RiverNode

Choosing the right node

A guide for planning and configuring a physical RiverNode installation at any site. Start with what you need to monitor, whether a camera shares the supply, and how often the station will take readings and upload them. Use a site survey to turn those requirements into the right power system.

Solar, battery and charging choices

Size the power system for the equipment you will run and the conditions at the site. These are RiverNode's recommended starting minimums; the usage profile and site survey may call for a larger panel, more battery capacity or a different battery.

Standard station

At least 20W solar
Minimum recommendation for a station without a camera sharing its power supply.

River station with camera

At least 30W solar
Treat 30W as the minimum when the station also powers a camera. Include the camera's standby, recording, night illumination and upload demand in the energy budget.

Battery and charger

Sodium-ion battery + custom Victron profile
Recommended starting choice for future builds, subject to the battery specification and site requirements. Choose battery capacity for the required days without useful solar.

Decisions to make before installation
  1. Measure daily demand. Include sensors, sampling frequency, mobile uploads, camera activity and power-conversion losses. Check peak demand as well as daily energy.
  2. Survey the site. Assess winter sunlight, seasonal tree cover, shading, panel direction and tilt, temperature, mounting and flood exposure. Poor mobile signal can increase the time and energy needed for uploads.
  3. Choose autonomy and capacity. Decide how many low-sun days the station must cover and how often it can be visited. Compare usable battery energy in Wh, allowing for the selected battery's operating limits, temperature and ageing; Ah alone does not describe stored energy without the battery voltage.
  4. Match the battery to the MPPT. Confirm the sodium-ion pack and its BMS are compatible with the controller. Set a custom, user-defined Victron charging profile from that exact battery manufacturer's specification, including charge limits and temperature requirements. There is no universal sodium-ion profile to copy.
  5. Record and verify the final installation. Save the battery type, capacity and panel wattage in the node's settings; document the battery model, custom charger profile and survey findings. Verify the energy balance in service and increase the system size if the measured demand or winter conditions require it.

The battery entry in RiverNode is a record of the installation; it does not program the Victron charger. Configure the charging profile separately in VictronConnect. SmartSolar configuration manual.

Planning guidance for physical RiverNode installations. It does not describe the equipment fitted at every selected station; see “About This Station” on the dashboard for recorded hardware. For the parts list itself, see What a node is made of.