Network Your Backyard: Detailed Instructions

Prepare Charging Circuit Power:

14. Strip the ends of the wires coming from the solar panel, the ends of the cigarette lighter socket, and two lengths of red and black wire. Run the solar panel wires through the opening of the enclosure before soldering.
15. Install a fuse holder and a 10-amp fuse near the negative (â€) terminal of the battery.
16. Create a three-way connection between the negative lines and, separately, the positive lines connecting the cigarette lighter socket, the solar panel, and the battery to each other. Remember to always keep positive (red) to positive, and negative (black) to negative. Cover exposed wire with electrical tape to prevent shorts.
17. Switch the DC-to-DC converter to the 3-volt setting. Using a higher voltage may burn out or otherwise damage the repeater.
18. Plug the DC-to-DC converter into the cigarette lighter socket and use a voltmeter to check for power by placing the black lead on the negative (â€) terminal of the battery and the red lead on one of the two power ports of the converter. You should see 0 volts on one port and +3 volts on the other. Mark †and + on the connector and unplug the converter for now.

Prepare Repeater Power:

19. Cut the four red & black wires leaving about two inches from the end to the circuit board connector. Strip the ends of all four of them.
20. Twist the black wires together and, separately, twist the red wires together and solder them. (Black to black. Red to red.) You should have one black lead and one red lead.
21. Insert the wires into the DC-to-DC converter and solder them into place. Make sure you put black to the negative (â€) side and red to the positive (+) side that you marked in Step 18.

Button up and turn it on:

22. Close and screw the case back together.
23. Place the battery at the bottom of the case. Attach the repeater to the inside using tape or Velcro.
24. Ensure the DC-to-DC converter is still set to 3 volts and plug it into the cigarette lighter socket.
25. If everything is connected, the repeater will power on and associate with the AP again (see Step 2). Find a location (away from your sprinklers) to mount the enclosure and antenna. This enclosure is water resistant and should stay dry in the rain, but it´s not waterproof.
26. Mount the solar panel so it is exposed to the sun throughout the day. If you want to be really energy efficient, you can mount the panel so sunlight hits it directly at high noon. For most installations, tilt the panel at a 45-degree angle. If you are located at a latitude higher than 45 degrees from the Earth's equator, use 60 degrees or more. If you are on the equator, point it straight up at 0 degrees.

For more on understanding and preparing cables, pigtails, and connectors, download Chapter 1 (PDF) of Outmesguine's book Wi-Fi Toys.