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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jazzyyk on Sun, 04 December 2022, 21:01:41

Title: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: jazzyyk on Sun, 04 December 2022, 21:01:41
So just got a Q1 v2 and was changing the mount, screwdriver slipped and I hit a diode, how can I figure out the replacement diode company/size/etc so I can get a new one?

Thank you!

https://imgur.com/a/eHKBIYh
Title: Re: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Mon, 05 December 2022, 02:48:10
Have a look round the PCB - are there any extra diodes for an ISO key next to left shift or maybe an unused split backspace option?  You could use them, if you can get them off.

If not keyboards are not high voltage or current so the only thing you need to worry about is the size, if you want it to look perfect.  Hopefully they're not tiny and a ruler or tape measure will be accurate enough to measure them.

Common Passive SMD Package Details
SMD Package type    Dimensions
            mm              inches
2920    7.4 x 5.1       0.29 x 0.20
2725    6.9 x 6.3       0.27 x 0.25
2512    6.3 x 3.2      0.25 x 0.125
2010    5.0 x 2.5       0.20 x 0.10
1825    4.5 x 6.4       0.18 x 0.25
1812    4.6 x 3.0       0.18 x 0.125
1806    4.5 x 1.6       0.18 x 0.06
1210    3.2 x 2.5       0.125 x 0.10
1206    3.0 x 1.5       0.12 x 0.06
1008    2.5 x 2.0       0.10 x 0.08
0805    2.0 x 1.3       0.08 x 0.05
0603    1.5 x 0.8       0.06 x 0.03
0402    1.0 x 0.5       0.04 x 0.02
0201    0.6 x 0.3       0.02 x 0.01
01005   0.4 x 0.2      0.016 x 0.008

You can also bend the legs of a standard DIY keyboard through hole diode and solder them to the pads if you don't have a window in the bottom of your case :thumb:
Title: Re: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: Signature on Mon, 05 December 2022, 08:19:57
+1 on s_o's reply, also make sure to clean up any debris from the hit diode to avoid accidental shortings!
Title: Re: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: jazzyyk on Tue, 06 December 2022, 16:32:49
Thank you both for the advice! I am going to check the PCB again tonight. I have a buddy who will do the desoldering/soldering I just need to get the diode for them most likely!
Title: Re: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 08 December 2022, 21:00:03
there are diodes in literally everything. you can probably find something on the sidewalk and there will be a working diode in it you can pull out.  and if it doesn't work, no harm, nothing will explode.
Title: Re: Broke a diode, how to find replacement?
Post by: yui on Fri, 09 December 2022, 07:04:43
Thank you both for the advice! I am going to check the PCB again tonight. I have a buddy who will do the desoldering/soldering I just need to get the diode for them most likely!
it could be worth asking him 1st, diodes usually comes in packs of 10 minimum or 100s so if he is into electronics he likely has a few lying around :) (ik i do, 2 type of SMD and THT)