Manual for assembling for board V3.X.X.

General:

The kit is an excellent tool for DIY learning. Assembly can take as little as 15–30 minutes, depending on your level of skill and experience with electronics.

Current board version V3.x.x is for firmware 3.x.x. And works with M5StackCore(gray only power up from the power switch. M5StackCore Black can be used but need to have the switch on AND the power button on the M5Stack core pressed), M5StackCore2 and M5Stack AWS.

As with any project, take the time to prepare by gathering the necessary tools, clearing space, reading the manual, and turning off distractions before you start.

WARNINGS:

• The temperature of the soldering iron should be about 200–350 degrees Celsius (400–650 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Smoke from solder is dangerous for your health, so work in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear safety glasses when cutting off leads.
• Be gentle with the kit. Some components are fragile.
• Be very careful not to shorten out a 18650 battery. Once it gets very hot, please it in a closed metal enclosure. The battery can start smoking and spitting fire and explode.

TOOLS NEEDED:

• Nippers (for cutting pin headers)
• Solder iron (fine tip)
• Solder (60/40)
• Hex-/ Allen-key 2.5 mm (for M3 screws) only if you buy the parts your selve.
• Power to heat the solder iron.
• Screwdrivers (small flat-head and a Phillips-head).
• USB-C cable for programming/charging

OPTIONAL PARTS:

• IPA (isopropyl alcohol) for cleaning up the flux from the soldering.

BEFORE YOU START:

Note that the LND_7317 pancake sensor is very delicate. It has a thin mica covering on one face, inside which there is a partial vacuum. The mica is easily punctured. Should this occur, it will damage the tube irreparably. We recommend that you leave the pancake sensor in the box until you're ready to attach it.

IMPORTANT:

Most kits are provided with a protective mesh screen already attached. Check the sensor in your kit now before you begin building. If the protective mesh screen has not yet been attached, please complete section below.

NOTE: This step is only necessary in cases where the sensor provided in the kit does not already have the screen mesh attached.

The copper mesh cover should be attached to the pancake sensor so that it protects the membrane. We've found that a thin coat of clear acrylic nail polish carefully applied to the edge of the mesh works well as an adhesive. It can also easily be removed later if needed by using nail polish remover.

Use clear nail polish or "nail top coat," without glitter or other anything like that in it. Only a thin coat is needed. You should apply it to the edge of the mesh because it's easier to handle than the sensor. Carefully position it on the sensor as shown in the photo, and press down on it lightly with your finger for a minute or so until the polish starts to set. Let it dry for about 5 minutes.

Future versions will have a 3d printed enclosure instead of a metal grid.

Kit assembling

Hardware bGeigieZen

• Parts check:

• Check if all correct parts and the correct counts are there.
• All parts in picture (with V3.0.3 board)  below except the LiPo 18650 3.7V  battery and a silicon patch.

• M5StackCore(grey), Core2 and AWS versions can be used.
• Currently we how two versions of the boards used. V3.0.3 and V3.0.6. They are slightly different. But basic structure is the same. Below V3.0.3 boards.

• V3.0.6 board are an updated version of the V3.0.3 boards after much feedback of the users and builders of those boards. On the V3.0.6 boards, only 18650 unprotected can be used (we only have limited space). Noticed that the layout of the switch is also changed.

Check battery type.

• The 18650 battery comes in many versions. We recommend (due to the limited space to use a 650 mm 3.7 V 3000mA unprotected flattop type.

• Remove the backplate of the M5Stack:

Picture Core1 (2 Hexagon socket countersunk head M3 screws)

Picture Core 2 (4 Hexagon socket countersunk head M3 screws)

Picture Core AWS (4 Hexagon socket countersunk head M3 screws)

• Turn M5Stack upside down.

Loosen the  hex screws with the hex key.

Locate the “screwdriver hole”

Put flat head screwdriver in the hole and rotate the screwdriver. The M5Stack will split.

Remove the backplate.

Note: the backplate and the hex-screws won't be needed for this project.

• Basic solder instructions:

• Solder instructions video link.
• First one pin align correct and then the rest of the pins.
• Ground pins require longer heating to let the solder flow correctly.
• First solder on the tip, then touch the pin and area.
• Then add more solder till correct shape of the solder and pin (pictures)

• Solder the board with pins only.

