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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kderh on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:08:39

Title: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: kderh on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:08:39
Hi!

I just disassembled and then reassembled my CM Storm Novatouch (DE ISO Layout) and I have one unusual problem:

I have one of the springs that go under the rubber domes left! I checked like 10 times but I placed one spring into each of the domes, and now after the reassembly I used a testing program and as expected, every button works. Before the disassembly this was also the case.

So now I'm sure that one of the buttons used to have two springs under it, but which one? Is this a production mistake or is there a button which is supposed to have two springs, maybe to increase resistance? I already searched but couldn't find any info on this. Does anyone know? And no I'm not talking about the spring under the space bar cap!
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: Bromono on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:11:12
idk man. Maybe it was a good thing you took it apart lol.

I am not aware of any thing having double springs. mine is currently dissembled let me check.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: romevi on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:12:28
Was gonna suggest the space bar spring, but your last sentence totally negates that.

You have me baffled. It's not a spring from something else?
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: quasistellar on Fri, 11 March 2016, 15:39:25
Hey make sure to update this thread if you find out where that spring goes--this could be pretty useful info for future searches.

I'm going to take mine apart this weekend and add silencing, but hopefully my cups will stay seated on the PCB and I won't have to worry about springs at all.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: derb2k2 on Fri, 11 March 2016, 16:26:04
Extremely weird circumstance here.

I once disassembled my HHKB and found a spring on the freekin' floor the following morning. I was so baffled by it being there because I was sure that I had carefully put everything back. In the end, it belonged to the escape key.

Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: Bromono on Fri, 11 March 2016, 16:28:08
One spring per dome on mine. Idk
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: kderh on Fri, 11 March 2016, 17:16:58
Thanks for the replies, but I checked again and every single key works (the FN key combos also work). Really strange but probably a mistake in the factory. Well, better to end up with one more than one less than needed  :)

Btw, the reason I took the thing apart in the first place is the fact that my "E" key emits a not too loud but noticeable "pfft" sound when pressing, but after fiddling with the dome itself (looks and feels exactly like the others), changing the spring and the stem (and the keycap) with a different one, the key is still making the sound. Any idea what might be the cause of this? The only thing I haven't changed yet is the black key housing which is mounted on the metal plate (might try this next tomorrrow).
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: Otesanek on Fri, 11 March 2016, 17:28:56
Thanks for the replies, but I checked again and every single key works (the FN key combos also work). Really strange but probably a mistake in the factory. Well, better to end up with one more than one less than needed  :)

Btw, the reason I took the thing apart in the first place is the fact that my "E" key emits a not too loud but noticeable "pfft" sound when pressing, but after fiddling with the dome itself (looks and feels exactly like the others), changing the spring and the stem (and the keycap) with a different one, the key is still making the sound. Any idea what might be the cause of this? The only thing I haven't changed yet is the black key housing which is mounted on the metal plate (might try this next tomorrrow).

I noticed this on the 'S' key of an HHKB before, I researched it and came to the conclusion that it is pretty common for all Topre boards to have a few keys that make that noise. It's harmless and can possibly just go away with use.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: kderh on Fri, 11 March 2016, 18:37:30
OK I just changed the black housing too and now the "pff" is maybe a bit quieter but not much. Well, it was worth a try.

And just to prove I didn't BS you with the extra spring, here's a picture before putting it together again with the extra and the spacebar spring at the bottom. Btw, this is my only (first?) topre and so those springs aren't scattered around my room...

(http://i.imgur.com/t06QBQf.jpg)
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 11 March 2016, 19:38:20
So someone in China was sleeping on the job and gave you an extra spring during assembly?
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 11 March 2016, 20:37:39
So someone in China was sleeping on the job and gave you an extra spring during assembly?

I'm more concerned with the fact that it's ISO.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: Otesanek on Sat, 12 March 2016, 02:25:21
It's seem entirely possible that those springs might stick together a bit in the factory and you accidentally got 2 under one dome.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: chyros on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:43:41
It's unlikely you'll have had two springs under one dome and not felt it. Maybe it got dropped into the case or something.

Aren't these springs supposed to be copper or something anyway? Oo
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: itzmeluigi on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:55:48
Maybe it was under the ISO enter? If other ISO NT users dont have an extra spring then its probably factory error most likely. Try emailing CM and ask if having two springs under one key is normal.
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 12 March 2016, 11:23:12
So someone in China was sleeping on the job and gave you an extra spring during assembly?

I'm more concerned with the fact that it's ISO.
Ah I see
Title: Re: [Topre / Novatouch] Two springs under one key?
Post by: 1391406 on Sat, 12 March 2016, 22:16:53
It's not normal to have two springs under one key. I didn't, anyway. I'd chalk it up to an oversight during assembly.