How To Add Screen To FakeTec NRF52840 Meshtastic Device

In this guide, we'll walk you through adding a display screen (OLED) module to your existing FakeTec Meshtastic Node to display messages, node status, network information, and navigation menus directly on your device.

Hardware

Now let's get started with the hardware you need:

1x BME280 Module - AliExpress Price: 2.00USD | Amazon US Price 6.99USD
4x Female to Female Pin Connector AliExpress Price: 0.42USD | Amazon US Price 5.49USD
1x Soldering Iron + 60/40 Solder Wire (Optional - You can go to a nearby electronic shop to solder the headers on the board)

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When ordering from AliExpress, consider consolidating your purchases from a single seller to maximize savings. For instance, if you're purchasing an antenna from seller X, check if they also offer an IPEX to SMA-K cable. By sourcing all your items from one seller, you can significantly reduce shipping costs.

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OLED displays come in different sizes and interfaces. We recommend the 0.96" I2C OLED SSD1306 for optimal compatibility and screen real estate.

While you can modify this hardware selection, we've chosen readily available components. Note that soldering is only required to attach headers to the FakeTec Node and the OLED display module. This step can be outsourced to a local electronics shop if you prefer to avoid soldering yourself.

Assembly

The hardware is all ready and set now to the wiring. For this, we will follow the following schematics.

OLED SSD1306 Display → FakeTec Meshtastic Node

VCC/VIN → 3.3V (OLED displays typically run on 3.3V)
SCL → SCL Pin (I2C Clock)
SDA → SDA Pin (I2C Data)
GND → GND Pin

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If you have other I2C devices (like BME280 sensor) connected to the same pins, you can connect the OLED display in parallel with those devices. I2C supports multiple devices on the same bus

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Adding decoupling capacitors is good practice to isolate different parts of the circuit from each other and ensure stable power delivery to the display

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Important Note: The exact pin layout may vary on your specific FakeTec board. Always follow the labels and pin designations on your components and the provided schematics to ensure accurate connections. Double-checking these details will help prevent potential issues or component damage.

After completing all connections, verify that they match the recommended configuration before proceeding to the next stage.

Meshtastic Settings

Open Meshtastic App (iOS/Android)
Connect to your FakeTec device via Bluetooth
Go to the Settings page
Navigate to Device Config
Select Display
Configure the following settings:
- Screen On Interval: Set how long the screen stays on (e.g., 60 seconds)
- Auto Screen Carousel Interval: Time between automatic screen changes (e.g., 10 seconds)
- GPS Format: Choose coordinate display format
- Display Units: Select metric or imperial units
- OLED Type: Select SSD1306 (if available in options)
- Display Mode: Choose what information to show by default
Additional Display Options:
- Flip Screen: Enable if your display is mounted upside down
- Wake on Tap: Enable screen activation on device movement (if supported)
- Heading Bold: Make compass heading more prominent
Save Configuration and restart your device

Conclusion

Adding a display module to your FakeTec Meshtastic Node significantly enhances the user experience by providing real-time visual feedback without requiring a smartphone app. While some soldering may be required for header installation, this can be easily delegated to a local electronics shop if needed.