Author Topic: [GB] Sentraq TK78 Keyboard Kit (Closing/Troubleshooting) (Read 126008 times)

mogo · « **Reply #200 on:** Sat, 13 August 2016, 02:23:12 »

I stopped by Radio Shack and picked up a kit which had some useful items that I lost over the years or never had, namely a variable-control soldering stick, a spring-loaded solder pump, and some helping hands.

As carefully as I could, I re-seated the resistor back onto Num2 and tapped some solder onto it.

It was scary and I tried to be as careful and precise as my big hands can allow, but GOOD NEWS, it worked! All keys are registering and I can move on to the next steps! Much thanks to Kawasaki161 and Doodersbrother.

Brammm87 · « **Reply #201 on:** Sat, 13 August 2016, 05:52:00 »

Quote from: mogo on Sat, 13 August 2016, 02:23:12

GOOD NEWS

Happy you managed to fix it!

mogo · « **Reply #202 on:** Sat, 13 August 2016, 12:29:43 »

Quote from: Brammm87 on Sat, 13 August 2016, 05:52:00

Quote from: mogo on Sat, 13 August 2016, 02:23:12
GOOD NEWS

Show Image

Happy you managed to fix it!

I was thinking more of a

but that works too! :b

Brammm87 · « **Reply #203 on:** Sat, 13 August 2016, 18:37:50 »

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #204 on:** Sat, 13 August 2016, 19:00:07 »

Quote from: Brammm87 on Sat, 13 August 2016, 18:37:50

Show Image

wut?

mogo · « **Reply #205 on:** Sun, 14 August 2016, 00:58:24 »

Quote from: Brammm87 on Sat, 13 August 2016, 18:37:50

Show Image

He gets it. :thumb:
I'm working on lasering my own acrylic sandwich case for my 78, trying to get the hole shape just right. Then I wait on a bunch of MX clears...

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #206 on:** Sun, 14 August 2016, 04:43:08 »

Uhm, any idea what it means that it is in "Acceptance" for so long? I've never had that happen before.

skullydazed · « **Reply #207 on:** Sun, 14 August 2016, 09:26:33 »

Quote from: kawasaki161 on Sun, 14 August 2016, 04:43:08

Uhm, any idea what it means that it is in "Acceptance" for so long? I've never had that happen before.

Show Image

It means it was dropped off and scanned at that post office, but hasn't been scanned since. Sometimes that happens when they don't scan a package before tossing it into a cage. It won't be scanned again until the packages in that cage are resorted into new cages at a distribution center somewhere. For an international package that can take a few days.

skullydazed · « **Reply #208 on:** Sun, 14 August 2016, 09:30:15 »

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give an update on board repair progress.

I've been doing a couple a day, focusing first on the boards that look the best. I have a handful done but will be putting them on hold for a couple days while I do a little traveling. I'll be back on Wednesday and should be back to fixing boards on Thursday.

Next Saturday I'll be packing and and mailing all completed boards to doodersbrothers. That way we can start to get some of these boards out before I get them all fixed. At my current rate of progress I should have as many fixed as is possible to fix by the end of the month.

breitling · « **Reply #209 on:** Sun, 14 August 2016, 17:19:44 »

Quote from: skullydazed on Sun, 14 August 2016, 09:30:15

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give an update on board repair progress.

I've been doing a couple a day, focusing first on the boards that look the best. I have a handful done but will be putting them on hold for a couple days while I do a little traveling. I'll be back on Wednesday and should be back to fixing boards on Thursday.

Next Saturday I'll be packing and and mailing all completed boards to doodersbrothers. That way we can start to get some of these boards out before I get them all fixed. At my current rate of progress I should have as many fixed as is possible to fix by the end of the month.

thanks for helping out to fix the boards! glad you were able to diagnose the issues and resolve the problems... looking forward to receiving mine!!

