Razer Blackwidow 2014 Standard - adding LEDS?

[TeacherGeek]

So I bought one of these really cheap because it had broken flip out feet and a crack on the side. Going to just use it to much around with like painting it and soldering/removing stuff.

It is the edition without backlit keys. I was wondering, is it as simple as just soldering on some LEDS to the PCB?

Thanks

[Sup]

Depends on the PCB. You have to check if it has the holes for the LEDS or not.

[Findecanor]

Maybe Razer were just that lazy that they would have used the exact circuitry and firmware on their cheaper non-backlit keyboards as on their backlit keyboards, but I think that the probability for that is slim.

[networkdrift]

Personally seems like too much work for me considering its condition. I know you bought it cheap but you could probably find something a little nicer (say, a cheap Coolermaster) and have something more useable down the line.

[TeacherGeek]

Personally seems like too much work for me considering its condition. I know you bought it cheap but you could probably find something a little nicer (say, a cheap Coolermaster) and have something more useable down the line.

Oh yeah, I'm just using it as a learning keyboard. I won't be really using it. I got it for $12.

[_haru]

As Sup and Findecanor said, the PCB might be the same as backlit models - you would have to check if the LED holes are present by looking at the bottom of the PCB. It might also be that there are resistors and such needed as well, or code missing from the controller.

In any case, putting LEDs into a board not designed for them is a fair bit of work. I know this is just a board to learn on, but make sure you don't put lipstick on a pig. Maybe see if you can build a cheap 60% with parts from China instead.

[tp4tissue]

For another $12 you can get a backlit keeb..  So.... idk, if you realllly enjoy soldering, toxic gas,  the FULL KEEB EXPERIENCE, then go for it.

[Leslieann]

It probably has the holes, but lacks resistors, power supply and possibly a chip and firmware, this is how the Magicforce keyboards were done.

Unless you have the equipment and know the missing parts it's not going to be easy to convert it, however you can install the resistors and leds and then just jumper power to them. You won't be able to control them, but they will work.  I agree with the others though, use it, see what you like then buy something else. It's not worth the effort.

[networkdrift]

Personally seems like too much work for me considering its condition. I know you bought it cheap but you could probably find something a little nicer (say, a cheap Coolermaster) and have something more useable down the line.

Oh yeah, I'm just using it as a learning keyboard. I won't be really using it. I got it for $12.

That's fair! $12 for a donor keyboard is still a pretty good deal regardless of its quality.

[TeacherGeek]

if you realllly enjoy soldering, toxic gas,  the FULL KEEB EXPERIENCE, then go for it.

Isn't that a lot of people on this forum?

[TeacherGeek]

So I took it apart just now and the places where the leds would go are soldered. I unsoldered one of them and it definitely doesn't work. I think people are correct when they say it probably doesn't have resistors etc.

Think i'll just desolder it and keep the switches and play around with them.

Thanks all for the input

[Geraldine84]

Maybe Razer were just that lazy that they would have used the exact circuitry and firmware on their cheaper non-backlit keyboards as on their backlit keyboards, but I think that the probability for that is slim. 9apps.red