Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[dorkvader]

When handwiring a keyboard matrix, which pins on Teensy 2.0/++ are unable to be used for the rows/columns?

I think it's just the power / ground and reset pins (the ones on the end mainly) I know other pins (for leds I guess) have less current available or something, but ron's using one of them on the GH36 and he says it works fine for him.

[digi]

3 LED's on my Lightsaver already failed...is it common for LED's to fail? I noticed on one of them it started flickering at a very high rate just before it died.

[CPTBadAss]

G83 = rubber dome.

Great, thanks a lot. Should help me sort through the hundreds of keyboards on ebay.

You may also be interested in this DT Wiki page.

3 LED's on my Lightsaver already failed...is it common for LED's to fail? I noticed on one of them it started flickering at a very high rate just before it died.

Hmm...I've never had one die on me before. I'm not 100% sure though so hopefully someone else has experience that they can share.

[HoffmanMyster]

3 LED's on my Lightsaver already failed...is it common for LED's to fail? I noticed on one of them it started flickering at a very high rate just before it died.

I've burnt out a few LEDs and this is typically what happens.  It's odd though, because it has happened in scenarios where the circuit was setup specifically for that LED spec, so I'm not sure what went wrong.  Maybe there are just bad LEDs that were never meant to be?  And maybe there are bad batches that have more of these than is typical?

[digi]

Thanks for the info CPT & Hoff...I'm not sure what the deal is, they were working fine when the board showed up just a week or two ago and then suddenly I they started dying out. I'm trying to figure out if there is a better distributor/brand for led's than maybe the cheapies on eBay or if this is just common with led's in general?

[CPTBadAss]

I'm trying to figure out if there is a better distributor/brand for led's than maybe the cheapies on eBay or if this is just common with led's in general?

I wonder if the cheap stuff has a higher than 5-10% failure rate that one would expect in general.

[HPE1000]

Anyone know if there are other boards out there with buzzers/beepers like the kishsaver has?

[CPTBadAss]

Anyone know if there are other boards out there with buzzers/beepers like the kishsaver has?

It seems like there are a lot of older boards that have the solenoids or buzzers. If I understood correctly, it was to make it louder for people who were used to typewriters. I know for sure that most beamspring boards had them.

[dorkvader]

Anyone know if there are other boards out there with buzzers/beepers like the kishsaver has?

It seems like there are a lot of older boards that have the solenoids or buzzers. If I understood correctly, it was to make it louder for people who were used to typewriters. I know for sure that most beamspring boards had them.

a lot of older terminal boards (and some model Ms!) have speakers in them for the terminal bell. Televideo, etc. common to see.

Some kbs, wang, beamspring, IBM 3178, kinesis, and the zenith alps one (zkb2 i think) all have clickers or buzzers or solenoids in them to tell you the switch has actuated. This is either to make it more like a typewriter or to help you with linear switches. Even the ergodox can be configured with one.

[lazerpointer]

Is there anything like the Ducky 1087 Green XM ALPs out there these days?

Really missing the super-light and crunchy-sounding switches :/ (a family member donated mine to some faraway charity without my knowledge, about a month ago...)

[fohat.digs]

Is there anything like the Ducky 1087 Green XM ALPs out there these days?

Really missing the super-light and crunchy-sounding switches :/ (a family member donated mine to some faraway charity without my knowledge, about a month ago...)

I have a bag of those green XMs that I will sell you for cheap.

[Melvang]

So when I was at the post office today I was really eye balling the keyboards she was using and listening to the key strokes.  It looks like a G80-11900 but it was white with what looked and sounded like pbt caps with MX blacks.

Looking around on the DT wiki it was saying that the 11900 was only done in black but the 11800 has the wrong layout.  The boards at the post office have the track pad with 3 and 4 single unit keys on the bottom row.

Any ideas what they could be?

[CPTBadAss]

So when I was at the post office today I was really eye balling the keyboards she was using and listening to the key strokes.  It looks like a G80-11900 but it was white with what looked and sounded like pbt caps with MX blacks.

Looking around on the DT wiki it was saying that the 11900 was only done in black but the 11800 has the wrong layout.  The boards at the post office have the track pad with 3 and 4 single unit keys on the bottom row.

Any ideas what they could be?

Cherry 11900 in White

[fohat.digs]

it was saying that the 11900 was only done in black

I have had 2-3 of those and they were all white, including one re-branded as "APC"

Wish the layout was better, I love the trackpad. But those function keys and 6-pack, ARRGH!

Yoked to a cheap double-PS/2-to-USB adapter and they worked perfectly.