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #210 on:** Wed, 17 August 2016, 16:13:39 »

Tracking is still chillin' at Acceptance... am I worrying too much? I've read way too many horror stories about shipping companies by now and this is really one of the things where I really would prefer that it does not get lost.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #211 on:** Wed, 17 August 2016, 17:49:40 »

Quote from: kawasaki161 on Wed, 17 August 2016, 16:13:39

Tracking is still chillin' at Acceptance... am I worrying too much? I've read way too many horror stories about shipping companies by now and this is really one of the things where I really would prefer that it does not get lost.

You're worrying too much.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #212 on:** Wed, 17 August 2016, 17:50:53 »

Thanks for the update skully. I think we all really appreciate you lending a hand here!

tj_gee · « **Reply #213 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 07:03:26 »

I have my board assembled and I'm using it to type this post.

Love it. I'll probably switch my Granite set over to it today since the dark grey set that came with this board doesn't support split right shift. Oops.

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #214 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 07:30:00 »

Glad you like your keyboard as much as USPS does like mine (I should stop worrying, haha).

Quote from: tj_gee on Thu, 18 August 2016, 07:03:26

the dark grey set that came with this board doesn't support split right shift

Uh, that's unfortunate... I also ordered that set and want to go split right shift, ah well, I'll probably have another set by then if USPS stays at the same pace

.

tj_gee · « **Reply #215 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 15:05:32 »

I really like the colors of the dark grey set, but I like having a split right shift more!

Here's the two: http://i.imgur.com/KvyeM4w.jpg

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #216 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 17:58:30 »

Quote from: tj_gee on Thu, 18 August 2016, 15:05:32

I really like the colors of the dark grey set, but I like having a split right shift more!

Here's the two: http://i.imgur.com/KvyeM4w.jpg

It looks great! I can't wait to get to build mine!

SmithTheNinja · « **Reply #217 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 22:30:55 »

Quote from: tj_gee on Thu, 18 August 2016, 07:03:26

I have my board assembled and I'm using it to type this post.

Love it. I'll probably switch my Granite set over to it today since the dark grey set that came with this board doesn't support split right shift. Oops.

Bummer on the lack of short shift guess I'll be waiting for my Mito Overcast set to come in to really get my clack on since I lack the keycaps to do the layout I want

breitling · « **Reply #218 on:** Thu, 18 August 2016, 22:45:40 »

Quote from: tj_gee on Thu, 18 August 2016, 15:05:32

I really like the colors of the dark grey set, but I like having a split right shift more!

Here's the two: http://i.imgur.com/KvyeM4w.jpg

Looks great! I think the way you have the caps now suit the boards better anyway!

doodersbrother · « **Reply #219 on:** Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:23:45 »

Hey guys,

About 4 more PCB's were fixed so once I get those I'll ship those out. The manufacturer will also remake some and test to make sure they work.

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #220 on:** Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:34:20 »

Quote from: doodersbrother on Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:23:45

Hey guys,

About 4 more PCB's were fixed so once I get those I'll ship those out. The manufacturer will also remake some and test to make sure they work.

Great news for the next few people!
When you are at the post office and my tracking info did not change until then would you mind asking them what is going on with it? Mainly for my peace of mind (I just can't stop worrying) and also because their E-Mail support is down, so the only way I could ask would be an international call.

doodersbrother · « **Reply #221 on:** Sat, 20 August 2016, 06:15:09 »

Quote from: kawasaki161 on Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:34:20

Quote from: doodersbrother on Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:23:45
Hey guys,

About 4 more PCB's were fixed so once I get those I'll ship those out. The manufacturer will also remake some and test to make sure they work.

Great news for the next few people!
When you are at the post office and my tracking info did not change until then would you mind asking them what is going on with it? Mainly for my peace of mind (I just can't stop worrying) and also because their E-Mail support is down, so the only way I could ask would be an international call.

Usually the workers there have no idea whats going on with individual packages so I'll give them a call instead.

