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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: acantha on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:48:57

Title: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: acantha on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:48:57
Apparently during the assembly of my lightsaver, i did not properly seat the spacebar wire. Consequently the first time it took it anywhere, thereby turning it upside down, the wire became loosened in some way, and by the time i had it back on my desk, the first time i hit space it popped out.

i know technically the plate on the lightsaver is not mounted to the pcb at all, but that many switches are going to provide a pretty decent amount of locking. i don't think i'd have to desolder it all, but i'd be concerned about trying to detach that many switches from the plate without doing damage, so i suspect i'd end up having to desolder.

do i have any hope of getting it back in there without a total disassembly?
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:59:33
Should be able to pop the stabilizers out after you pull the cap off. It might take a little force and shaking but it's possible I believe. I had a similar issue on my KMAC and fixed the wire placement issue without desoldering any switches.
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: BlueBär on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:19:47
What kind of stabilizers do you use?
This video might help:
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: acantha on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:25:26
What kind of stabilizers do you use?
This video might help:

they're cherry stabs, so that very useful. the spacebar on the lightsaver has stabs pointed up towards keys, but this is a good demonstration of the possibility. thanks!
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: codyeatworld on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:36:14
I was able to pop a 2x stabilizer wire back in place by desoldering some keys around it and using some screwdrivers to force it back in place and thick paperclips to hold it in position... It was a pita.

PS: You can use my hakko 808 desoldering gun if you need it.
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: BlueBär on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:47:21
they're cherry stabs, so that very useful. the spacebar on the lightsaver has stabs pointed up towards keys, but this is a good demonstration of the possibility. thanks!

If you desolder the center switch between the stabs you should be able to take the stabilizers out :thumb:
Title: Re: replacing a spacebar wire without unsoldering the whole board
Post by: acantha on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:50:22
they're cherry stabs, so that very useful. the spacebar on the lightsaver has stabs pointed up towards keys, but this is a good demonstration of the possibility. thanks!

If you desolder the center switch between the stabs you should be able to take the stabilizers out :thumb:

oh hey, now theres a clever notion. good idea!