NeoKey Socket Breakout for Keyboard Key - with NeoPixel - MX Compatible

NeoKey - NeoPixel based breakout for Cherry MX compatible keyboard key

Thanks to this breakout, you can easily mount/insert your Cherry MX key (or compatible) and make the keycap glowing as the breakout board also includes a Neopixel (Smart and addressable RGB led). It is what Adafruit calls a NeoKey Breakout and it will let you create amazing/responsive keyboards. This little board of 21.8mm x 19.0mm can be plug with a Cherry MX (or compatible) keyboard switch and make it easy to use with a breadboard.

The breakout is fitted with a Kailh socket, so the MX-compatible switch/key doesn't need to be soldered (you may use some hot glue/epoxy to firmly keeps the key in place).
The switch is also mounted in serie with a signal diode (1N4148) to avoids ghost key detection when breakouts are assembled into a matrix grid.

The NeoPixel is mounted under the board and do point toward the keycap. The best color effect will be obtained with a translucide keycap. The input and output of the pixel are broken out on the NeoKey board allowing them to be daisy chained as a NeoPixel strip does.

The board are very flexible thanks to the breakouts signal available on the board:

• VDD : (+) the power pin for the NeoPixel, provide 3 to 5VDC
• GND : (-) the ground power pin for the NeoPixel, connect to ground
• In : (I) the input to the NeoPixel, for chaining
• Out (O) the NeoPixel output to next pixel (for daisy chain)
• Switch Anode : (A) the 'positive' side of the switch+diode. Connect to the microcontroler pin (with the MCU pull-up resistor activated).
• Switch Cathode : (C) the 'negative' side of the switch+diode. Connect this pin to ground (or activated ground row when assembled in matrix).

The board exposes two rows of 5-pins contacts (2.54mm spacing) on each side, one on the top and one at the bottom.
We recommend to solder a pin-header on the both sides to ensure the best mechanical stability.

As the 5 pins are connected wisely between the both connectors, the boards can be easily stack-up together in column to create matrix (arrangement with multiples columns).
The  contacts the two sides share the same daisy chainable NeoPixel pins "I" for NeoPixel in and "O" for NeoPixel out (at the opposite side).
This allows side-by-side wiring for the NeoKey board. The (C) switch cathode pin is also broken out on the sides which will helps to ground an entire row of keys (when boards are assembled in matrix).

A mechanical switch (and keycap) is required to use this product! Use any MX-compatible switch like Kailh, Gateron, etc!

Technical details

Product Dimensions: 21.8mm x 19.0mm x 3.4mm
Product Weight: 1.4 gr

Content

For each order, you will receive one NeoKey socket board assembled and tested. Soldering is required to attach the header for breadboard use.
Keycaps and MX Key not included.