Print Page - Custom LED Service

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 26 February 2013, 14:52:43

Title: Custom LED Service
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 26 February 2013, 14:52:43

I just ordered a Duck Shine II

Is there anyone here who offers a feature for making all LEDs Multi color or can change some to a preferred color (ie F rows green)?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: S2000Gan on Tue, 26 February 2013, 21:28:15

They dont make 3mm RGB LEDs
And even if they did the PCB would need 4 holes instead of 2.

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 26 February 2013, 22:29:13

Quote from: S2000Gan on Tue, 26 February 2013, 21:28:15

They dont make 3mm RGB LEDs
And even if they did the PCB would need 4 holes instead of 2.

I would also be interested in a service where the person can change out certain areas for different colors. Or is this easy to mod myself?

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Tue, 26 February 2013, 22:36:07

I've done this to my Ducky. Swapping out LEDs are harder than swapping out switches. They're smaller so it's harder to desolder, and more delicate. They have a lower temperature tolerance.

What colors are your current LEDs? Different LED colors require different voltage, which translates to different value resistor. It'll probably work fine if you swap in a LED color that uses around the same voltage so you can keep the resistor on there. Otherwise, you won't be able to change out the current resistor, at least not with 1 soldering iron. They're SMD resistors, so you need hot air to desolder both sides of the resistor at the same time.

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Tue, 26 February 2013, 22:36:57

*oops double post*. Is there anyway I can delete my own posts?

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: aviphysics on Tue, 26 February 2013, 22:40:07

One issue may be that different LED colors require different voltages and may produce different brightness levels from the same current as your stock LEDs. I know Ducky keyboards come in a variety of colors, so maybe the electronics can handle the differences or maybe you would have to change some resistors as well as the LEDs.

In principle, it doesn't seam like it would be that hard but unless you know what you are doing, I would recommend leaving it alone.

edit: looks like Dragon already stated this.

If you do decide to goahead and you don't already have some experience, I recommend getting a soldering project kit to learn some basic soldering and desoldering skills on first. I know from experience you can desolder surface mount resistors with a single iron and some soldering wick, but it is a pain. An alternative is to just break the resistor into two and lift each part out separately. As I already stated, if you don't know what you are doing, it is easy to break something.

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: OnTheBrink on Wed, 27 February 2013, 00:05:09

Quote from: WhiteFireDragon on Tue, 26 February 2013, 22:36:07

I've done this to my Ducky. Swapping out LEDs are harder than swapping out switches. They're smaller so it's harder to desolder, and more delicate. They have a lower temperature tolerance.

What colors are your current LEDs? Different LED colors require different voltage, which translates to different value resistor. It'll probably work fine if you swap in a LED color that uses around the same voltage so you can keep the resistor on there. Otherwise, you won't be able to change out the current resistor, at least not with 1 soldering iron. They're SMD resistors, so you need hot air to desolder both sides of the resistor at the same time.

I got the white one.

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: eugenizer on Wed, 27 February 2013, 00:27:24

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/385345_453103754743354_1526271506_n.jpg)

this is mine.
using cree LED

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Wed, 27 February 2013, 01:07:59

Quote from: OnTheBrink on Wed, 27 February 2013, 00:05:09

I got the white one.

I got the exact opposite colors; green LEDs, and swapped out with some white ones. You should be able to go from white to a few green ones without needing to mess around with resistors, although it really depends on where you buy your LEDs and the specs.

Here's mine, one pic is max brightness one is minimum. Haven't had time to do some of the other keys yet. Desoldering LEDs is a huge pain the arse... more so than switches.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/th_IMG_2654.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/IMG_2654.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/th_IMG_2648.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/IMG_2648.jpg)

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: eugenizer on Wed, 27 February 2013, 02:54:22

Quote from: WhiteFireDragon on Wed, 27 February 2013, 01:07:59

Show Image
Show Image
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Wed, 27 February 2013, 00:05:09
I got the white one.

I got the exact opposite colors; green LEDs, and swapped out with some white ones. You should be able to go from white to a few green ones without needing to mess around with resistors, although it really depends on where you buy your LEDs and the specs.

Here's mine, one pic is max brightness one is minimum. Haven't had time to do some of the other keys yet. Desoldering LEDs is a huge pain the arse... more so than switches.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/th_IMG_2654.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/IMG_2654.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/th_IMG_2648.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/IMG_2648.jpg)

i find removing LED is easier than the switch

Title: Re: Custom LED Service
Post by: S2000Gan on Wed, 27 February 2013, 03:27:40

Theyre all just Through hole solder joints. 0.o