Home / Split keyboards / Wireless solar board
Wireless solar board
| Keyboard | Wireless solar board |
|---|---|
| Developer | u/SouthPawEngineer |
| Separate | no |
| Stagger | columnar |
| Wireless | yes |
| Keys | 60 |
| Availability | prototype |
| Published | 2021-08-31 |
| Features | A wireless keyboard that never has to be plugged in. Committed by u/SouthPawEngineer. |
| More info | https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/pffyyr/a_wireless_keyboard_that_never_has_to_be_plugged/ |
| Resources | - |
Tags: monoblock PCB prototype columnar wireless number row thumb cluster 3-key thumb cluster low profile 5-way switch solar
Description
We've seen various solar keyboards before (ErgoBlue) even from u/SouthPawEngineer himself (Solortho, Solergo, Go for launch), but those weren't able to keep a keyboard charged and the tiny solar cells were added only to lengthen battery life.But now...
I was able to build my latest semi-practical gizmo, a wireless keyboard that never needs to be plugged in. It's not Bluetooth - I wouldn't be able to get the power consumption low enough (I tried). By combining the ultra-low power abilities of a lower-level 2.4ghz wireless protocol and photovoltaic energy harvesting capabilities, this particular keyboard shouldn't ever need to be plugged in. Even in a cave the 500mAh battery should last 10-12 months – u/SouthPawEngineer.
It does require a USB receiver but it is QMK programmable.
The board features hot-swap Kailh sockets with Kailh Choc Brown switches and MBK keycaps. The 5 way switch in the center can be used with your thumb and it allows you to press it up, down, left, right, or in - and you can assign different functions to each direction as you normally would within QMK.
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