Bumbibear · « **Reply #222 on:** Sat, 20 August 2016, 08:55:00 »

Quote from: doodersbrother on Fri, 19 August 2016, 18:23:45

Hey guys,

About 4 more PCB's were fixed so once I get those I'll ship those out. The manufacturer will also remake some and test to make sure they work.

So that means I should hopefully receive my order soon!

Maybe USPS will be kinder when shipping to Sweden compared to Germany

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #223 on:** Sat, 20 August 2016, 19:18:47 »

Quote from: Bumbibear on Sat, 20 August 2016, 08:55:00

So that means I should hopefully receive my order soon!

Woot! Me too =]

tj_gee · « **Reply #224 on:** Sun, 21 August 2016, 15:19:12 »

Well I unhooked my TK78 to take it to use on another computer across the house so my girlfriend could try it out on her PC and when I got there, I didn't have a MiniUSB port to connect the cable to. The port is now rattling around the inside of the case because it detached from the PCB.

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, but this feels pretty crappy.

mogo · « **Reply #225 on:** Sun, 21 August 2016, 23:40:55 »

Solder it back on!

wodan · « **Reply #226 on:** Mon, 22 August 2016, 00:06:01 »

Eeew sounds like a SMT USB port. Always go through-hole for USB ports!

skullydazed · « **Reply #227 on:** Mon, 22 August 2016, 02:03:13 »

Quote from: wodan on Mon, 22 August 2016, 00:06:01

Eeew sounds like a SMT USB port. Always go through-hole for USB ports!

The ports are actually the best of both worlds- SMT for the 5 USB pins and THT for the shield pins. That way the shield has a good mechanical connection to the board to hold the connector into place, while the data pins have the lower noise advantage of SMT.

However, it sounds like something wasn't soldered quite correctly. tj_gee, if you can open the board to retrieve the connector and take a picture of it (preferably both the top and bottom sides) I can look into what it is that failed in your case.

doodersbrother · « **Reply #228 on:** Mon, 22 August 2016, 15:18:51 »

Quote from: tj_gee on Sun, 21 August 2016, 15:19:12

Well I unhooked my TK78 to take it to use on another computer across the house so my girlfriend could try it out on her PC and when I got there, I didn't have a MiniUSB port to connect the cable to. The port is now rattling around the inside of the case because it detached from the PCB.

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, but this feels pretty crappy.

Wow, that's really crappy. Another reason to be sure your PCB manufacturer isn't shoddy. Hopefully you'll be able to solder it back on :/

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #229 on:** Tue, 23 August 2016, 16:09:12 »

Aside from the tracking still being stuck at Acceptance and me not knowing what is going on with it it gets even better... it's virtually impossible to get 5mm thick purple acrylic for my plate here

. Seems like this board is cursed, haha!

tj_gee · « **Reply #230 on:** Wed, 24 August 2016, 22:32:34 »

Thanks for the offer Skully. I've already sent it off to someone in the state over to look at it. I'll see if he'll snap some shots of it and maybe it'll help someone else if others have this issue.

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #231 on:** Thu, 25 August 2016, 03:13:59 »

So, uuh the mailman just woke me up and gave me a strange box

.

Well let's see what is inside

WELL F*CK YEAH. I would have been happy if I was sure that is safely left the states now, but that also works.

Still untested, will report back if anything goes wrong... now I've got to speed up the Acrylic plate process!

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #232 on:** Thu, 25 August 2016, 06:06:44 »

Quote from: kawasaki161 on Thu, 25 August 2016, 03:13:59

So, uuh the mailman just woke me up and gave me a strange box .
Show Image

Well let's see what is inside

Show Image

WELL F*CK YEAH. I would have been happy if I was sure that is safely left the states now, but that also works.

Still untested, will report back if anything goes wrong... now I've got to speed up the Acrylic plate process!

Nice. I'm glad you finally got it!

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #233 on:** Thu, 25 August 2016, 09:04:10 »

So, I tested the PCB and all keys trigger. which is great. Buut I also did some other testing and found some stuff that is not too great

First of all the plate quality was already mentioned, but also was not great on my board.

