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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: ebastler on Mon, 20 July 2020, 18:54:41

Title: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Mon, 20 July 2020, 18:54:41
Hello!

While I am still waiting for prototypes of my isometria75 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106060.0), I got an offer for a bunch of really cheap G80-1800s (datecodes late 90s to early 2000s) and decided to create a new PCB for them. The result is the E80-1800. In German we would call it "Eierlegende Wollmilchsau" (roughly translated as a pig which can be sheared for whool, lays eggs and gives milk - it can do everything).

What is "everything" you ask?

I reduced the amount of offered layouts to what G80-1800 were sold with on purpose, in order to avoid getting too many holes and therefore loose switches (remember, no plate in a G80 unless you add one of Maartens plates!).

You have to make some modifications to the case though:

Sadly I made a measurement mistake and ended up making the two grooves to accomodate case posts in the bottom of the board about 1mm too small. Since none of my boards still has those posts intact (and some don't seem to ever have had them), I don't care, but I suppose someone else might. Fix will follow soon.

The first 10pc batch has showed up and I'm typing this post on my first proto - everything but OLED support is tested and confirmed working. Still waiting for my OLEDs to arrive.

Also, huge thanks to Maarten - using his GH80-1800 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=96692.0) as a source for various measurements saved me a lot of time (and probably a binned prototyping run, I'm horrible at measuring stuff lol).

I'll just drop a bunch of pics of my build in here. Feel free to ask any questions!

Keyboard repo: https://github.com/ebastler/E80-1800
Temporary QMK repo (will initiate a pull request once everything is working including the OLEDs): https://github.com/ebastler/qmk_firmware/tree/isometria_75/keyboards/ebastler

(https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_pcb1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_pcb1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_pcb2.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_pcb2.jpg)

(https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_comp1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_comp1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_comp2.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_comp2.jpg)

(https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_case1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_case1.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/preview/e80_case2.jpg) (https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800/full/e80_case2.jpg)
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Tue, 21 July 2020, 19:25:55
I appreciate the simplified layout, I built a 1838 with a TKC1800 PCB and the Alps support and large quantity of holes made for a really crooked build without a plate. I later bought a built Leeku 1800 PCB for another build and it was perfectly square with 5 pin switches.

The USB C support for detachable cables is cool to see but I'm not sure I like the idea of cutting into the case.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Wed, 22 July 2020, 04:44:33
Modifying the case sure isn't for everyone - the modification is kinda small, though. You make the original wire-hole ~3 mm wider in one direction. That can be done in 5-10 minutes and would probably not even look too bad if you decided to go for the OG cable again.

I popped in all switches without paying attention on aligning them properly, and it turned out perfectly aligned - the limited layout support definitely does its's job there :thumb:
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Sun, 30 August 2020, 12:56:31
Cherry featured my project on their social medias, namely Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
I'm super proud :)

https://twitter.com/cherrymx/status/1300075345576701955
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: hvontres on Sun, 30 August 2020, 17:08:34
I was curious, would this work with the case from a g81-1800 as well? Just asking, since they would be a much cheaper donor for the case.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Sun, 30 August 2020, 17:52:25
Glad to see this project get some attention. Did you get your PCBs assembled by JLC or did you do the SMD yourself?

Quote from: hvontres on Sun, 30 August 2020, 17:08:34
I was curious, would this work with the case from a g81-1800 as well? Just asking, since they would be a much cheaper donor for the case.

Yes the G81-1800 and G81-3000 use the same cases as the version with Cherry switches. Older G81 boards will also have compatible keycaps, while newer G81 boards use different stabilzers built into the wider keys.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Maniac on Thu, 03 September 2020, 14:18:32
Nice work on this! I’ve got two G80-1800 boards comming in. Something like this would be perfect. Have you considered selling these?

Just curious, what would be the main difference between this pcb and the ones TKC is offering? (Besides the usb-c).
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Thu, 03 September 2020, 23:20:26
Quote from: Maniac on Thu, 03 September 2020, 14:18:32
Nice work on this! I’ve got two G80-1800 boards comming in. Something like this would be perfect. Have you considered selling these?

Just curious, what would be the main difference between this pcb and the ones TKC is offering? (Besides the usb-c).

The bottom row different layouts (only 1-1-1-6-1-1-1-1, 1.5-1.5-7-1.5-1.5, not 1.25-1.25-1.25-6.25-1.5-1.5 like the TKC)

The simplified bottom row only supports the OG layouts, and will be more stable and less crooked when used without a plate. The GH80-1800 might be better if you don't want a detachable cable, but detachable cables are cool.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Fri, 11 September 2020, 14:52:52
Rayndalf explained the differences perfectly :)

Mine would in theory be ready for Bluetooth, but it needs a Bluetooth module and a battery management daughterboard for that.
Since QMK currently has no BT support on ARM chips, I did not design the DB yet. But maybe, someday, it will work.

