Modifying Genovation 628 Keypad

[gunner1905]

I'm thinking of replacing the black switches on my Genovation 682

Side

Back

with the new green ones buying from the group buy http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ ... t2760.html. But listed there are 2 kinds of green switches MX1A-F1NN and MX1A-F1NW, looking http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX NN means no diode, plate mount (no fixing pins) and NW means no diode, PCB mount (with fixing pins).

I'm not sure which one I should buy. Also listed there are plate mount and pcb mount, what are those and do I need it?

Any tips for general modding are also appreciated

[Broadmonkey]

There is a metal plate on your keypad that is used to stabilize the switches. This means two things when you would like to go from black to green. First you can't change the switches unless you desolder them first, secondly it naturally means that you would have to use plate mount cherry MX switches (NN), which you can also see on the PCB since there isn't room for the extra two fixing pins found on PCB mount switches (NW).

Before you can change the MX blacks, you would also have to remove the daughter board first (the one with the controller on), which you can do by desoldering the top row of pins that goes down to the main board. This can be a bit tricky depending how the pins is connected to the main board. If you are lucky they are connected to a port and then you can just lift the whole thing off without desoldering them. Remember to remove the nut from the screw first.

Video of how to change platemount Cherry MX switches:

TL;DR
Buy MX1A-F1NN and watch video

[gunner1905]

Thank you so much Broadmonkey, your post answered all of my questions. Also I just looked at the daughter board and is seems I'm lucky cause I can take that out without having to desolder it.

[Broadmonkey]

Great, that makes it a lot easier!