Chicony(ULTRA) KB-5181 Monterey blue restoration help

[mike52787]

Hello GH! A few years back, I found a Chicony KB-5181 with the amazing monterery blue keyswitches at a local thrift store. It was in a pile of old and forgotten keyboards and other computer junk. Surprisingly it was in the "best" condition out of the lot. Unfortunately, it is really beat up and broken.



As you can see, it is missing 2 keys.



If you take a closer look, you can see that some of the keys are actually cracked! Here is a picture of the back of the keyboard. Note the melted spots where the cord was wrapped around it. Thats what florida heat will do to things.



The inside of the keyboard was worse though. Keep in mind that I have already cleaned the inside and outside cases. The controller board also had the at connector broken off.




I replaced the broken off connector with a floppy power connector unsoldered from an old drive. here is my crude solder job. the traces were pretty much gone.



I have already put a fair bit of work into this keyboard, but I would like to finish it off. Is there another, better built case that I can install the frame in? Can I buy just those 4 keycaps? help me out gh!

[fohat.digs]

The pictures don't seem to be working. Can you make sure they are a reasonable size (~200K) or link them to Imgur or something?

Alps keys work so maybe you can find an AT101W or something with basic keys.

[Findecanor]

Note the melted spots where the cord was wrapped around it. Thats what florida heat will do to things.

Not a product of heat but plasticizer in the cord. Cords were usually made of PVC, but needed "plasticizer" agents in the mix to make them pliable.

Is there another, better built case that I can install the frame in? Can I buy just those 4 keycaps? help me out gh!

The spacing between key groups is quite standard: 1/2 and 1 key widths, so yes, you can. But you will have to modify the case more or less to make it work.
I once put the innards of a Chicony KB-5182 (which is almost the same keyboard as yours) into a case from a Cherry G80-3000 but that involved quite a bit of work on the insides of the case to make the plate fit and then cutting the metal plate on the left and right sides. I used it because it is what I had on hand.
A case from another keyboard with plate-mounted switches would be much less work. I know that Dell AT-101 does not work because the horizontal spacing between key groups is not exact 1/2 key.

[mike52787]

sorry about the images guys! I posted them to photobcket but apparently that doesnt work right. Next time ill use imgur. good to know. I am new to gh so this is a good learning experience. by the way, here is the link to the photobucket album I put all he pictures in. http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/mikedevert/library/Chicony%20KB-5181?sort=3&page=1

[Findecanor]

Your image links are links to Photobucket's HTML pages that have the images embedded in them.
It should work if you double-click on the "IMG Tag" field and the Paste into your post.

I guess that what you had done was to load the "Direct Link" in your browser to verify that they worked before you copied the value address bar to the post. When Photobucket detects a direct link that way, it redirects to the corresponding HTML page...

But I would advice going from Photobucket anyway. I used to like them but in recent times they have started to show some really invasive ads, popups, full-screen Flash popups and such crap just won't do.

[fohat.digs]

I am guessing that an AT101 would be the simplest and cheapest route for donor key caps.

[mike52787]

But I would advice going from Photobucket anyway. I used to like them but in recent times they have started to show some really invasive ads, popups, full-screen Flash popups and such crap just won't do.

Sorry man, I dont see any ads anymore, I use adblock. I will start using imgur though.

[klennkellon]

For keycaps, Focus FK-2001's are usually found pretty cheap and easily on ebay, they have doubleshot keycaps on thin ABS.

Many people think that clicky ALPS switches sound best with thin ABS, and I agree with this.

[chyros]

Many people think that clicky ALPS switches sound best with thin ABS, and I agree with this.

Most definitely. Really brings out the bass and the sound .

[Devost8r]

I may have a very nice case, and keys for you, but I can't see the pics. I'll take a pic of what I have and post it. I also have the ps2 cord if you need it.

[Devost8r]

Here's what I have that should be compatible with a 5181. It's from a 5161f  I have all of the keys. I just put a few up as an example.

The switches are just to show the ones the keys came off of.