Can you send me a PM @Dave
Since a few people are new to KeebTalk. Anyone can be PM/DMed by clicking on their profile icon and then the message button. PM notifications show up in the top right as green numbers next to your icon. (Blue notifications are likes, post replies or mentions)
Hi,
I have a few questions regarding the plate for the replacement PCB. I hope you can help me answer them.
Where did you get your FR4 custom plate from and which file did you use, and did you have to use the 3D printed adapter parts to support to plate?
If ever these were to have a hotswap version designed, Leopold would instantly become one of the best entry-level customs on the market.
IMO Leopold is already one of the best stock boards you can buy, so as much as it pains me to say it, I wish theyād make an RGB and hotswap FC980 and FC660 or even a general 75%.
Worth it for the keycaps alone
Can confirm this, last week I bought a different Leopold, not the 980, for just the keycapsā¦
They recently refreshed their lineup which took a few years from first announcing (RGB and Hotswap were not present but hey 5 pin switches and Bluetooth were ;)) . The latest of which was the fc980mbt.
https://min.news/en/digital/68212b73fea7b1f5caf4a0edab251ad6.html
https://global.leopold.co.kr/Shop/Item.php?ItId=1550022162
Judging by the product photos, looks like 5 pins switches, the stock case was changed to accommodate for batteries and USB-C connector.
I am not personally planning on getting one since it is not QMK/VIA/VIAL compatible.
Edit: My implementation of USB-C didnāt include CC1 & CC2 resistors. That means USB-C to C cables donāt work (A to C cables work just fine). C to C cables are not something I commonly use so I had no idea until the people of Reddit commented. I will make another version soon to include those and ESD protection
omg i didnt need another 980 to chase T_T the lotus caps look nice
I just stumbled upon this post after having a Heavy 9 laying around unbuilt for months, and Iām not sure Iām capable of figuring this out myself.
Would anyone be able to offer services to get a pcb and plate made and/or help walk me through the process. Any help would honestly be greatly appreciated!
This post became a bit long, this is a rough guide. Leopold FC980m Replacement PCB (works w/VIA) - #26 by Dave
I did recently clean up my GitHub repo which has all the files necessary for production.
Note due to chip shortages the MCU will be out of stock and you would need to source them from somewhere else and solder them yourself.
Has anyone tried holtite socket modding the FC980M?
Yes they work fine. Going more in the direction of the mill max 3305 line for future stuff
Just wanna share with new member (like me), message button is only available on desktop browser (not desktop-mode on mobile browser), use a Mac/Win to PM Dave .
Edit 1: it works on ipad.
Edit 2: is ATMEGA32U4-MUR the working alternative to ATMEGA32U4-AU?
Edit 3: Iām looking for comrade in SEA (south-east asia) interested in groupbuy as 5 pcb is a bit too much and I donāt intend to commercialise them without proper ālicenseā .
Iām looking for a plate that works with Daveās nt-980 PCB. Anyone thatās willing to part with theirs please PM me.
I ordered mine from p3dstore
OSHCut has a bunch of metals in various thicknesses. I got a ~1.6mm 6061 T6 Alu plate, rolled, deburred, and with a brushed finish for $62 because I used a youtuberās coupon(JERRYRIG1). Not sure if metal is up your alley here, but itās an option for the U.S at the very least.
Tysm, Iāll check it out ^^
USB-C Daughterboard
Design Files: GitHub
It took 4 rounds of prototypes but finally have the USB-C daughterboard just right, with ESD protection and USB-C to C cable compatible.
Details the different versions
- Revision 1: Something funky happened the factory with the solder mask on the back side pealing off
- Revision 1 (round 2): Same as version 1 but with out the solder mask problems
- Revision 1.1: After learning revision1 didnāt work with USB C-C cables added ESD protection and CC1, CC2 resistorsā¦ Didnāt initially work because those CC1 & CC2 resistors need to be grounded for everything to work (reason for yellow jumper wire)
- Revision 1.2: Final Final version that has ESD protection and works with USB C-C cables.
If anything, I am persistent
If I have sold you a 980 PCB AND you want the updated daughterboard to support USB C to C cables send me a DM and I can assemble some extras I purchased already for parts plus shipping
The Unified Daughterboard was a fantastic resource: GitHub
Note: The OG designer, Evyd13, is also working on a USB-C daughterboard. That will have a slightly different footprint and retain the original Leopold connector as well as the QWIIC connector.
Solder PCB Update
Completed a mini GB a few months ago with the following changes to the full solder version. Updated GitHub with the design files.
Design: GitHub
Changes:
- RBG Under glow connector
- Updated Daughterboard connector to JST SH/QWIIC with the standard pinout
Wrap-up
It has been just over a year since this began. Happy to say I am done (at least the active PCB parts will probably tinker on switches, lubing and keycaps forever)
Special thank you to Evyd13 for open sourcing the original design and answering my many many questions. I have had an opportunity to meet some great people through this project, thank you everyone!
Dave and Evyd13āthank you so much for your combined work and especially Dave for your passion and time in these efforts. I direct everyone I know is looking for Leopold development to this thread. I am not so secretly hoping the Topre versions will get yours and Evyās attention in the future.
I should have probably typed this on my hotswap NT980 but itās connected to my work laptop. Cheers!
Hi Dave,
Iām trying to move the NT-980 into a Leopold housing that doesnāt have the daughterboards (it is a spare Topre 980c housing). Am I correct in surmising I need one of the USB-Mini daughterboards photographed here? I think I have the USB-C conversion for Heavy-9 with universal daughterboard.