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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: HoosTrax on Wed, 24 July 2013, 11:40:32
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Are there keyboards that are well-suited to adding and/or swapping LEDs? Like if you wanted only part of the board to be backlit, or if you want multiple colors. Preferably something cheaper that can simply be modded with a soldiering iron, versus a "custom board" that requires being built from scratch from a kit.
Also, do all MX switches support LEDs by default, assuming the PCB is able to provide power for them? (I guess there are holes specifically for them?)
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Plum 96, Neo Zelia, Pure, Poker II would be my top suggestions depending on what you are looking for. They all support LED and have traces and a controller firmware that will work even on models that don't have any leds out of the box. Of course you can also always get some backlight model of a keyboard too and simply change the led colors in sections or whatever you have in mind. If you choose the leds wisely and stick with the same fV color groups it is pretty minimal effort involved. If you want to mix low fV colors like red, with high fV colors like blue it gets more tricky, but still manageable if you select super mad bright high fV leds that will look normal at a lower voltage. Yes all MX switch support LED, but not all PCBs do.
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Thanks! I'll give those boards mentioned a look to see if they have a layout that suits me. Sounds like the choice of LED might take some more thought though.
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Some really good info can be found in the LZ-GH thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39571.msg931534#msg931534). Most people seem to like using the square 2x3x4mm LEDs found on eBay. I don't remember the dealer's name that I used at the moment. But I did get Pink and White LEDs from them for my KMAC which worked fine.
Edit: Photoelectric has a thread about modding a Filco LED (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44798.0) as well which has good information.
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2x3x4mm LEDs fit in Cherry MX switches without modification and they are the most readily available LED that can do that. Otherwise you are stuck modding 3mm round flat top LEDs or wondering if you'll ever find columnar (no flange) 3mm flat top LEDs... or sanding down round top 3mm round LEDs and cutting the flanges too!