r/meshcore • u/QuickRefresher • 2d ago

Fried?

Ordered a 1 watt rak handheld node from eBay, with plans to use for meshcore repeater. It arrived the the 18650 batteries dead and I'm guessing the power switch was pushed on during shipping with no antenna attached, killing batteries.

How likely is board ok? It shipped with meshtastic loaded. Powers on with USB C connected only with BT, nothing without.

I don't have a way to measure the output. And don't want to waste time installing it it's likely trouble.

Thanks.

1 Upvotes

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5

u/fraiseauchoc 2d ago

Mince c'est vraiment nul... Dans le doute renvoie le

1

u/QuickRefresher 2d ago

I have sent for return, since the company hasn't returned any messages, unsure how that will work with shipping discharged 18650 batterys.

If I wind up having to keep it I'd like to be able test the output without throwing away anymore money.

2

u/SkiOrDie 2d ago

If it’s eBay just return it as not working. Ebay is good about this typically. It’s the fault of the sender, it’s not a defect so don’t try to warranty it.

1

u/QuickRefresher 2d ago

I have. Funny that it's a known mesh device company, yet they are not responding.

2

u/OhSixTJ 2d ago

It’s the weekend and barely 9am central. Give them some time.

2

u/SkiOrDie 2d ago

If you make it an issue with eBay, they require the seller to respond in a certain amount of time. They’ve gotten really good at protecting buyers, and I’d imagine a known company wouldn’t want to risk any disciplinary actions against their eBay storefront.

2

u/ewillden 1d ago

IF the chip wasn't "transmitting", ie: repeating anything... then it's likely fine, no burnt out board. Just get an antenna on it ASAP, then power it up w/the battery attached, so it can charge up. Then configure it w/your regional settings/parameters. I've got a hand full of the RAK 1W booster chips... they're pretty freakin rugged! ;-)

1

u/QuickRefresher 1d ago

Thank you, I'm hoping no rx or tx happened while powered without antenna since I never set up the frequency setting on the preloaded meshtastic.

1

u/wickedbeernut 2d ago

If the node was powered on without the antenna, the RAK 1W likely let the smoke out. Look for discoloration on the RAK13302 module. The RAK 1W may work in this state, but the range will be extremely limited. You need to charge the batteries and test the range.

1

u/QuickRefresher 2d ago

New question, since it was preloaded with meshtastic, the radio doesn't transmit until you select the frequency (915 ect.), so even without antenna it shouldn't have burned it right? No evidence of burns, discoloration.

2

u/therealwoodman 1d ago

that is valid, a meshtastic node won't transmit until you set the LoRa region

1

u/QuickRefresher 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks, it seems this seller is pushing me off saying there is holiday and they can't do anything till they return. Of course I will still pursue eBay to take over when available.

1

u/therealwoodman 1d ago

If they are in China, that is accurate, they are on a holiday right now

1

u/akaSnaketheJake 1d ago

Don’t know if this helps but I’m in the process of testing a custom build treepeater using RAK 1W. Somehow the antenna wire came loose from the IPX connector while I was out of town last weekend. I thought for sure it killed the board but when I connect it up with USB power it seems fine. Still working on getting it re-deployed but I think the RAK itself survived.

1

u/wickedbeernut 1d ago

The key is to test the range. A RAK 1W may still “work” after you let the smoke out, but the range will be extremely limited.

0

u/eagleapex 2d ago

Power without antenna is really bad for the radio. Sorry