I’ve been working with the LilyGO® T-Beam SUPREME ($41 not inc. shipping) which packs a punch with its:
- ESP32-S3FN8 processor with 8MB of RAM and 8MB of PSRAM
- a 128x64px OLED display
- a Lora radio transceiver
- a GPS sensor (either MAX-M10S or L76K )
- Six-Axis Sensor
- Temperature, humidity and pressure sensor
- Magnetometer (compass)
- A power management chip for charging and running while charging
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Real Time Clock (keeps time when powered down, but attached to a battery or USB power line)
- An SD Card writer/reader
The unit is powered by a popular 18650 battery. The problem is that the battery holder secures the battery so well that you cannot pull the battery out with your fingers, you have to pry the battery out.
To overcome the battery extraction problem, I designed and fabricated some battery slings using 10mm polyimide film tape tape and cut 10+mm portions from the shafts of cotton swabs. I affix the tape to one shaft and then lay the tape out 3.75″ and lay down the second shaft and then fold over the tape on itself and wrap a small segment around the first shaft. Total tape consumption: 7-1/2″.
With this sling installed underneath the battery, I can pull the sling and pop the battery out — it still takes some force, but with the sling and the small shaft segments, I have something to grab.
Highly recommended.
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