How to get Wifi in the woods - DIY Solar Internet Station

Great Wi-Fi coverage outdoors can seem impossible. See how I fixed this problem simple DIY Solar Wi-Fi Station. These tips can also help teahc you how to get the best Wi-Fi coverage in your house too, I included a mini lesson on Range Extenders vs Mesh and what's best. These work very well when you are living off-grid/disconnected in a rural setting where cell coverage is poor or non-existent.

Battery & Power:

Network:

Small Parts:

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Technical Info:
Wire sizing must match the power flowing through the system. This is determined by the solar panel, battery, load, etc. Mesh AP does have limitations that vary between manufacturer. Some have smaller limits. I chose a 100AH battery so that I could run for weeks without sun, which sometimes happens. You can use a smaller battery or a larger panel, this was just a simple design that has been working perfectly now for over a month. I am very pleased!

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Disclaimer:Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[SilverCymbal]

Hope you found this video interesting. *All parts are in the description* Let me know what I could have done differently WHY? I could barely make phone calls outdoors & my kids and I like having music & often use the web even outdoor to check weather, etc. I also have a weather station that needs Wi-Fi (more on that in a future video) - There are some other technical details in the description since I know my fellow IT nuts will jump all over some of my statements.

[-_T]

I recommend you use gravel or concrete pad vs bare ground to preserve the wood longer.

[aronmedders]

Great set up! One point, always connect the charge controller to the battery before connecting the solar panel. If the panel is pumping power into the controller and it doesn't have anywhere to go, it could burn up the controller.

[gjheydon]

If you are using home assistant I would add a esp32 and a shunt type device to monitor the batter level and usage. You should even be able to see how much solar is going into the battery. Then you can monitor the level and make sure the battery is large enough. Also should be able to keep an eye on the battery health as well.

[bkxc]

I’ve been kicking around this idea in my head for my off grid property so I can do more “live” game camera stuff. I think I’ll need a bit more power if I want to do continuous live streaming, but this gives me a pretty good framework. Thanks for showing it off!

[leifhietala]

To get the most bang for your buck, I can't help but notice that the little shed is underutilized. You could:
1 - Build it taller and add at least a birdhouse to one side. But just one, unless you make it about 30' high and put up gourds for purple martins.
2 - Build a shed roof (one-sided) instead of gable, with the whole surface facing the sun for more solar panel if needed
3 - If you go taller, tuck the electronic bits up out of the way, and place long-handled tools in the bottom
4 - More solar panel + more storage = opportunity to add small, low-wattage landscape lighting if desired, or motion-activated. I have some solar motion lights, they are very convenient.
If heat is an issue, you could install a heat block that conveys all the way to a heat sink on the outside of the shed, preferably on the shaded side of the shed. No need for a fan.
DC-DC power converters are easy to come by.

[Deveak]

Sometimes pricey but your videos always have solutions for rural home owners like me in a nice neat package.

Do want to point out, the mini version of that battery your using does NOT have low temperature cut off.

Lifepo4 can discharge down to -4 but under 32 degrees a charge can damage the battery.

I have heard low C rates won’t hurt it though so you might be okay with that 50 watt panel. That’s under the c/20 rate that’s “safe.”

You might want to consider a external low temp cut off or low volt heater pad on a dc thermostat. You could direct solar power the heating pads with a cheap 24/12 buck converter and a larger panel so it starts gently warming the battery as soon as the sun is up.

[silveragnes]

Excellent video. I did similar project to run Starlink over DC instead of AC. That switch is a very interesting solution. I used 12v - 56v step up converter combined with a POE injector to do the same ($40 for both). Overall your solution seems very cost effective. I can't believe how cheap 100ah batteries are getting - mine are over 2x the price. From 'IT nut' perspective, TP Link? I'm going Ubiquiti. :).

[ComradeStiv]

I have no need for this (atm) but your no-nonsense no-filler info-packed style hooks me every time lol. You got these HOWTO vids down to an art, my man. Respect.

[Didgeridoo]

Boy do I love watching your videos! I learn something new every time. Thank you for all the fantastic, non-clickbait videos.

[VillSid]

That regulating switch was the most interesting bit in this video. I would use similar setup to build a security cam system in remote location or add a lot PoE powered gear to a van/camper.

[waderemington]

This is all Greek to me. Thank you SO MUCH for making this all so comprehensive, concise & especially clean the way you’ve done!

[daveclark]

Gotta love the free labor! 😆 Awesome solution to extend your Wi-Fi range 👍

[davidwilliams]

2 in 1 - I may or may not need to extend WiFi but I can definitely use the solar information for my shed. I found the “what for?” comments funny but I appreciate that you’re presenting useful information that can be applied to other applications.

[claudenormandeau]

I had to assemble a TP-LINK system as well that ended up being very complicated to not only set up but to maintain. At 64 and retired I had time to do this but even my technologically advanced son told me the system was to complicated for most people to understand. So what I am saying is when your away and the system goes down the area will not be covered by wifi.
With my system when the power goes out or flickers on and off it causes issues that many people that don't have the knowledge and patience will not want to struggle trying to figure out.
Not knowing your property layout but understanding wifi signals it might have added even more distance and signal strength by elevating your antenna.
I all ways really enjoy your very informative videos thank you for making them.

[omardude]

What a fantastic documentation of this approach!!
This was not only well planned and tidy in implementation, but the explanation and demonstration of all the kit and theory behind it was very well narrated and clear. Anyone could understand this. That's a great hallmark to have on a channel, you've got a new follower in me!

[TheWolfster]

Nice tip.. A buddy of mine spent well over $1, 000.00 to extend only his wi-fi signals on his property and the range around that spot is like 50 to maybe 75 feet.. I'm gonna share this with him..
I see by what you did if you wanted to you could just plug into it with a ethernet cable and have a hardline connection.. Love it...
Thank you for sharing.. You just earned my subscription..

[davidputt]

You should check out a system by Ubiquity. It can simply soooo much. They even have a solar system that can predict if there may be an outage due to the weather so you can take measures ahead of time. Pretty cool stuff.

[kittygonzalez]

I loved the video, and I almost grasped the entire thing! Unfortunately, I’m one of those who totally freaks out and with electric and electronic hook ups! It stems from when I was a nurse with a coding patient, and they yelled clear while my leg tapped the metal bed frame when they zapped the patient! A very shocking situation, that’s kept me CLEAR of almost any power supply, Especially battery operated!

[grb]

Well done video. I'm familiar with solar and use the panels & controller to operate a 12V DC water pump out in our garden. Now I'm looking to do exactly what you have built to get a wi-fi camera signal from our kidding barn back to the house 400 feet away. Thanks for the wi-fi explanation.