# Solar Charge Indicator

**URL:** https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427
**Category:** Hardware
**Created:** [January 13, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427 "2026-01-13T23:47:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![gomario2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gomario2](https://discuss.blues.com/u/gomario2)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/1 "2026-01-13T23:47:16Z")

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Really didn’t want to ask because it appears this has been answered in various questions . I need to know if my battery is being charged or not. I have aux\_charging pin (pin 8 CHG ) connected to the notecard aux\_charging

I ran

> {“req”:“card.carrier”,“mode”:“charging”}

```auto
{"mode":"charging"}

```

but regardless of whether the solar panel is connected or not, I always see “charging”.

notecard version:  
(NOTE-WBNAN) running firmware 9.2.3.17324

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### Author: ![RobLauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/roblauer/32/1567_2.png) [@RobLauer](https://discuss.blues.com/u/RobLauer)
#### Post date: [January 15, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/3 "2026-01-15T14:53:45Z")

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Hi @gomario2,

I think what you are missing is that the `card.carrier` response will also include `"charging":true` when it’s charging, but it will be omitted when not. You’ll get `{"mode":"charging"}` in the response either way. Also the charging pin is `NCHARGING`, meaning it is active low, not active high.

Thanks,  
Rob

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![gomario2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gomario2](https://discuss.blues.com/u/gomario2)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/4 "2026-01-16T18:22:01Z")

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Thanks Rob for the clarification. I’ll will re-check

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### Author: ![gomario2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gomario2](https://discuss.blues.com/u/gomario2)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/5 "2026-01-21T19:06:54Z")

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Hi Rob

I tested using a notecard F with no solar panel connected.

~ DeviceUID dev:860322068117693 (NOTE-WBNAN) running firmware 7.5.2.17004

`Hint: A newer firmware, notecard-u5-11.1.1 (2025 Q4 Developer Release), is available. Run 'firmware install latest' to update.`

```auto
> {“req”:“card.carrier”,“mode”:“charging”}

```

```auto
{
 "mode": "charging",
 "charging": true
}

```

This implies its charging but only the battery, & the notecard usb is connected. Thoughts ?

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### Author: ![RobLauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.blues.com/roblauer/32/1567_2.png) [@RobLauer](https://discuss.blues.com/u/RobLauer)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/6 "2026-01-27T20:52:59Z")

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Hi @gomario2,

If plugged in via USB, the Notecarrier will charge a connected LiPo, which is why you see `"mode":"charging"`.

Rob

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![gomario2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gomario2](https://discuss.blues.com/u/gomario2)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://discuss.blues.com/t/solar-charge-indicator/3427/7 "2026-01-27T23:28:46Z")

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Right ! Ok, I’ll install running code to do the check, will use the F notecarrier , Batt and a solar panel – I’ll loop and toggle solar, sending the results as a note – hopefully that does what I expect it to do.