Solar Battery Lite for Gateway

What is Solar Battery Lite for Gateway?

The Solar Battery Lite for Gateway uses the RAK9154 Solar Battery Lite to provide solar-powered backup for LoRaWAN gateways such as the WisGate Edge Pro during power interruptions. It captures solar energy, stores it in a 56.16 Wh battery, and delivers a stable 12 V output to sustain gateway performance when grid power is unavailable.

With an energy efficiency of 90%, it can support a gateway for about 0.4 days (around 10.5 hours) under moderate use, covering short outages or fluctuations. Built for outdoor environments, it withstands weather changes while ensuring continuous network uptime, and users can track its energy levels through gateway management platforms to prevent unexpected downtime.

Solar Battery Lite status and state can be monitored via the WisGateOS 2 WebUI and WisDM remote gateway management platform.

Why You Need Solar Battery Lite for Gateway

Stable connectivity is essential for gateways that support sensor networks and edge computing workloads, even during brief power outages.

Why it's useful:

• Uninterrupted operation: Keeps gateways active during short-term grid outages.
• Operational continuity: Prevents data loss from network interruptions.
• Outdoor readiness: Designed to endure variable weather conditions.
• Maintenance efficiency: Allows remote battery monitoring to reduce site visits.

Key Features of Solar Battery Lite for Gateway

• Stable output: 2x outputs with 9~13.2 V DC
• Outdoor Use: Built for outdoor deployment, this solar battery provides reliable power even in remote or challenging environments.
• Short-term Uptime: Specifically designed for scenarios where short power fluctuations are present, ensuring uninterrupted performance.

Use Cases of Solar Battery Lite for Gateway

Maintaining power availability during outages helps safeguard network reliability and performance.

Use Case #1: Edge Gateway at a Remote Station

During unexpected grid drops at a monitoring site, Solar Battery Lite for Gateway keeps the gateway running, allowing continuous data relay until power is restored without manual intervention.

Use Case #2: Urban Gateway Cluster

In a city network, short brownouts often disrupt gateway links. With Solar Battery Lite for Gateway connected, gateways maintain uptime long enough to bridge these power fluctuations and avoid service interruptions.

What’s in the Box

• 1 pc Solar Battery Lite RAK9154
• 1 pc Mounting Kit for Solar Battery Lite RAK9154
• 1 pc Solar Panel (10W)
• 1 pc Solar Battery Lite RAK9154 Connection Cable to Gateway (Based on the selected Gateway model）
• 2 pc steel strips (φ65-89mm)
  

How to Get Started with Solar Battery Lite for Gateway

• Overview of RAK9154 Solar Battery Lite
• Datasheet of RAK9154 Solar Battery Lite
• Installation Guide of RAK9154 Solar Battery Lite

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Solar Battery Lite for Gateway keep gateways running during outages?

It stores energy from its solar panel and releases it as stable power when the grid goes down. The system uses a charge controller to manage energy flow, preventing voltage drops that could cause gateway reboots. This ensures network continuity during short power interruptions without requiring user intervention.

Can it support multiple gateways at once?

It is designed to back up a single gateway or similar device. Supporting more than one device can exceed its power budget, causing rapid battery depletion and risking shutdown during outages. If multiple gateways must stay online, each should have its own backup unit or a higher-capacity shared power system.

What affects its ability to recharge efficiently?

Charging efficiency depends on solar irradiance, panel orientation, and battery temperature. Proper tilt and unobstructed sunlight increase energy collection. Excess heat can reduce charge acceptance, while cold temperatures can slow charge rates. Consistent exposure to midday sunlight yields the most reliable recharge cycle for daily use.

How is its status monitored during operation?

When connected to a gateway, users can view battery status and charging progress through the WisGateOS 2 interface or the WisDM platform. These tools provide state-of-charge data, power source information, and alerts, allowing administrators to schedule maintenance before the battery reserve runs out during extended outages.

How should it be installed for best performance?

Mount the panel in a location with full sun exposure, ideally with minimal shading throughout the day. Secure the battery enclosure to a stable surface to avoid vibration. Proper cabling and weather sealing reduce connection losses and protect the system from environmental damage.

What happens if the battery is fully depleted?

If fully discharged, the system will automatically stop powering the gateway until enough solar energy has been collected to restart. Gateways will reboot once power resumes. This design protects the battery from deep-discharge damage but can result in temporary service interruptions until charging recovers.