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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jeremyjsimmons on Thu, 07 April 2016, 09:08:04

Title: Identify this IBM Terminal Keyboard
Post by: jeremyjsimmons on Thu, 07 April 2016, 09:08:04
I have an old IBM terminal keyboard I'd like to retrofit to USB.
Can you help me identify the model #, locate some schematics for the pinout, and determine power requirements?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/amq5nsq0enx9699/IMG_2279.JPG?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/amq5nsq0enx9699/IMG_2279.JPG?dl=0)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sgfy19qu8fapw19/IMG_2281.JPG?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/sgfy19qu8fapw19/IMG_2281.JPG?dl=0)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jr0vjwe8q2n2qvw/IMG_2282.JPG?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/jr0vjwe8q2n2qvw/IMG_2282.JPG?dl=0)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sw94yup8vt54eos/IMG_2286.JPG?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/sw94yup8vt54eos/IMG_2286.JPG?dl=0)
Title: Re: Identify this IBM Terminal Keyboard
Post by: dgneo on Thu, 07 April 2016, 09:11:35
IBM Beam Spring 7361073

If I'm not mistaken, you'll need one of these (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58138.0) to go USB. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!
Title: Re: Identify this IBM Terminal Keyboard
Post by: jeremyjsimmons on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:35:26
Thank you @dgneo, I believe that's the name of my beast.
Thanks for the great link!
Title: Re: Identify this IBM Terminal Keyboard
Post by: Touch_It on Fri, 08 April 2016, 11:09:03
Quote from: dgneo on Thu, 07 April 2016, 09:11:35
IBM Beam Spring 7361073

If I'm not mistaken, you'll need one of these (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58138.0) to go USB. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Model number i know nothing about, but you are correct as far as converting it to USB.
Title: Re: Identify this IBM Terminal Keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Fri, 08 April 2016, 18:43:37
It's the keyboard for an IBM 5251 Displaystation (https://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_Beam_Spring_Keyboards#IBM_5251_Display_Station_Keyboards). I'm typing on one I received this week and just finished cleaning, funnily enough :)

dgneo is correct, a beamspring xwhatsit will convert it incredibly easily. You'll need an extra controller to drive the solenoid if that's something you're interested in, but they work just fine without it (I'll probably add the solenoid controller to mine eventually). Just unplug the original controller and plug the new one in, no soldering required. Programming is very easy. Just need to watch the ergonomics, it helps to sit high and have your desk low! Ellipse may still have one or two controllers kicking around: http://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/xwhatsit-beam-spring-or-model-f-controller/

These are a bit more common than other beamsprings, lately a few have cropped up on eBay. But make no mistake, they are almost certainly the ultimate tractile, clicky switches ever produced.