[Puddsy]

APC?

[fohat.digs]

this one

[Melvang]

Thanks guys.

Any suggestions on how to sort between mechanical and rubber dome versions of WYSE and rebranded versions?

[nubbinator]

Thanks guys.

Any suggestions on how to sort between mechanical and rubber dome versions of WYSE and rebranded versions?

The Wyse RD look like your more bog standard RD boards from what I've seen.  The mechanical ones, at least the MX, tend to be discernible by their layout (some, for example, have the left side function keys) and the key caps.  They also have some Alps boards, but those are less common.

[yasuo]

"enyoy your feeling" on spacebar poker2has been removed?

[jdcarpe]

Anyone know if there are other boards out there with buzzers/beepers like the kishsaver has?

It seems like there are a lot of older boards that have the solenoids or buzzers. If I understood correctly, it was to make it louder for people who were used to typewriters. I know for sure that most beamspring boards had them.

a lot of older terminal boards (and some model Ms!) have speakers in them for the terminal bell. Televideo, etc. common to see.

Some kbs, wang, beamspring, IBM 3178, kinesis, and the zenith alps one (zkb2 i think) all have clickers or buzzers or solenoids in them to tell you the switch has actuated. This is either to make it more like a typewriter or to help you with linear switches. Even the ergodox can be configured with one.

That's what ASCII character 7 is for!

[CPTBadAss]

"enyoy your feeling" on spacebar poker2has been removed?

I believe so. But I love that spacebar.

[yasuo]

"enyoy your feeling" on spacebar poker2has been removed?

I believe so. But I love that spacebar.

yup

[C5Allroad]

Didn't want to create a new thread for this, how are clears for gaming?
When I switched from reds to browns my pinky got fatigued when holding shift to spring in most games. I got used to that, I really want a switch that I don't bottom out all the time though. I've been trying to not bottom out all the time though, kind of tough to do and keep a good wpm while doing so.
And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking? Thinking of swapping for clears on my shine. Kind of scared of ****ing something up....

And how much is the solder machine?

And how to use a solder remover?

[Melvang]

Didn't want to create a new thread for this, how are clears for gaming?
When I switched from reds to browns my pinky got fatigued when holding shift to spring in most games. I got used to that, I really want a switch that I don't bottom out all the time though. I've been trying to not bottom out all the time though, kind of tough to do and keep a good wpm while doing so.
And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking? Thinking of swapping for clears on my shine. Kind of scared of ****ing something up....

And how much is the solder machine?

And how to use a solder remover?

I have used red/blue/brown springs in clears with no lube with no sticking.  But the clears were very well used.  When using new clear stems lube will be required for that light of springs.  Most people here seem to prefer 62g springs for ergo clears.

For what its worth I use reds on WASD in my orbweaver with clears everywhere else.

On the soldering questions I would recommend having a look at the "Living Soldering Thread" in the making stuff together sub forum.  Please read the OP as it has a lot of good info.

[C5Allroad]

Didn't want to create a new thread for this, how are clears for gaming?
When I switched from reds to browns my pinky got fatigued when holding shift to spring in most games. I got used to that, I really want a switch that I don't bottom out all the time though. I've been trying to not bottom out all the time though, kind of tough to do and keep a good wpm while doing so.
And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking? Thinking of swapping for clears on my shine. Kind of scared of ****ing something up....

And how much is the solder machine?

And how to use a solder remover?

I have used red/blue/brown springs in clears with no lube with no sticking.  But the clears were very well used.  When using new clear stems lube will be required for that light of springs.  Most people here seem to prefer 62g springs for ergo clears.

For what its worth I use reds on WASD in my orbweaver with clears everywhere else.

On the soldering questions I would recommend having a look at the "Living Soldering Thread" in the making stuff together sub forum.  Please read the OP as it has a lot of good info.

Will do!
What kind of lube would I need?
I have valve oil from my old trumpet lol.

[Melvang]

Didn't want to create a new thread for this, how are clears for gaming?
When I switched from reds to browns my pinky got fatigued when holding shift to spring in most games. I got used to that, I really want a switch that I don't bottom out all the time though. I've been trying to not bottom out all the time though, kind of tough to do and keep a good wpm while doing so.
And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking? Thinking of swapping for clears on my shine. Kind of scared of ****ing something up....

And how much is the solder machine?

And how to use a solder remover?

I have used red/blue/brown springs in clears with no lube with no sticking.  But the clears were very well used.  When using new clear stems lube will be required for that light of springs.  Most people here seem to prefer 62g springs for ergo clears.