If you have a board with cardreader-cutout, you can fill it with an OLED - I am currently running one on mine. Works fine.

I have talked to a (EU based) vendor and we are currently planning on selling them, whether GB based or as an in-stock sale is not yet determined. I can't give any clear ETA for it though, and neither do I want to say which shop it is until we've finalized it. I'm currently a bit busy between exams and a PCB commission, so I'm not working on it super actively...

EDIT: Oops, missed a question. I let jlcpcb assembly the protos - too many components for me to bother hand-soldering, even if it would be doable (0603 is not too hard). Only soldered the USB connectors myself. The boards on sale will have those soldered out of the box, too.

Oh, and I wrote a bit about the board and my work on it on my homepage: https://mpwr.xyz/projects/e80-1800.html
Probably most interesting for build pictures, not the text.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Maniac on Thu, 17 September 2020, 02:40:28
This is great. Just saw a another build based on your designs. I have recently received my two G80-1800 boards and expecting a G80-11800 as well :)
Very interested in this for sure. I was considering ordering a TKC or something called Leechee from Taobao, but fell this is a more safer option plus it has USB-C.

Just a few questions if you don't mind :)
- In your build log I noticed you didn't use a plate at all, just pcb mounted everything. You happy with this solution or would you prefer to use a plate?
- My boards do not have the card-reader cut-out, would your PCBs would still fit & work?
- What do you use the OLED screen for?
- Any chance you might make something like this for the G80-11800 :) ?

Thanks!  :thumb:
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Thu, 17 September 2020, 03:25:58
Quote from: Maniac on Thu, 17 September 2020, 02:40:28
This is great. Just saw a another build based on your designs. I have recently received my two G80-1800 boards and expecting a G80-11800 as well :)
Very interested in this for sure. I was considering ordering a TKC or something called Leechee from Taobao, but fell this is a more safer option plus it has USB-C.

Just a few questions if you don't mind :)
- In your build log I noticed you didn't use a plate at all, just pcb mounted everything. You happy with this solution or would you prefer to use a plate?
- My boards do not have the card-reader cut-out, would your PCBs would still fit & work?
- What do you use the OLED screen for?
- Any chance you might make something like this for the G80-11800 :) ?

Thanks!  :thumb:

I know there is a PCB for the 11800 and 11900 called the grape 11900 on Taobao (https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=622722476645), but you'd have to use a "Taobao Agent" (a shipping forwarder that only forwards items from Taobao) to get one. I have one on the way. Supposedly the PCB also converts the trackpad or trackball to work over USB and can be programmed using http://ydkb.io/. Funny enough the PCB has the open source gear mark but I can't find source files anywhere. I'd also love a QMK compatible, properly open source alternative, but I was desperate (and found a G80-11900 with doubleshot keycaps!?)

The TKC1800 is too expensive for what it is, I ordered 5 GH80-3000 PCBs (with SMT assembly) from JLCPCB for $70 shipped and those are larger PCBs (but it does lack LED support for LED underlighting (it supports in switch though) or an LCD).
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Fri, 18 September 2020, 12:46:53
Quote from: Maniac on Thu, 17 September 2020, 02:40:28
This is great. Just saw a another build based on your designs. I have recently received my two G80-1800 boards and expecting a G80-11800 as well :)
Very interested in this for sure. I was considering ordering a TKC or something called Leechee from Taobao, but fell this is a more safer option plus it has USB-C.

Just a few questions if you don't mind :)
- In your build log I noticed you didn't use a plate at all, just pcb mounted everything. You happy with this solution or would you prefer to use a plate?
- My boards do not have the card-reader cut-out, would your PCBs would still fit & work?
- What do you use the OLED screen for?
- Any chance you might make something like this for the G80-11800 :) ?

Thanks!  :thumb:

Thanks! We are currently planning a groupbuy, so if you're not in a super hurry, you can join in once it's ready!
Regarding your questions:
1) Yeah, I'm using it plateless, just as it was stock (with some foam added below the PCB though) -  I really like it that way, and since I ditched a few of the GH80-1800s possible layouts, the switches sit firmly and don't wobble at all. There is plates that fit my PCB though, I know Evy's (maartenwut) plate fits: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=96313.0
I think both are viable options, but I wanted to have it plateless.
2) Yeah, OLED is completely optional. You can either disable it in QMK (or leave it enabled but not connect a screen, doesn't matter). It's not relevant for function.
3) Eeh. Tough one. Still trying to figure out what would be a good usecase tbqh. Layer indicator would be cool if the board had any necessity for layers, which it doesn't. Caps indicator would be nice if there wasn't a dedicated LED 15 mm below it. Maybe I'll try to get a standalone calculator mode done some day, and I'd love to get it to work with a BME280 (air temperature/humidiy/pressure sensor), but both are above my programming skills atm, so the OLED is kinda useless so far.
4) Oof. Maybe if I get one in a good condition some day, but most likely not. I have a bunch of other projects piled up that I wanna do first.

