Phantom Keyswitches

[christopher24745]

I don't know if this is the right place to post but I'm planning on buying a phantom PCB next time theres a group buy. I was wondering what kind of key switches I need. Do they need to be plate mounted or PCB mounted. Also can anyone post a link to a place where I could buy bulk linear key switches. Thanks.

[whiskytango]

PCBs are in stock here at mechanicalkeyboards.com

You need plate mounted switches. You could use PCB mounted switches but you would need to snip off the plastic legs on the bottom.

You will also need a plate. I don't have a source for those to give you.

Welcome to GH.

[Findecanor]

Plate-mounted Cherry MX switches with nothing extra. The product code would be MX1A-11NN for Black,  MX1A-L1NN for Red.
I suggest that you get a stiffer switch for the Space bar. A black Space bar switch for Red switches, or a A "Linear Grey" switch (MX1A-21NN) for a keyboard with otherwise Black switches.

Plate-mounted are nearly identical to PCB-mounted switches. If you get hold of some cheap PCB-mounted switch (say, from an old keyboard), then you could just snip off the extra plastic pins underneath and they would fit in the Phantom.
If you get hold of a switch with a jumper wire (four metal pins), then you would have to open the switch to remove it.

There are group orders of switches in the Marketplace here now and then. 7bit has a group order for MX switches on Deskthority.
Be aware that group orders can take a long time - first collecting orders from members during a time and then doing the order from Cherry at once, then sorting and shipping each order, often all done by one person in his free time.

[dorkvader]

If you get hold of a switch with a jumper wire (four metal pins), then you would have to open the switch to remove it.

since the diodes are on the side of the phantom, you could just clip the jumper legs off. I mean, you'll be clipping the PCB stabilizing pins anyway.

[christopher24745]

If you get hold of a switch with a jumper wire (four metal pins), then you would have to open the switch to remove it.

since the diodes are on the side of the phantom, you could just clip the jumper legs off. I mean, you'll be clipping the PCB stabilizing pins anyway.

Thanks alot for this info!

[christopher24745]

If you get hold of a switch with a jumper wire (four metal pins), then you would have to open the switch to remove it.

since the diodes are on the side of the phantom, you could just clip the jumper legs off. I mean, you'll be clipping the PCB stabilizing pins anyway.

Thanks!

[christopher24745]

Plate-mounted Cherry MX switches with nothing extra. The product code would be MX1A-11NN for Black,  MX1A-L1NN for Red.
I suggest that you get a stiffer switch for the Space bar. A black Space bar switch for Red switches, or a A "Linear Grey" switch (MX1A-21NN) for a keyboard with otherwise Black switches.

Plate-mounted are nearly identical to PCB-mounted switches. If you get hold of some cheap PCB-mounted switch (say, from an old keyboard), then you could just snip off the extra plastic pins underneath and they would fit in the Phantom.
If you get hold of a switch with a jumper wire (four metal pins), then you would have to open the switch to remove it.

There are group orders of switches in the Marketplace here now and then. 7bit has a group order for MX switches on Deskthority.
Be aware that group orders can take a long time - first collecting orders from members during a time and then doing the order from Cherry at once, then sorting and shipping each order, often all done by one person in his free time.

What kind of resistors do I need to go with the LEDs on the phantom?

[damorgue]

Depends on the LEDs. Different colours require different voltages. You need to drop the voltage from 5V to whatever your LED requires by using a resistor. How to calculate it is explained here: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom_instruction_guide#Electronics

[christopher24745]

Depends on the LEDs. Different colours require different voltages. You need to drop the voltage from 5V to whatever your LED requires by using a resistor. How to calculate it is explained here: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom_instruction_guide#Electronics

The link says resistors are required if LEDs are not 5v. These LEDs say that the reverse voltage is 5V, does this mean I don't need resistors. Also if I do, your link says I do (5-V)/I which would be (5-3.4)/20mA which equals .008. I don't think this is correct.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290863761778

[spiceBar]

Depends on the LEDs. Different colours require different voltages. You need to drop the voltage from 5V to whatever your LED requires by using a resistor. How to calculate it is explained here: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom_instruction_guide#Electronics

The link says resistors are required if LEDs are not 5v. These LEDs say that the reverse voltage is 5V, does this mean I don't need resistors. Also if I do, your link says I do (5-V)/I which would be (5-3.4)/20mA which equals .008. I don't think this is correct.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290863761778

I'm not an expert, but the mistake you are doing is using mA as the unit. The correct unit is A.

So if the direct current required by the LED is 20mA=0.02A under 3.4V, the resistor should be:
  (5-3.4)/0.02 = 80 Ohms

If you can't find the exact value for the resistor, always use the first available value that is GREATER than optimal one. Letting too much current flow thru a LED will burn it prematurely (maybe even instantly).

[christopher24745]

Okay, Does anyone know if I can add back lighting to a phantom keyboard since key caps have a place where you can put them. I don't know if there are solder points for them on the PCB for it though.does anyone have a tutorial or video of this being done. Thanks.

[jdcarpe]

Okay, Does anyone know if I can add back lighting to a phantom keyboard since key caps have a place where you can put them. I don't know if there are solder points for them on the PCB for it though.

There are not. So adding backlighting would have to be done with some EL wire, or it wouldn't be worth the trouble to drill all the LED holes manually into the PCB then hand-wire electrical connections to them. It would be easier and cheaper (in terms of time spent, which has value) to simply buy a Ducky Shine or something.