Can someone identify this aftermarket Model M controller?

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Bitteneite

13 Jun 2021, 19:21

I found this Model M controller as I was browsing a Chinese site.
Seems to have a Type-C port and a solenoid header.
What's the name of it? Does anyone know a thread or any documentation about it?

Image

Image

Any help is appreciated.

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Weezer

13 Jun 2021, 19:32

I've not seen that one before. Interesting. Might be QMK?

jmaynard

14 Jun 2021, 14:27

Is that a 20-pin matrix socket on the left? Looks like the carrier board can handle multiple keyboards and multiple controllers.

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Bitteneite

14 Jun 2021, 15:24

I got this other picture from the seller. Way clearer too.
Seems to be a more recent revision as well: 24-May-2021
Not sure if it's of any help though.

https://i.imgur.com/GAEF9Cz.jpeg
Image

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Bitteneite

14 Jun 2021, 15:30

jmaynard wrote:
14 Jun 2021, 14:27
Is that a 20-pin matrix socket on the left? Looks like the carrier board can handle multiple keyboards and multiple controllers.
Ooo, good eye!
I do recall my M Battleships having a longer socket, which would actually make sense if he was aiming for a one-size-fits-all controller.

jmaynard

14 Jun 2021, 16:29

Bitteneite wrote:
14 Jun 2021, 15:30
Ooo, good eye!
I do recall my M Battleships having a longer socket, which would actually make sense if he was aiming for a one-size-fits-all controller.
Yup. I'm working on multiple M122s, and while the clearer picture shows only a 16-pin socket, there's space for a 20.

Where'd you see this? I might snag one and see if it saves me having to make them myself.

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Bitteneite

14 Jun 2021, 16:48

jmaynard wrote:
14 Jun 2021, 16:29
Where'd you see this? I might snag one and see if it saves me having to make them myself.
It's a listing from Xianyu, which is based on Taobao, I believe.
It's all in Chinese, and I have no clue what the buttons do, but I just accidentally stumbled on it after clicking on many related IBM listings.

624245305

30 Jun 2021, 17:36

pcb....
Attachments
type-c-M101.7z
(632.62 KiB) Downloaded 210 times

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an_achronism

30 Jun 2021, 18:00

The idea of putting a solenoid in a Model M is extremely funny to me and I hope somebody has done it and/or is going to do it

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Go-Kart

30 Jun 2021, 18:36

an_achronism wrote:
30 Jun 2021, 18:00
The idea of putting a solenoid in a Model M is extremely funny to me and I hope somebody has done it and/or is going to do it
Why not be the first yourself :twisted:

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Bitteneite

30 Jun 2021, 18:46

Go-Kart wrote:
30 Jun 2021, 18:36
Why not be the first yourself :twisted:
(Rolls sleeves)
Just you wait ;)

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Bitteneite

30 Jun 2021, 20:48

I got my hands on it :twisted:

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Bjerrk

30 Jun 2021, 21:02

Bitteneite wrote:
30 Jun 2021, 20:48
I got my hands on it :twisted:
Haha! That is wicked :D

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raoulduke-esq

30 Jun 2021, 21:15

Screw a floss mod; I'm tryin' to get on this level!

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Go-Kart

30 Jun 2021, 21:47

Glorious!

624245305

01 Jul 2021, 15:58

firmware
Attachments
ibm-m101-via.7z
(48.81 KiB) Downloaded 158 times

tiltowait

04 Aug 2021, 20:57

Is there any easy way to buy this in the US?

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Bitteneite

07 Aug 2021, 04:46

tiltowait wrote:
04 Aug 2021, 20:57
Is there any easy way to buy this in the US?
I had to send it through a proxy, which took a while before I got it in my hands.

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RoastPotatoes

09 Nov 2022, 15:18

Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg (86.91 KiB) Viewed 5214 times

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Crizender

09 Nov 2022, 15:22

RoastPotatoes wrote:
09 Nov 2022, 15:18
Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg
https://h5.m.goofish.com/item?id=656161 ... 011849.0.0

I believe this is it, correct me if I'm wrong.

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RoastPotatoes

09 Nov 2022, 15:24

Crizender wrote:
09 Nov 2022, 15:22
RoastPotatoes wrote:
09 Nov 2022, 15:18
Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg
https://h5.m.goofish.com/item?id=656161 ... 011849.0.0

I believe this is it, correct me if I'm wrong.
Wow, that was quick! Looks to be it, thank you.

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RoastPotatoes

16 Dec 2022, 18:27

So I got one! Unfortunately it doesn't fit in the SSK case.

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RoastPotatoes

16 Dec 2022, 18:59

Am I being stupid or is this design slightly upside down? It is as pictured tbf but the old revision makes sense with the cable sockets on the top.
Do you think if I remove and solder the sockets to the top this will work?
IMG_20221216_174757195-min.jpg
IMG_20221216_174757195-min.jpg (788.54 KiB) Viewed 3867 times
IMG_20221216_174656579-min.jpg
IMG_20221216_174656579-min.jpg (855.81 KiB) Viewed 3867 times
IMG_20221216_174441280-min.jpg
IMG_20221216_174441280-min.jpg (881.93 KiB) Viewed 3867 times

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RoastPotatoes

18 Dec 2022, 14:53

So I've flipped the sockets to the other side and it still works as much as it did before I think.
Now I need to figure out the firmware.
624245305 wrote:
01 Jul 2021, 15:58
firmware
Do you have the firmware for this revision?
IMG_20221218_135012582_1.jpg
IMG_20221218_135012582_1.jpg (1.74 MiB) Viewed 3777 times

User avatar
RoastPotatoes

22 Dec 2022, 10:46

Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog

624245305

Yesterday, 08:16

Firmware And PCB
Attachments
type-c-M101_M122_kicad7.7z
(945.19 KiB) Downloaded 6 times

624245305

Yesterday, 08:24

RoastPotatoes wrote:
22 Dec 2022, 10:46
Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog
After seeing your blog, yours originally fits M122 and is fixed to the metal plate so that M101 can be put in.

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