Equals kit Build Guide

Equals kit Build Guide

Written By: Boardsource

Category: build guides - medium

Tags: 40%, ergo, kit

This guide is for EQUALS PCBs

Parts

Required

ItemCount
SMD Diodes60
PCB1
Promicro style or similar microcontroller1
Reset Switch1
SOCKETSTYLE Hotswap Sockets60
SWITCHSTYLE Switches60
KEYCAPSTYLE Keycaps60

Optional

ItemCount
SK6812 Mini-E LED60
WS2812B LED10

Soldering

Diodes

Orientation: Place the diode on the pcb with the black bar facing the thick white line on the pcb.

  1. Solder one pad. one pad - diode
  2. While holding diode with tweezers, reflow solder and place diode down on pad. diode placed
  3. Solder other pad. diode complete
  • Note, when working with MELF package diodes, you may need to reflow and add more solder a couple times before an adequate connection is made.

LEDs

Orientation: Notched corner/pin facing the pad marked with rectangle. This applies for both SK6812 Mini-E & WS2812B LEDs. sk6812 mini e
orientation ws2812b orientation

  • Notes: \ - This component is heat sensitive. Be cautious and work at a safe temp (~300c). \ - It is wise to test the LEDs as you solder then. Consider soldering your controllers beforehand. \ - The LED order is somewhat outlined LED order and should be followed in order when building.
  1. Solder one pad. (it may be easier to solder all 4 pads before placing LED down when installing WS2812B LEDs) sk6812 mini e one
pad ws2812b 4
pads
  2. While holding LED with tweezers, reflow solder and place LED down on pad. sk6812 mini e placed ws2812b
placed
  3. Solder remaining pads. sk6812 mini e
complete

Hotswap sockets

  1. Solder one pad. Hot swap socket foot print
soldered
  2. While holding hotswap socket (fingers are fine), reflow solder and place socket down on pad. Hot swap socket one pin
soldered
  3. Solder other pad. Hot swap socket
finished
  • Note, don't hesitate to use a little extra solder, as that will help secure the socket and prevent it from being ripped off.
  • Oreantation of middle cluster of hot swaps hot swap
oreantation

Microcontrollers

Orientation: Place controller with the companants faceing down.

  • Note, it is recommended to flash each microcontroller prior to soldering. See firmware section for more.
  1. Insert headers from front, solder in from the back. headers
inserted
  2. Place microcontroller face down. microcontroller
placed
  3. Apply solder to all pins.
  4. Use flush cutters or similar to trim excess from pins on each side. microcontroller finished

Misc

Reset switches

  1. Solder one pad. reset switch placed
  2. While holding switch with tweezers, reflow solder and place switch down on pad.
  3. Solder remaining pads. reset switch
placed

Firmware

QMK

In qmk this keyboard can be found under boardsource/equals/48/avr or boardsource/equals/60/avr. To begin, follow the QMK setup guide. (if working from an existing installation, an update may be needed.) \ For flashing instructions, see doc or video

KMK / PEG

In Peg or KMK this keyboard can be found under boardsource/equals48-kit or boardsource/equals60-kit

Peg can be downloaded here, and the quick start can be seen here.

For Kmk can be downloaded here and the quick start can be seen here

Here are some links to other articles that may help you get the most out of your new keyboard:

Extra

For questions, ask in Boardsource Discord server