• Start with 2×15 pin connectors

• Place board with top up.
• Place the 2×15 pin connector in the holes.
• Turn the board around while holding the 2×15 pin header.
• Solder only one corner pin.
• Check if alignment is correct. Solder last pin.
• 
• Solder the between pins one by one.
• Split the 40pin 2.54 pitch pin header into smaller parts. See picture below:

• Keep the board with the bottom up.
• Place the 1×3 pin header in the safepulse or the Irover ^[b][c][d][e]holes. Hold the board and turn it over. Solder one pin.
• 
• Check alignment (needs to be 90 degree with the board). Picture needed. If alignment is good, solder the rest of the pins.
• Turn the board with the bottom up again. Place the 1×2 pin header for the safepulse (not for the Irover):
• Turn the board with the top-up.
• Place the 6 pins pin header for the GPS
• Flip the board while holding the pin header for the GPS
• Solder one pin of the 6 pin header.
• Check if the header is placed correctly.
• 
• Solder the rest of the pins
• After soldering the pins, flip the board to the top side up.
• Insert the single pins (6) (reason for the single pin is that the tp4056 spacing between the pinhole is not a standard 2.54 pitch spacing) for the 4056 charger in the holes (do not solder yet)
• 

  ---

• Place the 4056 charger on the pins
• 
• Solder 6 pins of the 4056  
• 
• Hold the 4056 board and the main board and flip it bottom side up
• Solder the bottom pins of the 4056

An improved version can be made with different pin headers like below picture.

• Prepare the next group of parts to be soldered (see picture below for the parts):

• 

• Install the Safepulse (there are green and black versions of the Safepulse V1.2.2.)
• 
• Solder the pins of the Safepulse
• Solder  the wire for the connector of the anode (red). First strip, then put though the hole and then solder.

• Put the board with the top side up.
• Cut the square white 3M double-sided tape in half.
• Remove two sides of the protection of the tape and stick in side on the GPS module.

• Remove from the other part of the double-sided tape, only one side, and stick that on the sticky part of the first part of the tape. That way, the height of the double-sided tape is “perfect”.

• Place the GPS module over the pin header and check the alignment.

• Heat up the pins and the GPS module pads very well. The pads on the GPS module do not easily flow the solder with flux.

• Solder the pins well. And check thoroughly if all are well done.!!

• Install the switch on the top of the board:
• 
• Flip the board over and solder one pin for the 3 smaller pins first. Check the alignment of the switch
• Solder the remaining two small pins. Then solder the two big outer pins (they need a lot of heating time and a lot of solder) BE CAREFUL, THE METAL PART OF THE SWITCH WILL BE VERY HOT!!.
• 
• 
• Set the switch in the OFF position
• 
• Place the battery holder clip in the holes. With protected batteries, use the left holes. With unprotected (not advisable but up to you to use them) use the right holes. See picture below.
• Solder one pin (of the three pins) only and check alignment of the battery holder on the top side of the board. You need a lot of heat to get a good solder connection and  BE CAREFUL, THE BATTER HOLDER WILL BE VERY HOT!!.
• 
• The flat bottom of the holder should be touching the board.
• 
• solder the other pins of the battery holder,
• Solder other battery holder. Again, one pin first and check alignment, then solder the other two pins to the board.
• 

Grove connector installment:

• The Grove connection supplies with additions connectivity with other I2C devices and maybe dropped in future releases.
• Place the grove (white) connector and solder it in place after checking the alignment.
• 

• Prepare tube:

• BE ALWAYS CAREFUL WHERE YOU PLACE THE TUBE WHEN THE GRID TOUCHES SOMETHING THE MICA IS VERY FRAGILE AND CAN EASILY BE PUNCTURE
• Remove yellow part from round 3M sticker.

• Place and press firmly on the backside of the tube.

• Remove the backside of the protected gray rubber/foam for the tube. And wrap it around the tube according to the pictures below. Leave the edge about 2 mm from the tube, so when the tube is placed into the black or yellow rubber lining, the rubber will be flushed against the gray proceed foam.

• Remove yellow part from rectangle 3M sticker.

• Place and press firmly on the place in the picture below. Be sure the two holes on the board are not covered.

DO NOT TAKE THE RED PARTS OF THE STICKER OFF YET (that will be later when the tube in placed correctly.)

• Place the tube with the grid down into the case.

• Confirm the placement is correct.

• Put the M3 15 mm screws for mounting the M5StackCore module (display and MPU) in the holes and tighten them. DO NOT TIGHTEN THEM TOO MUCH. THE DISPLAY CAN BREAK IF THE SCREWS ARE PUNCTURING THE DISPLAY!!

• Remove the rounded and rectangular red protected tape from the tube and the board.

• Without moving the tube i the case, place the board in the case and press firmly.

