TOTEM v0.3 Wireless Keyboard Build Log

[@rafaeldelboni]

Yes, I forgot two sneaky diodes on the other side of the PCBs, I didn't record any footage of me soldering then, but you can check a picture of those in the build log here: github.com/rafaeldelboni/buildlogs/blob/main/totem-v0.3.md#diodes

[@pfuispinne]

It's sooooo weird and satisfying at the same time to watch someone build a board that you designed for the first time. The fact that I use the same soldering mat makes it even weirder. What broke the illusion of watching myself were your superior soldering skills. Thanks for sharing the video. You did a great job!

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@pfuispinne are you GEIST? Thanks so much for your feedback and for making all your designs open source! That's incredibly generous of you. I have to say, of all the boards I've built, this one is by far the most beautiful and well-thought-out. It's truly a piece of art, and I've been happily using it since the day I built it. You're a real artist, and your comment totally made my day! Thanks again 😊

[@pfuispinne]

@@rafaeldelboni That's really so nice to read! Thank you!

[@FreXxXmeister]

After watching this video, I decided to also black out the corners of my PCB based keyboard. Absolute gamechanger!

[@k.nananthanandanan3540]

Great build, I actually just ordered by first split keyboard, TOTEM itself. I have not seen a lot of videos covering TOTEM builds, great to see this video just before I build mine : )

[@Loren344]

this is so nice! i like the more extreme sweep and the beautiful tiny seeed microcontroller.

[@rafaeldelboni]

Dude I just realized that I used to follow you on Twitter! You are such skilled gamedev and artist! Thank you for all your work :) And yes, seeeds are great and cheap microcontrollers, I want to use then in everything in home now haha

[@tupinikeebs]

Mestre! Excelente como sempre, dessa vez até o sountrack ficou perfeito!

[@johnwickkeanureevesmatrix]

excellent job. bro please measure battery "place""housing" (with calipers?) on top side of "plate" . its somewhere 16 mm x 21mm x 8mm. i don't have this keyboard yet, but i cant find battery this size at least 100 mah.

[@rafaeldelboni]

The official guide says: There is space for a 15 x 22 x 7.5 mm battery. I don't have a paquimeter here, but of helps my battery is 5mm X 15mm X 22mm 140mha, I bought in a local shop here in Brazil. produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-3132175293-bateria-140-mah-37v-2-fios-5mm-x-15mm-x-22mm-501522-_JM I think you can find some in AliExpress

[@rafaeldelboni]

I found this one in ali www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004517035478.html

[@shangraf]

tava com saudade dos vídeos

[@KamoliddinNabijonov-y2u]

nice soldering skills

[@TaxManATX]

Thanks for this video & the build guide! I noticed the build guide includes links to many of the parts you used, but there's only dimension detail for the batteries. I'm only just dipping my toes into custom electronics so I'm sure this is a newbie question, but I'm having trouble figuring out where people are sourcing batteries. Most ergo board shops I've checked online don't seem to sell batteries, and the few hits I found searching reddit only seem to reference amazon / ebay / aliexpress. Are these okay sources for LiPo batteries?

[@rafaeldelboni]

Thanks for your feedback, yeah the battery is kinda hard find, but the only restrictions are the voltage 3.7v (if I'm not mistaken) and the size that would fit in the case (5mm X 15mm X 22mm), I live in Brazil and I bought mine in a local store like ebay (produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-3132175293-bateria-140-mah-37v-2-fios-5mm-x-15mm-x-22mm-501522-_JM?quantity=4). But usually I had lucky buying batteries form Aliexpress at the time I was searching the time to ship was absurdly high, but I do recommend buying the batts there :)

[@andikagalihrakadewa2859]

Awesome Video, Is there any chance to make a video with the dongle setup in the future ? Thankyouu

[@rafaeldelboni]

Possibly! I just need to buy another Xiao and test this setup, but I'm having good battery time using the deep sleep zmk config.

[@andikagalihrakadewa2859]

@@rafaeldelboni I hope you make that one video. Thankyou very much

[@elliottclaus7584]

I just finished a wireless and wired build of the TOTEM. Wish this had been out before I did it 😂

[@rafaeldelboni]

😂 Are you linking the keyboard so far?

[@elliottclaus7584]

@@rafaeldelboni yeah I love it, it’s my first complete build, though I’ve used a Corne for the last two years

[@TheEyalYemini]

Looks pretty cool man. The more aggressive stagger seems interesting. How comfortable is it so far?

[@rafaeldelboni]

Thanks ❤️ It took some days to get used to it, coming from the corne, but I'm really liking so far. Using it mainly since the day I built :)

[@josipX]

What exactly do I have to solder the pads on the back side of the Xiaos to?

