Reinforcing Kailh/Gateron hotswap sockets

[subramandal]

Hello everyone. Fairly new to mechanical keyboards here and I am planning to do my first custom build with a hotswap PCB. However, looking at some other posts, it seems that the hotswap sockets are not particularly secure, with some reporting the sockets lasting as low as 5 swaps. Apparently the sockets could also fall off over time as a result of vibrations from keystrokes. Digging a little deeper, it seems that the sockets falling off may also damage the trace that connects to the diode in the PCB, requiring other complicated modifications apart from just soldering back the hotswap socket.

So instead of going through the hassle of repairs and rework later down the line, I thought to myself "Prevention is better that cure". So is there any way I can reinforce the hotswap sockets by gluing or soldering so that it remains secure and lasts longer?

As a newbie, I don't mind soldering as I have some prior experience, but I want a hotswap board because I want to try out a variety of switches.

Any help/suggestions would be really appreciated.

[Tom_Kazansky]

the problem with prebuilt board with this socket:
- too little solder on the socket pads

problem with user:
- does not insert the switch properly (bent pins...)
resulting in forcing the switch in and rip the socket off the PCB.

Apparently the sockets could also fall off over time as a result of vibrations from keystrokes.

I have never heard of this.


you may find some ideas here: https://www.keebtalk.com/t/securing-kailh-hotswap-socket/5510
-----
a few advices for board with Kailh sockets:
- before inserting a switch, check if the pins are straight
- use plate-mount switches (3-pins) instead of PCB-mount (5-pins) as PCB mount might be too tight, your switch may not sit flush, forcing it in is... not good
- don't use desolered switches, residue solder in the pins might enlarge the socket's contact

[yui]

sockets should not fall off just from vibration, excessive force on a plate-less design, cold solder joins or overheated pcb could cause either the pad to de-laminate (excessive force or heat) and will damage the traces, and cold joins will not stick well to the pads and may fall off, all 3 would be problems with soldered switches as well.
other than that kailth in their datasheet do rate their socket to 100 cycles, so yeah pretty low but you should need to test a few switches before breaking them.
So one use a plate, it hold the switches in place so that the socket only have the electrical work to do, not having to mechanically hold the switches in place, and the fix could well be to solder the switches into the sockets once you are happy with them, typo style, but then you lose the hot swap, hot swap can't be as reliable as soldered but is not as bad as some make it to be

[Leslieann]

Not sure about just falling off.

Suggestions...
Make absolutely sure to support 5 pin pcb mount switches, this helps ensure proper alignment. This is easy and cheap.

Another thing is do not put traces through pads, run them alongside, then make a small trace going to the hotswap pad. This way if it does get detached it only peels up a small bit of trace and there is a pad right there to jump to. No figuring out where the trace leads or running long leads, it's right there.

The last thing is MUCH more if an issue.
You need to create an undertray that supports them and transfers the load from the socket and PCB into the case. This can be done by changing how the bottom plate is built or and underplate. The cheapest way is to build it into the base of the case, but this will transmit noise to the case and if you want a slant it means a much thicker plate needing to be milled. The quiet way is to make a top or bottom mounted plate (gasket mounted) with floating PCB and then a floating plate under the pcb, this is not attached to the case, it's just bolted through the pcb into the plate, creating a sandwich. This will make a slightly taller case and means paying for a second plate.

All of this is a lot of work and money just to hide the fact that these should be considered disposable because even if you secure them well, there's is still that lifespan and reliability issues.

[subramandal]

you may find some ideas here: https://www.keebtalk.com/t/securing-kailh-hotswap-socket/5510
-----
a few advices for board with Kailh sockets:
- before inserting a switch, check if the pins are straight
- use plate-mount switches (3-pins) instead of PCB-mount (5-pins) as PCB mount might be too tight, your switch may not sit flush, forcing it in is... not good
- don't use desolered switches, residue solder in the pins might enlarge the socket's contact

Helpful link there. I think will just apply some solder around the metal contact pins as well as around the solder pad to make it sturdier.

All of this is a lot of work and money just to hide the fact that these should be considered disposable because even if you secure them well, there's is still that lifespan and reliability issues.

A better solder job could have mostly alleviated the issue I think. You rarely see soldered switches falling off, if ever. Also, millmax should be made standard for any hotswap board.

[Leslieann]

A better solder job could have mostly alleviated the issue I think.

SMD has never been known to be good for any sort of connector, the solder job is fine, the problem is the copper trace/pad itself is not as strong as the solder.