Faketec: An Open-Source Alternative To The Heltec V3, A Low-Cost, Long-Lasting Meshtastic Diy Solution

If you're a Meshtastic user, you've undoubtedly heard of the Heltec V3 LoRa device. It's affordable, easy to use, and beloved by the community, but its battery life has been a major concern: the ESP32 controller consumes too much power, and even with a high-capacity battery, its battery life is still limited.

If you want your Meshtastic device to run longer at low cost and low power consumption, what would you do?

This is the reason why fakeTec was born!

What is fakeTec?

fakeTec is an open-source, DIY project that aims to replace the Heltec V3's ESP32 processor with the lower-power nRF52 processor while maintaining compatibility with the Heltec V3's housing and accessories. This not only allows you to get a higher-performance device at a lower cost, but also allows you to directly replace your original Heltec V3 without having to redesign the housing, antenna, or other accessories.

fakeTec was initiated by community enthusiasts and has made all design files public in the GitHub repository gargomoma/fakeTec_pcb , including:

· Circuit board production files (PCB Gerber)

· Bill of Materials (BoM)

· Firmware support

· 3D printed enclosure design (designed and generously contributed by various fakeTec enthusiasts in the community, detailed in the next article)

Since it is completely open source and all parts can be easily purchased on Taobao, Pinduoduo or other e-commerce platforms, fakeTec becomes an extremely attractive DIY solution.

The name fakeTec is a bit humorous—it's not an official Heltec device, but it's nearly identical in form and size, and it's compatible with the Heltec V3's case. In a sense, it's a Heltec V3 "drop-in" (Fake + Heltec = fakeTec), but it's cheaper, more power-efficient, and offers a better experience!

This is fakeTec, a fun and practical community-driven alternative to Meshtastic devices.

Advantages of fakeTec

In the world of Meshtastic devices, fakeTec's rapid popularity among DIY enthusiasts stems from its four key advantages.

1. Cheaper price and higher cost performance

Buy a Meshtastic development board. Currently, the two most popular choices in our Chinese community are:

· Heltec LoRa32 V3 (Heltec V3 for short): priced around 100 yuan, uses the ESP32 chip and has high power consumption. It's the current price/performance option.

· Heltec T114: Priced between 189 and 299 yuan, this low-power meshtastic device from Heltec uses the nRF52 low-power MCU. It's currently the best choice for building solar nodes.

In comparison, fakeTec only costs 35-50 yuan, with the following costs:

Overall, in the cheapest case, you only need about 35 yuan to assemble a fakeTec, and the most expensive is no more than 50 yuan.

Compare with Heltec's official existing solutions:

· More than half the price of Heltec V3 (Heltec V3 ¥100 vs fakeTec ¥35-50)

· 4-6 times cheaper than Heltec T114 (Heltec T114 ¥189-299 vs fakeTec ¥35-50)

Heltec T114 and fakeTec use the same MCU, so their power consumption can be considered almost the same. However, fakeTec provides a more flexible DIY option, allowing you to choose components such as the screen, battery, and casing yourself, and you can completely match them according to your needs without being restricted by the official package like T114.

2. Extremely low power consumption, battery life increased several times

Heltec V3 uses the ESP32 chip, which has high power consumption. In LoRa communication mode, even with a large-capacity battery, the battery life is often only 1-2 days.

fakeTec uses Nordic nRF52 series chips, which have much lower power consumption than ESP32 and can increase battery life by 5-8 times!

User test on Reddit:

· The fakeTec device, with a 650mAh battery, can run for 5-7 days or even longer under moderate load.

· With the same battery capacity, the battery life of ESP32 devices is less than 1/5

In comparison, Heltec T114 is also based on the low-power design of nRF52, and its battery life is close to that of fakeTec, but its price is 4-6 times that of fakeTec. In addition, fakeTec allows users to freely adjust the battery, casing and power supply scheme, making it more expandable.

