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tinyprawn
7
Aug 26, 2016
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My Google-Fu has failed me. If I ordered the Matias QuietClick switches, is there a standard/expected way to mount backlight LEDs? I saw somewhere that Matias switches have room for the LED under the switch, but not always. Another post said the LEDs need to be bent around the switch... Not sure what to make of this.
Aug 26, 2016
shadowdude777
101
Aug 27, 2016
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tinyprawnThat was me who said that, probably. The easiest way to LED-backlight a Matias switch (and what I did on my Matias Planck) is to solder the LED to the underside of the board, actually, and then bend the legs on the LED so that they do a 180, basically, and the head of the LED is facing back towards the PCB. There's a hole in the very center of the switch's mount on the PCB, and you can shove the head of the LED right into there, and it'll illuminate the switch through the bottom. I didn't take pictures sadly, and I've since sold that Planck (can't get used to ortholinear) but I promise it works!
Aug 27, 2016
tinyprawn
7
Aug 27, 2016
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shadowdude777So the hole in the middle of the switch mount is put there for the protrusion on the bottom of the Cherry switches. But that hole is big enough for the 1.8mm LED and since Matias switch enclosures are translucent, the light will shine through it. That sounds perfect!
Aug 27, 2016
shadowdude777
101
Aug 27, 2016
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tinyprawnYeah, that's exactly right. I found a picture of the backlighting showing, but unfortunately I didn't find a picture of how I had it assembled, so you'll have to take my word that those are Matias switches under those DSA caps and that I used this method to get backlighting. :)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/in3ny6p2b8trbj4/2015-12-23%2001.50.16.jpg?dl=0
Aug 27, 2016
nnc-tlb
86
Aug 28, 2016
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shadowdude777so it is all about the clearance between the pcb and the case ? how much is this clearance ? I maybe join the drop with matias but I want 3-5 toggle keys with LEDs for the status. is this possible ?
Aug 28, 2016
shadowdude777
101
Aug 28, 2016
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nnc-tlbI think there's enough clearance between the PCB and case. @evangs might know for sure, but it looks like there is to me. You should be able to wire those LEDs in, yes, and then you'd just have to get them working as status LEDs. Refer to the QMK docs: http://qmk.fm/
Aug 28, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 28, 2016
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nnc-tlbthere is 4 mm of clearance below the pcb. unfortunately there is only one led control channel so showing multiple statuses in not supported in the current pcb revision.
Aug 28, 2016
nnc-tlb
86
Aug 28, 2016
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evangsthanks for this info. led control channel: so I have to wait for R3 or later for multiple statuses or will this never happen ?
Aug 28, 2016
Sakis
114
Aug 28, 2016
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nnc-tlbEven if it is not supported by PCB, audience of this keyboard includes people who like modding things. Maybe same question, after it's shipped, yields a different answer. Looking at source code reveals there are many unused pins on MCU (https://github.com/jackhumbert/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/tv44/config.h).
PS: 4mm clearance is enough for routing some extra cables - and for carefully picked resistors.
Aug 28, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 28, 2016
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nnc-tlbTo be honest I never really gave much thought to indicator LEDs, it is definitely doable, how many would you like to see and on which switch positions? Or perhaps just additional LEDs that aren't mounted in the switches but rather in the case?
Aug 28, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 28, 2016
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SakisSoldering to those tiny pins won't be easy but it is possible
Aug 28, 2016
nnc-tlb
86
Aug 28, 2016
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evangsabout 5-6 max for me, but just all non alphas so people can choose toggle keys from outer left or outer right or bottom row (so about 15 possible positions)
Aug 28, 2016
Sakis
114
Aug 28, 2016
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evangsThank you for jumping in. Somehow eliminates the need for me adding this on my previous comment: "As long as MCU is not on QFN package, it is easy."
You're now implying its TQFP, right?
Pins are "tiny" but it is possible (flux bathing in advance works wonders). E2 pin (have not gone properly through firmware, but it looks unused on MiniVan) is a usual suspect, when adding things on 32u4 boards, because is considered more accessible due to being exposed on the corner (see: github.com/jackhumbert/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/satan/controller.jpg ). Adjacent C6, C7 look unused as well. B2 and B1 far away onto other corner (B3 is used, B7 is probably used as backlight).
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Disclaimer: I got no MiniVan PCB on hand. I am only guessing. Photo above is NOT from MiniVan.
EDIT:
Did found some pictures Evan made public some time ago for R1 ( https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=80988.msg2176821#msg2176821 ).
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Package looks like it is QFN and can't tell orientation (by crystal location, I would guess E2 is horizontal pin on upper right corner). It's hard to solder in there. All solutions, I can think of, require either some serious skill, or equipment, or both.
Aug 28, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 28, 2016
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nnc-tlbRight on thanks for the feedback
Aug 28, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 28, 2016
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SakisYeah :/
Aug 28, 2016
Nickk
190
Aug 29, 2016
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evangsPotentially a good idea to break out unused pins on future revisions?
Aug 29, 2016
evangs
1492
Aug 29, 2016
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NickkDefinitely!
Aug 29, 2016
autaut
8
Sep 2, 2016
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evangsI want indicator LEDs! great idea. well, if maybe the spacebar was hooked up different, similar to how pok3r does the indicator for function layers
Sep 2, 2016
evangs
1492
Sep 2, 2016
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autautGood feedback, I'll look into it for the next revision
Sep 2, 2016
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