LoRaPowerBox

What is this thing?

This PCB integrates a Heltec HT-CT62 (ESP32-C3 + SX1262), a TI BQ25628E wide-range Li-ion charger and a TI TPS631000 buck-boost converter providing a stable 3.3V rail at up to 1.5A. The TI BQ25628E is capable of handling highly dynamic sources like solar cells and wind generators.

Features

• 3.9-18V input range, with survival up to 26 V
• Up to 3.2A input current (IBUS)
• Up to 2A battery charge current (IBAT)
• Up to 3.5A system output current (ISW), limited to 1.5A @ 3.3V by the TPS631000
• Configurable hot/cold charging profile to restrict charging at extreme temperatures
• Integrated ADC provides full voltage / current telemetry via I²C
• Pseudo-MPPT (VINDPM + IINDPM) for improved energy harvesting from solar/wind/etc. sources
• Full protection circuitry, allowing operation even with unprotected LiPo cells
• Reset IC (DI APX803L05) constantly monitors the battery voltage and switches off the 3.3V rail if it reaches a critical level - but keeps the charger always alive

You can see this project as a successor of the SolarMeshtasticNode project which was a reliable work horse - but showed several limitations. Improvements:

• No voltage dividers required - all measurements available via I²C from the charge controller
• No LED driver transistors needed
• Buck-architecture replaces inefficient LDO regulation
• Significantly improved access to interfaces

Physical Outlines

The size of the PCB is 60mm x 51mm and is planned (= screw hole fits into housing) around following Box (120x90x70).

Do not use the transparent version: it will heat up.

Simulation of the EdgeCut with a 1:1 print

Hardware Verification v0.2

✅ Charging IC charges LiPo and blinks LED according to status

✅ Buck-Boost DCDC creates 3.3V

✅ Heating the thermistor forces throtteling of charging current

✅ Reset IC disables 3.3V using EN pin from DCDC if VBat falls below 3.2V

FAQ

Why are you using a ESP32C3?

I also do a lot of data gathering into TSDBs via Wifi. The Espressif has the most comfortable stack for doing this.

What pins does the LoRa module consume?

The Semtech SX1262 consumes a significant number of GPIOs.

Available pins If LoRa is being used: GPIO0, GPIO1, GPIO18, GPIO19, GPIO20, GPIO21

Note that GPIO8 and GPIO9 are strapping pins and are sampled during early boot.

If the SX1262 is not used, it can be disabled via its CS line (GPIO8) from application code.