Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Phaethon prototype
Phaethon is a through-hole keyboard with a solar panel – designed by u/mrninhvn.
Published August 8, 2022
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Impressed by the Lumberjack keyboard, designer mrninhvn wanted to make a wireless version for himself – it's called Phaethon, and it's a solar powered through-hole 5x12 ortholinear PCB kit for 60% tray mount cases.
Specs
- 5x12 (split Preonic) layout, full grid or 2x2u spacebars.
- Fits in a 60% tray-mount case.
- Wireless USB receiver and Bluetooth 5.2 from receiver.
- Built-in solar battery charger, works with artificial light
- Ultra low energy consumption: ~1 year without any light or doesn't need to plug in the charger in a bright room.
- Switch footprint: Cherry MX, Cherry low profile, TTC low profile (KS32).
- Supported stabilizer: Cherry PCB screw-in, Costar plate mount for low profile.
- Assembled MCU + Solar board and USB receiver.
- All through-hole components.
After a long hiatus following its introduction in September 2021 and the initial IC, it seems the project will stop at the prototype phase due to the PCB being too complicated for mass production and also the global chip shortage:
Currently I am stopping due to lack of chips and difficult assembly, but eventually I will opensource it – mrninhvn.
Published on Mon 8th Aug 2022. Featured in KBD #90 (source).
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