What about just using a USB battery? Would be more versatile since you'd also be able to use it for your phone, etc.
ErgoMechKeyboards
Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards
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Keep it ergo
Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)
i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²
¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid
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Some useful links
- EMK wiki
- Split keyboard compare tool
- Compare keycap profiles Looking for another set of keycaps - check this site to compare the different keycap profiles https://www.keycaps.info/
- Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/
You mean like a mini power bank? Makes sense, since they're indeed quite easy to find! Maybe I could use USB C instead of JST connection to power each half.
Building upon this. I’ve had the idea of making a leyboard with Qi charging coil at the bottom to charge it on my desk with no visible wires. They also make battery packs with a charging coil (or MagSafe for apple with the magnetic ring) could be an idea.
why not just use a JST connector instead of soldering it? What board are you running?
I would go the other way and pack a usb-c soldering iron…
Haha legit point! I definitely need one for as long as I still have to travel with my current kb, just in case more things break. I just learned of the Pinecil the other day, and it looks like the perfect candidate for a portable mini soldering iron.
Not sure I 100% understand what you’re looking for, but for a while I used a pair of 16340 batteries with shields /charging modules. One of my installed lipo batteries had failed and at the time I didn’t know what I was doing with soldering. I attached the 16340 shields to the underside of my Corne and used them to tent the halves with ultra short USB-C cables to power my nanos. Sounds a bit hacky, and it wasn’t a pretty or permanent solution, but it actually didn’t look too shabby, and it was functional.
For other batteries ideas, there were some builds that used coin cells as batteries. For example this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/11piaav/lütt_un_lütt_coin_cell_powered_bluetooth_split/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1
While it may not be as common as 18650 or especially a AAA. A 14500 battery is as small as an AAA while retaining the same chemistry/voltages of normal lithiums you see used with a nice nano. Could be your best bet if you want small but easier to source/replace. An 18650 is your best bet on availability though, but they are huge compared to what we normally use.
AAA batteries operate at 1.5v nominal, so a nice nano would not be able to be powered by them/it would overcharge it.
I'm pretty good with batteries, but I don't know if I understand the issue.
Isn't the keyboard already rechargeable? If so then why isn't charging it an option?
What are you using the keyboard with? How does that device get power?
Is recharging or using a power bank absolutely out of the question?
Are you looking for a temporary, semi permanent or permanent solution?
Are you strictly limited to common convenience batteries? How about slightly uncommon batteries like cr123?
Couldn't you use something simple like this? https://www.amazon.com/CACACOL-Charger-12V-1-5A-Parallel-Cigarette/dp/B07HNSDZ6K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=aa+battery+powered+phone+charger&qid=1690650610&sr=8-3
Virtual Insanity Sorry, just updated my post for more clarity. Essentially, I found a temporary workaround (replaced that failed battery), and I'm considering a permanent solution for my next build/upgrade, which is to somehow power the board at 3.7 V with common batteries (AA, AAA or rechargeable AA/AAA-sized LiPos), or a power bank.
Felt like it might be worth sharing this: https://www.reddit.com/r/olkb/comments/1521gim/a_corne_with_aaa_batteries/
One good argument I saw for aa/AAA is that it can be hard to find certain lipo batteries and such in other countries. I think a more important thing is having a keyboard that can also work in wired mode over USB.
Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for!
And yes, my keyboard did work fine on wired mode for a while (using ZMK), but because I had to constantly plug and unplug the USB C cable while transporting the keyboard over several months, the port became loose over time. Having a magnetic USB adapter could solve that problem next time.