geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: trenzafeeds on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:10:58

Title: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: trenzafeeds on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:10:58
I want to desolder the LED on my Pok3r that marks which layer I'm on because it's really annoying, but because I have very little experience with modding in this way I just wanted to make sure that straight desoldering it won't cause any problems with the circuits or anything.
Thanks!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: inanis on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:23:17
I don't think it could cause a problem. But you could always just slap a piece of electrical tape over it and call it a day. No desoldering needed.
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: trenzafeeds on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:27:11
I don't think it could cause a problem. But you could always just slap a piece of electrical tape over it and call it a day. No desoldering needed.
I feel a little weird taping my pcb, and I really need the practice, so I think I'll go ahead and do it. Thanks for the confirmation.
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: Glissant on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:30:31
Tape over the LEDs will cover it well enough, but desoldering won't cause any problems unless you fry the pcb of course :p.
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: trenzafeeds on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:32:54
Tape over the LEDs will cover it well enough, but desoldering won't cause any problems unless you fry the pcb of course :p.
Yes... I do always worry about that. That's why I think I need the practice before my B.87 arrives.
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: Glissant on Wed, 19 August 2015, 12:37:42
You'll do just fine :)
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: trenzafeeds on Wed, 19 August 2015, 16:02:43
Ok, part 2 of the project! I'd like to resolder the LED onto my escape key. Two things: Will this be possible without adding any resistors? (someone was saying the pok3r comes with resistors soldered, I just don't know enough to tell) and also, will it light up b itself or will I have to **** with the firmware?
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: blcksqrrl on Wed, 19 August 2015, 20:07:51
AFAIK the Poker 3 firmware doesn't support LEDs in locations other than those the come pre-soldered. But hey, I could be wrong; please correct me if I am.
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 20 August 2015, 06:45:39
AFAIK the Poker 3 firmware doesn't support LEDs in locations other than those the come pre-soldered. But hey, I could be wrong; please correct me if I am.

This is one of those things that's very much up in the air and I'd love to have an actual Pok3r PCB in my hands to test and lay this uncertainty to rest once and for all. The review boards all had LED solder pads and resistors in place, suggesting that all you need to do is add LED's like the unbacklit Poker II's, but Vortex has stated that the Pok3r retail boards won't support just soldering in LED's. Could be simple marketing tactics to get people to pay more for their LED boards or they could have crippled the LED functions in the firmware / controller, or the retail ones don't have the LED pads or resistors... I WANT TO KNOW. aargh..
Title: Re: Desoldering Pok3r LEDs
Post by: trenzafeeds on Thu, 20 August 2015, 08:04:47
AFAIK the Poker 3 firmware doesn't support LEDs in locations other than those the come pre-soldered. But hey, I could be wrong; please correct me if I am.

This is one of those things that's very much up in the air and I'd love to have an actual Pok3r PCB in my hands to test and lay this uncertainty to rest once and for all. The review boards all had LED solder pads and resistors in place, suggesting that all you need to do is add LED's like the unbacklit Poker II's, but Vortex has stated that the Pok3r retail boards won't support just soldering in LED's. Could be simple marketing tactics to get people to pay more for their LED boards or they could have crippled the LED functions in the firmware / controller, or the retail ones don't have the LED pads or resistors... I WANT TO KNOW. aargh..
Can confirm, the board is LED locked.