Heltec T114 21700 Mesh Node Case for Meshcore or Meshtastic

This case is designed for a Heltec T114 v2, and packs a battery life punch fitting a 21700 cylindrical cell battery, and a 60x30mm 5V solar cell. It can accommodate the optional GPS module, and a walkie-talkie/Baofeng style belt clip can be attached to the front which protects the display and buttons while keeping the solar cell facing out.

Bill of materials

You will need:

• Heltec T114 v2

• SMA to IPEX pigtail (both right angle and straight should fit)

• SMA antenna (Muzi or TE Linx)

• GPS module (optional)

• Battery tabs (18650 spring style, optional)

• 21700 battery (5000mAh protected cells fit fine)

• 60x30mm 5V solar cell

• 2 x 6.5mm M3 plastic screws

• 2 x 20mm M3 FHCS

• 2 x heatset inserts (Voron style: M3x5x4)

For the belt clip:

• Belt clip

• 2 x 6mm M3 BHCS

• 2 x heatset inserts (Voron style: M3x5x4)

Instructions

Print the printed parts using PETG or ABS, with snug supports manually selecting only the two curved sections that need support.

Complete any post processing steps required (de-burring edges or softening sharp corners with sand paper, relieving stress in the plastic using heat, etc.)

1. Gather your parts from the BOM above along with your printed parts as shown:

1. Install two heatset inserts into the interior of the front, as shown:

1. Install two heatset inserts into the exterior of the front, as shown:

1. Install the buttons (either printed or the clear buttons included with the stock Heltec case) into the front, as shown:

1. Prepare the electronics: if using the GPS module, connect it to the T114 and bend the cable as shown in the picture below, if using the battery tabs, put bends in the terminals as shown, and solder the JST battery pigtail to them, or solder to the battery terminals if not using the tabs (WARNING: do not connect the battery cable without an antenna, this is why the tabs are preferred), then solder the JST solar pigtail to the 60x30mm 5V solar cell and cover the back of the solar cell with kapton tape, route the battery and solar wires in between the connectors on the back of the T114 and cover with kapton tape, then attach the SMA pigtail and take care to route it around the T114 as shown:

1. Remove the lock washers and nut from the SMA jack, they won't be needed:

1. Install the T114 into the front, USB-C port first, tucking the GPS module into the provided cavity, the solar cell into the back, then the SMA jack, and the battery tabs as shown:

1. Install the midframe, taking care to route the battery, solar, and antenna wires under the midframe using the gaps provided at both ends, with the center of the midframe pressing the solar cell into place, and the corner block holding the SMA jack fixed in place:

1. Secure the midframe in place using the two M3x6.5mm plastic screws:

1. Make sure the antenna is connected securely, before connecting or installing the battery, and joining the front and back, taking care to tuck the wires into the space provided by the midframe, and secure the back to the front using two M3x20mm FHCS:

1. If using the clip, install it using two M3x6mm BHCS:

1. Flash with Meshcore and enjoy your new companion node!