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@josipX you have to solder the iron pads of the PCB together with the pads on the Xiao, have you looked the guide with pictures? Maybe the the before and after pictures of soldering this part can help you understand github.com/rafaeldelboni/buildlogs/blob/main/totem-v0.3.md#xiao

[@victorcamargo7926]

for the pins used to align the controller, did you buy it or did you remove it from standard pins?

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@victorcamargo7926 yes I used the standard pins, but anything would work, like diode legs, copper wire or other pins from arduinos :)

[@zkullzero]

I built one, but uloading the uf2 file in boolader mode doesnt work. It just discconnects the USB any advice?

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@zkullzero that's the expected behavior zmk.dev/docs/development/local-toolchain/build-flash#flashing > If your board supports USB Flashing Format (UF2), copy that file onto the root of the USB mass storage device for your board. The controller should flash your built firmware, unmount the USB storage device and automatically restart once flashing is complete. But I imagine that after it disconnects isn't behaving as it should right? That could be a faulty Xiao or something wrong with the soldering, did you tested the Xiao before soldering?

[@kenzospotify]

hi, from all the keyboard that you built, which one better, i know its depends of the controller as well but, want to know which one bette

[@rafaeldelboni]

Interesting question! I think this is very personal and depends on the goals of the person who will use the keyboard. For me, each build feels like one step towards my endgame build. So far, Totem is my favorite-not only because it has the exact number of keys I need right now, but also because the design aesthetics and the available documentation are incredible, making the build experience amazing. If you're just entering this world, I think any Corne build is a great choice. I mainly used Corne variations for the past four years, and it's great. There are so many documents, custom cases, PCBs, and parts available that it’s an incredibly versatile option. Of all the Cornes I've built, I think the last one, the Bluetooth Choc Spaced, was my favorite because it's simple to build, and not having cables is incredible. I thought it would be a bad experience in Linux, but man, I was wrong.

[@azaeldrm]

@@rafaeldelboni Hi! From starting into the keyboard world (I don't own any fancy keyboards), what's a good entry point for someone that has never owned a split keyboard? Do they sell the one you mentioned, Cornes Bluetooth Choc Spaced, pre-built somewhere? If not, for someone that wants to ease in, what do you recommend?

[@rafaeldelboni]

​@@azaeldrm Hi! Yes, you can find some pre-soldered Corne keyboards online. I did a quick search and found one on Beekeeb: shop.beekeeb.com/product/presoldered-wireless-corne-keyboard/ By the way, I’m not affiliated with Beekeeb in any way.

[@ghuller]

Vc tem um link pra comprar os standoffs? Eu comprei uns na aliexpress mas eles nao entram nos buracos do case.

[@rafaeldelboni]

Tem um link na descrição com todos os itens que comprei pra essa build github.com/rafaeldelboni/buildlogs/blob/main/totem-v0.3.md Mas os standoff eu peguei esses (os mesmo da build oficial) pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005006049595637.html

[@AkitoYamauchi]

I am new to this and struggling to find 6mm M2 Standoffs, and I can only find one with 7mm, 3mm, 4mm etc. Would it still work with 7mm or do I have to use 6mm? And if I use 7mm standoff, do I need 7mm M2 countersunk screw or would 6mm work just fine? Also does hex standoff work or do I need to use round standoff? It would be much appreciated if someone can help.

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@AkitoYamauchi I would recommend you to download the case STL files and opens in a editor where you can measure, here I used 6mm, but I don't think 7mm would be super diferent, you can always buy and try, my screws and standoffs in the video where some leftovers from other projects, but later I bought the right ones and replaced this things are usually very cheap. Here a print of the STL, where you can see that the standoffs doesn't need to be hex imgur.com/a/E8qxoOz

[@Tasty_sand]

have you tried a 3 xiao ble build with one acting as a receiver?

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@Tasty_sand not yet, I will do so, just need to buy a new Xiao :)

[@victorcamargo7926]

what is the battery size?

[@rafaeldelboni]

5mm X 15mm X 22mm, since I live in Brazil and I bought mine in a local store like ebay (produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-3132175293-bateria-140-mah-37v-2-fios-5mm-x-15mm-x-22mm-501522-_JM?quantity=4).

[@calmrain3524]

Hello, can i dont use hot swaps on this ? and it will still works properly?

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@calmrain3524 yes you can solder the switch's directly on the PCB if you want so.

[@calmrain3524]

@@rafaeldelboni I did solder xiao today and it didnt get any voltage as it should, but when connecting with usb it does, bad soldedring i guess :(

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@calmrain3524 yeah doble check the solder, if there is any cold joint, if you have an multimeter to do some continuity checks. And more important is the pads bellow that can be hard to solder and they are related with the battery energy supply

[@calmrain3524]

@@rafaeldelboni i got it working (blinks after power switch on) add firmware, do you might know how to pair it because nothings pops up when i search for BT devices

[@rafaeldelboni]

@@calmrain3524 AFAIK If a profile has not been paired with a peer yet, ZMK automatically advertises itself as connectable. zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/behaviors/bluetooth