3. Fully compatible with Heltec V3 housing, no pressure to upgrade

The dimensions of fakeTec's PCB design are almost identical to the Heltec V3, with a slight difference in height. This means you can use the Heltec V3's enclosure design with only minor modifications, without having to design from scratch.

For users who have already purchased Heltec V3 devices, fakeTec provides a low-cost upgrade path. You don't need to replace the entire device. You only need to replace the PCB, instantly upgrading the device from the high-power ESP32 to the low-power nRF52, significantly improving battery life.

4. Completely open source with strong community support

fakeTec is a community-driven DIY project. All design files, firmware, PCB production files, and 3D printable enclosure designs are open source. You can modify, customize, and improve them at will!

As an open source hardware project that is constantly being optimized, fakeTec has undergone the efforts and improvements of multiple community members from version v1 to v4:

· v1 - v3: Designed and shared by gargomoma, the creator of the fakeTec project.

· v4: The latest version of fakeTec PCB has been redesigned and improved by community member lupusworax. This marks the beginning of a truly community-driven phase for fakeTec, allowing different contributors to participate in optimizing and upgrading the hardware. The new v4 version was designed by community member lupusworax, and the PCB was redrawn from scratch by his colleague Severin.

The latest fakeTec v4 version has undergone multiple optimizations, which have greatly improved its scalability and ease of use:

· Three new MOSFETs were added for better control of external devices, and pull-down resistors and pads were added for better soldering.

· Removed THT (Through-Hole) voltage divider, now only supports SMD resistors, optimized circuit design.

· Added 3 GPIO ports for external devices:

o GPIO 24: GPS enable control

o GPIO 6, GPIO 8: used for other peripheral control

· The peripheral connection method has been optimized. The positive pole of the external hardware is directly connected, and the GND is controlled by MOSFET to achieve more reliable switch control.

Currently, the fakeTec project on GitHub includes:

· Complete PCB production files

· Detailed Bill of Materials (BOM)

· Recommended firmware version and flashing method

· Open source 3D printed enclosures generously contributed by multiple users (more on this in the next article)

FakeTec also has active discussion forums on Reddit and Discord, where many users share their optimization solutions and troubleshooting tips. Our MeshCN Chinese Meshtastic community also has a large number of members using FakeTec. If you encounter any issues during assembly or use, the community provides excellent support!

Who is fakeTec for?

As an open-source DIY project, fakeTec is different from the out-of-the-box devices on the market. It requires users to have certain hands-on skills and be willing to invest time to complete the entire process from hardware procurement to software debugging.

Since fakeTec is not a plug-and-play product like Heltec V3 or Heltec T114, users need to complete several important steps before using it:

· Place an order for PCB production - fakeTec does not have ready-made circuit boards for sale. Users need to upload Gerber files to PCB manufacturers (such as JLCPCB) and place an order for production.

· Soldering and assembly - Purchase nRF52 development board, LoRa module, resistors, capacitors and other components, and solder them to the PCB yourself.

· Flashing the Bootloader - Most nRF52 development boards may not have a bootloader suitable for Meshtastic when they leave the factory, so users need to burn the bootloader manually.

· Flash Meshtastic Firmware - Flash the Meshtastic firmware for the fakeTec device, enabling it to join the Meshtastic network and communicate normally.

This means that fakeTec isn't for everyone. If you have absolutely no interest in soldering electronics, flashing firmware, or debugging wireless devices, and just want a Meshtastic device that works right out of the box, fakeTec might not be for you.

In comparison, the Heltec T114 is a more ideal choice. It uses the same low-power nRF52 chip and is ready to use right out of the box, requiring no additional soldering or programming. Therefore, it's highly recommended by many in the community. If you prefer a plug-and-play experience and are willing to pay the extra cost, the Heltec T114 may be a better fit for your needs.