Then, the included stabilizers really disappointed me. They are the same ones that were included in my KC60 kit from Aliexpress, so they were Chinese copys of the old Cherry design which needs no clipping, but the wires are too thin and the holes for the wires are too big. Even with different wires they were rattling all over the place

. So if you don't like rattly stabs you now have the time to order some before your board arrives

.

The next thing probably is only a problem for me (because of the different PCB), but the PCB did not have holes for all mounting points, the one in the lower middle can not be used now.

Next is something that is really important though. I did a quick test fit, because I thought about streaming the assembly of this board (would be really bad if there were any major problems on stream). After having to make the PCB mount pegs of the Zealios fit (the PCB seems to be designed to Cherry spec, definitely not an error of some sort) I screwed the PCB in and realized that the bottom row switches started popping out... Well, the PCB standoffs are not tall enough to provide enough clearance between the case and the switch pins, so the whole bottom row shorts out. So I thought a washer will fix this, after grabbing one I realized that the screws are too short when a washer is used, so I measured the screws and they seem to be imperial which makes it a real task finding them in Germany (great). I now put a thin layer of foam into the case to prevent any contact of the pins with the metal, it seems like that does indeed barely fit.

If I paid the Massdrop price for this I would be really mad now. But everything seems like it is rather easily solvable, so I will now wait until my plate is done and see what the future brings.
Here is my mockup with some caps that weren't even meant for this board (looks really great imo, can't wait for the plate to arrive):

tj_gee · « **Reply #234 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 20:16:47 »

Here is an album of the USB connection: http://imgur.com/a/MQeE5

And the guy's description of what he thinks happened:

Quote

Looks like a cold solder to me as there's almost no disruption to the solder pads on the board which for a "normal" break like this I would expect the pads to be partially lifted or quite a bit of solder stuck to the connector itself. Connector is very clean, looks like there's some glue residue on the PCB and connector

doodersbrother · « **Reply #235 on:** Tue, 30 August 2016, 18:55:48 »

Hey guys, another update. Just waiting for skully's package to come and then I'll get 4 more shipped out, and I'm looking for a new manufacturer who can get us replacements made somewhat quickly.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #236 on:** Tue, 30 August 2016, 19:48:18 »

Thanks for the update dooders. When you say replacements, is that just for the remaining ones that skully hasn't repaired?

skullydazed · « **Reply #237 on:** Wed, 31 August 2016, 00:23:58 »

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 30 August 2016, 19:48:18

Thanks for the update dooders. When you say replacements, is that just for the remaining ones that skully hasn't repaired?

Yes. I'm assuming I won't be able to repair all of them. I dropped the package for doodersbrothers off earlier today but I don't know if it made it onto today's truck. He should have them in a couple days. Unfortunately I have a lot going on trying to get ready to receive Nantucket Selectric, I didn't make progress on the boards as quickly as I hoped.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #238 on:** Wed, 31 August 2016, 07:22:49 »

Quote from: skullydazed on Wed, 31 August 2016, 00:23:58

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 30 August 2016, 19:48:18
Thanks for the update dooders. When you say replacements, is that just for the remaining ones that skully hasn't repaired?

Yes. I'm assuming I won't be able to repair all of them. I dropped the package for doodersbrothers off earlier today but I don't know if it made it onto today's truck. He should have them in a couple days. Unfortunately I have a lot going on trying to get ready to receive Nantucket Selectric, I didn't make progress on the boards as quickly as I hoped.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate you trying to repair as many as possible!

doodersbrother · « **Reply #239 on:** Tue, 06 September 2016, 18:18:02 »

The next three kits have been shipped out! Tracking numbers are in the spreadsheet.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #240 on:** Tue, 06 September 2016, 19:23:07 »

Quote from: doodersbrother on Tue, 06 September 2016, 18:18:02

The next three kits have been shipped out! Tracking numbers are in the spreadsheet.

