DIN-to-USB breakout board for FK-2001

[Tarzan]

Would anyone happen to know if a Focus/Magitronic FK-2001 keyboard can be modded to USB?  I've been using them with a DIN-to-PS2 converter, but I've been thinking it would be nifty to kit one out with a removable USB cable.

I see a lot of "USB breakout boards" advertised on eBay and other sites, is that all I would need for a USB connection, or is there a converter I need to include as well?


http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?products_id=5565


https://www.sparkfun.com/products/718


https://www.tindie.com/products/FriedCircuits/usb-tester/

Some of these seem to be USB pass-through boards, not sure that's what I need for the Focus keyboards.

[CPTBadAss]

Could you Teensy the Focus? IIRC, there's space for one in the case.

[Tarzan]

Could you Teensy the Focus? IIRC, there's space for one in the case.

I'm sure I could fit a Teensy in the case, but since it works fine on a PS2 port with just a cable adapter, I'm hoping I don't need to spend $20 per keyboard, when $5 will do.  I'm looking for the cheap solution, for a package I'm putting together.

Unlike a Terminal Model M, the Focus boards output AT and XT protocols already.

[Hak Foo]

I did it briefly-- the FK-2001 itself was dying though.

The cheaper route involves buying your favourite active PS/2->USB adapter, desolder the PS/2 connector, strip the cable, solder it all together.

[Tarzan]

I did it briefly-- the FK-2001 itself was dying though.

The cheaper route involves buying your favourite active PS/2->USB adapter, desolder the PS/2 connector, strip the cable, solder it all together.

Is there a clean way to do this mod, replace the male USB connector with a female mini-USB, and set up the board for a detachable cable?  Seems like a waste of a perfectly good adapter to strip both ends off, when what I really need is the guts of the converter installed in the case.