So, who is fakeTec best suited for? Based on community feedback, this project is more suitable for advanced users who have already experimented with existing Meshtastic devices and are looking to challenge themselves with more complex DIY processes. If you're already familiar with Meshtastic networking and want to build your own node at a lower cost, or if you're dissatisfied with the high power consumption of the Heltec V3 and want to upgrade to the lower-power nRF52 solution, fakeTec is a worthwhile option. Not only will it allow you to learn more about wireless communications, hardware soldering, and firmware debugging during the DIY process, but you'll also receive a more personalized Meshtastic device upon completion.

Of course, this DIY process doesn't mean you have to figure it out on your own. If you join the Meshtastic China WeChat group , members will provide technical support and help you avoid potential pitfalls. Even so, you still need to be prepared, as fakeTec isn't a plug-and-play device; it's a DIY project that requires time and effort to complete.

If you're just looking to save money and have no interest in tinkering with hardware and software, fakeTec might be quite frustrating.

But if you are up for a challenge, willing to try new things, and interested in wireless communication technology, fakeTec is definitely a project worth exploring. It will not only give you a deeper understanding of how Meshtastic devices work, but also add more fun to your wireless communication network.

How to get started with fakeTec?

To experience the powerful features of fakeTec, you first need to prepare the corresponding hardware components, then perform soldering and assembly, flash the firmware, and finally complete the Meshtastic network configuration.

Although fakeTec is a DIY project, the community has provided a complete hardware bill of materials (BOM) and flashing tutorials, so the whole process of getting started is not complicated. Even users without much experience in electronic hardware can easily complete the construction of fakeTec.

· Place an order for PCB production - fakeTec does not have ready-made circuit boards for sale. Users need to upload Gerber files to PCB manufacturers (such as JLCPCB) and place an order for production.

· Soldering and assembly - Purchase nRF52 development board, LoRa module, resistors, capacitors and other components, and solder them to the PCB yourself.

· Flashing the Bootloader - Most nRF52 development boards may not have a bootloader suitable for Meshtastic when they leave the factory, so users need to burn the bootloader manually.

· Flash Meshtastic Firmware - Flash the Meshtastic firmware for the fakeTec device, enabling it to join the Meshtastic network and communicate normally.

Prepare the required hardware components

The fakeTec's core hardware consists of three components: the nRF52 main control board, the LoRa communication module, and the fakeTec PCB. The nRF52 main control board determines the device's computing and communication capabilities, the LoRa module is responsible for wireless communication, and the fakeTec PCB serves as the connection carrier for the entire device, ensuring the smooth assembly of all components.

Currently, fakeTec uses ProMicro (nRF52 version) as the main control chip. The price of this development board is about 10-20 yuan, and users can easily purchase it on Taobao.

As for LoRa modules, fakeTec supports multiple brands of LoRa modules, including chips with and without TCXOs. I recommend buying LoRa chips with TCXOs for better performance.

Temperature-compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs) are crucial for Meshtastic's solar-powered or outdoor nodes, as these devices are often exposed to large temperature swings (e.g., high temperatures during the day and low temperatures at night). TCXOs automatically compensate for temperature-induced frequency drift, ensuring stable signal quality and reliability over long distances.

The price of LoRa chips from different brands is around 20 yuan, such as Heltec HT-RA62, EByte E22 , Anxinke RA-01SH, etc. Users can choose according to their own resources.

NOTE: The EByte E22 (470 MHz version) is not directly compatible with fakeTec PCBs!

the original README of the fakeTec project  HYPERLINK "https://github.com/gargomoma/fakeTec_pcb/blob/main/README.md" \t "https://meshcn.net/what-is-fakeTec-opensource-diy-meshtastic-project/_blank" recommends the EByte E22 module, this is actually designed for foreign LoRa frequency bands (such as 868 MHz or 915 MHz).

In the 470 MHz band in China, the pinout and package size of the E22 module do not match the fakeTec PCB design. If you use the 470 MHz version of the E22 in China, you will find that it cannot be directly soldered to the fakeTec PCB. Unless you connect it with flying wires, it will not work properly.

This is a mistake that many community members have made, so be sure to pay attention when choosing a LoRa module to avoid pitfalls.

