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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: MutachoNacho on Sun, 29 March 2020, 11:00:37

Title: Changing switches on Razer Blackwidow Elite
Post by: MutachoNacho on Sun, 29 March 2020, 11:00:37
Dear keyboard enthusiasts,

so... I have a Razer Blackwidow Elite and I wanted to switch to Tealios v2 switches. Would it be possible to desolder Razer's yellow switches and solder some in?

Also... Are Razer's keycaps compatible with the Tealios v2 switches?

Thank you for your answers in advance!
Title: Re: Changing switches on Razer Blackwidow Elite
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sun, 29 March 2020, 11:23:24
Assuming the Razer yellow switches have the cross shaped mounting and slightly offset pins they are 'MX compatible' and the caps and Tealios will work, pretty sure all mechanical Razer boards are but can't say I've checked lately.

Be warned if there are LEDs in every switch it's a lot of desoldering so you'll want a good solder sucker and it will take a while, I've never done a Razer so can't comment on how bad their solder is to work with but factory soldered is aways worse than hand soldered.  If this is your first desoldering attempt you will almost certainly life a couple of pads so I'd suggest starting on the switch pins in the middle of the board as these should be easier to fix, then LEDs in the middle (they have smaller holes so are more awkward) and only do the ones near the edges, top and bottom once you've got the technique worked out.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Changing switches on Razer Blackwidow Elite
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 29 March 2020, 14:40:28
I think the razer boards use smt leds, should be ok.

tip for desoldering oem **** is that they use lead-free solder so you just need a little higher temperature than usual, if the first attempt isn't clean then add some leaded solder to the joint and try again.
Title: Re: Changing switches on Razer Blackwidow Elite
Post by: Sup on Sun, 29 March 2020, 16:59:45
I think the razer boards use smt leds, should be ok.

tip for desoldering oem **** is that they use lead-free solder so you just need a little higher temperature than usual, if the first attempt isn't clean then add some leaded solder to the joint and try again.

I think its better to just buy flux paste and use that to make the solder flow instead of wasting solder. It still takes a long ass time to desolder. Took me 6 hours to desolder a Filco zero because you need to be careful with the pads and high temperature.
Title: Re: Changing switches on Razer Blackwidow Elite
Post by: subluxe on Wed, 01 April 2020, 01:37:50
Like is was mentioned before, factory solder is generally pretty tough to get rid of. Get some flux or re-flow it with leaded solder and it will help out. Try to move swiftly and get a good quality solder sucker.