Zenith Z-150

paecific.jr · 08 Dec 2016, 20:21

I splurged on another keyboard.

But, I have less than some people on here and on Geekhack so I digress.

I bought a Zenith Z-150. I mostly wanted a vintage gaming keyboard with some smooth linear Alps. I got sucked into buying it because it was sold for a fair price on eBay ($50). So the ultimate question, how do I get it to work without cutting the cable? I forgot to do my research and from what I hear orihalcon's converter doesn't work. Does it? Do I have to order a Teensy? How do I move forward?

Also, it may be a week before I actually set out to hook it up, I have finals next week.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Menuhin · 08 Dec 2016, 20:32

Hey Pacific junior,

It's a nice board with the adorable linear Green Alps, mine is missing a few keys... :\
For Z-150, those with White label is the AT version, those with black label is the XT version.
Both will work with 'Soarer's converter" sold at about $40.
The AT version is simpler - you can use a cheap AT to PS/2 converter and then a cheap PS/2 to USB converter.

HTH.

paecific.jr · 08 Dec 2016, 21:56

I have yellows. My is a black label. Do you have a configuration I could use for Soarer's converter?

Menuhin · 09 Dec 2016, 01:25

I don't have this AT/XT to USB converter, but it sounds like it works like magic according to this thread:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64670.0

Not cheap, and many wonder how it is put together:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/272197728524?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT

Chyros · 09 Dec 2016, 03:20

Isn't the Z-150 one of those reset line keyboards? I keep forgetting.

Menuhin · 09 Dec 2016, 13:25

Chyros wrote: Isn't the Z-150 one of those reset line keyboards? I keep forgetting.

I'm too new to the hobby of older pre-PS/2 keyboards, so I haven't even heard of the term "reset line keyboards".
Do you mind telling more about that?

Chyros · 09 Dec 2016, 14:16

Menuhin wrote:
Chyros wrote: Isn't the Z-150 one of those reset line keyboards? I keep forgetting.
I'm too new to the hobby of older pre-PS/2 keyboards, so I haven't even heard of the term "reset line keyboards".
Do you mind telling more about that?

Some XT keyboards don't work with a 4-pin Soarer's converter like Orihalcon's as they use the fifth pin as a reset line. Those keyboards will not work without this line. Orihalcon does sell conversion kits for those keyboards iirc. I can't remember for sure but I think the Z-150 was one of those.

Menuhin · 09 Dec 2016, 22:39

So it sounds like Z-150 won't work so easily with Orihalcon's converter. I actually haven't read any report of Z-150 (XT/AT) working with a converter except with that little black box.

paecific.jr · 09 Dec 2016, 23:42

Chyros wrote:
Menuhin wrote:
Chyros wrote: Isn't the Z-150 one of those reset line keyboards? I keep forgetting.
I'm too new to the hobby of older pre-PS/2 keyboards, so I haven't even heard of the term "reset line keyboards".
Do you mind telling more about that?
Some XT keyboards don't work with a 4-pin Soarer's converter like Orihalcon's as they use the fifth pin as a reset line. Those keyboards will not work without this line. Orihalcon does sell conversion kits for those keyboards iirc. I can't remember for sure but I think the Z-150 was one of those.

Could you help me find some more info on this?

Also huge fan of your videos!

Hypersphere · 05 Feb 2017, 00:24

I have a Zenith Z-150 (100-1886) Black Label with SKCL Yellow Alps. It works with an Orihalcon-Soarer converter. I bought an internal converter from Orihalcon -- this one has the 5th wire for the reset. His converters have a micro-USB connector on the mini circuit board.

: Orihalcon-Soarer-Converter-Zenith_163-73_A25.jpg (81.59 KiB) Viewed 2952 times

I plug this into a micro-USB cable with a panel-mount micro-USB connector. The connectors I have been using are from DataPro for $9.95:

http://www.datapro.net/products/usb-mic ... e-m-f.html

But recently, Adafruit started carrying a more compact version for only $4.95:

: panel-mount-u-usb.jpg (42.01 KiB) Viewed 2986 times

https://www.adafruit.com/product/937

There is plenty of room inside the Zenith Z-150 case for the converter and panel-mount micro-USB cable with connector. You just need to drill three holes in the back of the case for mounting the connector. It works quite nicely.

Adafruit also carries a mini-USB connector, so if you preferred to have a mini-USB connector, you could use a small mini-to-micro adapter for the Orihalcon-Soarer converter. You can find such adapters on Amazon and eBay.

paecific.jr · 05 Feb 2017, 20:10

Thanks for that Hypersphere. I have a teensy right now, I'm just lacking in time to put it together.

Chyros · 05 Feb 2017, 20:57

Ah, yes, that thing. I messaged Orihalcon about it twice, but he never replied. Personally, I'd also prefer to mod it plugside rather than PCB-side as the original cable is amazing.

Hypersphere · 06 Feb 2017, 00:27

@Chyros: Orihalcon is always very busy with work and various projects. He usually responds eventually, perhaps after a reminder.

I prefer my keyboards with detachable cables. I frequently swap out keyboards at my workstations, and I store my keyboards in boxes. Overall, things are much neater without attached cables.

Regarding the Z-150 (100-1886), How can you determine (such as from a seller's listing) if it has dye-sub PBT vs. doubleshot keycaps without seeing the underside of the keycaps? Is there any correlation with the S/N or are there other numbers or outward signs? If a seller has not already pulled a cap, I am reluctant to ask him to do so -- the last time I made such a request about an Alps-switch keyboard, , the seller broke the cap with the cap stem still embedded in the slider.