Adding a rubber backlit emissive keyboard to a CF-30

A buddy just bought a CF-30FCS64AM that did not come with a backlit keyboard. He wants to use it outdoors; can he just buy a rubber backlit keyboard like this one and install it?

Also, I read in a different auction that somebody had a rubber backlit keyboard for a CF-29, 30, and 31, but stated that it was NOT backlit if installed in a CF-30. Strange?

I searched but didn't see a thread about this. Lots of non-CF-30 threads though!

 

I don't see why not as the keyboards are the same,I am 99% sure it will work but I'm sure others will confirm it will or not.

 

First I have heard of that. I bought a 30 last year that had one and it worked fine...sounds like one of them china sellers that I seen last month selling them. Does your friend know how hard it is to type on them ??

 

As long as it is for a cf29 or cf30 it should work.....Backlit keyboards for a cf28 will fit but not light up ....

here is a cf29 cf30 rubber keyboard for sale with a best offer....

Panasonic Toughbook CF 20 Keyboard Rubber CF 31 CF 30 CF 29 | eBay

 

Yes, it was a Chinese seller. As Shawn noted, maybe it's a CF-28 keyboard that merely "fits".

No, he doesn't know about the typing difficulty, but I'll tell him.

Thanks guys!

 

Oh forgot to ask, will he also need the top bracket, p/n DFGE0131 ?

Edit: that p/n is for a CF-29. I guess I'd need the CF-30 p/n.

 

Also watch the China sellers as they are listing boards and in the small print it says they "look like emissive" but don't light up.

 

Howdy. The part number you are looking for is DFHR6299. You can get the part here: used panasonic toughbook cf-30 rubber keyboard bezel cover dfhr6299

 

Safn1949: Well, now that's just downright sneaky.

Ed: Thank you!

 

Don't buy Toughbook parts from Chinese sellers! They are cheap copies!

 

Chinese sellers are cheap copies???

 

hi all

make sure the connectors are the same google and look at images part of web page.

 

The Keyboard Connector is most likely the most delicate of any connector on the machine, you only get one shot at taking the connector off. I bought a whole broken CF-30 just to pillage the Emissive KB, (turned out to be cheaper than buying just the KB alone, greedy eBay sellers). Best advise use your fingernails to loosen the stationary clips from the Motherboard, one side at a time. The KB end of the connector is a ribbon cable, no clips.

 

I use dental picks... They work great!