LED ALP into a M0116...?

[Jim66]

Hi guys

I have just taken most of the keys from a new-ish Matias tactile pro and put them on my new M0116. The profiles are a little different, but overall I prefer the feel and look of the tactile pro keys.





Anyway, I'm wanting to take the LED ALP switch out of the tactile pro and put it into the M0116.



I know literally nothing about the way in which PCBs are printed... So, is there something in the tactile pro PCB that accommodates this LED? If not can I slot it straight into the M0116?

Is it likely to mess anything up?

If the answer is; "Yes, do it, it'll be fine", let me know and I'll have the soldering iron out in a crack.

Thanks in advance.

Jim.

[kps]

So, is there something in the tactile pro PCB that accommodates this LED? If not can I slot it straight into the M0116?

The PCB, the controller, the firmware... the M0116 doesn't have a Num Lock LED (Apple's excuse, apparently, was that it doesn't have a Num Lock key).

[Jim66]

The PCB, the controller, the firmware... the M0116 doesn't have a Num Lock LED (Apple's excuse, apparently, was that it doesn't have a Num Lock key).

I know the M0116 doesn't have a Num Lock LED, that's why I wanted to put one there. The M0116 almost certainly does have a key which functions as a num lock (it is in the usual top left of the num pad).

So you're saying because of the PCB, controller and firmware, this is destined to fail?

[Jim66]

Right ok, the M0116 doesn't have a single LED so I'm doubtful. I'll give it a go on an old M0116 I have and report back.

[jeffreysung]

Inserting LED is possible without changing PCB. (Of course you should change key switch. )

At first, you should change controller. In my case, I changed it with Teensy++ 2.0 to use with USB.

http://applefan.tistory.com/49
This is written in Korean so you may have trouble in reading. Just look at the pictures.

There is no modification in PCB and there are a few available ports in controller, so if you want to insert led and know what you should do, inserting led is not so difficult. Just changing one key switch and modify firmware and extra wiring.

(Changing key cap with tactile pro is very good idea.. but I don't like changing the originality of my old keyboards. If  you want more information, I could help you. : ) )

[jeffreysung]

That mod is slick!

My point is you need to get a power line (2V or higher) from somewhere.

I think, power is not a matter. Nowadays keyboards has LEDs with USB power (5V 500mA. ) That is enough. The problem is changing controller and switch.