33 replies to this topic

[spookt]

Faicuai, on Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:10 PM, said:

I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing!

Right ...

[Bryan]

spookt, on Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:11 AM, said:

Faicuai, on Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:10 PM, said:

I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing!

Right ...

Are the sockets in sockets?

[sloopy]

Bryan, on Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:30 AM, said:

spookt, on Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:11 AM, said:

Faicuai, on Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:10 PM, said:

I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing!

Right ...

Are the sockets in sockets?

no, but the RF Modulator is probly socketed too!

;')

sloopy.

[Mr.Amiga500]

I took pictures of the "Type 1" and "Type 4" switches and I thought it would be a good idea to add them to this thread.

Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 1" keyboard:



As you can see, it is the exact same ALPS switch used in the TRS-80 Model 100 portable:



The switch has a nice, light, linear feel. Even thought this is an early version of the ALPS key-switch, keycaps are interchangeable with later ALPS keyboards, like the Apple Extended:

[Mr.Amiga500]

Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 4" keyboard:



Although I didn't remove the white cap, I suspect that under it is a similar switch to the DEC VT-100 (and Lear Siegler termnials) and one version of the TI-99/4a:



Keys from the "Type 4" are interchangeable with the VT-100 and TI-99/4a (that one version - there's also an ALPS TI-99/4a) - although they have height differences which make it not really work.

Compared to the "Type 1" ALPS keyboard, the "Type 4" has a stiffer feel with more friction.

Edited by Mr.Amiga500, Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:15 AM.

[Defender II]

Mr.Amiga500, on Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:11 AM, said:

Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 4" keyboard:



Although I didn't remove the white cap, I suspect that under it is a similar switch to the DEC VT-100 (and Lear Siegler termnials) and one version of the TI-99/4a:



Keys from the "Type 4" are interchangeable with the VT-100 and TI-99/4a (that one version - there's also an ALPS TI-99/4a) - although they have height differences which make it not really work.

Compared to the "Type 1" ALPS keyboard, the "Type 4" has a stiffer feel with more friction.

There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch.

[Bryan]

Defender II, on Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:29 PM, said:

There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch.

Yep. The 800's HiTek and Stackpole keyboards look like the picture with metal contacts. That 800XL square plunger pushes a spring against a Mylar contact sheet.

[Mr.Amiga500]

Defender II, on Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:29 PM, said:

There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch.

Fascinating. Can you take a picture? I'd do it myself, but don't want to wreck my 800XL keyboard opening the switch. (fine if you wreck yours )

[Bryan]

I can probably do it when I get home since I've got some disassembled keyboards somewhere. I'll describe it, though: That middle circle in the plunger holds the top of a long, stiff, thin spring- sort of like the one in a retractable pen. It exits through a small hole in the bottom of the black plastic assembly and mashes down the contact sheet when the key is pressed. Around that thin spring is a wider and weaker spring that provides the normal key resistance.