Aww yis! I can't wait =D

doodersbrother · « **Reply #241 on:** Tue, 06 September 2016, 19:56:50 »

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 06 September 2016, 19:23:07

Quote from: doodersbrother on Tue, 06 September 2016, 18:18:02
The next three kits have been shipped out! Tracking numbers are in the spreadsheet.

Aww yis! I can't wait =D

Make sure to test all the keys before soldering switches haha

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #242 on:** Tue, 06 September 2016, 20:40:38 »

Quote from: doodersbrother on Tue, 06 September 2016, 19:56:50

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 06 September 2016, 19:23:07
Quote from: doodersbrother on Tue, 06 September 2016, 18:18:02
The next three kits have been shipped out! Tracking numbers are in the spreadsheet.

Aww yis! I can't wait =D

Make sure to test all the keys before soldering switches haha

Absolutely! Thanks for the reminder though.

alexjd99 · « **Reply #243 on:** Wed, 07 September 2016, 19:03:03 »

So I got my kit today, but I'm a little lost on programming, as all my other boards I've programmed have been pretty straight forward.

I assume you make your layout in Keyboard Layout Editor and then put that into the TMK generator, from what I've read on here, however I can't figure out what columns and rows to use for it. (I'm also assuming it's Krimea, not the two headed.) I'm putting 5 rows * 19 columns, so I don't think I'm messing anything up there.

Am I doing something wrong here? If so, could anyone help me with this? This is only my third board I've really programmed without a GUI, and the other two had easy step by step guides for them, so I'm pretty inexperienced with this kind of programming.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #244 on:** Wed, 07 September 2016, 19:44:27 »

Quote from: alexjd99 on Wed, 07 September 2016, 19:03:03

https://github.com/skullydazed/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/tk78-r

I believe this is the official TMK fork for TK78. All of the information you should need is there and in the original TMK repo and the one from Jack Humbert.

Sorry, links should be correct now

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #245 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 12:47:59 »

I got something to do this weekend!

... ignore the Fugus =P

kawasaki161 · « **Reply #246 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 12:56:31 »

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Thu, 08 September 2016, 12:47:59

I got something to do this weekend!

Show Image

... ignore the Fugus =P

That's great. I also love Fugus... but no luck in raffles for me.

I'm still waiting on my custom plate to finish production (IT TAKES TOO LONG). I should really start doing my final layout.
Has anyone already figured out how to make the numpad switch layers via numlock like on the Quickfire TK?

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #247 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 13:09:08 »

Quote from: kawasaki161 on Thu, 08 September 2016, 12:56:31

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Thu, 08 September 2016, 12:47:59
I got something to do this weekend!

Show Image

... ignore the Fugus =P

That's great. I also love Fugus... but no luck in raffles for me.

I'm still waiting on my custom plate to finish production (IT TAKES TOO LONG). I should really start doing my final layout.
Has anyone already figured out how to make the numpad switch layers via numlock like on the Quickfire TK?

I'll be putting mine together over the weekend, so I can let you know after that. First I have to thoroughly check the PCB and SIP socket my switches then I can begin.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #248 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 14:21:20 »

I can't seem to get my PCB into reset mode. I've tried clicking the button and holding it but it isn't registered by dfu or the teensy loader. Am I doing something wrong?

doodersbrother · « **Reply #249 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 15:01:01 »

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Thu, 08 September 2016, 14:21:20

I can't seem to get my PCB into reset mode. I've tried clicking the button and holding it but it isn't registered by dfu or the teensy loader. Am I doing something wrong?

I'm going to assume that it's functioning as a keyboard, it's probably a driver issue. Try installing skully's qmk firmware loader, it comes with the appropriate drivers and it works really well for flashing any hex

News:

Author Topic: [GB] Sentraq TK78 Keyboard Kit (Closing/Troubleshooting) (Read 126008 times)