Author Topic: Best way to reroute/swap keys  (Read 2243 times)

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Offline domin8r

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 162
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 06:36:36 »
Hi,

this is a bit of a mod thing but I understand that section is only for "showing off" so to say.

I recently bought a NIB BTC 5100C. It's the perfect keyboard to throw into my backpack and bring along.
While using it though I got annoyed that the Fn key is where the CTRL normally is (and should be I think).

So I want to switch these 2 keys.. not with software though, I want to be able to just hook it up somewhere and just use it.

What is the best way to do this?

My idea was to break the tracks on the PCB and solder wires to the switches, but I'm open to better ideas if there are any! :)
Compaq MX-11800, Ergo Clear/Brown/Ghetto Red
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Offline RiGS

  • Posts: 1594
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 07:32:02 »
You can also replace the controller with a Teensy.
Last edited by RiGS; Jan 2011

Offline domin8r

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 162
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 07:34:17 »
Quote from: RiGS;479514
You can also replace the controller with a Teensy.

That would require me to re-solder all the connections again right? :)
Compaq MX-11800, Ergo Clear/Brown/Ghetto Red
Ducky 1087XM
Laser SX-25 , White SMK
Black Dell AT101W
IBM Model M 1390120 (\'86)
Cherry G80-1000, Panda Clears

Offline weenis

  • Posts: 69
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 11:11:47 »
Quote from: ripster;479604
Just go with your original idea.  There is a mod in the modifications subforum that rewires the Das S FCN key to a Windows key.

I'd give you a link but Vbulletin search function blows.


[strike]Do want link.[/strike]

I think this is the link-

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8533
Dell AT101W | Unicomp Spacesaver PC | IBM SpaceSaver Keyboard | IBM Black Label M | KBT Oni Brown | Leopold Otaku Brown | Noppoo Choc Mini Brown | IKBC F104 Brown

Offline domin8r

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 162
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 11:47:46 »
Quote from: weenis;479609
[strike]Do want link.[/strike]

I think this is the link-

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8533

Thanx for the help guys.. I'll solder the swap, shouldn't be a problem. Will post pics when it's done :)
Compaq MX-11800, Ergo Clear/Brown/Ghetto Red
Ducky 1087XM
Laser SX-25 , White SMK
Black Dell AT101W
IBM Model M 1390120 (\'86)
Cherry G80-1000, Panda Clears

Offline IvanIvanovich

  • Mr. Silk Underwear
  • Posts: 8199
  • Location: USA
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 12:05:01 »
It's a membrane, so easy to scratch off the trace, and use conductive ink to redraw. I had one of those keyboards a long time ago and did exactly that as I also though the placement to be obnoxious.

Offline Findecanor

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  • Location: Koriko
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 12:24:43 »
On this page, it is a capacitative foam and foil. It looks you just need to swap to conductors that are next to each other on the PCB in-between the two switch areas. Tiny space, it looks like about a cm square and 1.5 mm high but I think that it can be done.

Offline IvanIvanovich

  • Mr. Silk Underwear
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  • Location: USA
Best way to reroute/swap keys
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 29 December 2011, 12:59:07 »
Right C revision is much later production than that. They went from foam and foil on pcb, to rubber domes on pcb, to rubber domes on mylar. Also the older ones often have pretty decent doublshots, the mid period ones nice quality laser and the most recent often have poor pad print.