North-Facing SMD LED with Cherry Profile

[Hookemhorns111]

I am looking to build my first keyboard and stumbled upon the Drop Carina which is a hotswap PCB. Through more research I have learned North Facing LED and Cherry Profiles don't go well with bottoming out, depending on how anal someone is, that can be a problem. My thought is, all the research I found the problem is with *through-hole* North Facing LED switches both with housing of the switch and the LED itself. From looking at the PCB on the Drop Carina, it appears they are SMD LED and not through-hole. I am looking at putting in Zealios V2, which are technically allow for South Facing LED. Would I still have the issue with the Cherry profile keycaps and Zealios V2 contacting the SMD LED/housing of North Facing LED's?

From a physical standpoint, I imagine there shouldn't be an issue since the housing wouldn't be a problem and there wouldn't be a LED sticking up through the switch on the north side. I assume putting Zealios V2 onto a North Facing RGC PCB board, I wouldn't take full advantage of the backlighting, but I couldn't care less for backlighting. The price of this kit is just cheaper than getting an higher profile acrylic case, underglow PCB, and hot swappable.

[https://drop.com/buy/drop-carina-mechanical-keyboard-kit](https://drop.com/buy/drop-carina-mechanical-keyboard-kit),

[Methomania]

I don't think it's because of the LED, it's because the keycap hits the top of the housing when bottoming out, instead of the slider hitting the bottom of the switch. Zealios are going to have interference problems if you use GMK, I don't know about other keysets like JTK or ePBT. If you don't mind it, you can grind down the top edge (above the leaf) of the switch to get rid the interference.

[rinkaan]

Using through hole led on north and south positions, I would say certain keycaps have a change to bind if the led u use are more than 3mm. Even at 3mm due to stem wobble, it might bind. Lesser issues with SA profile, but if using oem or cherry profile it might be more frequent. Smd led have issues with the intensity of the light, especially if u are using shine thru keycaps, other that getting block by opaque switch housing.
As long as ur switch housings are clear or translucent, it will be ok

Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk

[liQuicity]

I don't think it's because of the LED, it's because the keycap hits the top of the housing when bottoming out, instead of the slider hitting the bottom of the switch. Zealios are going to have interference problems if you use GMK, I don't know about other keysets like JTK or ePBT. If you don't mind it, you can grind down the top edge (above the leaf) of the switch to get rid the interference.

Do you have some kind of images or a video showing how to do the grind the right way?

I need to do that on my ymd09 pad, since all switches are north facing and I really want it with zealios v2s.

Edit: Already saw a video from 3ildcat explaining it, need to buy a mini grinder to do it.

[harlekein]

You can also use washers. Search for north facing switch washers.

If you are in EU I can sell them for cheap. Otherwise I think keebio has them.