Cherry MX keyboard for H19

[Terry Smedley]

Just about completed work on a backlit Cherry MX keyboard for the H19 terminal.  The prototype is functional but still under test. 

If there is interest, I'll post the KiCAD 7 project files. 

(Bottom row in photos is missing a couple of custom keycaps for FN keys on either side of the spacebar.  Those FN keys are inputs to an ATTiny85 to control the PWM backlighting.)

tas

[W2HX]

Very cool

 

 

73 Eugene W2HX
My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos

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[Dave McGuire]

On 4/29/24 19:03, Terry Smedley wrote:
> Just about completed work on a backlit Cherry MX keyboard for the H19
> terminal.  The prototype is functional but still under test.
>
> If there is interest, I'll post the KiCAD 7 project files.
>
> (Bottom row in photos is missing a couple of custom keycaps for FN keys
> on either side of the spacebar.  Those FN keys are inputs to an ATTiny85
> to control the PWM backlighting.)

This is fantastic!

-Dave

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[Mike Ladwig]

My H19 keyboard is working reasonably well right now, but just in case would really appreciate the KiCAD project files.

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

All,

 

Sorry I have been out for a while, as I got sick with some pulmonary virus and it took time to recover. As I’m feeling much better today, I unpacked the new H19 keyboard that Terry send me. I will captured pictures as I install such new H89/H19 keyboard.

 

So far “dog” approved!

 

 

Thanks,

Norby

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Terry Smedley
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2024 4:03 PM
To: SEBHC <se...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

Just about completed work on a backlit Cherry MX keyboard for the H19 terminal.  The prototype is functional but still under test. 

[Glenn Roberts]

So glad you’re feeling better!  Awesome keyboard!

Sent from my iPad

On May 11, 2024, at 5:30 PM, norberto.collado koyado.com <norberto...@koyado.com> wrote:



All,

 

Sorry I have been out for a while, as I got sick with some pulmonary virus and it took time to recover. As I’m feeling much better today, I unpacked the new H19 keyboard that Terry send me. I will captured pictures as I install such new H89/H19 keyboard.

 

So far “dog” approved!

 

<image001.png>

 

Thanks,

Norby

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Terry Smedley
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2024 4:03 PM
To: SEBHC <se...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

Just about completed work on a backlit Cherry MX keyboard for the H19 terminal.  The prototype is functional but still under test. 

 

If there is interest, I'll post the KiCAD 7 project files. 

 

(Bottom row in photos is missing a couple of custom keycaps for FN keys on either side of the spacebar.  Those FN keys are inputs to an ATTiny85 to control the PWM backlighting.)

 

tas

 

<image002.jpg>

<image003.jpg>

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Thanks!  😊

 

Based on H19 schematics, I should pick up +5v/GND from JP60 to enable the keyboard micro.

 

 

Norby

[Terry Smedley]

Norberto:

You are recovering just in time to "enjoy" the early season heat wave.

I found a few header pins on the TLB that could source +5V, but something closer to the rectifier/regulators would be better.   If the backlighting is set to full "ON", the current draw is over 300ma.  Probably not a load you want to share with a logic supply.  The ATTiny code initializes to a 50% duty cycle.  

Hope this works out OK for you.  I've been using the USB version of the keyboard (with the Sprintek keyboard matrix controller) and it seems to work well.

tas

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Header JP60 is missing, so +5V is on pin1 and pins 4,5 are ground. It is a 8 pin header. On the new TLB boards JP60 is now JP1.

 

The rectifier provides +8V. Should I update the +5V regulator to Pololu 5V 2A to support keyboard backlighting?

 

Norberto

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Terry Smedley

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

I installed the new keyboard along with the GND straps and everything looks nicely.

 

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[Terry Smedley]

Norberto:

On a later revision of the keyboard (which I am happy to send you), I put a regulator on-board with the expectation that you'd probably source it from +8V.  I think that's probably the best way to power it.

tas

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Yes, that will be a better solution. Let me get this board working first. I just took out the TLB and a lot of screws to remove due to the shielding.