Finally, fakeTec PCBs require users to place orders for manufacturing themselves, and the specific price depends on the production quantity. If the minimum order is 10 pieces, the cost of a single PCB is approximately less than 5 yuan. If mass production is carried out, the cost will be even lower.

You'll need to access the fakeTec PCB project's gerbers folder and download the latest v4 PCB production files (ZIP archive). This version offers significant improvements over previous versions and is recommended. Once downloaded, upload the files to any PCB production platform for fabrication. These files use a universal format and aren't platform-specific. Currently, community users often choose JLC PCB for their PCB production, as they offer strong promotional efforts and often offer free PCB production coupons.

When purchasing hardware, users can choose to add additional components based on their needs, such as an OLED screen (for displaying status information) and a battery connector (for battery power). These components are not required for fakeTec, but if you want a more complete functional experience, you may consider purchasing them together.

In addition, you'll need to purchase resistors and buttons according to the Bill of Materials in the fakeTec_pcb project's README.md file. These are very generic items, not brand specific; just make sure they match the design.

Welding and assembly of fakeTec equipment

After obtaining all the hardware, the next step is soldering and assembling the fakeTec device. The fakeTec PCB is designed to be compatible with the Heltec V3 housing, so users don't need to design additional mounting structures. Instead, simply solder the nRF52 development board, LoRa module, resistors, capacitors, and other components to the PCB according to the pad locations on the PCB.

For users with less soldering experience, it is recommended to use flux and fine solder, and to test before formal soldering to ensure that all components are positioned correctly.

Burn the Bootloader and Meshtastic firmware first, then solder and assemble

For the ProMicro (nRF52 version) development board, it is recommended to test the bootloader before assembly and soldering to ensure it is functioning properly, to avoid discovering that the flashing function is not working after soldering.

I recommend burning the bootloader and Meshtastic firmware to the ProMicro development board first, and then assembling and soldering it after you've verified that there are no issues. This approach can help you rule out software issues in subsequent troubleshooting.

For a detailed nRF52 Promicro programming tutorial, please refer to the firmware programming section of " T114 killer? 35 DIY nRF52 Meshtastic Nodes," which involves using adafruit-nrfutil and the Meshtastic CLI command line to perform erase operations and programming.

A user on Reddit mentioned that, in some cases, soldering a 4.7uF or 3.3uF capacitor between the power pin and ground of a LoRa module can effectively improve signal stability and prevent packet loss during long-distance communication. While this optimization isn't mandatory in fakeTec's official design, users can try it if they encounter signal instability issues.

Flashing Meshtastic firmware

After completing hardware assembly, fakeTec requires flashing the Meshtastic firmware for proper operation. This process is slightly more complex than for the Heltec V3 device, as the default bootloader version of the ProMicro (nRF52 version) may be older and requires a manual update. Users can connect the fakeTec device via USB and double-click the RST and GND pins to enter bootloader mode. Then, drag the latest update-nice_nano_bootloader-0.9.2_nosd.uf2 file into the device to complete the bootloader update.

After updating the bootloader, you can begin flashing the Meshtastic firmware. While fakeTec devices are compatible with the official ProMicro nRF52 variant firmware, we recommend using the Web Flasher online flashing tool provided by community developer mrekin. This tool automatically identifies fakeTec devices and helps users select the appropriate firmware version. Flashing is simple: simply open mrekin.duckdns.org/flasher in your browser, follow the on-screen instructions, select the nRF52 ProMicro variant firmware, click the "Flash" button, and wait a few minutes for the firmware to be flashed.

After the flash is complete, fakeTec will automatically reboot. At this point, you can open the Meshtastic mobile app and attempt to connect to your fakeTec device. During the first connection, the device may display the default channel information. You can manually change the channel ID to ensure it matches your existing Meshtastic network. If your fakeTec device requires GPS, you can also enable GPS in the app and connect an external GPS module via the I2C interface for more robust positioning.

