Try ADB/USB Converter (Germany)

Shorle · 13 Apr 2021, 13:31

I have a bit of an odd request since I already acquired an AEK II Keyboard. My bad for not seeing there was no mention of a cable being part of the deal, so I am missing that. Also though, on one of the ports the plastik surrounding the metal pins is broken off and gone. The seller pleas the keyboard works fine but I can't test it - before I invest more money on a converter and cable I would like to test the board if there is anyone with a converter in northern Germany.

Since most people to be considered close enough probably speak German anyway, feel free to hit me up with a German or English PM.

Muirium · 13 Apr 2021, 13:33

The two ADB ports are their own separate modules. One can be broken and the keyboard can still work fine. They both run wires inside down to the main PCB.

Shorle · 13 Apr 2021, 13:39

I'd still need a cable+converter to test the other sides port though.
Also I'd rather have the cable come out the left side than the right (where the mouse is) and afair the ADB-daughterboards can not just be flipped tue to formfactor issues, right?

Muirium · 13 Apr 2021, 13:41

True. Breaking one of those ports isn't as catastrophic as on a keyboard with just one port; but it's still not ideal!

Can't remember if the daughterboards are identical or mirror imaged. It's been a while. They are at least very similar.

ZeFritz · 16 May 2021, 00:34

The cable shouldn’t be a big issue - any S-Video-cable will do, and can be obtained cheap or perhaps even for free, since nobody uses them anymore. But this doesn’t help, since you still need a converter.
If you can solder a little bit, it’s no problem to build a converter on your own with a Teensy microcontroller, and program it yourself, before spending a fortune on an old one or invest a little less money in a ready-made modern one. I’ve built a converter this way myself, starting point was: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0.

ZeFritz · 16 May 2021, 00:47

Muirium wrote: ↑
13 Apr 2021, 13:41
Can't remember if the daughterboards are identical or mirror imaged. It's been a while. They are at least very similar.

I’ve checked with the pictures of the cleaning of my AEK II. The daughterboards aren’t identical.

Bjerrk · 16 May 2021, 00:50

Yeah, I'd go the route that ZeFritz (appropriately german!) suggests. I have a similar keyboard that also came without the cable (in fact, I use it at work as a daily driver). I just wired up a Pro Micro as a QMK-driven ADB-USB converter, and now the board simply functions like any other USB keyboard. If it turns out that you hate it for some reason, the Pro Micro can even be repurposed.

raoulduke-esq · 16 May 2021, 00:59

I use Pro Micro with a proper ADB cable but can confirm S-Video cables work too. Pro Micro is $5 where I am and Teensy is $20. Drakware sells a $25 converter with a GUI tool if you’re not into soldering or possibly editing code.

Shorle · 17 May 2021, 00:13

Thanks for the input. I guess I`ll check the board with a converter Ascaii offered to send and an S-Video Cable I'll get somewhere and if the board works and I like it I use a micro or teensy to make a USB Port on the left port side. I figure when I go through the trouble to programm a micro controller and do some light soldering anyway this shouldn't be any harder than creating my own converter.

raoulduke-esq · 17 May 2021, 01:19

Good luck! It can be pretty simple, especially if you make your layout online using the QMK configurator. Solder 4 wires on the controller and short two pins for a second when you’re flashing the firmware from QMK.