Can't install meshcore on RAK4631

WisBlock
1

RAK4631 on a RAK19007 board with preinstalled meshtastic won’t flash to meshcore (using MacOS or PC).

I’ve tried the online flash tool, manually loading the delete file and UF2 flash. Tried changing bootloaders between the delete and flash as recommended by a reddit user. I’ve tried nearly all of the meshcore firmware versions. Nothing works but I can always go back to meshtastic. After attempting to load meshcore when I power the unit up there are no lights and nothing on the screen. I’ve attempted this 50+ times in all sorts of different configurations.

One oddity, the first time I try flashing meshcore when meshtastic is installed the unit gives me a “loading…” on the screen and I get the bluetooth light. My phone recognizes the unit but the standard PIN of “123456” doesn’t work so I can’t actually connect. If I try re flashing again with the same meshcore or power cycling the unit everything is black and only DFU mode works.

2

Tried a new unit I just ordered and it worked just fine. Also came with meshtastic pre-installed. Wonder what’s up with my other node?

3

Okay, I’ve isolated it to the OLED screen. The screen works just fine on meshtastic, but not meshcore. The RAK13009 connection doesn’t matter, only unplugging the OLED screen matters.

4

FWIW the OLED works if wired directly to the board instead of using the IC2 chip.

IMG_2835
IMG_28351920×2560 253 KB

5

Welcome to the forum @kyleschoen

We are not developing or maintaining the MeshCore firmware, for detailed support about their functionalities, please contact them.

Regarding the OLED screen, what I2C chip are you using? WisBlock does not have an I2C chip.

There are two I2C busses on the WisBlock Base Board connected to the MCU, but as far as I know firmware like Meshtastic and MeshCore support only one I2C bus, which is the one which is exposed on the header pins.

6

It’s a RAK13009 chip, maybe not I2C – I’m still learning this hardware stuff. RAK13009 QWIIC Interface Connector | Stemma QT Connector Interface

I agree now that I’ve fiddled around with it more that it’s likely a firmware issue. I’ve flagged it for the meshcore team and hopefully they’ll fix it bc this is a very easy way to add and remove an OLED.

7

The RAK13009 is just an interface board that exposes the I2C for external sensors.
It does nothing unless you connect something that has a QWIIC interface.
For the display, if you connect it to the RAK13009, you need to make sure that its power supply is on (WB_IO2 set to high). This has to be done by the Meshtastic firmware.