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Showing 1 of 24 conversations about:
Branny
733
Mar 22, 2017
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It would be cool if they made a version with a pcb
Mar 22, 2017
theimmc
872
Apr 21, 2017
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BrannyThere are only 9 switches. You can hand wire, don't need a PCB. You don't even need a matrix. I did this with the 6 key version, and plan to do it with this one as well.
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Apr 21, 2017
baechooboi
83
May 23, 2017
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theimmcCan you elaborate for the newbs? What is that component called and where did you purchase it? I see what you've done in terms of wiring and drilling the hole, but can't figure out any more than that. Is that board programmable?
May 23, 2017
theimmc
872
May 23, 2017
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baechooboiThat microcontroller is a Pro Micro clone, available from China for about $3 to $4 shipped (depending on where you get it from). The original is made by SparkFun, who sells theirs for about $20. At that price, you might as well buy a Teensy 2.0. It is essentially an Arduino Leonardo in a small form factor and can be programmed with the Arduino IDE. I buy mine from AliExpress. Get the 5V version, and do not get a Pro Mini.
Since Arduino already has a keyboard class that does all the heavy USB lifting, I use it to make the Pro Micro appear to be a keyboard when it starts up. After that, I just need to sense keypress, and send that key over USB to the host. You can see my source code here: https://github.com/theimmc/six-key-pad
I wired one pin of each switch to an input pin, and the other pin to ground.
The code was originally written 2 years ago for an earlier version of the Arduino IDE. It may need some updating. I'll update it when I receive my tester later this week.
By the way, it was a real pain to open up the old case, not sure about this one. I highly recommend getting a spudger set, usually sold as tools for opening up phones - you can get a cheap set for a couple of dollars. You can use screwdrivers, spatula, butter knives, but you risk scratching the case and / or hurting yourself if you're clumsy like me.
May 23, 2017
baechooboi
83
May 24, 2017
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theimmcThank you!
May 24, 2017
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