Heltec Mesh Node T096 case for 18650 battery

I got bored of boring boxes and military inspired cases so I decided to go a bit crazy with a retro futuristic with this design.

What you'll need:

5x M3 5mm screws. The inset holes are 6.2mm for the screw heads. The model has threaded holes for M3 screws with a depth of 6mm, but I recommend using 5mm screws as sometimes plastic debris is pushed down into the holes the first time you screw it together.

Battery terminals like these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011572150612.html

Battery connectors like these (same as the type that comes with most Heltec stuff): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003390942788.html

IPEX to SMA connector like these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009812335103.html

You could use IPEX to RPSMA if you hate yourself and the ability to easily find suitable antennas.

Your choice of SMA antenna. U used a small 868mhz Gizont whip like this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004607615001.html

The GPS antenna I had spare is a 1584R-A 25mmx25mmx7mm ceramic which I had left over from another project. I'm unsure which type Heltec ships as an optional extra, but I doubt it's bigger than this so should fit.

The way I designed the battery housing part was lazy, I reused part of another model that had side access, and this case design doesn't have that so to thread the terminal wires through before you can solder the metal terminals on might require threading a loop of cotton through to pull the wire back through (folded over the thread). This is the technique I used and it worked first time. You could be lazy and have the wires over the top as there's clearance, but it won't look as neat.

Solder the negative battery terminal with the spring to the black wire, and the positive battery terminal with the button to the red wire.

Now you can plug in the connectors and attaching the antenna, leaving the battery until last so that it doesn't power up before the antenna is connected.

MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT THE ANTENNA BEFORE POWERING UP THE T096. AND ALSO CHECK YOU HAVE PUT THE BATTERY IN THE CORRECT WAY BEFORE PLUGGING IT INTO THE T096!