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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: nubbinator on Mon, 10 March 2014, 23:15:57

Title: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Mon, 10 March 2014, 23:15:57: They don't appear to be the Hall Effect RAFI switches, but look to be a variant of the RAFI RS 74M (http://deskthority.net/wiki/RAFI_RS_74M). If you're willing to grab one with a missing key or two, some are pretty cheap. They may make for a fun project for someone. I'm debating on putting in a lowball offer to see if I can get one to review and play with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-/111289641116?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item19e961289c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-3-3H-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-/301109265851?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item461b82c5bb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-broken-plastic-/301109265855?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item461b82c5bf

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-missing-keys-/111289641114?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item19e961289a
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 11 March 2014, 14:31:52: Thanks dorkvader.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 11 March 2014, 18:06:38: Could be ICL switches. ABB is a part Swedish company, like Ericsson whose '80s keyboards also had ICL switches.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 11 March 2014, 23:42:50: I'm still guessing RAFI, they don't look like ICL (http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/ericsson-type-1121-t5167.html).
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 12 March 2014, 00:01:26: There was a discussion about this on IRC a month ago or something (sadly I don’t have a log though). I’m pretty sure they’re these things: http://deskthority.net/wiki/RAFI_RS_76M

Here are pictures of a keyboard w/ RAFI (RS 76M) mechanical switches from HaaTa: https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5771934747560095297

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wsJqaiYOqwo/UBoGj2W8CXI/AAAAAAAAHsY/AdIKt6CMedU/w1542-h1156-no/2012-08-02+00.19.57.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A8oiBGD05pM/UBoD4hX-1LI/AAAAAAAAHsY/Zj-y8QFFc_M/w1542-h1156-no/2012-08-01+23.45.22.jpg)

Notice these have very similar keycaps / keycap legends, whereas the RAFI RS 74M pictured on Deskthority has much shorter keycaps.

Here’s a picture from this ebay auction, re-hosted:
(http://i.imgur.com/CnXmYJh.jpg)
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 12 March 2014, 00:21:18: Nubbinator is right: switches are a dead ringer for RAFI mechanical (non hall effect)
https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5674012177064606689

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eQLur5CS2BPNeJvDwwNPal5qpnTj3vhmGqkFwOezduA=w288-h215-p-no)

if these were HE, I'd have got one already: seller has re-listed them for several months. I want to know what is inside that requires such an impressive IEC inlet with fuse, metal case and convection cooling grille.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 12 March 2014, 02:31:59: Quote from: dorkvader on Wed, 12 March 2014, 00:21:18
Nubbinator is right: switches are a dead ringer for RAFI mechanical (non hall effect)
https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5674012177064606689

Show Image
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eQLur5CS2BPNeJvDwwNPal5qpnTj3vhmGqkFwOezduA=w288-h215-p-no)

if these were HE, I'd have got one already: seller has re-listed them for several months. I want to know what is inside that requires such an impressive IEC inlet with fuse, metal case and convection cooling grille.

Maybe keyboard just generates way too much heat :p
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: ZeDestructor on Wed, 12 March 2014, 03:30:56: Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 12 March 2014, 07:51:25: Quote from: ZeDestructor on Wed, 12 March 2014, 03:30:56
Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 12 March 2014, 08:09:23: Quote from: dorkvader on Wed, 12 March 2014, 07:51:25
Quote from: ZeDestructor on Wed, 12 March 2014, 03:30:56
Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.

it might be a Rube Goldberg-inspired chip generating all that heat. Maybe somebody designed the chip with Escher pathways.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: ZeDestructor on Wed, 12 March 2014, 10:34:11: Quote from: dorkvader on Wed, 12 March 2014, 07:51:25
Quote from: ZeDestructor on Wed, 12 March 2014, 03:30:56
Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?
I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.
Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 12 March 2014, 08:09:23
it might be a Rube Goldberg-inspired chip generating all that heat. Maybe somebody designed the chip with Escher pathways.

I'm sticking to an internal embedded computer of some sort being the most likely option. I mean, you can fairly easily fit some of the smaller ARM dev boards into an F122, and these boards are even bigger and they had free reign on the design. The I/O ports, especially the monitor output would support that theory.

I'm surprised nobody has one tbh....
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 12 March 2014, 10:55:18: I put in a cheap offer on the cheapest one. Hopefully they take it so I can.do a review on the switch. I'm also debating a Mr. Interface style bag with less common switches like these.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: Michael on Wed, 12 March 2014, 11:14:07: nubbs is the new missalaire. :P
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 12 March 2014, 15:00:44: Only when I go.diving into ebay looking for Alps and beige and white Cherry doubleshots or dyesubs.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: dgreekstallion on Sun, 16 March 2014, 12:13:25: Those look pretty cool actually.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 16 March 2014, 13:04:36: Wouldn't accept less than $36 on the $40 board. What's the point of the "Make an Offer" button then?
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: E TwentyNine on Sun, 16 March 2014, 14:47:54: Quote from: nubbinator on Sun, 16 March 2014, 13:04:36
Wouldn't accept less than $36 on the $40 board. What's the point of the "Make an Offer" button then?

As that's exactly 10%, maybe he has some sort of internal guideline he's following, looks like a decent sized surplus seller.

Probably make more sense on the higher priced items.
Title: Re: Interesting mechanical keyboards
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 16 March 2014, 14:50:11: Probably. Given the condition of the board and how long he's had it, you'd think he'd go for less. I was hoping to get it for $25-30 shipped since it would just be for a review and getting some odd switches together so I could try a Mr. Interface style switch bag with less common non-Cherry, non-Alps switches.