geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 09:46:24

Title: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 09:46:24

Hi
I'm looking for replacement switches for an amiga 1000 keyboard.
I have attached an image of the switch.

Does anyone know where to get a replacement. 

Thanks

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 31 March 2017, 13:23:07

tbh your best bet would be to buy another amiga 1000 and harvest the switches from it

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 13:36:38

Are there any other keyboards that used the same switches. Those a1000 keyboards are rare to find.

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 31 March 2017, 16:11:01

I know of two keyboard switches that were used for keyboards for the Amiga 1000.

Yours seem to have this one: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Mitsumi_standard_mechanical
The other type of switch has a metal top, (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Mitsumi_miniature_mechanical), which I think is more common but not pin-compatible.

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 16:18:50

Can a alternative be used?

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 31 March 2017, 16:27:49

What part of the switch is broken? If it is not the slider, then maybe you could mix and match parts with one that has an Alps-compatible slider. Apple Extended Keyboard II (AEKII) - in a variant that was made in Japan - has that type of switch. AEKII's with other switches are more common.

I think all Amigas - from the Amiga 1000 up to the 4000T and CD32 - used the same serial protocol, only different connectors. So you should at least be able to connect a different Amiga keyboard to it with an adapter.
(The only exceptions were the 1200 and 600 that had a ribbon cable to the motherboard, but still had serial communication between components on the motherboard, if I'm not mistaken.)

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 16:38:46

It's the white plastic that the key sits in. When pushed down it doesn't return.
.

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 31 March 2017, 17:59:52

But can you see that that is what is broken?
If the slider does not rebound after pressed then it is probably something broken inside it.

Title: Re: Amiga 1000 keyboard switch
Post by: Izeko on Fri, 31 March 2017, 18:10:37

I need to open up the switch.

Will get back to you.