Regards,
ebastler
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: AngryCoder on Tue, 06 October 2020, 04:41:02
I'm in for the group buy and from Germany too. I still have 4 mint 1800s to use. I would love to implement some gimmiky features on the OLED. Let me know when the group buy happens. Thanks

edit:
why don't you use the 3-LED indicator rectangle as a cutout for the OLED?
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Maniac on Tue, 06 October 2020, 05:50:11
Yeah I ordered 2 china replacement PCBs from taobao, Leechee something. Could not wait. But I will still be joining this GB if/when it happens. I would think German produced, is well... German produced :D
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: dragonken on Thu, 15 October 2020, 10:12:07
I am in for this too and I want to know where can I get a plate for 1800?
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: ebastler on Sat, 24 October 2020, 05:37:35
Quote from: AngryCoder on Tue, 06 October 2020, 04:41:02
I'm in for the group buy and from Germany too. I still have 4 mint 1800s to use. I would love to implement some gimmiky features on the OLED. Let me know when the group buy happens. Thanks

edit:
why don't you use the 3-LED indicator rectangle as a cutout for the OLED?

Great to hear that!
Mainly because my G80 all had a slot for the card reader which I wanted to fill with something useful! A 128x64px OLED might fit the indicator cutout just fine though. You could be the first to try - would look awesome for sure!

Quote from: dragonken on Thu, 15 October 2020, 10:12:07
I am in for this too and I want to know where can I get a plate for 1800?
Awesome!
Regarding the plate - Evy has made a model that fits my PCB perfectly, it can be found here: https://github.com/evyd13/gh80-series/tree/master/GH80-1800/plate
You should be able to order them at various places that offer laser-cutting and similar, but I have no experience with any, sorry!
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: AngryCoder on Thu, 01 July 2021, 08:10:06
Quote from: ebastler on Sat, 24 October 2020, 05:37:35
Quote from: AngryCoder on Tue, 06 October 2020, 04:41:02
I'm in for the group buy and from Germany too. I still have 4 mint 1800s to use. I would love to implement some gimmiky features on the OLED. Let me know when the group buy happens. Thanks

edit:
why don't you use the 3-LED indicator rectangle as a cutout for the OLED?

Great to hear that!
Mainly because my G80 all had a slot for the card reader which I wanted to fill with something useful! A 128x64px OLED might fit the indicator cutout just fine though. You could be the first to try - would look awesome for sure!

Quote from: dragonken on Thu, 15 October 2020, 10:12:07
I am in for this too and I want to know where can I get a plate for 1800?
Awesome!
Regarding the plate - Evy has made a model that fits my PCB perfectly, it can be found here: https://github.com/evyd13/gh80-series/tree/master/GH80-1800/plate
You should be able to order them at various places that offer laser-cutting and similar, but I have no experience with any, sorry!

Hello ebastler,

I saw there was still movement on github 4 months ago in the repo of this project. Could a group buy or some easyway to order fully assembled PCB happen?
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: derzemel on Thu, 01 July 2021, 08:56:37
Is this still a thing?

1800 is my favorite layout by far and this would be ideal time for me as I have 2 Leeku PCBs with problems (I wonder if there are any Leeku 1800 pcbs without issues).

The first one, a red L1 (the one with alps support), which I have in a Dolch case has crapped itself completely and does not even boot up anymore when connected to usb or ps2 (usb device not recognized). It does not even react when connected to an usbasp AVR programmer.

(https://i.imgur.com/s0mPoRI.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XzjSqJa.jpg)

The other Leeku, an L3 inside a TX1800V1 case eats/kills RGB leds (sk6812 model) like me eating popcorn at the cinema. I usually get to change all of them 2 times a year.

My question would be, do your pcbs support addressable RGB leds on the bottom (I really like the way it looks though the diffuser in the TX1800)?

(https://i.imgur.com/3gz7qoC.jpg)
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: bigapplepietart on Wed, 08 September 2021, 21:50:43
Following. Just picked up a G81-1800, which I'll use this PCB in.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Russ3lHD on Thu, 04 November 2021, 10:07:18
Hello together,

Is this PCB still possible to print in 2021 with the chip shortage?
And when no what would I need to print and where could I let it print.

Russ3l
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Wed, 06 July 2022, 19:22:28
I'm sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but where are the BOM and CPL file in the Github repo?
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: Rayndalf on Mon, 11 July 2022, 00:55:15
Thanks for adding the BOM and POS files!
I guess I'm going to order a number of these in a mini groupbuy of sorts so I should have extras.
Title: Re: E80-1800 - The time has come for yet another G80-1800 replacement board
Post by: emrebag on Fri, 29 December 2023, 14:55:11
I spent close to three hours trying to compile, when I should be have just grabbed the VIA firmware from here:
https://www.caniusevia.com/docs/download_firmware

Noting this down for newbies like me