Meshtastic Heltec V3 "AMade 2"
Description
PDFUPFRONT!
I created a Discord channel for my Thermal vision builds but will add a #meshtastic channel there as well in case you have questions or problems. Please remain to the meshtastic channel for all sort of questions as all the other channels are ONLY for my thermal builds!
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UPDATE:05.06.2024
As the heltec onboard charging circuit is painstaking slow I added my own external one that charges the internal battery with a max of 15 Watts! compared to around 3 watts originally from the heltec xD Yes thats 5times as fast and no worries, the lipo battery can take that with ease!!!
I designed the addon that you only have to reprint the batterycover as it features a opening for the cables and lowering the belt clip a bit to make room for the quickcharging addon. You need to solder two wires (plus and minus) to the BMS existing contact points (P+ P-) and lead them out the side of the battery compartment so you can put them through the cutout in the reprinted cover. (check pictures)
You need to glue the PCB holder on the back of the cover and slide the charging board in from the side ( link to the charging circuit below) you then shorten the two wires and solder them onto the contacts on the back, DONE now simply clip on the cover and thats it, your good to go to charge your AMade2 5 times faster then before!! :D
There is a little hole in the top, covering the charging PCB, use a short piece of transparent filament and put it in, that way you can see a red or blue light for when its charging and done.
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Adding up on my latest design coming from the AMade1, a slimer but thicker approach, packing even more features inside, This time I also included a notification LED connected to a big resin printed light bar.
The Amade2 feature's GPS (you can switch on and off by software), a buzzer, rotary encoder for canned messages, a max of 2300mAh battery , 15 Watts quick charging, a Power switch, the already mentioned notification LED bar and a metal belt clip, neatly packed into a small , compact somwhat rugged case.
The light stick can be printed with a normal FDM printer and translucent Filament, of course it works best if printed with translucent resin as light passes through it much better and more visible. Use a 150 Ohm resistor for the Led to drive it off one of the Heltec GPIO pins.
Things your going to need for this build:
GPS module:
3 volt buzzer 8.5x8.5x3mm
Metal belt clip with rivets:
Heltec V3 Lora dev board:
RGB LED: ( decide for either RED, BLUE or GREEN and use the responsible leads)
Rotary encoder:
Power switch:
Treaded brass melting inserts: M1.6, 5-6mm (OD2.5mm)50pcs
M1.6 Screws 5 mm 50 pcs
Fits Antennas up to 11mm in diameter!
Battery: The following battery is a battery pack and needs to be taken apart!
This means you will get 4 batteries out of it BUT you have to know what you are doing, LIPO batteries can be extremely Dangerous if damaged or shorted out!! YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!
Leave a long enough power leads and also dont forget that you have to go through the hole of the battery enclosure with the wires before connecting it to your heltec! The stock Power cable the heltec comes with is the perfect length, DONT shorten it!
The Cells are also not protected so your going to need a BMS for each cell!
Battery management System:
I am aware that the Heltec V3 does include a BMS but the connected GPS will still draw power from the Heltec regardless of the BMS, this would kill your battery if the device is not switched off, that for an additional BMS connected to the battery directly will prevent this!
GPS Power switch Software based:
If you want to be able to switch GPS off and on, on demand by setting up a GPS_enable GPIO pin in the app and by pressing the button 3 times your going to need a Mosfet for that ( of course this is totally optional but helps a lot with saving power!!): SI2312
Quickcharge Addon charging board:
In addition you will need some double sided tape for the GPS PCB, solder iron and related equipment and very thin wire and of course the knowledge to do that kind of work.
I would recommend lacquer covered wire as it dos not need a lot of space and can be bent perfectly as needed: 0.3 or 0.4mm it doesnt really matter.
Tolerances are pretty tight, consider printing it 100.5-101% in case you have problems with fitment/ assembly.
The buttons are NOT included in the files, therefor head over to Muzis Page the Remix is slightly based off and grab it there, also dont forget to leave him a like when your at it!
Check pictures for what Pins I did use and set up to make it all work!!
Print in orientation the way the models are shown in the preview and use supports on the Base and battery enclosure from the build plate up!
On the battery cover use supports everywhere.
Knob and light stick dont need supports.
Tags
Model origin
The author remixed this model.
Differences of the remix compared to the original
Using the inlay for the Heltec V3 board and buttons from Muzis design, everything else is from scratch.
