geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: rubenhak on Wed, 29 June 2016, 19:05:23

Title: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: rubenhak on Wed, 29 June 2016, 19:05:23

Hi Everybody,

I'm new to Ergodox. Planning to build a custom keyboard. I'm trying to add RGB LED under every single key. Want to be able to change led colors based on some presets, caps lock and numlock presets. Is there something already developed for RGB LEDs? Is the Tweesy 2.0 capable of handling that many LEDs?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Ruben

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: phoible on Wed, 29 June 2016, 23:44:07

The biggest limitation to doing this is PCB support. The regular Ergodox PCB doesn't support LEDs at all, and the Ergodox Infinity only supports single color LEDs. So if you want RGB support, your options are either to hand wire or fabricate a custom PCB.

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: QuincyJones on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:02:22

LED's are a bad idea.

I had a girlfriend once. She saw my flashing Light-Emitting-**** and has never spoken to me since. Don't put LED's on a keyboard.

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: user 18 on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:17:23

Quote from: QuincyJones on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:02:22

flashing Light-Emitting-****

I'd be afraid too. Light emitting diodes should be fine though.


As has been mentioned, the ergodox PCBs available do not support addressable RGB LEDs. I'd want to look at a wiring diagram, but it may be possible to get bi-colour LEDs -- like on some of the newer Ducky Shine models -- working with the infinity ergodox PCB.

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: davkol on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:20:39

https://github.com/antevens/ErgoDox

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: user 18 on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:24:19

Quote from: davkol on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:20:39

https://github.com/antevens/ErgoDox

Note that this appears to be one LED per side, rather than a single LED per key.

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: davkol on Thu, 30 June 2016, 16:24:21

Also, FalbaTech's wireless backlit ErgoDox is apparently (still) in development. (https://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/ergodox-pcbs-cases-electronics-and-assembly-services-t6972-600.html#p315326)

Quote from: czarek

We are working on our own Ergodox (bluetooth with RGB lighting), we had couple failed prototypes, but I can tell you, soon you'll have it :)

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: b0f0 on Fri, 08 July 2016, 00:20:54

So ... I have ergodox keyboard from falbatech, is it possible to put LEDs under each keycap, one color LEDs? If so Where do I connect the LED ?

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: armatus on Fri, 08 July 2016, 01:23:25

Quote from: b0f0 on Fri, 08 July 2016, 00:20:54

So ... I have ergodox keyboard from falbatech, is it possible to put LEDs under each keycap, one color LEDs? If so Where do I connect the LED ?

PCB have not this possibility
(has not holes and tracks for leds)

i think teensy does not have enough pins for adiing separate keyled matrix

it can be done with additional io expander+ software I2C on unused pins... but you need to handwire led matrix

Title: Re: Ergodox RGB LED
Post by: Data on Fri, 08 July 2016, 06:50:09

Quote from: b0f0 on Fri, 08 July 2016, 00:20:54

So ... I have ergodox keyboard from falbatech, is it possible to put LEDs under each keycap, one color LEDs? If so Where do I connect the LED ?

No.

There are only 3 positions for LEDs on each PCB and they're clearly marked on the Falbatech board.  The most you can have on any one 'Dox is 6 (3 per side) and I believe it requires some additional code in the firmware to use all 6 at once.