UL30 Backlit Keyboard Mod

I did this mod last week. Thanks for the instructions! My only complaint is the +5v source you chose to use for the keyboard does not cut power when the laptop is put to sleep. If I get motivated enough I'll do some digging for alternate locations.

Edit: I didn't think to try hibernate until seconds after I posted this. Hibernate shuts the lights off just fine. Resume from hibernation doesn't seem to take much longer so I'll go that route for now. Thanks again!

 

What's weird is that yesterday I tried testing out the +5V spot that soulsaber pointed out with a voltmeter and nothing came up. So instead, I went through one of the USB ports to draw power.

Were you able to get a reading from a volt-meter?

 

Yes I was able to get a proper reading, both in the quick boot OS (forgot what it's called) and in Windows. I have an A1 so it may be different on the X1. Not sure though.

Edit: Does the +5V source you chose cut power when the laptop is put to sleep?

 

David has an A1 though. I don't have a voltmeter, but i'll attempt the mod anyways on my X1

 

@Boxcar
What is the reason for needing it to be powered still when it's on sleep? Here are the points of where I found a 5V source. I changed my point because this is a lot easier to play with in my opinion.

Also, updated the first post with more pics!




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UPDATE: I swapped the keyboard frames, so now it matches again! It gives the backlight a much nicer glow.

 

Poor choice of words I guess. What I wanted to find was a spot that cut power when the laptop was put to sleep. Using the +5V location in your first post my keyboard remained lit when it was in the sleep state. The lights on the keyboard did turn off during hibernation though. I fix my posts above to avoid any further confusion.

I like the bezel swap. Looks great!

 

Hmm really? That is strange... I always put my laptop on sleep and the keyboard lights would always turn off.

The only thing I can think of is that you might be also contacting something else that is always powered on... such as the connection to that white thing that has "MB" written on it.

 

Nice mod, thanks for sharing!

Now the only problem for me is, where to find a keyboard. That asusparts (eu) store is total bull. 302mm backlight keyboard including taxes, shipped by DHL would cost me 82.39€ which is approx $110. Does that sound reasonable?

Ebay would be an option but only the US model available, sigh.

 

where are you located. I can probably order it here in the US and send it to you. I can do it for half that price.

 

I live in Finland.

 

what's your email??? I can't send you a pm.

 

You can get the backlit keyboard here
hope this helps anybody in the UK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASUS-U80-Keyb...rComponents_KeyboardsMice?hash=item2558858aaa

 

Hmm the connectors are pointing to the right instead of upwards... strange. That may or may not be a problem because these cables are really fragile, especially the one that supplies the backlight.

 

You can mail me at jamppajkl gmail com

 

I think I'm gonna try this once I order my U30JC.
Anyone figure out a way to turn the backlight off though?

 

You won't be able to if you've soldered/wire-glued the +5V wire to the motherboard, but if you connected it to one of the USB ports, you can disable the USB port through your device manager to switch your backlight off.

 

Any diagrams of where the USB power connector is?
And would the USB still work with devices?

 

Are you sure about this? I disabled all my usb ports on my laptop just to try it out, but my external dvd drive still had power.

 

Really? That's odd....

 

Any ideas on adding a switch to turn this on/off? Anyone know how to wire a SPST switch or something?

 

This SPST, is a normal switch, which is capable to turn on/off the LEDs for the Keyboard?
The Main Problem is, imho, to find any switch which is small enough to fit in the Laptops case. There maybe some Space between the battery and Laptop(when you lift your Keyboard and disconnect the battery, you can so that there are 3 long wholes, where you can wire a switch...)
A Very cool implementation would be a very..VERY flat capacitiv switch over the battery, under the case (right above F6..F8).
Too bad that i cant order the Keyboard in my native language(German) :/

//EDIT: I´ve found a small switch (THIS in a capacitiv form and this would be it) http://www.elektroniknet.de/e-mecha.../Kleiner_und_flacher_Schalter_fuer_Handhelds/
You may have to use google translater

MFG Jubeltrubel

 

I will be trying this on UL50 soon. Just bought a UX50v keyboard, which has the number pads.
As for a switch, I'm thinking of hooking the 5v to the indicator lights for num lock, that way the keyboard light will light up when you press the num lk key. Although a bit more disassembly will be required, i think it'll be worth it.

 

Anyone know where the original spot landed for the backlight keyboard. We are going to be trying this on a N61JQ in our owner forum. I will let you know how it goes guys.

 

What do you mean the original spot?

 

If anybody is interested i can post a circuit design for a qt110 chip that will allow you to turn the backlight on and off just by touching a specific area under the laptop through one of the vents. it is a simple circuit if you can get hold of one of the chips. the chip is a capacitive chip and will work off the 5v line allowing a switched 0v (Gnd) output. the sensor can be the bare end of a wire or you could even make a small metalic sticker as your touch sensor.

