peter6960

hey guys

Got my old 1994 Acer notebook scrapparts working nice in the glovebox (or under seat if i fancy)

I currently just hook up a normal PS2 keyb when i need to type, but still have the original keybaord and it still works!

I have started to put it in the drivers' side visor (1985 Jetta).

Now how do i extend the ribbon cable (23 wires, 8 wires on strip from bottom membrane and 15 on the top membrane)

I thought of soldering it, dont think it'll work

I'm in South Africa if anybody knows of a company who can make extensions?

I'm sure there's a simple solution, i'm just not thinking of.

Regards Peeps, and keep them mods coming!

I love this forum - my new home!

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Enforcer

what sort of connectors are they using on the end of ribbons.

post pictures if possible.

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peter6960

Pic attached

Attached Images

 

peter6960

Bump

Enforcer

nasty.


do a search for post about liliput connectors and cables. They have similar leads and there have been links posted to sites that sell connectors thhat fir onto them

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tracker92

tagging to see wahts up with this

also ive got a mouse from a lappy any chance on making that work

chad

gizmomkr

The mouse shouldnt be a problem, most are PS/2 compliant. Someone had a link to touchpads in bulk, and he had a pin out - might be worth checking out.

finding some pre-made connectors would be less work, but Idono who is going to sell them. Digikey maybe. you could solder wire right onto the ribbon (if your steady) or get a connector, and work with that. its hard cuz this stuff is so small. machienes do it on the real stuff.

to get a bit more space to work with on the ribbon - you could get a heat gun and hit the ribbon cable with it - the plastic will melt pretty easily, leaving behind only the copper traces. then you can pull apart, and solder on wire easier.

Finally, you gota get the keyboard matrix hooked to a controller - here is a doc on a keyboard matrix controller - you could also try taking appart a regular pc keyboard, but its not likely all the keys would line up right. check out - http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/p...ts/doc2532.pdf

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peter6960

Thanks peeps.

For the record. I'm using that laptop. As such i don't need a matrix decoder. I just want to extend the cable male to female to hook up to the lappies FFC connectors.

Actually, soldering was my only idea, but the actual contact surfaces look black, matte - kinda like a carbon or sumthing - solder don't stick to it.

I found that Liiliput post, but the companies mentioned, - taboo for me in South Africa... DIY is my only W A Y

I thought of making a PCB with small tracks, kinda like the 3310 LCD's bendy copper pins press against the islands on the phone's board, but i can't make PCB's.

If you wanna know what i ave at my disposal:

www.fort777.co.za www.electronics123.co.za www.communica.co.za

That's the only 3 stores who deliver in my town here in SA

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Enforcer

might be better tracing where they go to on the keyboard, desoldering from there, make extension plugs, then use those connectors to go into the laptop.

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peter6960

good idea, but they connect nowhere on the keybaord. They are integrated tracks coming off the membrane of the buttons

peter6960

bump....

Zensay

You can cut the ribbon befor the connector, and use som smalll wire and use Loctite Contact+ glue, ore Loctite Circuit+ and some hot glue, to connect the 2/4 pices together

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DustinR

I think you just may be over complicating the issue. Look into something like this.

http://www.dustins.org/articleQuery.asp?id=87

Its just a small USB KB i found laying around. The name is down near the bottom of the article google it and they will come.

-Dustin

SnyperBob

I agree with Dustin, it'll be a lot easier to go with a mini usb keyboard, rather than hacking and busting your tail trying to get a ribbon lappy keyboard to work. In terms of cost - It will probably cost about the same price to get either working.

I have a mini EL usb kayboard. The electro luminescent is blue, and helps at night in the car. The EL can be toggled on and off. I think I may try to mount it in the sun visor.

Thanks for the link Dustin

thedude_five

flat flax cables are readily available from different online stores -
Be sure to know a.) how many connection points; b.) the distance btwn connection points; and c.) if you want the connection points to be on the same side of the ribbon or on opposite (flip side) end.
Also, you can find connectors (kind of like butt connectors) for these type of ribbons. I've used dozens of these to work w/ LCD's and their controller boards...

try these guys in their "flat flex cable" section:

http://www.molex.com/

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