ZX Spectrum Toastrack Mechanical (Clicky!) Keyboard + Refurbish

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Let's install and test this clicky keyboard upgrade to a ZX Spectrum Toastrack.
In the video I mention the option to assemble this yourself and how long it would take, see the link below, you actually would only need to solder the cables, so it's not so bad!
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Pateron - / happylittlediodes
Get in touch if you have repairs or refurbish jobs you'd like me to look at
www.ginger-electronic.com/en/...
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Опубликовано:

20 янв 2023

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Комментарии : 38

@rennmaxbeta Месяц назад

I still have mine in its box; loved my 128K

@TheTurnipKing 5 месяцев назад

The fact that it's basically a plus with go faster stripes probably doesn't do its desirability any harm, but the collectability is mostly to do with the fact that it's the last of the Sinclair Spectrums

@Martin_Demsky 4 месяца назад

This was my last ZX Spectrum 128K, spanish version from Investronica, together with numeric keypad and +D disk interface. Directly from AY chip i put ACB stereo output to my stereo boombox, i used SQ Tracker and Sample Tracker 3 :-)

@HappyLittleDiodes 4 месяца назад

That sounds like a serious setup!

@retrorobbins Год назад

Love toast racks glad to see another video from you it has been a while hasn't it

@Doombrain Год назад

128 is the missing machine from my collection. Great video 👍🏼

@HappyLittleDiodes Год назад

Thank you

@10p6 Год назад

Nice. The membrane on the + and 128K have 3 layers instead of the normal 2 to access the additional keys. However to do this on a PCB with a simple switch you need simple logit to imitate that 3rd membrane layer.

@joseantoniopino6241 Год назад

Thanks for this video, it's very interesting, great work. I have installed several of these keyboards, they are marvellous, however the remaining touch is not very good because the microswitches are very high, eliminating the spring effect of the membrane. This can be solved by putting a cardboard or plastic template with holes for each microswitch. With thickness similar of the microswitches between the membrane and the PCB, the sensitivity and tact is greatly improved.

@MarcKloos Год назад

I have 4 toastracks, the Spanish one and the Version 9G lack the toroid coil (gaping hole there), while both Version 6U's do have them.

@gertsy2000 6 месяцев назад

Great video, That new keyboard looks great. BTW it's easier to remove the Spacebar rod from the membrane side, once the membrane is removed. Also when fitting the backplane, you shouldn't have the face resting on the bench. The left and right of the keyboard face should be raised so the keys are dangling free in between, if that makes sense.

@HappyLittleDiodes 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for the tip!

@gertsy2000 6 месяцев назад

@@HappyLittleDiodes NP, it was more for your viewers. Thanks for the videos. I'm getting my (spare for parts) ZX Spectrums back in shape with your help.

@1337Shockwav3 Год назад

Funny, I just ordered the same PCB yesterday, intended to go with my white/grey/red russian clone of a ZX+ keyboard (while I do have a portugese style ZX48, I'm mostly interested in russian "high end" clones [Pentagon, Scorpion, ATM Turbo]) ... which has springs for plungers instead of rubber domes - pretty excited whether it will work as intended.

@hbox21 Год назад

good job. i have a couple of spectrum +1,s. one of which is in poor condition been think of making a fake toastrack out of it

@MattKasdorf Год назад

That keyboard mod is quite intriguing, I wonder if it's been considered for the original Commodore PET 2001 with it's chiclet keyboard? 😏

@HappyLittleDiodes Год назад

That would be nice! And certainly possible given the design, instead of using ICs to multiplex there are just millions of wires, it's quite simple

@user-do3eo9ro9b 8 месяцев назад

Awesome video thanks for putting it together. I am planning to do this mod on mine. You mentioned you changed the bubble mat, can you tell me where you managed to source one? thanks!

@HappyLittleDiodes 8 месяцев назад

I'm afraid I sourced it from the pile of case parts under my desk! Thanks for the kind comment

@rijast77 8 месяцев назад

ok thanks!

@moonandwanderer Год назад

Ah yes of course there is only one supply to those RAM chips. Great music too.

@1337Shockwav3 Год назад

#TeamPencilEraser - Thanks for referencing my comment :) As you said, in the end it comes down to personal preference.

@HappyLittleDiodes Год назад

That, and what you've got handy!

@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp Год назад

Yep, removing the coil from the toroid will have decreased it's inductance. May cause problems as far as interference is concerned but otherwise, no biggie. Would love a toastrack one day, but will have to live with my heavily modded Grey +2 with toastrack rom, stereo sound, rewired joy ports etc, etc. 😛

@retrorobbins Год назад

Yes would love a way to improve the sound on the grey +2 mono output stereo channels available never understood why they did that

@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp Год назад

@@retrorobbins It's a bit of a fiddly job, but when I did the video out mod I fitted three phono outs in where the modulator out was (by drilling the shielding case to accept sockets) and carefully sculpted the case plastic so it looks like it was original. Did the stereo mod and hooked it all up, balancing the levels with variable resistors and it really makes a huge difference. Some games even work in surround for some reason, which is fun.

@jaycee1980 Год назад

@@retrorobbins Simple reason they left it as mono - most of them would be used with portable TV sets, which are also mono.

@alzeNL 6 месяцев назад

as a fan of synths, i like your music, but not on the video, maybe a little quiter ? I dont know, what your saying is really good, the music is distracting on an otherwise really interesting video.

@HappyLittleDiodes 6 месяцев назад

Hiya! Thanks, and yes the more recent videos have quieter music :) I noticed it too

@alzeNL 6 месяцев назад

@@HappyLittleDiodes cheers, i'm enjoying your videos, learning alot. thanks for all the content and keeping the spectrums alive :)

@arnolduk123 11 месяцев назад

If this is a direct replacement for the membrane then why does it have all those extra ic chips ? Does it draw much current from the 9V power supply ?

@HappyLittleDiodes 11 месяцев назад

They may be partially to do with antighosting, maybe driving and cleaning up signals? Not sure as they don't get a steady 5V really

@arnolduk123 11 месяцев назад

@@HappyLittleDiodes I see, that makes sense then if only for button debouncing but seems a little over engineered with all those IC's.

@jaycee1980 Год назад

The toroid isnt really important and in fact, it's often not fitted at all! I think there were some countries where they had to minimise emissions from the 9V power cord, thats all. The grey +2 is the same design and doesn't have one. edit: I would probably replace that GSS branded Z80. They are known for going bad !

@MarcKloos Год назад

As you can read elsewhere in these comments, my Version 9G is missing the toroid coil. But that's also the one that's spray painted with metal paint at the inside to minimise emissions! I have a few other micros that have the inside of the case metal coated: a US ZX80 and US ZX81, Timex Sinclair 1000 and 1500, a NTSC ZX Spectrum from Chile (making use of some extra connection pads already on every issue 4 motherboard specifically for the grounding prongs!) and a Beckman Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K+ from Sweden.