For what its worth I use reds on WASD in my orbweaver with clears everywhere else.

On the soldering questions I would recommend having a look at the "Living Soldering Thread" in the making stuff together sub forum.  Please read the OP as it has a lot of good info.

Will do!
What kind of lube would I need?
I have valve oil from my old trumpet lol.

The only oil/grease I would recommend is Krytox.  Check WWW.geekhackers.org (run by mkawa) or ctrlalt.io (BunnyLake is the front man here) though I believe his sit is under construction at the moment.

[C5Allroad]

Didn't want to create a new thread for this, how are clears for gaming?
When I switched from reds to browns my pinky got fatigued when holding shift to spring in most games. I got used to that, I really want a switch that I don't bottom out all the time though. I've been trying to not bottom out all the time though, kind of tough to do and keep a good wpm while doing so.
And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking? Thinking of swapping for clears on my shine. Kind of scared of ****ing something up....

And how much is the solder machine?

And how to use a solder remover?

I have used red/blue/brown springs in clears with no lube with no sticking.  But the clears were very well used.  When using new clear stems lube will be required for that light of springs.  Most people here seem to prefer 62g springs for ergo clears.

For what its worth I use reds on WASD in my orbweaver with clears everywhere else.

On the soldering questions I would recommend having a look at the "Living Soldering Thread" in the making stuff together sub forum.  Please read the OP as it has a lot of good info.

Will do!
What kind of lube would I need?
I have valve oil from my old trumpet lol.

The only oil/grease I would recommend is Krytox.  Check WWW.geekhackers.org (run by mkawa) or ctrlalt.io (BunnyLake is the front man here) though I believe his sit is under construction at the moment.

Thank you! Will be reading up and hopefully will do the swap one day

[CPTBadAss]

1) How are clears for gaming?

2) And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking?

3) And how much is the solder machine?

4) And how to use a solder remover?

1) They're fine for me. I don't have any issues. But I prefer heavier switches.

2) I find that the stock red/blue/brown and 55g aftermarket springs can be sticky. 62g seems to be the lowest in my experience.

3) I paid $40ish for my Hakko 936 but you could use a Radio Shack/Harbor Freight iron if you really wanted. I highly recommend you get a Weller WLC100 at the minimum though.

4) I highly suggest purchasing a Soldapullt from Geekhackers.org. It's around $20.

[C5Allroad]

1) How are clears for gaming?

2) And what are the lightest possible springs I can run on clears without it sticking?

3) And how much is the solder machine?

4) And how to use a solder remover?

1) They're fine for me. I don't have any issues. But I prefer heavier switches.

2) I find that the stock red/blue/brown and 55g aftermarket springs can be sticky. 62g seems to be the lowest in my experience.

3) I paid $40ish for my Hakko 936 but you could use a Radio Shack/Harbor Freight iron if you really wanted. I highly recommend you get a Weller WLC100 at the minimum though.

4) I highly suggest purchasing a Soldapullt from Geekhackers.org. It's around $20.

What's the difference between the Weller vs a AOYUE 469?

I'll try stock clears for a few months first then

[Melvang]

Aoyue is a cheap knock off of Hakko iirc.  Hakko is very well known for quality and reliability.  I have a Weller and it has served me very well.  The only issue I have had with it was when I left it on for a couple days and killed the tip but that was no fault of the unit.

[C5Allroad]

Aoyue is a cheap knock off of Hakko iirc.  Hakko is very well known for quality and reliability.  I have a Weller and it has served me very well.  The only issue I have had with it was when I left it on for a couple days and killed the tip but that was no fault of the unit.

Oh okay thanks!

As for disassembly would I need to touch the dip switches?
And I hear leds are rather tedious to solder... Lol

[Melvang]

Aoyue is a cheap knock off of Hakko iirc.  Hakko is very well known for quality and reliability.  I have a Weller and it has served me very well.  The only issue I have had with it was when I left it on for a couple days and killed the tip but that was no fault of the unit.

Oh okay thanks!

As for disassembly would I need to touch the dip switches?
And I hear leds are rather tedious to solder... Lol

i can't say for sure but i don't think so.  Leds are a pain but not to bad with one of the soldeapults from geekhackers.org.

[CPTBadAss]

1) What's the difference between the Weller vs a AOYUE 469?
2) As for disassembly would I need to touch the dip switches?
3) And I hear leds are rather tedious to solder

1) I highly suggest *not* getting an Aoyue soldering iron. They're not very good quality clones of Wellers or Hakkos. I believe photekq put a huge hole in his PCB because the iron wasn't heating correctly.

