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Fabliau
49
Jan 4, 2017
Will these fit the Macigforce 108 Crystal keyboard? Also, just an opinion: should I opt for blue or white LEDs on the keyboard? If I go for blue LEDs, would the blue or pink set of keycaps look best? If I got white LEDs, blue or pink keycaps?
Misfit138
59
Jan 5, 2017
FabliauI've tried normal blue LED's under the blue keycaps, imho they didn't look good at all, and they kind of turn purple under the pink keycaps from the reflection (sorry, I dont have pics and have since changed that setup). White looked ok I guess, nothing fancy, but I opted for some sky blue LED's off AliExpress and used them under the blue keycaps. The sky blue really accents them well and it looks much better and brighter than a standard blue LED. You can judge for yourself in these old pics of it, the color representation is pretty accurate in the photos:
http://imgur.com/a/irmWN
Fabliau
49
Jan 5, 2017
Misfit138That's very pretty. Did you put the LEDs in yourself or did you purchase the keyboard like that and then got the keycaps?
Misfit138
59
Jan 5, 2017
FabliauThank you.
Yes I put them in myself, I bought this keyboard off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LTNDM98/), just intending to use the all aluminum case it has for another build.
But when I opened it up, I found the PCB was already set up for lighting, just needed resistors. So I ordered some Gateron's from Massdrop, put dip sockets in them so I can quick change out the LED lighting to another color whenever I want, added resistors, modded the top plate to use Cherry stabalizers, and those pics are the finished product. It even works off a PS/2 connection if you use one of those little passive purple USB to PS/2 adapters. Overall, one of the best purchases I've made in a keyboard. It's built like a tank too because of the all metal case.
I have two of these builds now also, the other I made red and black, nice little hidden gem on amazon that not many know about :)
Fabliau
49
Jan 6, 2017
Misfit138Huh! I'm interested in learning how to do all this myself actually! where could I start?
A community member
Jan 9, 2017
Misfit138could You please give a link to that AliExpress sky blue LEDs? I'm quite picky about Ali and tend to get goods from tried sellers there.
Misfit138
59
Jan 10, 2017
The company that manufactured, and sold them on AliExpress is no longer selling goods there anymore. They were 2x3x4 LED's which have a wider beam as opposed to the normal light beam on a regular round 3mm LED.
Original Link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-and-High-lightness-100pcs-2x3x4-Rectangular-square-type-sky-blue-color-led-beads-brightness600/2022772817.html
I don't know why they pulled all their products, and the closest thing I can find there now are regular 3mm LED's. Haven't ordered any of the others though, as I bought 200 of the 2x3x4's when they were being sold, for other projects.
Misfit138
59
Jan 10, 2017
FabliauMostly, it's just basic electronics which I have been messing around with for years. Spotting the missing resistors was just common sense when looking at the traces on the PCB leading to the LED solder pads. The DIP sockets in the switches themselves in order to hot swap LED's is a common mod also. Do a Google search for "Cherry MX LED DIP Sockets", and most of the popular threads at Reddit and Geekhack will come up showing how to do it.
A community member
Jan 10, 2017
Misfit138Thanks anyway, I'll dig into this, maybe get some local samples.
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