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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: GEIST on Wed, 25 January 2017, 05:39:59

Title: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Wed, 25 January 2017, 05:39:59
I unsoldered the LEDs in the red marked switches today. Since that the keys in the green marked column behave weird: If I press one of them, the key sends out his whole row. So for example if I press the M key, it sends out 0nm,./. I already flashed some old firmware, to see if it has something to do with it, but it seems like a hardware problem. Looks like I broke something, but I don't know what and how.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: czarek on Wed, 25 January 2017, 11:23:29
Please check for shorts under SW2:6, it looks a bit messy on your picture.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Wed, 25 January 2017, 11:30:13
Thank you Czarek. The only problem is I don't know how I could check, cause I don't have access to a multimeter or something similar (and to be honest I wouldn't know how to use it)
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: 3K on Fri, 27 January 2017, 15:53:57
Thank you Czarek. The only problem is I don't know how I could check, cause I don't have access to a multimeter or something similar (and to be honest I wouldn't know how to use it)
You could start by checking visually. Is there a visible connection between two solder joints, which shouldn't be there?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Sun, 29 January 2017, 17:20:52
Unfortunately I can only check the bottom side of the PCB, without unsolder all the switches, since they're plate mounted. And I could't find something on the bottom. Like you see in the picture everything looks pretty normal.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 29 January 2017, 17:57:19
did you get the multimeter yet?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Mon, 30 January 2017, 03:32:06
No I didn't but it sounds like it would be my best chance to fix this issue, right?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: pomk on Mon, 30 January 2017, 03:41:18
it would definately help locating the short. Have you tried cleaning up the pads (using wick)?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Mon, 30 January 2017, 03:43:12
No, cause I don't have wick at home, but I ordered some, which will probably be arriving today.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: pomk on Mon, 30 January 2017, 05:40:19
Good! Maybe try that before ordering a multimeter, if you dont't think that you have much other use for it.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 30 January 2017, 06:22:45
hang on.. What are you doing with the wick ?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Mon, 30 January 2017, 06:26:07
I thought I should clean the solder points with it. By the way I've already ordered a multimeter.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: czarek on Mon, 30 January 2017, 08:35:41
GEIST, if you won't be able to fix it, send it back to us please. Me or my brother will fix it for free as the PCB came from us originally.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Mon, 30 January 2017, 09:50:32
Wow, thank you a lot for this offer, that's some amazing customer support! I guess I'll do that, cause I can't find anything suspicious on the bottom side of the plate and I'm pretty sure I'll destroy the PCB if I would try to unsolder the switches. Should I try to contact you through PM or mail?
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: czarek on Mon, 30 January 2017, 09:55:36
Email please. Always quickest :)
And honestly, we officially give 2 years warranty on our keyboards (and parts), but we never said no to someone with a broken keyboard. We always fix our keyboards for free, and other keyboards (Filcos, Leopolds, Pokers) for very small hourly fee.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Sat, 25 February 2017, 16:16:42
The tracking of the package says, that you received my keyboard on the 3th February. But since you don't answer my mails anymore I thought I should try it this way: Please just send me the keyboard back, if you're too busy to repair it. I'll transfer you the money for the shipping.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Thu, 02 March 2017, 13:09:48
It's now nearly a month till you received the keyboard, please just send it back to me, I'll fix it myself.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: Tally810 on Thu, 02 March 2017, 14:47:34
It's now nearly a month till you received the keyboard, please just send it back to me, I'll fix it myself.
Wait who is this person who has your board?

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Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: GEIST on Thu, 02 March 2017, 17:34:26
Czarek, the owner of Falbatech. He offered to repair my Ergodox for free. So I send him mail asking for his address. Then I've send him the keyboard and never received any reply anymore.
Title: Re: Ergodox PCB problem
Post by: Tally810 on Thu, 02 March 2017, 19:24:32
Czarek, the owner of Falbatech. He offered to repair my Ergodox for free. So I send him mail asking for his address. Then I've send him the keyboard and never received any reply anymore.
Ahh ok I thought it was some random person.  Hope you get your dox back soon dude.

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