If the community provides feedback, I will write an additional fakeTec flashing tutorial. If you have any questions, please join the Chinese community discussion group .

Debugging and optimizing fakeTec devices

After completing hardware assembly and flashing, it's recommended that users perform some basic debugging and optimization to ensure stable operation of the fakeTec device. First, use the Meshtastic app or web interface to observe whether the fakeTec device is sending and receiving LoRa packets normally. If the signal is unstable, you may need to adjust the antenna position or replace it with a higher-quality antenna adapter. Additionally, some users may experience transmission failures for long messages when using fakeTec devices. This can usually be resolved by adding additional decoupling capacitors to the LoRa module.

Users who wish to further optimize fakeTec's battery life can consider using more efficient battery management solutions, such as an MPPT solar charging module or a larger lithium-ion battery pack. Due to the nRF52's extremely low power consumption, fakeTec is well-suited for long-term power supply solutions. Many users have already experimented with solar powering their fakeTec devices, turning them into truly zero-maintenance Meshtastic remote nodes.

While getting started with fakeTec requires some DIY experience, it's generally straightforward. Thanks to its low cost, high compatibility, and robust expansion capabilities, fakeTec has become one of the most popular DIY solutions in the Meshtastic community. For users looking to build their own Meshtastic devices, fakeTec is undoubtedly an attractive option.

Conclusion

fakeTec is a community-driven DIY project that provides a low-cost, high-performance solution for Meshtastic devices.

For users who want to build a low-cost Meshtastic network, fakeTec reduces the cost of each node to 35-50 yuan, which means that more devices can be deployed with the same budget, thereby improving the coverage and stability of the entire network.

Besides its price advantage, fakeTec's most impressive feature is its low power consumption. The nRF52 processor is several times more energy efficient than the ESP32, significantly extending device battery life. With the same battery capacity, fakeTec devices can operate continuously for 5-10 times longer, significantly reducing the need for frequent charging or battery replacement. For users looking to deploy Meshtastic devices long-term, fakeTec's low power consumption makes it a more reliable option.

More importantly, fakeTec embodies the spirit of the open source community. It not only provides complete PCB production files and firmware support, but also allows users to freely customize it to their needs. Whether adding a GPS module, optimizing battery management, or even 3D printing a custom enclosure, fakeTec offers endless possibilities for DIY enthusiasts. Community contributors have already developed numerous expansion options and are continuously optimizing fakeTec's design to adapt it to a wider range of application scenarios.

Within the Meshtastic ecosystem, fakeTec embodies the community's creativity. It represents a spirit of community-driven innovation, enabling more users to join the Meshtastic world with a lower barrier to entry. In the future, as the community continues to grow, fakeTec may see further optimizations and expansions, and even develop more diverse versions to meet the needs of diverse users.

Currently, there are over ten fakeTec-based enclosure designs, each generously open-sourced by the community. These include the card-like design called fakeCap (self-explanatory ��), inspired by the SenseCap T1000-E, and a rugged enclosure with a pill-like design and IP65 waterproof rating, perfect for hiking, mountaineering, and more. I'll be writing articles about each outstanding fakeTec enclosure design in the future, so be sure to check back for updates!

For those who are still hesitant about whether to try fakeTec, it is worth considering this question: if there is a device that is low-cost, has a long battery life, is freely customizable, and has a huge community support, is it worth trying? The answer is obviously yes.

fakeTec is just such a solution, offering Meshtastic users a cost-effective alternative to collective intelligence. If you're interested in wireless communications, DIY hardware, and even the spirit of the open source community, fakeTec is definitely worth trying.

Author: Hays Chan | Community blogger

Translator:Joe Tan | KEEPTEEN | meshtastic node repeater

Website: https//www.keepteen.com

Article link:https://www.keepteen.com/blog-Solar-Lora-12710/Faketec-An-Open-Source-Alternative-To-The-Heltec-V3-A-Low-Cost-Long-Lasting-Meshtastic-Diy-Solution-11945247.htmlastic Diy Solution