Has anyone changed the controller on a TECK?

[Darkshado]

Hello,

I'm looking at different ergo keyboard options (I'll probably create another thread about that), and I was quite interested in trying out the TECK. Alas, the numerous issues reported here and their lack of response to a relatively simple e-mail of mine (three weeks ago) means I'm not interested in buying one at all.

Has anyone ever rewired a TECK to use an Arduino or Teensy instead of the built-in Megawin controller? Did it solve the missed and doubled presses if the concerned unit had those?

Regards,

Darkshado

P.S. That CAPTCHA test is really hard to read even for humans, I've had to request replacement images multiple times and aside from mild myopia I'm normally sighted. I suppose it'll go away once I have enough posts, but it could use improvement.

[suicidal_orange]

Welcome to GH

In theory if the switches are good (genuine Cherrys, so unless they're blues they should be) and the PCB works (which it is as the keys work) swapping the controller should fix the problem.

I've never done a TECK but I did mod a Ducky and the principal is the same - you have to map out which switches are connected directly to each other, which diode is for each switch, and which diodes are connected to each other (on the other end from the switch).  If you're lucky they use straight rows and columns on a mostly single sided PCB with diodes near the switches so you can see this easily, if you're unlucky it will be like my Ducky which took lots of poking around with a multimeter to work it out.

Once you know how everything's connected you chose convenient places to connect each of the rows/columns to a pin on the Teensy and note which are connected to what.



Probably the most scary part is removing the original controller - I circled a blowtorch lighter round it for a while then heated the middle and knocked it off with a pair of tweezers.  Needless to say your expensive new keyboard's warranty will be long gone )


P.S.  Sorry about the CAPTCHA, hope it's gone soon!

[possumgumbo]

I desperately want the Teck to work, too.

My office bought me one ages ago, and it works less every day. I had it shelved for the past six months, and now it only allows the Q key to activate once per 5 seconds.

I am right scared of opening the thing up, though.

[hoggy]

It's a good bet that someone on these forums could do it for you.  Take a look at the making things together sub forum.

[intelli78]

Try creating custom firmware with their tool. I had a Teck that misbehaved at first, but a new firmware with a different debounce time fixed it.

[possumgumbo]

Try creating custom firmware with their tool. I had a Teck that misbehaved at first, but a new firmware with a different debounce time fixed it.

That was the first thing I tried. The only key that works now is the Q, and only every 30 or so presses.

[glitchathon]

I would love to know this too. I really like the layout and it would be a great spare board. But the double-presses is really bothersome. Until I can find a good and cheap solution to it, I find it unuseable.

[spectre]

Try creating custom firmware with their tool. I had a Teck that misbehaved at first, but a new firmware with a different debounce time fixed it.

That was the first thing I tried. The only key that works now is the Q, and only every 30 or so presses.

Didnt work for me either, its so disappointing. If someone ever makes a new pcb for it, please send me a message, I want one but I dont have any know-how to do myself.