zerofox3D Bender Assembly Video - The HeltecV3 18650 Battery Case with SMA connector for Meshtastic

**AS MENTIONED BY A COMMENT BELOW IT CAN BE EASIER TO CONNECT THE IPEX CONNECTOR TO THE HELTEC BEFORE INSTALLING IT! (Thanks Michael!)
I finally got a few minutes to record a one take assembly video for Bender, my insanely popular case for the HeltecV3 board widely used for Meshtastic. Bender allows you to use a common 18650 battery to power the HeltecV3 and adds an SMA connector for using a proper antenna.
I sell the complete case with worldwide shipping on my website below. All hardware is included, you simply need to add the HeltecV3, battery and Antenna. You can also download and print a Bender by purchasing the files from my site too (links to purchase the hardware are provided in the release notes with the download)
Get your Bender here: www.zerofox3d....
Shipping times are dropping as I have expanded production, as of today 26th March I am aiming to have all existing orders fulfilled by mid April with new orders shipping before the end of April.
Thanks for all the amazing support, I have been utterly humbled.

[@izzard]

A well thought out product that looks great, especially in the best colour combination (black on black). It's so black, it's hard to photograph! 😆

[@michaelcarey]

A tip with the U.FL/SMA cable/connector installation. I noticed the U.FL was a little twisted when you were connecting it to the Heltec. While the connector soldered to the board is unlikely to break away, you want to avoid torsional twisting forces along the coaxial cable. It's better to connect the U.FL to the Heltec first and then wrangle the SMA connector into place after carefully curving the cable into the best location. The SMA connector has six positions in can go into the case hole, chose the one that applies the smallest twist to the cable 🙂

[@zerofox3d]

That sir is a very good point! 👍 I’ll see if I can edit the vid later.

[@OH2023-cj9if]

Excellent, got mine Wednesday and it looks great. I forgot to put that fiddly little aerial connector on before sticking the board in the case. OMG what a nightmare. Took it apart again. The case is perfect.

[@morgaj21]

As soon as I have watched this, I will be assembling mine. Thanks,- good looking case.

[@zerofox3d]

Thanks bud, glad you like it!

[@Sta-Rad]

thanks! from Indianapolis, IN!

[@digitalmediafan]

Received mine very recently. I am just amazed at the perfect fit and this is obviously for every single one produced of course. Incredible what cane be done these days. Maybe a time lapsed video of one being printed or is that too geeky ?! Brilliant job !

[@zerofox3d]

Thanks bud! It’s on the to do list to make a “behind the scenes” video once I’m caught up with the backlog. For those wondering the parts are designed with 0.1 to 0.15mm tolerance, hence the fit, it took a lot of prototyping 😆

[@drmisfit]

brilliant just put mine together this morning arrived yesterday

[@sk1d00]

Nice one, just did My 'L' batch one now, great quality and instructions, thank you.

[@zerofox3d]

Glad it arrived safe! Wait till you see whats next after Bender :-)

[@chandlertechnology]

Went together. Did the antenna connector before seating the board. Best to seat the antenna connector from the front so the wire is ready to connect to the board, as opposed to inserting from the back and having to bend the wire around to the front later. The nut tool broke, of course. Otherwise the fit was excellent on the parts. Well done.

[@zerofox3d]

Yep I would have gone back and re-recorded changing that step but KZbin doesn’t let you edit things, really dumb. I of course did it the hard way just to test people…. 😆

[@Wharferine]

Thanks Chris!

[@tonyweavers4292]

I love the new branding. I wondered if future prints could have slightly raised buttons to make presses a little easier. I have hands like shovels!😂

[@zerofox3d]

Thanks Tony! The prints face down on the bed so it's impossible to raise that surface of the buttons... unless the raised surface is a separate part that is glued/bonded to the face. That isn't completely unfeasible so I'll think on it, thanks!

[@AndyZE123]

The fit and finish of my two are excellent. I did my build. in a completely different order and it was hard going. This video explains it very well. Thanks.

[@zerofox3d]

As my instructions state Andy I fully expect you as a bloke to bin the instructions instantly!

[@xyzheng9672]

Great work！

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Nice job :)

[@VapourTrailz]

Really intrigued about the up n coming project teased on your mail shot, is it for Rak's per-chance?

[@zerofox3d]

Heheh the WisBlock's are in my draw awaiting treatment! This is my second and likely final HeltecV3 case before I move on to Lilygo and WisBlock. The advantage the Heltec has over the other boards is size, how small could a node possibly be... just wait :D

[@hypeg_]

I got mine today, very excited to use it. I am wondering if you ever considered making it slightly bigger to allow the support of a GPS?

