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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LifeIsOnTheWire on Tue, 15 May 2018, 07:56:05

Title: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: LifeIsOnTheWire on Tue, 15 May 2018, 07:56:05
2D render of the board:
https://i.imgur.com/w4inpfE.png

On Reddit, I recently posted pictures of my prototype batch of my Switch-mounted handwire controllers. https://old.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/8ew23e/photos_just_got_my_prototypes_of_my_switchmounted/

I got a bunch of good feedback from everyone, and I decided to go back to the drawing board and redesign it from scratch to address every concern.

Most of the feedback I got was regarding the fact that the 1st version required 90-degree rotated switches (which could cause clearance issues for Cherry Profile keycaps). Some people wanted Alps support. Also some people expressed interest in Type-C USB.

I've decided to make the controller 3x keys wide, to allow the extra space needed for Type-C, and also to keep the keys rotated the correct orientation. The keys on the 2nd row directly beneath the board still need to be rotated 180 degrees to provide clearance for the board (this is, of course, not an issue, as many boards have south-facing switches). Also, keeping the onboard switches rotated in the normal orientation allowed support for Alps switches.

Also, a major benefit to increasing the size to 3x keys wide, was that I had enough room to provide space for a TRRS 3.5mm headphone jack, which is wired up appropriately to provide support for I2C or Serial connection for those that want to make split layout keyboards.

The TRRS connector will not be soldered to the board from the factory, as I believe most people who don't need this would rather have a low overall height on the board. However, I should be able to include the spare connector with the board for those that would like to solder it.

I'm going to be ordering a fully-assembled prototype batch of these soon, and I'll be rigorously testing them.
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Tue, 15 May 2018, 09:23:06
:eek:

- USB-type C
- split-board support

these are stuffs I need  :thumb:

I would join your GB of these for sure, depends on the price, I would order 10 of them.  ;D
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: LifeIsOnTheWire on Tue, 15 May 2018, 12:25:16
:eek:

- USB-type C
- split-board support

these are stuffs I need  :thumb:

I would join your GB of these for sure, depends on the price, I would order 10 of them.  ;D

Thanks, I'll be sure to post them in GH when the first batch is ready :)
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: ju6ju8Oo on Sat, 26 May 2018, 22:40:51
will there be a mirrored version?
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: ju6ju8Oo on Sat, 26 May 2018, 23:22:56
Any chance for a reset button?
Answering my own question. it's at the right bottom  ;D
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: LifeIsOnTheWire on Thu, 21 June 2018, 07:57:23
will there be a mirrored version?

You mean for the purpose of swapping the USB and TRRS connectors?  No I don't think that will happen.  It would be a pretty expensive board, for a small number of people.
Title: Re: Version 2 of my Switch-mounted handwire controller. Now with USB Type-C and I2C!
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Thu, 21 June 2018, 20:11:19
Thanks, I'll be sure to post them in GH when the first batch is ready :)

do you have any updates on the progess of this board? I'm eagerly waiting for it :D