Amiga 4000 keyboard membrane - repair?

chiark · 19 November 2009, 08:28

My caps lock key stopped working some time ago in one of my 4000s keyboards.

I was finally bothered to look for the problem yesterday. In short, the membrane has deteriorated at the right-hand edge where the caps lock LED trace is thinnest: it must be about a tenth of a millimetre!

I have tried to repair with a conductive pen, but that failed dismally.

Does anyone have any tips for repairing membranes (if it's possible!)?

Or would membranes from other amiga keyboards work? I know a 1200 wouldn't, but how about a 500: the layout is the same, and the membrane connector location looks identical...

Jope · 19 November 2009, 11:31

You could indeed try an A500 membrane. Make sure both have the same shape return key.

chiark · 19 November 2009, 13:19

right, off to ebay then

Jope · 19 November 2009, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiark

right, off to ebay then

And if you're buying from ebay, make sure that the amount of connectors is the same on both keyboards.. There are A500 keyboards with two flat cables and one.

I'm assuming your a4000 keyboard has one connector between the membrane and the controller board..

chiark · 19 November 2009, 14:19

Cheers Jope, I'd noticed that. The one in my 500 plus is the same, the one in my 500 is different...

I need the one with a single connector.

rkauer · 19 November 2009, 20:42

Alternatively, you can use the A500 keyboard inside the 4000 keyboard case. Just dessolder the LED and respective wires.

Prefer a model with the same shape of the keys you already have to swap over the beige ones from A500 with the originals of the 4k.

BTW: conductive ink can do wonders in bad membranes. If you don't to spend too much in "liquid silver", buy an uncoloured nail varnish and add a lot of graphite (that type used in door locks) into it. Works the same and is very cheap.

chiark · 19 November 2009, 22:12

Cheers Rogerio

.

I've tried the conductive pen, and conductive paint... No go. The problem is right on the edge where the trace is thinnest and is right next to another trace.

Damn annoying!

19 November 2009, 08:28	#1
chiark Needs a life Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 1,707	Amiga 4000 keyboard membrane - repair? My caps lock key stopped working some time ago in one of my 4000s keyboards. I was finally bothered to look for the problem yesterday. In short, the membrane has deteriorated at the right-hand edge where the caps lock LED trace is thinnest: it must be about a tenth of a millimetre! I have tried to repair with a conductive pen, but that failed dismally. Does anyone have any tips for repairing membranes (if it's possible!)? Or would membranes from other amiga keyboards work? I know a 1200 wouldn't, but how about a 500: the layout is the same, and the membrane connector location looks identical...

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19 November 2009, 11:31	#2
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,862	You could indeed try an A500 membrane. Make sure both have the same shape return key.

19 November 2009, 13:19	#3
chiark Needs a life Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 1,707	right, off to ebay then

19 November 2009, 14:19	#5
chiark Needs a life Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 1,707	Cheers Jope, I'd noticed that. The one in my 500 plus is the same, the one in my 500 is different... I need the one with a single connector.

19 November 2009, 20:42	#6
rkauer I hate potatos and shirts Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sao Leopoldo / Brazil Age: 58 Posts: 3,482	Alternatively, you can use the A500 keyboard inside the 4000 keyboard case. Just dessolder the LED and respective wires. Prefer a model with the same shape of the keys you already have to swap over the beige ones from A500 with the originals of the 4k. BTW: conductive ink can do wonders in bad membranes. If you don't to spend too much in "liquid silver", buy an uncoloured nail varnish and add a lot of graphite (that type used in door locks) into it. Works the same and is very cheap.

19 November 2009, 22:12	#7
chiark Needs a life Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 1,707	Cheers Rogerio . I've tried the conductive pen, and conductive paint... No go. The problem is right on the edge where the trace is thinnest and is right next to another trace. Damn annoying!

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