WaveShare 4.2” Magnetic E-Ink Dashboard w/ Button (Parametric)

This project requires soldering! But don't click away if you've never soldered before, because this was my first electronics soldering project too! All the tips I used to succeed are in the assembly guide.

Project Overview

I wanted an E-Ink dashboard to display my rowing stats on the fridge, hence it had to be magnetic. I also wanted a button so I can click it after a workout to trigger an update of my stats. This also has a USB-C port integrated for recharging the battery. None of the existing models met my requirements, so I made my own.

The button adds some interesting flexibility. It maximizes the amount of time the ESP32 can stay in deep sleep, while allowing the user to control the update event. You can also add multi-press events, for example on double press my dashboard connects to the network and waits for an OTA software update.

Updating once to a handful of times per day, a 2000 mAh battery should last at least a year before needing recharging.

Materials List

Product links to Amazon are affiliate links; if you find this model useful and need supplies, I'd appreciate you buying through the link to support my efforts at no extra cost to you. I always link the exact items I used during the make so it goes together flawlessly!

Required components for the assembly

• (QTY 1) Waveshare 400x300, 4.2inch E-Ink display module (SKU: 13353)

  • Comes with the 8 pin wiring connector!

• (QTY 1) Waveshare Universal e-Paper Raw Panel Driver Board, ESP32 WiFi / Bluetooth Wireless (SKU 15823)

• (QTY 6) 20mm x 3mm neodymium magnets

• (QTY 1) TP4056 USB-C Charging Board w/ Over-voltage Protection

• (QTY 1) 6x6mm tactile push button w/ 9mm shaft height

• (QTY 1) 2000 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery

• (QTY ~3 feet) 28 gauge flexible silicone wire

• (QTY 14) M3 threaded heat set inserts, max 5.7mm height

• (QTY 14) M3 8mm flat head screws

Required tools

• Soldering iron, flux, solder wire. I used this super duper cheapo kit and it got the job done, but 2 of the tips are shot already. I plan to upgrade to the YIHUA 939D+ soldering station next time I need to do some soldering.

• Copper braided de-soldering wick

"Nice to have"

• Klein Tools 30-20 gauge wire stripper

• Fstop Labs helping hands soldering station

• Heatproof silicone soldering mat

• Cyanoacrylate glue so the magnets don't rattle around

• Hot glue gun for strain relief on soldered connections

• High-strength isopropanol for cleaning the flux residue

Printing Instructions:

I used a 0.4mm nozzle with the 0.2mm quality profile in Prusaslicer. Everything used PLA. The following changes were made to the slicer settings:

• Bottom Shell:

  • Seam Position --> Random

  • Scarf Joint --> Everywhere

  • PAUSE @ 3.0mm to insert 2-3 drops of cyanoacrylate glue and magnets

• Clips:

  • No special settings required

• Lid:

  • One side has small plastic "washers" to offset from the Waveshare board, print this as the top

  • Enable supports touching build plate so the recessed bolt head holes print properly

Assembly guide, edits, and rowing software

See the included .pdf in the files for detailed assembly directions including soldering guide.

I've included the .f3d (Fusion 360) and .step model files for anyone who wishes to edit them. I tried my best to model it parametrically, so most tweaks should be able to made by changing the parameter definitions.

If you want the Concept2 Logbook stats software stack, it can be found here on GitHub along with full setup instructions.