 

i purchased the keyboard off ebay in the UK the link is in a previous posting and allthough the cables on the rear are a different layout it works just as well also the keyboard had a removable base plate that when taken off made it as thin as the original keyboard.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-ASUS-U80-Ba...mQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item4839f02733

There seems to be a seller with a bunch of these backlit keyboards, so maybe someone can comment on their reliability. I'm extremely interested in the PL30Jt but the biggest drawback is the lack of backlit keys; you guys have solved that for me.

Maybe ASUS will get smart and include a backlit keyboard before they ship the PL or the new UL30Jt... One can only hope.

 

Good to hear someone in the UK is also interested in this mod! Can you tell me if the keyboard you received has a US or a UK layout? Im assuming you bought from the UK seller for £35?

Thanks in advance!

 

The keyboard is a US Layout but you can still keep your settings at UK as its probably second nature for you to find the @ sign at the bottom right by now
also the same with the pound sign you just know where they are.

 

Cool thanks for letting me know. Im beginning to think these keybaords are only produced with a US layout. Maybe the U80 was US only?

The big concern for me would be draining the battery life. Do USB ports have a 5v supply? If so, could it be possible to connect the 5v feed from the keyboard to a usb port? That way to turn the keyboard on/off you would simply plug in/remove a dongle of some sort?

 

That keyboard seems different with the connectors pointing in the wrong direction... also if you look closely it has screw things on the back, while mine is completely flat. If you got this you would have to remove those as it would prevent the keyboard from being flush.

After a long time with this... battery life is maybe around half hour to an hour shorter (from the 10ish I usually get). Connecting to a USB port would just leave it on all the time, so it's no different.

 

I'm assuming this would work fine with the U30jc?

 

Crap! I wish you had mentioned sooner, i've just ordered one! Nevermind i'll have to hack the screws from the bottom off. Do you think the connector facing the wrong way will be much of a problem?

 

Not sure about the connector as I have a U81 with that keyboard but the extra plate unscrews so you can remove it...........

 

That keyboard works fine im using it right now dont fret just remove the entire base plate its not needed then fold the connector to line stright its more robust than you think just dont go at it like a bull in a china shop once the base plate is removed you will see that its the same thickness as the old keyboard.

 

Sweet, that's good to hear. Did you guys solder it or use wire glue? Any thoughts about installing a switch between the 5v supply and the keyboard itself?

 

depending on you soldering skills and electronics knowledge you can add a small chip as mentioned in one of my previous posts called a qt110, i have installed one in mine over the weekend and now just touch a small touch sensor under the laptop to activate/deactivate the backlight only took 30mins total.

 

here is the basic circuit you need for touch with the qt110

 

Here are a couple of images of my install you can see my keyboard cable is folded because it had a right angle on it also i have an 80gb intel ssd installed and this gives 4mm extra clearance above the drive so thats where i installed my qt110 chip for the touch mod. you could also locate any mods in the hdd area shown just make sure you insulate or heatshrink your circuit first.

 

Great job, it looks awesome! How sensitive is the touch switch? Will movement when its on your lap trigger it or does it have to be touched with skin? Where can you get a qt110 switch from? I also notice you have a 10nf capacitor also in the circuit diagram

 

if you keep the sensor small it will only work with direct touch make it larger and it can detect through objects. it only needs a 10nf capacitor to function you can get the chips from mouser electronics in the US they ship to the UK also.

 

Farnell Electronics sell the qt110 in the UK also.

 

In order to adjust the brightness, would it be possible to install a switch between the 5v and keyboard that adjusts the power being fed? Also great job, skyrise.

 

WOW that's awesome skyrise! So much cleaner looking than my wiring job haha. +rep

 

I would not have even thought about adding a backlit keyboard to my Asus if i had not come across the work you had already started Soulsaber so thanks for doing such a great job starting this thread off i just hope i can help people with the on/off issue and as for your wiring it works doesn’t it.

 

I don't think my soldering/wiring/electronics skills are up to the job of wiring in the switch. Seems a bit too daunting for myself
Might just have to fit the keyboard and see how it goes.

EDIT: Rep for the both of you too

 

Is this one at Mouser electronics correct? The voltage says 3.5v tho...

clicky

 

That is the correct one, the check box is there to select 3.5V (which it comes back as qty of 0. If you read the data sheet under the documents tab it gives you the stats for 0-5V and tells you how to calculate. edit* I read in haste and didn't pay attention: 10nf sounds fine for sensitivity.

Good luck!

 

Haha yes it does work, but I will probably change it to something like yours. Even with my thin gauge wire it does seem to push up a little bit on the keyboard =(

 

Wouldn't it be easier to add the F3 And F4 function keys to the ones on the pc?
I think it's the APCI that runs them.