[@zerofox3d]

Glad it arrived safely! My plan is to release an adapter that allows the use of a flat 2000mah LIPO cell, that will than free up space for a GPS module. Strictly for the tinker crowd though due to the soldering required :D

[@hypeg_]

I had a GT U7 GPS laying around that I just managed to fit into the case with some minor cosmetic modifications. Quick soldering job to connect some pins and got the GPS to work with the existing case. Seems to work just fine :)

[@TheHamRadioJunkie]

Two received last week. First class, perfect fit. One question, how do you get the texture on the front and rear face. Is it the print bed? Cheers, Keith G0FEA

[@zerofox3d]

Glad they arrived safely! It is indeed the bed surface, Prusa textured PEI sheets 😄

[@losttapes1705]

Looking forward to getting my 2nd batch. I have a noob question, though, will the battery charge via the USB-C connection on the heltec as well as power the board (and safely!)? I'm wondering if I should buy some Li-Po chargers.

[@zerofox3d]

I charges via the USB-C with no issues bud, no charger needed! The Heltec has over charge protection for one cell batteries, it doesn't have under-volt protection but dies long before draining a battery to a point that it would damage it (around 3.2v in testing by a Bender user)

[@spokehedz]

I know I am not alone in the worst part about these modules is that UFL connector, so much so that I often wonder if I should solder the SMA straight to the pads.

[@zerofox3d]

If you attach the UFL before inserting the board into the case it’s not too difficult. I’ve only had one person mangle the connector, that was on the cable at least and didn’t damage the board connector.

[@hemigod427]

Does the battery box take Protected or Unprotected 18650s? I'm guessing since I see a spring, then it takes protected cells? thanks! My Bender should be delivered very soon!

[@zerofox3d]

With a plain 18650 the spring has a lot of space so should not have an issue accommodating the extra 4mm of a protected cell 👍

[@seanyem]

I need a order a couple andet my nodes out of project boxes. Great hearing a local Wirral accent on KZbin for a change. 73 Sean de 2E0SYA (Wallasey)

[@zerofox3d]

Is there such thing as a Wirral accent? I was born in Hull and brought over here just as I was learning to talk so always thought I ended up with the pretty neutral, hard to place accent... maybe thats a Wirral accent though! I always say it's "Posh Scouser" even though I ain't posh! :)

[@seanyem]

@zerofox3d Yup! That's the Wirral accent for you, Liverpool One side, Wales the other, bit of Irish over the pond, and posh Chinshire below! Pretty neutral 🤣 I always go with Plastic Scouser, "Plazzi Scouser"

[@zerofox3d]

I don't think the KZbin audience is ready for the term "plazzi".... "Hey lads check out mi plazzi cases for dis boss little radio thingy, it's mint LAAAAAA"

[@seanyem]

@zerofox3d Aye our kid, forgot about all dem der who won't get us, probably easier to understand on ere rather than a chin wag on the radio. Anyways larr!, I'll be on them pazzi cases when me giro'a in, they are boss!

[@FreeavalonUrbanHomestead-gh5ob]

If you contact you node to a power source via the USB will this recharge your battery.

[@zerofox3d]

Yes the Heltec USB will charge the battery as long as Benders switch is in the ON position 👍

[@davidmcmanus7179]

Have ordered mine and wanted to clarify, 18650 battery ……. does it matter if its flat too or button top type?

[@zerofox3d]

Either should be absolutely fine bud! Thanks for the order!

[@danielktdoranie]

Never heard of this before, what does it do?

[@zerofox3d]

Bender is a case for a HeltecV3 lora radio board. That board runs Meshtastic, a mesh communication system for off grid messaging. Check out Ringway Manchester’s video guide that explains it well.

[@danielktdoranie]

@@zerofox3dokay Meshtastic and LoRa I know, thanks for the reply

[@Keeganshero13]

I broke the little tool. Don’t take that the wrong way lol. The hex tool. The man himself said it’s a torque wrench after I broke it that’s the exact torque it for lol

[@zerofox3d]

Exactly, its a torque wrench you use once :)

[@chandlertechnology]

@@zerofox3d ;-) but I got two cases and one tool... (I actually have pliers that can handle that nut)

[@zerofox3d]

@@chandlertechnologyI started rationing hex tools to get things out quicker 😆 I’ve now changed the design of the hex tool, now uses half the material, prints in half the time and is stronger 😄

[@amagicalpotato]

Does anyone know where I can get a few Heltec V3's that are in stock? I ordered a bunch from the Heltec site a couple months ago and they still haven't shipped yet.

[@zerofox3d]

This is the AliExpress seller I buy from: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004993320023.html Week to ten days to arrive 👍

[@amagicalpotato]

@@zerofox3d Thanks a ton! Forgive the noob question but are these ones pre-assembled? I'm more of a firearm nerd than a comms one, so I don't have any tools for (or experience with) soldering but I can improvise if necessary.

[@zerofox3d]

No problem! I solder the cable here, you literally just do as shown in the video and connect it up :-)

[@OH2023-cj9if]

Aliexpress had them, but uk resellers are scamming people by buying them up and selling them for silly prices. I paid £21 Inc delivery for 2 within 3 weeks.