Decentrale Keyboard Functions Independent of Printed Circuit Board
Building your own split keyboard can be a rewarding DIY project, just like [daniely101] did! With a wallet-friendly investment of around $25, he crafted a wireless board that didn't need a custom PCB, and each half boasted its own microcontroller for seamless communication via Bluetooth.
The 3D printed case safely houses the keys, and the actual assembly involves a meticulous process of soldering each key to the microcontrollers on both sides. While a custom PCB is optional, it's practical to have a wiring setup that accommodates potential design changes without any fuss.
Among the interesting features is the independent battery and power circuitry in each half, ensuring there's no dependence on a shared power source. However, this means you'll have to individually charge and power up each side. Some may find this slight inconvenience manageable, but a hybrid solution is also available.
By incorporating a single flexible power wire between the halves, you can charge both batteries simultaneously and potentially power both sides at once. This clever modification balances wireless convenience with centralized power management, but it requires a bit of DIY finesse.
Don't forget that the modular nature of your DIY keyboard also enables the addition of a pointing device like a trackball, touchpad, or joystick. You can easily incorporate this extra functionality into either half, making interactions even smoother!
The wireless design, independent power circuitry, and customizability make this a truly unique keyboard experience. Embrace your creativity and develop a setup that caters to your preferences, whether it's about wireless freedom, power management, or adding a pointing device!
Modern wireless keyboard controllers, such as those based on nRF52840, come equipped with power-saving features like LED power switches, ensuring efficient battery life.
A single flexible power wire can be used to share charging and power between the halves, allowing for simultaneous charging and unified power management. This hybrid approach provides a balance between wireless convenience and centralized power management, but may require custom wiring harness or PCB modifications.
Controllers like the nRF52840-based nice!nano also incorporate integrated battery charging functionality, helping to minimize the overall design complexity.
Adding a pointing device is possible by wiring it into the microcontroller inputs on either half, and handling its data in firmware. Since both halves communicate wirelessly and run parts of the keyboard firmware, supporting additional HID devices becomes feasible.
No extensive modifications to a commercial keyboard are needed—building the keyboard with a pointing device from the get-go or designing a custom 3D printed case to include it is relatively straightforward.
- To maintain a hassle-free charging process and centralized power management in your DIY keyboard project, consider adding a flexible power wire that supports simultaneous charging and power to both halves, much like a hybrid approach.
- Employing modern wireless keyboard controllers like those based on nRF52840 can enhance the customizability of your DIY project even further, as they offer power-saving features and integrated battery charging functionality, thus streamlining the overall design.
