Build Time Planning
Edit on GitHubRealistic time estimates per stage, what takes long, and how to parallelise ordering with building.
Build Time Planning
A realistic plan keeps the build fun instead of frustrating. The stages below assume a first build with modest soldering experience and no special tooling beyond an iron, solder and a multimeter.
Time per stage
| Stage | First build | Second build |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing parts and waiting for delivery | 2-10 days (shipping dominates) | Same |
| Bench setup and tool check | 30-60 min | 10 min |
| Power path (TP4056, divider, cell holder) | 45-90 min | 25 min |
| Display (OLED software SPI) | 30-60 min | 15 min |
| Radio (E22 module, VSPI) | 45-90 min | 25 min |
| Controls and LEDs | 30-60 min | 20 min |
| Audio path | 20-40 min | 15 min |
| GPS module | 20-40 min | 15 min |
| Enclosure and final fit | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
| Bench test pass (all gates) | 1-2 h | 30-60 min |
Total for a first build: roughly 6-10 hours of bench time spread over the days while parts arrive. A second build with parts on hand is 3-4 hours.
Where the time actually goes
- Waiting for parts dominates the calendar, not the bench. Order the long-lead items (E22 module, OLED, GPS from Asia) first, and bench items locally.
- The enclosure is the single longest bench stage. Print or prepare it while the board is being tested, not after.
- Debugging is the unpredictable cost. The quality gates exist to convert unpredictable debugging into a predictable five-minute check at each stage. See Build Quality Gates.
Parallelise ordering with building
- Order 1: E22 module, OLED, GPS, ESP32 (longest lead times).
- Order 2 (while order 1 ships): TP4056, cell holder, buttons, LEDs, passives, enclosure.
- Bench starts the day order 1 arrives; by then order 2 is on the bench.
The BOM Builder tracks quantities and totals, and its phased purchase order is designed around exactly this ordering logic.
Planning for a field deployment
If the beacon is for a specific trip, add two safety buffers:
- One week of margin after the last expected delivery date.
- A full two-beacon bench test and one outdoor range test before the trip. See Two-Beacon Bench Test and Outdoor Testing Guide.