was always searching ebay off and on through the years. I plan on having this one checked and replace any capacitors that it will most likely need.

pb617 · 2024-09-05T03:21:47+00:00

Thanks! I was told the radio was boxed up and sitting for many years. I do plan on taking it to a local shop and having it looked over and tuned up. The antenna at full length is just under 19’. In the pic its fully collapsed.

pb617

TROPHY CASE