Hi, I have a 60% keyboard with a pretty standard design (ISO, 7u spacebar). I want to update the keyboard and be able to program it using qmk. Also still fit it into the GH60 type case.
Is that possible? Do you have tips on how to design something like this? Thank you in advance.
Edit: I thought of ditching the pcb and maybe 3d-print and handwire an insert for the existing case. Maybe someone tried something like this already, that's why I am asking here.
You could route wires to a different microcontroller, it is pretty tedious though.
I thought of ditching the pcb and maybe 3d-print and handwire an inset for the existing case. Maybe someone tried something like this already, that's why I am asking here.
you could but for such a common layout, you'd be better off just buying a pcb. lining up the usb port would be a nightmare unless you use something like a stampy pcb.
That is what I did with my royal kludge. I removed the PCB, reuse the plate and the case, and handwire using QMK supported MCU.
You are pretty correct. You can’t reflash the GK60 with QMK but you could replace it with an alternative PCB (I haven’t searched but I would be very surprised if there aren’t others in the same form factor). If you desolder the PCB you should be able to use the same plate that comes with the keyboard without too much of an issue.
I have done this PCB removal and hand wire process several times with faulty keyboards. I've used RP2040 with QMK for those repairs with good success.
Do you have pictures or such of these boards? I am curious of course
Sure, here are 4 different ones combining different technologies:
Focus FK-2001 - RP2040 Controller, Handwired, NKRO
Dell AT101W - Silitek Controller, Handwired, 6KRO
PCjr Bucling Springs - RP2040 Controller, custom membrane, 2KRO
Panasonic KX-W1550 Pro - RP2040, Membrane, 2KRO
The AT101W was a proof of concept for using the controller from a membrane keyboard, It can be swapped to an RP2040 and achieve NKRO.
There are several GH60 compatible PCBs to find on GitHub. Google it.
If all you're after is getting QMK onto the board, it would be much easier to just replace the PCB, especially if the case in question is a tray mount.
Tray mount cases normally don't leave enough room beneath the switches to put a standard controller.
I've had much better results using top mount cases because there is more room beneath the switches.
Even with that extra room I've had to get really creative with my controller setups.
One of my boards has the cable run from the inside of the case out, because I couldn't get the controller close enough to the hole, to get the cable to attach from the outside, and the cable tip was too large to pass through the hole in the case.
Another of my cases has a 90 degree adapter pushed into place, with a magnetic tip on it, for my magnetic cables to attach.
That case wouldn't allow me to attach the magnetic tip directly to the controller inside, and the adapter had a longer reach.