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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: djsurfzz on Sat, 23 January 2021, 02:41:04

Title: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: djsurfzz on Sat, 23 January 2021, 02:41:04
Don't know where else to ask. Where can I get a replacement ribbon cable for the hhkb hybrid?
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: Sup on Sat, 23 January 2021, 08:50:27
Try to contact Fujitsu for a replacement. You can't find replacement parts for Topre online from a vendor.
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sat, 23 January 2021, 09:55:11
Is it a straight ribbon cable?  If so as long as the pitch (gap between traces at the end) matches it doesn't have to be sold as a HHKB cable.
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: Sup on Sat, 23 January 2021, 10:03:06
Is it a straight ribbon cable?  If so as long as the pitch (gap between traces at the end) matches it doesn't have to be sold as a HHKB cable.

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

Its this one. The new ones you can remove the ribbon cable from the from main PCB. But i don't know where you would get the specification of this ribbon cable.
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sat, 23 January 2021, 10:20:12
That's a lot of pins!  You'd have to measure the pitch - it is the width of the ribbon divided by 30 pins (by my count)
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: djsurfzz on Sat, 23 January 2021, 16:32:35
That's a lot of pins!  You'd have to measure the pitch - it is the width of the ribbon divided by 30 pins (by my count)
Ribbon cable is 1.5cm wide by my measure. What exactly should i be looking for? I can find 30 pin 0.5mm pitch ribbons.. i'm confused about the metal part
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sat, 23 January 2021, 19:07:17
I assumed the metal part came off - haven't actually seen one of these cables in person.

If not the connector must have a name, I can't believe they would design and make a new one when they could buy one.  Is there anything written on it to aid searching?

Edit:  Could it be one of these (https://docs.rs-online.com/62da/0900766b80ec91c6.pdf)?
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: hasu on Sat, 23 January 2021, 19:40:54
djsurfzz,
Check infos below if you don't find connector model name yet.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106213.msg2900318#msg2900318
https://gist.github.com/tmk/e0f9f49db619413d1cf45e1aecaea52e

I believe it is I-PEX CABLINE-VS 30pin, https://www.i-pex.com/product/cabline-vs
Its every wire is sheilded micro-coax and the connector is designed for high frequency application.
(I didn't know this kind of connector before I found it in my Classic,) it seems to be very difficult to find the connector and its cable assy in the market.


And can you tell how your cable is damaged or what your problem is actually?
Your keyboard doesn't work at all or work partially?
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: djsurfzz on Sat, 23 January 2021, 21:00:07
djsurfzz,
Check infos below if you don't find connector model name yet.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106213.msg2900318#msg2900318
https://gist.github.com/tmk/e0f9f49db619413d1cf45e1aecaea52e

I believe it is I-PEX CABLINE-VS 30pin, https://www.i-pex.com/product/cabline-vs
Its every wire is sheilded micro-coax and the connector is designed for high frequency application.
(I didn't know this kind of connector before I found it in my Classic,) it seems to be very difficult to find the connector and its cable assy in the market.


And can you tell how your cable is damaged or what your problem is actually?
Your keyboard doesn't work at all or work partially?
I think you're right. I can make out the letters PEX on the connector. The cable doesnt work at all normally but works partially (some keys dont register) if I flip it around. 1 or 2 pins on the connector is damaged I think.
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: mrvco on Sat, 07 August 2021, 17:10:10
I'm curious, were you able to get your ribbon cable working or find a replacement?
Title: Re: HHKB Hybrid Ribbon cable
Post by: wonkie on Tue, 04 October 2022, 16:15:29
Sorry for the necro-post, but I found a replacement cable
it's the IPEX 20453-030T to IPEX 20453-030T micro coax cable
bought one from here: https://www.quadrangleproducts.com/products/sgc1103-6/ for $42

It is quite a process buying from quadrangle, though, you basically need to request a quote, and they'll give you a quote and a code that you input into a buy order form, and they'll call you via phone and ask for your CC info cause they don't have an online checkout service, and you may have to be apart of a company/business/college to purchase from them (not 100% sure but in the buy order form a company name is required)