2) No

3) Yup, anything related to keyboard modding is tedious in my opinion. Doesn't mean I don't like modding; I love it. But it is tedious.

[C5Allroad]

Thanks guys!
Hopefully be buying the switches and solder equipment  

[yasuo]

my left hand when stretched, it feels like a pulled, it's CPT or Pinched Nerve?

[CPTBadAss]

my left hand when stretched, it feels like a pulled, it's CPT or Pinched Nerve?

Not really keyboard related. Maybe you overextended your hand or maybe you're developing RSI? Regardless, a keyboard forum isn't where you should be asking questions about your health. Hopefully you can find a doctor and then if you think you need it, check out the ergonomics subforum for some help with ergonomic keyboarding.

[C5Allroad]

Now that I've read a little into soldering, the only real thing I'd be worried about is over heating or scraped the trace...

[BakaPhoenix]

I need to change some led on my keyboard i wanted to put the socket like thing so can swap led in future without soldering everytime.
Anyone know the name of this item? and where i can find it?
Thanks

[HoffmanMyster]

I need to change some led on my keyboard i wanted to put the socket like thing so can swap led in future without soldering everytime.
Anyone know the name of this item? and where i can find it?
Thanks

They are called SIP sockets and can be purchased on eBay in large quantities. Though you will want to clip off the black enclosure so they fit properly. Information can be found around the forums on that, or I can link you when I'm off mobile. 

[CPTBadAss]

Or I can link you when I'm off mobile. 

I got you buddy

[HoffmanMyster]

Or I can link you when I'm off mobile. 

I got you buddy

Yay thanks!   

I had actually forgotten.   

[yasuo]

5x14 matrix is enough with pro micro?

[BakaPhoenix]

Or I can link you when I'm off mobile. 

I got you buddy

I need to change some led on my keyboard i wanted to put the socket like thing so can swap led in future without soldering everytime.
Anyone know the name of this item? and where i can find it?
Thanks

They are called SIP sockets and can be purchased on eBay in large quantities. Though you will want to clip off the black enclosure so they fit properly. Information can be found around the forums on that, or I can link you when I'm off mobile. 

Thanks both of you!
I found them on ebay. Is 2.54mm ok or I need to find another type?

[CPTBadAss]

I found them on ebay. Is 2.54mm ok or I need to find another type?

Looks like this post has more information.

[dorkvader]

5x14 matrix is enough with pro micro?

5*14 is 21 pins so you will need to wire it differently (like 8* 10, it has 18 pins you can use I think) but I don't know if it is enough for you. If you desolder LED and jumper a wire to the pad, I think you can use 2 more but I don't recommend it.

[intelli78]

Has anyone other than Ducky made blue/gray Cherry MX PBT like this? http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/images/products/large_474_large_472_DuckyDYE_blMAIN.jpg

I want to pick up a set like that, but I can't abide the duck winkey.

[Zeal]

Has anyone other than Ducky made blue/gray Cherry MX PBT like this? http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/images/products/large_474_large_472_DuckyDYE_blMAIN.jpg

I want to pick up a set like that, but I can't abide the duck winkey.

imsto had a full set of black on blue dyesub + black on gray dyesub keycaps. Would require buying two sets though. 

Black on gray
http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=59

Black on blue w/ hangul - I think the non-hangul ones sold out
http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=62

[CommonCurt]

Has anyone other than Ducky made blue/gray Cherry MX PBT like this? http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/images/products/large_474_large_472_DuckyDYE_blMAIN.jpg

I want to pick up a set like that, but I can't abide the duck winkey.

imsto had a full set of black on blue dyesub + black on gray dyesub keycaps. Would require buying two sets though. 

Black on gray
http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=59

Black on blue w/ hangul - I think the non-hangul ones sold out
http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=62

I have a few of the Blue Dye-sub sets from IMSTO.  They are really nice as long as you get a straight spacebar.

I have read ways to fix it (bent spacebars), but it didn't work out to good for me.   Still, they are some of my favorite Keycaps.

[yasuo]

5x14 matrix is enough with pro micro?

Show Image

5*14 is 21 pins so you will need to wire it differently (like 8* 10, it has 18 pins you can use I think) but I don't know if it is enough for you. If you desolder LED and jumper a wire to the pad, I think you can use 2 more but I don't recommend it.

what if I make a promicro for two boards, it's can? i plan pro micro for left hand side
how if i buy promicro again for right side? it's make sense two controller?

[Elocutive]

Will there ever be another run of LZ boards on GH?