 

On the +5V regulator I will change the caps both to 33uf and will keep same regulator to test it out this way. Also will add JP1 header (JP60) to plug in the keyboard cables. If all these changes works fine, then I’m all set.

 

Norberto

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[Terry Smedley]

Norberto:

Also note that I used a polarized header for the 34-pin interconnect cable.  Heath did not use polarized connectors, so as I believe you encountered, it's possible that the pin 1 cable orientation may not have been done according to the Heath instructions.  The polarized connector on the keyboard I sent you requires that the cable be plugged into the TLB as described in the Heath manual.

tas

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Yes, I noticed that and cable was installed per Heath manual.

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[Steven Feinsmith]

RE: Cherry MX keyboard for H19

The integration of Cherry MX-based switches for the keyboard is an excellent project that would benefit users of the Heathkit H19 terminal, as well as the H88, H89, and Z90. As the original switches are no longer available for replacement, this initiative would provide a viable solution to the issue of switch longevity. While my H19, H88, and H89 keyboards are presently in good condition, the wear and tear of switches will inevitably render them unusable in the future. Therefore, procuring Todd Goodman to order a keyboard PCB once the project is completed would be a prudent decision to ensure a seamless transition to the upgraded switches.

Thank you,

Steven

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[Darrell Pelan]

I'm glad you're doing better. The keyboard looks awesome. 

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Hello Terry,

 

I replaced 7805 caps with 47uf small size and on power-on the keyboard worked fine. When I turned on the LED’s, the characters on the H19 display starts to vibrate and it is annoying. The voltage is at 4.91 Volts on the 7805 pins with all LEDs on. Yes, you are correct that I need to use the rectifier voltage to create an alternate voltage source. The TLB gets upset when turning on the keyboard LED’s. I really enjoyed the capability to control the H19 LED intensity and to turn them off. Thank you for adding that capability.

 

Everything else is working great and will build a simple adapter to provide +5V from the main power supply.

 

 

 

Norberto

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of norberto.collado koyado.com
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 4:35 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

This is a great addition to the H19. I have some keys on the original board that glitches and causes dual characters on the display.  I cleaned them, but did not help that much.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sebhc/CAGJMgmX5YhvDrnWMGAyKc6Tn_HpamVzLjDVJceP38Fj-zaOdhw%40mail.gmail.com.

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

I used the spare caps holes and added the pcb Pololu board and that fixed the issue.

😊

 

 

 

 

Thanks,

[Joseph Travis]

I think the new keyboard looks fantastic!  I'm curious about the feel since I do most of my editing on my H89 rather than on a PC and transferring the files.  What  about the cost?

Joe

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[Terry Smedley]

Joe:

The feel of the keyboard is mostly dependent upon the switches you choose.  I've built four versions of this prototype, using three different keyswitches.  For "clickety clackety", I used Gateron KS-8 "blue" switches (those are on the board that Norberto is testing).  The numeric keypad on Norberto's board has cushioning O-rings installed for comparison between "full click" and "not so much click" ways of installing keyswitches.  As quieter alternatives, I used Gateron Silent "brown" and Durock Silent T1 switches.  The Durock Silent T1 feels the best to me, but keyboard feel is a very personal thing.....

The biggest single cost of the keyboard is the custom keycaps.  If you don't need backlighting, you reduce the cost by at least $50.  If you are OK with alternatives to Cherry MX, you can save some money there.  Here are costs for components I used in the prototype builds:

Keyswitches (86 required):

Gateron KS-8 "blue", about $35 for 3x35 packs at Amazon

Gateron Silent "brown", about $54 for pack of 105 direct from Gateron

Durock Silent T1, about $62 for a pack of 90 at Amazon

Keycaps:

Custom backlit keycap set, ~$100-$110 from Maxkeyboard.com (same company that sourced the H8 keycaps for Norberto's front panel PCB)

Custom printed keycap set, ~$60-$70 from Maxkeyboard.com

Keycap stabilizer set (required to stabilize wide keys, like the spacebar and return key), I used Durock v2, $19 from Amazon

So for a non-backlit keyboard, the cost should be about $200 all-in.  A backlit keyboard will be on the order of $250.   If someone wants to pursue a group purchase of custom keycaps from Maxkeyboard, you could probably shave $30 off the backlit keycaps - that was the upcharge to me for processing a custom design file.  

