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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Reiep on Wed, 15 June 2016, 04:30:24

Title: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: Reiep on Wed, 15 June 2016, 04:30:24

Hello all,

I've been (or was?) an happy WASD Code TKL user for the last few weeks when this happened:

[attach=1]

The LED being the 5 key is dead. And it just scratches my OCD sooooo much. I would RMA it, if I wasn't in Europe: the costs to send it back to the US are very, very expensive. I've already contacted Massdrop to see if there is another solution.

So my question is: has it already happened to you guys? Is there a DIY solution for solving this? I'm not a genius at electronics stuffs, but at least I can solder things.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: Krustyboomer on Wed, 15 June 2016, 06:08:55

Appears those are through the switch LEDs so you should be able to desoldering and replace fairly easily.  No idea on size/rating though.  If those were SMDs you'd be hosed and have to desoldering the whole board full of switches.

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: QuincyJones on Wed, 15 June 2016, 08:33:22

write a letter to wasd pointing out this thread, and how unhappy you are with what's happened. be nice and polite. Best case scenario?Rreplacement sent to you telling you to sed it back using prepiad. Worse case, their name is trashed.

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: Moistgun on Wed, 15 June 2016, 08:57:32

If you can already solder, and already have a soldering iron, you should be able to put in a 2x3x4 led in a couple minutes.

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: chuckdee on Wed, 15 June 2016, 09:40:04

Quote from: QuincyJones on Wed, 15 June 2016, 08:33:22

write a letter to wasd pointing out this thread, and how unhappy you are with what's happened. be nice and polite. Best case scenario?Rreplacement sent to you telling you to sed it back using prepiad. Worse case, their name is trashed.

I think this is the correct answer before you take a soldering iron to a month old board.

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Thu, 16 June 2016, 22:46:36

It may also be worth checking to see if the led is actually dead.  Slide a button battery CR2032 between the two led leads.  If lights it just has had a poor connection.  I've never had an LED die, but it does happen.  Soldering in a new led light is easy, but if you have never done this before it probably makes sense to just contact the company and see if you can get a replacement.  I have dealt with WASD and they are very customer friendly.

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 19 June 2016, 00:21:39

Nice letter first (as above).

Opening the case will void your warranty (not that it sounds like you'll be claiming anyway, unless you get the right response from WASD).

At least being white LEDs you won't have to worry much about colour-matching, especially if you do have OCD ;)

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: Reiep on Thu, 23 June 2016, 02:25:08

Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers. I've contacted Massdrop (I've bought the keyboard via them), we're currently trying to fix the issue, without involving returning the keyboard to the US... as I'd like to avoid paying 40+ EUR transport for a LED problem.

If I can't find a solution with them, I'll open it and try the battery trick from jcoffin1981, if not I'll replace the LED myself... or I'll just live with it :D

Title: Re: Dead LED on WASD Code
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 23 June 2016, 21:48:57

Quote from: Reiep on Thu, 23 June 2016, 02:25:08

Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers. I've contacted Massdrop (I've bought the keyboard via them), we're currently trying to fix the issue, without involving returning the keyboard to the US... as I'd like to avoid paying 40+ EUR transport for a LED problem.

If I can't find a solution with them, I'll open it and try the battery trick from jcoffin1981, if not I'll replace the LED myself... or I'll just live with it :D

Good luck :)