• Confirm that the top of the rubber liner is 2 mm above the board.

• The bottom of the case should like this.

• Connecting the cathode of the tube to the safepulse.

• Prepare the “ground” cathode wire of the tube.
• Be sure the aluminum connector of the anode of the is firmly screwed on. We have seen some LND7317 where the aluminum cap is not firmly screwed on and will course incorrect counts.

Add the yellow high voltage warning sticker

• Connect the anode connector (red wire) with the anode of the tube

• SD Card insert

• Case Preparation:

• Cut a small hole for USB-C connector of the QI receiver to go through.
• Take backside of Safecast black sticker off and place it over the bottom top part of the QI changer (see Picture)
• 
• 
• 
• Add a protected piece of tape on the + side of the battery holder. To prevent a short if the bGeigieZen is placed on it’s side on a metal conducting surface.

• Case closure checks:

• Test closing the case. If proper made, you should not hear a “hard” click (when the M5StackCore 2 hits the upper part of the Pelican 1015 case. The sound should be a soft “rubber touching the case” sound.

Software install/M5Burner

BGEIGIEZEN V.3.0.3

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

(Ed. 01)

Alberto Villa, 2024-08-09

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION        2

2. FLOWCHART        2

3. DETAILED PROCEDURE        3

3.1 – Installing the USB VCP Driver        3

3.2 - Installing the Uniflow Firmware Burning Tool        3

3.3 - Installing (“burning”) the firmware        5

1. INTRODUCTION

The procedure here described is based on a bGeigieZen board V3.0.3 with a Core2-AWS module. An initial flowchart summarizes the main steps, followed by a step-by-step description.

NOTE:

The firmware “burning” has worked correctly only after the installation of the recommended USB driver using the file <CP210xVCPInstaller_x64_v6.7.0.0.exe> in an Acer Aspire 5 laptop running Win11. No success with an old desktop and Win7.

2. FLOWCHART

3. DETAILED PROCEDURE

The “burning” of the firmware into the M5StackCore of the bGeigieZen must be preceded by the installation of  a suitable USB driver, followed by the M5 UIFlow Firmware Burning Tool.

3.1 – Installing the USB VCP Driver

Open the page https://docs.m5stack.com/en/uiflow/m5core2/program

Go to part 2, “USB Driver Installation” and download the compressed file with the USB Virtual Com Port Driver CP210x_VCP according to your current O.S.:

Decompress the file. In case of Windows 10/11, double click on the x64 version of the driver (CP210xVCPInstaller_x64_v6.7.0.0.exe).

3.2 - Installing the Uniflow Firmware Buring Tool

Open the page https://docs.m5stack.com/en/uiflow/uiflow_web . Go to part 2, “M5Burner Installation” and download the compressed file according to your current O.S.:

Decompress the zipped file. In case of Windows 10/11, double-click on the file <M5Burner.exe>. The M5Burner page appears, showing on the left a column for the selection of the device type, a search field on top, and on the right window a list of the available firmware and their versions:

Select your M5StackCore type in the left column:

1. If the M5StackCore has three top-side “hard” buttons, then choose “CORE”:

2. If the M5StackCore has three top-side “soft” buttons, then select “CORE & TOUGH”:

For CoreS3

Type “Zen” (without brackets) into the search field Immediately the page for downloading the firmware dedicated to the bGeigieZen (a Core2-AWS module in this example) appears:

NOTE: The latest version of the firmware is shown in the top right field. Click the “Download” button. After awhile, a message confirms that the download has been successfully concluded:

NOTE: Now the “Download” button is now replaced by a “Remove” and a “Burn” button.

3.3 - Installing (“burning”) the firmware

Connect the M5StackCore of the bGeigieZen with an USB-C cable (lateral connector). The M5 is now powered through the USB cable; the screen is uniformly white and flashes to black for a short instant at a periodical rate:

Click on the “Burn” button:

A window pops-up for setting the COM port and the data rate through drop-down lists. For instance:

Click on the “Start” button; a message window appears showing the status of the burning procedure:

At the end, the bGeigieZen will be ready for the configuration of the operational parameters. These are set by:

• Editing the default <SAFEZEN.txt> file in the microSD memory card;
• Inserting the card into the card slot of the M5StackCore;
• Loading this file into the M5StackCore by using the “soft” keys of the touch-screen display.

Miscellaneous things/quirks:

• Powering down and powering up sometimes does not work. Wait a few seconds to power the bGeigieZen again after powering down.
• Use flat head 18650 batteries for better fit. Button head batteries are a little too long.
•