For comparison with the previous photographs of the backlit keycaps, here is a photograph of the keyboard with custom printed keycaps:

tas

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Joe,

 

On the H89 system, where I can pick up +8V easily as the cap is populated?

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Assumed that a 7805 regulator is already installed onto the new keyboard.

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[Joseph Travis]

On the input to the 78H05 (T03 case) regulator mounted on the power supply heatsink.

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[Joseph Travis]

In the H89 power supply there's two 7805s with T03 cases. I would use the one that goes to the floppy drive.

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Ok!

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Joseph Travis <jtravi...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2024 1:41:01 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com>

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sebhc/CAGQDgBASHDZgKp8BUK94MeCO1kkMaCr%3DdEnv2bHqMKoPHOfqRA%40mail.gmail.com.

[norberto.collado koyado.com]

I need to adjust the focus on my H19 terminal as I got new glasses. Where I can find R136? A picture with location will be best.

 

 

Thanks,

Norberto

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Joseph Travis
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2024 1:41 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

In the H89 power supply there's two 7805s with T03 cases. I would use the one that goes to the floppy drive.

 

 

On Sun, May 12, 2024, 4:35 PM Joseph Travis <jtravi...@gmail.com> wrote:

On the input to the 78H05 (T03 case) regulator mounted on the power supply heatsink.

 

On Sun, May 12, 2024, 4:14 PM norberto.collado koyado.com <norberto...@koyado.com> wrote:

Joe,

 

On the H89 system, where I can pick up +8V easily as the cap is populated?

 

Thanks,

Norberto

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of norberto.collado koyado.com
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2024 12:54 AM
To: se...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

I used the spare caps holes and added the pcb Pololu board and that fixed the issue.

😊

 

 

 

 

Thanks,

Norberto

 

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of norberto.collado koyado.com
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 11:09 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

Hello Terry,

 

I replaced 7805 caps with 47uf small size and on power-on the keyboard worked fine. When I turned on the LED’s, the characters on the H19 display starts to vibrate and it is annoying. The voltage is at 4.91 Volts on the 7805 pins with all LEDs on. Yes, you are correct that I need to use the rectifier voltage to create an alternate voltage source. The TLB gets upset when turning on the keyboard LED’s. I really enjoyed the capability to control the H19 LED intensity and to turn them off. Thank you for adding that capability.

 

Everything else is working great and will build a simple adapter to provide +5V from the main power supply.

 

 

 

Norberto

From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Terry Smedley

Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 3:44 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [sebhc] Cherry MX keyboard for H19

 

Norberto:

 

You are recovering just in time to "enjoy" the early season heat wave.

 

I found a few header pins on the TLB that could source +5V, but something closer to the rectifier/regulators would be better.   If the backlighting is set to full "ON", the current draw is over 300ma.  Probably not a load you want to share with a logic supply.  The ATTiny code initializes to a 50% duty cycle.  

 

Hope this works out OK for you.  I've been using the USB version of the keyboard (with the Sprintek keyboard matrix controller) and it seems to work well.

 

tas

 

On Sat, May 11, 2024 at 3:06 PM norberto.collado koyado.com <norberto...@koyado.com> wrote:

Thanks!  😊

 

Based on H19 schematics, I should pick up +5v/GND from JP60 to enable the keyboard micro.

 

 

Norby

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[Joseph Travis]

Focus is the closest pot.

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[norberto.collado koyado.com]

Thanks Joe!

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Joseph Travis <jtravi...@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2024 5:59:20 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com>

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